How to Fire a Bow & Arrow

Archery, the practice of firing a bow and arrow into a target for protection, hunting, sport or any other reason, has been around for thousands of years. Beginning archery enthusiasts and beginning bow hunters must learn to draw and fire a bow and arrow properly. No part of those will work without the other or out of order. Once beginners have these steps down, they will open an entire world of archery-related fun and competition.

Things You'll Need

  • Arm guards
  • Target
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie your arm guards on your forearms.

    • 2

      Examine your stance. A good stance will place an even amount of weight on each foot and on each ball and heel. Keep your upper body firm but not tight.

    • 3

      Nock your chosen arrow against your bow string, just below the nocking point. The nocking point will have a weight on the string, beads or a dyed color to show you where it is. Rest the arrow shaft on the arrow rest on the stave of the bow.

    • 4

      Curl the index and middle finger around the bow string. Rest the index finger on top of the arrow and the middle finger beneath it. Practice holding the arrow steady with only these two fingers. Curl your other fingers into your palm.

    • 5

      Lift the bow stave and take aim at the target. Check that your lane is clear. Never draw your bow if your lane is not clear.

    • 6

      Draw the string back toward your neck and ear. Breathe out as you draw the string. Use your back and chest muscles, not your arm.

    • 7

      Look at your sight pin or scope to be certain of your target. On modern bows, the string will not slacken if you take a great deal of time to become certain of your target. On longbows or bows that you have strung yourself, however, strings can lose pressure if you maintain tension for too long.

    • 8

      Release your bowstring and arrow. Move the hand releasing the bowstring backward slightly. During release, both fingers must release the arrow and string at the same time. If they do not, the arrow will not fly true to your aim.

    • 9

      Hold the bow's position until the arrow arrives at its destination. If you release the bowstring and immediately move the bow into the rest position, your arrow will fire at your feet or at the ground.

    • 10

      Watch the arrow hit or miss the target. Allow your muscles to relax and lower your bow to the rest position along your side, with the arrow rest pointing down.