Shooting Basics

10 Basic Steps in Archery Shooting

Step #1

Your stance -Place the tips of your toes against an imaginary straight line that is towards the center of your target. Place your feet on both sides of this imaginary line. Have your feet about shoulder length apart.

Step #2

Finger placement - Set your index finger above the nock. With your ring and middle finger place it beneath the nock. Hook the string between your finger’s first and second joints. Making sure you have the strings hooked.

Step #3

Hand placement -You want to distribute the pressure of the bow along your hand’s pressure line. Keep your fingers relaxed and make sure the back of your hand is creating angles of 45 degrees. The tips of your index finger and thumb can touch each other as long it is in a relaxed way.

Step #4

Your anchor -The string needs to be touching the middle of your chin. With your index finger placed just beneath your chin. Keep your teeth together and your mouth closed.

Step #5

Extending your bow arm -Bring your bow arm up to your shoulders. Keep your arm’s elbow turned away from the string of the bow.

Step #6

Drawing the bow -Pull the string back in a straight horizontal line to your anchor point. Draw with your back muscles, so that your shoulder blades can move towards each other. Keep both of your shoulders as low as possible. Take a deep breath and relax. Make sure you are standing with a straight spine.

Step #7

Holding - Keep your back muscles tensed. Have your bow hand, elbow, and draw hand in the form of a straight line. Make sure your shoulders are still low as possible.

Step #8

Aim - Use your dominate eye for your target and close your other eye. If you are using a sight, place the string a little to the left of the target. Keep your sight on the target.

Step #9

Releasing your arrow -Pull your shoulder blades towards each other as you relax your fingers on the draw.  If your hand is sufficiently relaxed, it will automatically move backwards. Now, relax your bow hand entirely and let the bow drop.

Step #10

Your follow through - After the release of your arrow, your draw hand should remain relaxed and near your ear. Keeping aim just as you before until the arrow hits your target. By doing this, it will help you focus on aiming and releasing properly.




September 26 2007 08:05 pm