pick up and shoot back, or if it was a way to reuse bolts fired by Chinese crossbowmen. In modern times they are primarily used in Flight Archery to shoot shorter arrows to cut down on weight. Technique Like many other Eastern archery styles, Turkish archery uses a "thumb draw", employing a type of grip called "mandal". This grip prevents the arrow from moving if the archer is on a horse and/or firing at an unusual angle. The draw itself is relatively short, usually under the chin or by the cheek, compared to archery styles in China or Japan where the nock is pulled past the head. When the arrow is released, the draw arm is kept relatively steady rather than allowing the arm to swing backwards. Turkish archers developed several unique techniques to aid in combat. One was the practice of holding several arrows in between the fingers of the draw hand, allowing fast repeat shots. Another technique involved drawing the bow with the draw arm going behind the head to fire at a steep downward angle. This was used to fire from atop walls down at enemy troops. See also Composite bow Mongol bow Gakgung Mounted archery Arab archery Chinese archery English longbow External links Türk Okçuluğu Ağı (Turkish Archery Network) - in Turkish by Z. Metin Ateş Turkish Traditional Archery by Z. Metin Ateş "Turkish Traditional Archery Part 2: Technique and Tackle by Murat Özveri "Turkish Traditional Archery Part 1: History, Disciplines, Institutions, Mystic Aspects" by Murat Özveri "The Art of Shooting a Short Reflexed Bow with a Thumb Ring" by Adam Swoboda References Military history of Turkey Military history of the Ottoman Empire Bows (archery) History of archery History of the Turkish people