The main types of archery bows include the longbow, crossbow, recurve, composite recurve and compound bow. They each have advantages and attributes. While recurve bows are lighter and less "technical" than compound bows, compound bows have a smooth draw with even tension throughout that make the experience less stressful than traditional bows. Most archery hobbyists and hunters have used compound bows since their development in the 1960s. The mechanical advantage of a compound bow means a 60 pound compound bow only takes about 20 pounds of pull for the archer.
Equipment
Start with a light duty, inexpensive compound bow at a shop associated with a target shooting area where coaching is available. The ease of the pull of a compound bow and availability of constructive comments at a target gallery will keep the activity pleasant and headed in the right direction.
Approach
Practice perfection, not just repetition. As in golf, it is too easy to repeat mistakes in stance, grip, release, body positioning and follow through. Breaking bad habits is harder than learning the right way first. An on-site archery coach can make sure each step of archery shooting, from stance to follow through, is the right one.
Starting
Basic techniques include standing at ease naturally with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Bring the bow up and draw the arrow with your eyes closed, then see where you are pointing and rotate your stance to point at the target with the stance you naturally arrived at with your eyes closed.
Draw
Draw the rear (feathered or "fletched") end of the arrow to the jaw coming down on the target, and release as soon as the target is acquired. The longer the position is held, the less stable the aim. Some experts recommend a "five-second rule" as the point when the archer should let up and begin again before fatigue and tension cause a poorly aimed arrow.
Release
The release of the arrow shouldn't be with the hand and arm muscles as much as with a tightening of the back muscles for a smoother action. Holding your breath, tensing for hand release or "snapping" the release quickly will likely disturb the arrow's flight and "torque" the arrow's flight off the true path.
Follow through
After the release of the arrow, keep the bow arm raised so as not to change the direction of the flight. Once a comfortable pattern of drawing, aiming, release and follow through is established, repeating until the movements are automatic will improve consistency.
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