Using proper drawing technique in archery allows an archer to obtain a maximum amount of force and accuracy from the arrow while exerting a minimal amount of force on the body. Australia's national body for archery, Archery Australia, notes that while such factors as body shape and disability can prevent you from executing perfect form, all archers should strive to have proper drawing technique.
Step 1
Hold the bow with your less-dominant hand at the handle. Stand so that your feet are in a perpendicular line with your target and shoulder-width apart. The foot on your bow-hand side is forward.
Step 2
Turn your shoulders so that they are parallel with the ground and perpendicular to your target. With the bow pointing at the ground, remove an arrow from your quiver. Set the front of the arrow on the bow's arrow shelf and place the bowstring in the notch on the backside of the arrow. This is called "nocking" the arrow.
Step 3
Hold the arrow in place by wrapping the index finger of your string hand around the string just above the arrow. Wrap your middle and ring fingers around the bowstring just below the arrow. Slide your fingers up or down the bowstring to ensure that the arrow will leave the bow with a level trajectory when released.
Step 4
Lower your shoulders as far as they can go. Attempt to bring them in line with your collarbone while still keeping them parallel to the ground. Extend your bow arm fully while you hold the bow pointed at the ground.
Step 5
Bring the bow up to eye-level with your bow hand. Pull back on the bowstring as you are raising the bow. Do the two steps in one fluid motion. Control your breathing throughout the drawing process. By having a calm breathing pattern, you will be able to better control the stability of your arms.
Step 6
Bring the bowstring back until you reach the anchor point on your face. Some bows have a clicking device built in that tells you when the bow is at full draw. If your bow does not have a clicker, note the point on your face where your hand is stable and the bow is at full draw. This is the anchor point.
Step 7
Imagine a straight line that travels through the wrist of your bow arm and to the wrist and elbow on your string arm. This is called the "line of force." Adjust the elbow of your string arm up, down, left or right to bring all three joints in perfect alignment on this line. By doing so, you reduce the amount of muscular force you need to exert while drawing the bow and will thus improve your accuracy.
Member Comments