Pulling A Compound Bow: Master The Technique

Pulling a compound bow is a complex process that requires a lot of practice and training. It is important to get the right archery equipment and to learn the proper techniques to master the art of archery.

Firstly, it is crucial to choose a bow with the correct draw length and weight for your strength and purpose. If you are engaging in archery for entertainment, a lower draw weight is more suitable, whereas hunters may prefer a heavier pull to ensure their arrows have sufficient penetrating power.

When drawing the bow, keep your grip hand steady, firm, and extended at nose height. Pull the bowstring towards your face with your release hand, inhaling as you do so. Your rear shoulder should rotate into your back, and your release hand will move slightly downward.

There are also several safety tips to keep in mind. Ensure you do not use your biceps or triceps when drawing the string, as this can lead to injury. Instead, lead with your elbow. Additionally, treat the bow as if it were a loaded gun—it should only point at your target.

With the right equipment, technique, and safety measures in place, you can effectively pull a compound bow and improve your archery skills.

Choosing the right draw weight

If you are a beginner, it is important to choose a draw weight that is comfortable for you and allows you to focus on learning proper technique. Starting with a draw weight that is too heavy can hinder your progress and make the experience less enjoyable. It can also lead to improper form and affect your accuracy. Therefore, it is generally recommended to start with a lower draw weight and gradually increase it as you build strength and improve your technique.

• Smaller children (40-70 lbs body weight) – 10-20 lbs draw weight
• Children (70-100 lbs body weight) – 20-35 lbs draw weight
• Women and boys (95-125 lbs body weight) – 35-45 lbs draw weight
• Larger women and boys (125-145 lbs body weight) – 45-55 lbs draw weight
• Men (145-175 lbs body weight) – 55-65 lbs draw weight
• Muscular men – 60-70 lbs draw weight
• Very muscular men – 70-100 lbs draw weight

It's important to note that these are just averages, and the most important factor is choosing a draw weight that feels comfortable for you. You can test this by sitting down and pulling your bow back with your feet off the ground. If you can hold the draw weight comfortably, then it is likely suitable for you. If it feels too heavy, you can adjust it by tightening or loosening the limb bolts.

Additionally, when choosing a compound bow for target shooting, you will typically want to select a relatively light draw weight, ranging from 25 lbs to 45 lbs. However, when choosing a compound bow for hunting, you will need to choose a higher draw weight to achieve faster arrow speeds and better accuracy. Most states have a minimum draw weight restriction, typically around 45 lbs, so be sure to check the regulations in your area.

Understanding the mechanics

The first thing to know about pulling a compound bow is that you should not draw a bow that is too heavy for you. You need to use a bow with the right draw length and the right draw weight. The draw length refers to the distance it takes to pull the bowstring to its full extension. The draw weight refers to the amount of tension on the bowstring when it is pulled.

The draw weight of a compound bow is not linear or static. In other words, the weight does not get progressively heavier as you pull the string further away. Therefore, brute strength is not the key to pulling a compound bow. Instead, it is important to choose a comfortable draw weight that suits your purpose. If you are engaging in archery for entertainment, do not choose a bow with too much draw weight, or you will not be able to hit your target often. As a general rule, the draw weight of the bow should be no more than 75% of your strength.

The proper way to draw a compound bow is to start with your hands at nose height. Your grip hand (the hand that supports the bow) and your release hand (the hand that is hooked to the bow's D-loop, which holds the release aid) should be extended in front of you and aligned with the target. Keep your grip hand steady, firm, extended, and at the height of your nose. Then, start pulling the bowstring with your release hand towards your face. As you do this, your release hand will take a downward path slightly, and your rear shoulder will begin rotating into your back.

To add more drawing power, imagine that you are rotating your shoulder backward as you pull the string. This will keep the rest of your body steady and activate your back muscles for added control. You can also push the bow slightly forward as you draw for extra power. However, your feet, bow arm, and hips should not move while you are drawing the bow.

When you have an arrow on the bow, treat it as if you have a loaded gun. It should only point at your target. As you draw the string back, do not move the bow around. While moving slightly forward is common, do not point the bow up or down.

When you have pulled the string back to its maximum length, you can begin the motion of shooting the arrow. However, it is important to keep your body still and maintain your stance for 1-2 seconds after firing.

Perfecting your stance

Foot Placement and Stance

The placement of your feet is fundamental to a good stance. There are three basic foot positions, each providing a different orientation for your body:

• Square Stance: Both feet are in line with each other, pointing directly at the target. This stance is not recommended as it can affect stability and increase the risk of injury.
• Closed Stance: The hips are closed towards the target, with the foot furthest from the target placed slightly back. This stance is also not ideal as it can affect stability and increase the risk of injury.
• Open Stance: The hips and feet are positioned more openly towards the target. This is the preferred stance as it provides better stability and reduces the risk of the string slapping your forearm. Your left foot should be slightly more open towards the target, while your right foot is placed slightly inward.

To find your preferred stance, you can perform a simple test. Stand in front of a target wall, assume your shooting stance, close your eyes, turn away and back towards the target, and then draw the bow to full draw. Ask a friend to check if your arrow's trajectory is hitting the target wall. Adjust your feet and repeat the process until you consistently hit near the target.

