Recurve Archery Guide

The recurve bow has its origins in the ancient Scythian tribes of the Asian steppes -- but today, it's the bow of choice of Olympic athletes and championship marksmen. The recurve bow has taken many different forms over time, but its basic properties and methods of shooting remain the same.

  1. Origins of the Recurve Bow

    • The recurve bow is distinguished from other archery bows by its shape. Traditional Western bows are made from a single piece of flexible wood. They look like a straight staff when they're unstrung, and are stretched into a simple curved shape when strung. The recurve bow, by contrast, was traditionally made from thin layers of horn and sinew glued to a central wooden core -- an early composite material. The bow is in the shape of a C when unstrung, and when strung it forms a double curve, with the tips curving away from the shooter.

      The recurve bow was invented by the Scythians, a nomadic tribe from the Steppes of Central Asia, around 700 BC. The recurve bow allowed them to propel short arrows from horseback with great force. The recurve technology spread to other nomadic tribes, and was used by the Hun, Mongol, Arab, Turkish, and Persian Empires in all their conquests.

    Modern Recurve Bows

    • Modern recurve bows share the same shape as their ancient ancestors, but would barely be recognizable to an ancient Scythian. Modern recurve bows are often made in three parts: the riser -- the grip section -- and two detachable arms. These parts are usually made of composites of fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum alloys or magnesium alloys. Competition bows also include vibration reduction systems and stabilizers, often in the form of long rods on either side of the grip.

      Recurve bows are the only bows allowed for use in the Olympics and have become the standard for all archery competitions worldwide.

    Shooting the Recurve Bow

    • In shooting the recurve bow, motion is more important than aiming. Practice nocking, drawing, and releasing the bow in a single continuous motion until aiming is automatic and the bow becomes an extension of your body. Modern recurve bows can be used with a sling, which allows the left hand to steady the bow without having to grip it tightly. This adds stability and accuracy, and helps keep the body from becoming tense and disrupting the fluidity of the draw.

    Recurve Archery Essentials

    • Successful recurve archery demands all the principles of other types of archery. Perfect your stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart and situated along the shooting line. Keep most of your weight on the back foot, and stand straight up without twisting your neck or torso. Bring the string to your face, rather than bringing your face to the string. And practice continuously until your stance becomes totally natural.