Archery Basics

General Bow Types

Recurve bows: These are the only bow types used in Olympic competition. The tips of the limbs point away from the archer when the bow is drawn, giving the arrow more power and speed compared with a straight-limbed bow. Traditionally made from wood, modern recurves comprise a metal riser with limbs that can be made from wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber. Recurves are also fitted with sites and stabilisers. They can be in one-piece or dismantled (take-downs). Take-down bows allow archers to custom-fit their bows, changing limbs as needed

Barebows: These are recurve bows, but they do not have stabilisers, sights or any other accessories

Compound Bows: Compound bows are shorter in length than recurves and have cams (pulleys) at the end of the limbs. These cams provide ‘let-off’ in the draw – the bow string is harder to draw at first, then becomes easier. This makes it easier to hold the bow at full draw. Compound bows can also be fitted with accessories such as magnified sights and peep sights on the bowstring – and they are usually used with a release aid (a rope attached to a trigger mechanism)

Traditional Bows: There are many types of traditional bows from all over the world including Europe, Asia, Eastern Europe (Hungary), the Middle East (Turkey), and North America. These bows can be made from a single piece of wood or a series of laminations, can be composites of wood, bone, horn and leather, and come in all shapes and sizes

Key Bow Parts

Riser: stiff central part of the bow, also known as the handle

Limbs: curved, springy arms that power the bow

Back of the bow:  face of the bow closest to the target

Front of the bow: face of the bow pointing towards the archer

Bowstring: usually made of synthetic fibres, looped at each end to fit over the limb tips and wrapped with thread (serving) at the loops and the centre of the string where the arrow is fitted

Nocking point: a marker (brass ring, tape or dental floss) on the string to mark the point where the arrow is nocked – usually located at a point ¼” to 3/8″ above square in relation to the arrow rest

Draw length: distance between the back of the bow and the string at full draw. Brace height – the distance in inches between the front of the bow (inside edge of the handle and the string). Brace heights vary with the length of the bow and range.

Bow weight: this figure will usually be marked by the manufacturer on the bottom limb and is the pull needed to draw the bow to a draw length of 28 inches. Bow weights for recurves typically range from 28 lbs to 45 lbs. Bow weights for compounds are generally heavier, typically up to 65 lbs, although the maximum weight allowed for target competition is 60lbs

Arrow rest: small supporting arm made of plastic or stiff wire (spring or magnetic operated) on the side of the riser on which the arrow rests

Pressure Button: spring loaded button mounted in the riser that dampens arrow flex on release

Sight: an adjustable arm with an aperture containing a sight pin

Stabilizers: usually a combination of a long rod extending in front of the bow and two shorter rods extending backwards which balance the bow, absorb shock on release and stops the bow from torquing. Stabilizers may be fitted with additional shock absorbers known as doinkers. Small stabilizers can also be fitted to the riser

V-bar: V-shaped fitting screwed to the back of the bow to which stabilizers are attached

About Arrows

Shaft: can be made from aluminum, carbon fiber or wood for traditional shooting

Point: a metal tip either screwed or glued into the shaft

Nock: a plastic notch that fits onto the bow string

Vanes (also known as fletchings): three (usually) plastic ‘wings’ that keep the arrow true in flight (turkey feathers are used for traditional shooting); the vanes may be curved so the arrow spins

Cock Vane: the vane that sits at right angles to the arrow when nocked

Hen Vanes: the other two vanes

Arrow Length: measured in inches from the back of then point to the bottom of the nock notch

Basic Archery Accessories

Finger tab: a leather and metal aid to drawing the string without hurting your fingers

Arm guard: a leather or plastic guard for the forearm to protect it from being hit by the bow string

Chest guard: a mesh semi-vest to prevent the string catching on clothing

Finger sling: a loop around the bow-hand to prevent the bow falling on release. These come in a variety of styles and can be either purchased from an archery retailer or home-made

Quiver: arrow container