Beginner Skills for Archery

Whether for hunting or target shooting, there are several fundamental beginner skills for archery that every archer should know. These skills are designed to bring your body and mind into focus as well as foster a relationship between the archer and the bow that results in greater accuracy. As you are learning basic beginner skills for archery, you should start practicing on classic round targets and moving to other targets as your skills advance.

  1. Form

    • Proper form in archery is one of its most important fundamentals. Good form requires regular practice and takes time to perfect. Proper form consists of standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your weight evenly distributed on both legs. Raise your arms up perpendicular to the target while holding the bow to form a "T". Look straight ahead at your target. The hand that draws the bow should rest lightly on your face.

    Grip

    • Your bow grip should always be soft and relaxed. Your grip on the strings should be strong and firm. You can achieve the common three-finger grip by first placing your index finger over the nock and your middle and ring fingers below the nock. To avoid pinching the nock, keep a bit of space between your index and middle fingers.

    Anchor Points

    • An anchor point is the place on your face where your hand rests when the bow is fully drawn. Choose the spot that feels the most comfortable for resting your pulling hand. This will greatly increase your shooting accuracy. A common anchor point is the index finger resting under the chin while the bowstring is nearly touching the nose. You may find that your anchor point changes as sights and/or release aids are used for shooting.

    Follow-Through

    • As in bowling or golf, proper follow-through is also very important in archery. For proper follow-through, maintain the positioning of your bow arm until the arrow makes contact with the target. Staying relaxed is important as being anxious or nervous can cause you to jerk the bow, which will in turn throw off your aim and cause you to miss your shot. Clear your mind and remain focused on the target before and after the release.