STEP 1 : STANCE

Stance is the correct foot position of an archer. The goal of stance is to provide a solid foundation for the shot.

An archer is the most stable in an open stance.

  1. Straddle the shooting line with one foot on either side
  2. Feet should be shoulder width apart
  3. Move the foot closet to the target back about 3 inches
  4. Turn the toes of both feet toward the target approximately 30 degrees

STEP 2: NOCK

To nock an arrow is to securely place the arrow onto the bowstring. When an arrow is securely placed on the bowstring the archer feels and/or hears the arrow snap into place.

  1. Grasp the arrow below the nock
  2. Bring the arrow up and over the bow and place it on the arrow rest
  3. Spin the arrow so the index vane points out or away from the riser toward the archer’s body
  4. Push the nock into place on the bowstring directly below the nocking point

STEP 3: HOOK & GRIP

The only two places the archer touch the bow are the bowstring when they “hook” it and at the grip when they “grip” it.

Hook is when the archer curls three fingers around the bowstring directly beneath the arrow (barebow) or one finger above and two below the arrow (Olympic Recurve).

Grip on a bow is when the archer places their hand on the bow.

Hook

  1. Barebow: Curl the bowstring with the index, middle and ring fingertips under the arrow
    Olympic Recurve: Curl the bowstring with the index finger above the arrow, the middle and ring fingers below the arrow
  2. Pull the bowstring back enough to apply a small amount of tension

Grip

  1. Center the meaty part of the thumb on the back of the bow grip
  2. Point the thumb toward the target and angle your knuckles 45 degrees. Check to make sure that the grip is relaxed

STEP 4: POSTURE/ALIGMNMENT

This step provides the archer the opportunity to confirm all previous steps have been completed before proceeding with the remainder of the shot process. Once that is determined, the archer turns the head toward the target.

  1. Turn head toward the target
  2. Rotate the bow arm elbow away from the bowstring

STEP 5: RAISE BOW

The archer raises the bow in preparation of drawing back the bowstring. This gives the archer a sense of direction by knowing where the bow is in relation to the target. While an archer is raising their bow, it is important to keep the rest of the body still in order to maintain proper stance, hook and grip.

  1. Lift both arms up from the ground
  2. The bow arm is extended
  3. Stop when the bow hand is at shoulder height
  4. Keep the bow vertical

STEP 6: DRAW

The act of pulling the bowstring back in a straight line toward the face. The goal of draw is to be seamless and smooth.

  1. Pull the bowstring back toward the face

STEP 7: ANCHOR

The archer should pull the bowstring back to a consistent anchor point every time to maintain accuracy. For beginning archers, the corner of the mouth is the recommended anchor point.

  1. Settle the index finger of the draw hand into the corner of the mouth
  2. Keep the draw hand relaxed and up against the face

STEP 8: TRANSFER TO HOLD

Transfer to hold moves the holding power from the archer’s arms to their back muscles. This small movement may be seen with a slight motion of the draw elbow toward the archer’s back.

Hold is when the archer is able to brace the draw weight of a recurve or universal compound bow.

Move the draw arm elbow slightly behind the arrow to brace the draw weight of the bow. The “tension” of holding the bow is now transferred from the shoulder and arm muscles to the back muscles.

STEP 9: AIM

Aim is lining the arrow up to the target. Simply put, the arrow will go where it is pointed. The goal is to focus equally on the target and the arrow point.

  1. Place the point of the arrow on the intended target area.
  2. The eye focus is equally on the arrow point and the target.

STEP 10: RELEASE/FOLLOW THROUGH

Release occurs when the archer releases the tips of the fingers that are hooking the bowstring, allowing the bowstring to push the fingers out of the way.

Follow through is the finish position.

  1. Relax the fingertips to allow the bowstring to push the fingers out of the way
  2. Keep the arm up and keep looking straight ahead
  3. Finish the shot by allowing the draw hand to trace around the face and end up by the head just beyond the ear.

STEP 11: FEEDBACK

Feedback is the archer’s reflection on the shot process and what could be done better or differently.  The goal is to improve upon technique and focus.