On the Draw

The masters differ over how far the arrow is to be drawn (1):
• Some draw it back until the nock reaches the head of the shoulder joint.
• Others draw to the right eyebrow, and some to the earlobe.
• Some draw until it reaches the end of the jawbone (2), so that the shaft passes between the lips.
• Others draw to the chin, and some to the right breast.
This sums up their divergences.

As for drawing to the shoulder joint, this is the ancient method. The archer sits at a slant, which allows for a longer arrow with such a pull; hence they said that the arrow’s length should be twelve hand-spans. It delivers severe impact, yet few shoot in this fashion or excel at it, and it breeds many faults in the archer’s form.

Section

Drawing to the right eyebrow is the method of Idrīs. It is sound, permitting a longer arrow and imparting great power to the draw (3), but the arrow always leaves the bow at a downward angle. It is therefore well suited to striking fortresses, walls, and elevated positions, yet ill-suited to paper targets. This, too, is one of the older styles of shooting.