Mastering The Compound Bow

Learning to shoot a compound bow is a process that requires patience, practice, and a good understanding of the equipment. The first step is to determine your dominant eye, which will help you establish your stance and grip on the bow. You'll want to straddle the shooting line, an imaginary line from you to your target, with your feet shoulder-width apart. If you're right-handed, your right foot should be slightly in front of the line, and your left side should face the target.

Next, you'll need to learn how to properly grip the bow. The grip should be in the centre of your palm, evenly distributing the weight across your whole arm. Avoid relying on wrist or finger strength to hold the bow. Keep your grip calm and loose to prevent torque when the bow is fired.

Once you've established your stance and grip, you can begin the process of drawing the bow. Pull the bow straight back in a solid, fluid motion, keeping your bow arm straight and on target. You can use your extended arm as a guide to help you pull the bow back smoothly. As you draw, keep your hips, bow arm, and feet still.

When the bow is fully drawn, find your personal anchor point—the place where you have the bow drawn fully back against your cheek. Play with your anchor point to find what is comfortable, but make sure to pull back to this point every time you draw the bow. You can also form a second anchor point by putting your nose against the string, which increases accuracy.

With the bow fully drawn and anchored, you can now align the pin on your sight with the centre of your target and make any final adjustments. Remember that the first pin on your sight is set for a target 20 yards away, and each pin beneath it is for further distances.

Finally, you can release the trigger. Don't pull the trigger forcefully like a movie star; instead, let your finger smoothly pull it back. You should be almost surprised by the release. Keep the bow aimed and even with the target for 1-2 seconds after firing to ensure you don't pull off target at the last moment.

While the steps to shooting a compound bow may seem straightforward, executing them with calm, fluid motions and perfect repetition takes practice. Focus on mastering each step of the process, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled archer.

Stance and grip: feet shoulder-width apart, left side facing target, bow held at a right angle to the floor

To shoot a compound bow, you'll need to start with the correct stance and grip. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, with your left side facing the target. If you're left-handed, your right foot will lead, and you'll want your right side facing the target. This stance provides a solid base and improves balance, reducing the chances of swaying during shooting.

Hold the bow at a right angle to the floor, keeping your grip loose to avoid torque and twisting when you fire. Keep your bow arm straight, with a slight bend in your elbow for comfort and to prevent the string from hitting your arm upon release.

The correct stance and grip are crucial for accuracy and consistency in archery. They form the foundation of your shot, ensuring you can repeat your technique and improving your overall performance.

Anchor points: find a spot to draw the bow back to each time, e.g. thumb touching ear, or knuckles touching cheek

When shooting a compound bow, it is important to establish anchor points to ensure consistent shooting and accuracy. Anchor points are reference marks that help you set up with the same form and alignment for each shot.

Finding your anchor points involves experimentation and may require adjustments to your bow's draw length, peep height, release setup, and shooting form. The goal is to find anchor points that are easily identifiable, natural to repeat, and comfortable to shoot with.

• Release hand contact: This is one of the most important anchor points. The goal is to identify the exact part of the hand that contacts a specific spot on the face, jaw, or neck. For example, the last knuckle of the index finger should be somewhere near the bottom of the earlobe.
• Nose-to-string: This anchor point involves having the bow's string lightly touch the archer's nose when at full draw. This is achievable when the draw length and string angle of the bow fit the archer's form.
• String-to-mouth: This anchor point is often used with a "kisser button", a small bead-like device that attaches to the bowstring and touches the archer's lips or cheek when at full draw.
• Peep alignment: While not a tangible, point-of-contact anchor point, peep alignment ensures that you don't need to "get into position" at full draw. With your eyes closed, come to full draw, and ensure your anchor points are correct; the peep should then be properly aligned each time.

When establishing your anchor points, it is crucial to keep your head in the same position every time. Your neck should be relaxed, and your head should not move forward or backward, as this will change your anchor points and affect your accuracy.

Additionally, remember that there is no "right" anchor spot. Different archers and archery styles utilise different anchor spots, and you may find that you need to adjust your anchor points as you gain experience and knowledge.

Aiming: use the vertical dots on your sight to determine shooting distance

The line of vertical dots on your sight can be intimidating at first, but they are there to help you determine the shooting distance. The top dot is where you aim if the target is 20 yards away. This is true for every single compound bow. The rest of the dots are for other distances—commonly 30, 40, and 50 yards—but different bows will have different distances on each sight. Many of them are adjustable as well, so check out the manual for your compound bow if you're confused.

The first pin is set for a target 20 yards away, and every pin beneath this is for further distances. Remember that your first pin is set for a target 20 yards away, and every pin beneath this is for further distances.

If you've been keeping your body still and relaxed throughout the motion, this should require only brief adjustments. If you moved the bow around a lot, you'll likely have to re-aim completely.

Release: slowly lay your finger down on the trigger, don't pull

When it comes to releasing the trigger, it's important to slowly lay your finger down, rather than pulling. Pulling the trigger too hard can cause unnecessary movement in the bow, which will negatively impact your accuracy.

You should aim to be surprised by the release. Many archers keep their hands moving back smoothly even after the trigger is released to ensure the motion remains fluid. Be prepared for a surprising release of force that can cause you to suddenly jerk. Keep your head down and body still.

If you are not using a mechanical release, simply let go of your fingers while pulling back, ensuring that you get them out of the way as you release.

Follow-through: keep the bow aimed and level with the target for 1-2 seconds after firing

Keeping the bow aimed and level with the target for 1-2 seconds after firing is an important part of the follow-through. This is a critical step in achieving accurate shots and preventing mistakes. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for executing a proper follow-through:

• Maintain a Strong Stance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your body facing the target. This provides a solid foundation for your shot and helps prevent unnecessary movement.
• Keep a Relaxed Grip: Loosen your grip on the bow after releasing the arrow. A tight grip can cause torque, affecting the accuracy of your shot.
• Follow-Through Motion: Allow your bow arm to move forward naturally after the release, while your release arm moves backward and away from the bow. This motion should be smooth and relaxed.
• Avoid Exaggerated Movements: Refrain from consciously throwing your string arm back. Correct form will result in a natural follow-through, improving accuracy.
• Practice Visualisation: Visualise your shot before releasing the arrow. Envision the arrow hitting the centre of the target, and trust your body to execute the shot.
• Use Appropriate Equipment: Ensure your bow's draw weight is suitable for your strength. Excessive draw weight can affect your form and accuracy.
• Consistent Anchor Points: Establish consistent anchor points, such as your release hand placement and nose position, to enhance accuracy and repeatability.
• Aiming Drills: Practise aiming without releasing the arrow. This helps you accept pin movement and improves your mental focus.
• Blank Target Practice: Remove the aiming point on your target to focus solely on your form and follow-through, without worrying about the arrow's impact.
• Maintain a Balanced Bow: Achieve perfect bow balance by adjusting the weight distribution and stabilisers. This reduces the need for excessive pushing or pulling during the shot.

Frequently asked questions