Shooting Basics

This Basic description of the shot sequence will be expanded on as your personal training program is developed

The following describes the shot sequence as it applies to a right handed archer for left handed archers reverse all left right instructions

Set your feet to a slightly open stance with 60% to 70% of your weight on the balls of your feet. the stability of your entire shot depends on having a solid stance, it is at this point you must consolidate your form from your head to the ground (anchoring your self in position)

Place your bow hand in the grip, in the position you will have it for the shot (use a loose finger or bow sling for security) the top two knuckles should be at around 45 Degrees to the riser, the grip should remain relaxed and open through the entire shot sequence

Now allow your body to relax and lower your centre of gravity and lower your shoulders as martial arts competitors would in a ready stance this is easier to maintain through a long tournament than a standing tall type of stance and will aid in your shot stability.

Take enough weight on the string so the bow maintains its position in your bow hand (do not draw) lift and extend the bow to the target while maintaining a low bow shoulder (do not draw) your right scapular should rotate forward toward the bow and your chest should contract (at this point you will still not have drawn the bow) you may lean slightly into the bow but generally maintain an upright posture with low bow shoulder. level to medium high draw elbow for Compound and level elbow for recurve)

  • Method (1) for release aid shooters ; maintain a medium to high drawing elbow and draw with a rotating or cranking motion contracting your back muscles and expanding your chest to a solid anchor. This should allow for enough rear and downward rotation for the release and follow through (draw to your face do not move your face to your string). At the anchor you should relax from your bow fingers through to your release fingers.When performed correctly this will result in a low bow shoulder and the right scapular will extend further back than the left when viewed from the target or above at full draw. your right scapular should rotate around your spine toward the left scapular through to the completion of the follow through. This follow through should be an extension of the chest expansion and back tension process.
  • For back tension/hinge type release aids ensure that the back of your draw hand is on the same plane as your arm at anchor this will allow the release to hinge properly as your trapezius muscle lower portion is activated causing your shoulder to rotate till release.

The following method can also be used successfully by release aid shooters as with many things in archery it is personal preference, this is my preferred method as it is excellent for those of us with draw shoulder injuries. In fact many older archers with shoulder problems that I have coached have been able to continue competing because of the following system.

A good all round system for recurve, compound Limited and release aid shooters :

Using a solid open stance feet shoulder width apart hips at 30deg to the line of fire to target, standing straight.

Place your bow hand in the grip, in the position you will have it for the shot (use a loose finger or bow sling for security) the top two knuckles should be at around 45 Degrees to the riser, the grip should remain relaxed and open through the entire shot sequence

Now allow your body to relax and lower your center of gravity and lower your shoulders as martial arts competitors would in a ready stance this is easier to maintain through a long tournament than a standing tall type of stance and will aid in your shot stability.

Nock your arrow hook up fingers or release aid) maintain a low drawing elbow and both shoulders now while looking at the target through your sight begin to draw by expanding your chest while drawing with your hand traveling towards the top of your sternum. As your draw hand approaches your sternum fully engage your lower trapezius muscles while maintaining a low drawing elbow start to bring your hand up to your anchor point under your chin for finger shooters or for release aid shooters as you approach your sternum start to rotate your hand into the correct position as you move your hand up to a solid anchor point. This should all be a very fluid flowing movement.

After a lot of practice you will start to feel your lower trapezius muscle fully activate through the draw cycle, now we can stop thinking about this being an anchor point this is now not an anchor point as it is just the point that you begin to transfer more of the load to your back) continue with chest expansion and increasing the build up of tension in your right lower trapezius muscle (back tension) this action will continue through to the clicker for recurve shooters and release or in the case of a back tension release aid the tension build up of the lower trapezius muscle will cause the shoulder to rotate as it is on the same plane as your .as the back of your hand and at 90 deg to the hinge of the release it will go off with out any problems.

When performed correctly this will result in a low bow shoulder and the right scapular will extend further back than the left when viewed from the target or above at full draw. Your right scapular should rotate around your spine toward the left scapular through to the completion of the follow through. This follow through should be an extension of the chest expansion and back tension process

This process will be expanded on as your lessons progress as archery is an accumulation of many steps in a training program. This is equaly true for the elite athlete or the casual hunter