12 Basic Steps of Archery
These steps are the basic steps for Olympic style archery, and are only intended as a guide line. This is not the only style of shooting.
- Stance ~ Stand with one foot either side of the shooting line at right angles to the butt and line the front of both feet with the center of the target
- Nocking the Arrow ~ check that the cock fletch is pointing away from the bow with the two other fletches flat with the bow
- Hand position of the bow ~ Place hand up high in the throat of the hand grip, keep 'bones' of hand/arm/shoulder in line
- Finger position on the string ~ hold string with a deep hook rather than on the tips of the fingers
- Bow arm straight out to target ~ keep bow arm straight, the front shoulder down, look t the target and then lift the bow arm up to the target
- Draw the bow ~ Using the whole shoulder with elbow level or slightly above while looking at the target draw the string back, whilst aiming at all times
- Anchor point ~ string on tip of nose, touching the lips the fingers along jaw line under the chin
- String alignment ~ keep string lined up with the center line of the bow
- Aim ~ locate the sight pin on the gold
- Back tension ~ continue to use the back muscles to maintain motion backwards. Push with the front hand and pull with the back
- Release ~ let the fingers relax rather than consciously opening the fingers
- Follow through ~ keep the elbow coming back after the arrow has been released while holding the bow up