Body Alignment and Posture

Once you have determined your preferred foot stance, focus on aligning your body and achieving proper posture:

• Keep your body erect, with your head directly over your spine and your eye over the centre of your waist. This helps prevent torque in your shot and shaking of your sight picture.
• Align your body with the target, keeping your shoulders square and facing forward. Avoid leaning forward or backward as it can affect your balance and accuracy.
• Distribute your weight evenly between both feet to maintain a balanced position.
• Slightly bend your knees to act as shock absorbers and help you maintain stability and control.
• Keep your upper body relaxed, with a slight forward lean from the waist. Tension in your upper body can negatively impact your shooting form and accuracy.

Bow Arm and Hand Placement

Proper placement of your bow arm and hand is crucial for accurate shooting:

• Keep your bow arm extended straight towards the target without locking your elbow. This allows for proper alignment and minimises unwanted movement during the shot.
• Place your bow hand in the centre of the grip, with your palm facing towards the target. Avoid gripping the bow too tightly, as it can introduce unnecessary tension and affect your shot.
• Apply equal pressure with your fingers and palm on the bow grip to distribute the weight of the bow evenly.

Head and Neck Position

Maintaining the correct head and neck position is essential for accurate shooting:

• Keep your head up straight and relaxed, with your neck in a natural, comfortable position.
• Avoid leaning forward or tilting your head back, as it can stress your body and affect your accuracy.
• Bring the bow string to your face, and if needed, rotate your head to look at the target. Do not torque your head to move your face to the bow string.

By focusing on these key considerations, you will be well on your way to perfecting your stance when pulling a compound bow. Remember that consistency and regular practice are crucial to mastering the art of archery.

Mastering the grip

The grip is an essential part of pulling a compound bow. Here are some tips to help you master it:

Hand Placement

Start by placing your hands at nose height. Your grip hand, which supports the bow, and your release hand, which is hooked to the bow's D-loop, should both be extended in front of you and aligned with the target. Keep your grip hand steady and firm, and use your release hand to pull the bowstring back towards your face.

Weight Distribution

The weight of the bow should be balanced between the thumb and fingers of your grip hand. This will ensure that the weight is distributed evenly across your whole arm. Avoid relying solely on your wrist or finger strength to hold the bow. Instead, aim for a calm and loose grip to prevent the bow from twisting when fired.

Body Alignment

When pulling the bowstring, your release hand will naturally take a downward path towards your face. At the same time, your rear shoulder should begin rotating into your back. This rotation activates your back muscles, giving you more control over the bow.

Anchor Point

As you pull the bowstring back, your hand will eventually come into proximity with your jawline. At this point, you need to find an anchor point—a consistent spot that you can draw the bow back to each time. This could be your thumb touching your ear or your knuckles touching your cheek. Having a regular anchor point helps you identify and fix any issues if you start missing the target.

Safety

Remember, when drawing a compound bow, safety should always come first. Avoid using your biceps or triceps to pull the string, as this can lead to injury. Instead, lead with your elbow, and ensure that you are only drawing a bow with the right draw length and weight for you.

Knowing your equipment

The Riser

The riser is the central component of the bow, usually made of machined aluminium. It provides the mounting points for accessories such as sights, stabilisers and a quiver. It is where the limbs attach and where you hold the bow. The riser has to provide stability for all the other components of the bow to flex against.

The Limbs

The limbs are the flexible parts of the bow that attach to the riser. They are typically made of fiberglass or composite material and store the energy that is collected when the string is pulled. When the string is released, the energy from the limbs is transferred to the arrow, propelling it forward.

The Cams

The cams are located at the ends of the limbs and look like little wheels. They are the key differentiating feature of a compound bow. The cams act as a "multiplier" of the energy of the person pulling the bowstring, allowing the bow to store more energy than the person pulling the string is actually exerting. The cams also allow for a "let-off", meaning that when the string is fully drawn, the archer only needs to hold back a fraction of the actual draw weight.

The Axle

The axle is what holds the cams, similar to how a car axle holds its wheels. The axle goes through the centre of the cams and attaches to the limbs. The distance between the top and bottom axles of a compound bow is called the 'Axle-To-Axle' distance and is usually specified in the bow's technical specifications.

The Bowstring

The bowstring is what you pull to shoot the arrow. It is where the archer will connect their release and where the arrow is notched. Many archers use a "D-loop", which is attached to the bowstring and provides a quick connection point for the release.

The Grip

The grip is the part of the riser that you hold when shooting. It should be held in the centre of your palm, evenly distributing the weight across your whole arm. A proper grip is crucial for accurate shooting and to avoid torque or twisting when the bow is fired.

The Sight

The sight is attached to the riser and helps the archer aim. It typically has pins, crosshairs or a laser dot that can be adjusted for more accurate shooting.

The Arrow Rest

The arrow rest is the unit that screws into the riser and provides a catch for the arrow to rest on before and during the shot. It can be stationary or can "drop away" during the shot.

The Cable Guard

The cable guard is typically a fiberglass rod that runs perpendicular to the riser towards the bowstring. It works with the cable slide to keep the cables out of the arrow's line of fire.

The Stabiliser

The stabiliser is an optional accessory that can be attached to the riser. It helps to balance and stabilise the bow when drawing and shooting, and can also reduce vibration.

Frequently asked questions