How to Stand to Shoot a Longbow

Longbows were traditionally used for hunting and for combat. The English longbow in medieval times was a powerful weapon in the hands of a skilled archer. Often, the end result of a volley of arrows was very destructive to opposing forces. In order to shoot a longbow effectively, your shooting stance must be correct. Learning how to stand to shoot a longbow can be accomplished with little difficulty.

Instructions

    • 1

      Stand at your preferred shooting distance from the target. Typically a distance of 25 feet is ideal for initial practice. If you normally hunt with a longbow, stand at your preferred hunting range.

    • 2

      Position your body perpendicular to the target. Square your non-dominant hip and shoulder with the target. If right-handed, this is your left hip and shoulder.

    • 3

      Position your feet shoulder width apart. Ensure that your feet are parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the target. Imagine there is a horizontal line parallel to the target face. This is where you place your lead foot. Keep your legs straight. You're now ready to draw your longbow.