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5 Common Archery Mistakes and How to

Correct Them

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February 13, 2015 by Teresa Johnson

Are You Making These

3 Archery Mistakes?

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If youve ever been to an archery class, youve probably heard someone ask, Why arent my
arrows hitting the middle? Though every shot is a learning opportunity, its still a great
feeling to hit a bulls-eye, and its OK to want to hit the middle every time!

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For arrows that dont get #extramiddle, well review five common archery mistakesthat
recurve archers face and some ways to correct them.

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Inconsistent Stance

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KSLInternationalArchery.com. This photo is a perfect example of the correct open stance. One of the most
important attributes of your stance is consistency.

Do your feet change position slightly from shot to shot? Your stance where you place

Do your feet change position slightly from shot to shot? Your stance where you place
your feet when shooting is the foundation for your shot. Your stance must be solid and
consistent arrow to arrow.
To ensure a consistent stance, apply painters tape on the floor where you practice. If you
use an open stance, for example, place the tape so your foot alignment and toe position
will be identical for each shot.
Remember, your stance not only affects foot position, but also your balance and center of
gravity. By making your foundation solid, you ensure a more stable platform for strong
shots.

Elbow Rotation

GeekDad.com. Jim MacQuarrie, archery coach and writer, used this

illustration to demonstrate proper elbow rotation in a comparison between
Hawkeye and Olympic medalist Brady Ellison.

Correct elbow rotation is one of archerys simplest, but most important, skills. This means
keeping your bow arms elbow rotated straight up and down while drawing the bow and
releasing the arrow.
If your bow arms elbow doesnt rotate straight, many problems can result, including a
bruised inner elbow and arrows veering to one side of the target. To prevent problems,
rotate your elbow straight before raising or drawing your bow.
By setting the bow arm elbow correctly from the start, and maintaining its position during
the shot, your upper body will be properly aligned, which results in a stronger shot and
better arrow groups in the target.

Hook (Finger Position on the Bowstring)

Olympic silver medalist Jake Kaminski demonstrates the proper split-finger hook: one finger above the
arrow and two fingers below it, with emphasis on correct finger placement on the string.

When you place your fingers on the bowstring, do you actually look where youre placing
them? Or do you simply grasp the bowstring and start drawing? Rushing to place your
fingers on the string is one of the most common archery mistakes. Taking a second look at
your finger placement can pay big dividends for your shot.
Hooking the bowstring with too much finger tension or in the wrong place on the
fingers can cause many issues. The problems range from missing the target entirely to
developing painful finger blisters.
Therefore, make sure you place your fingers on the string for each shot exactly as you were
taught, and be sure your hand position relative to the bowstring is consistent. Hooking
properly and consistently creates tighter groups!

Anchor Point

In this photo, Olympic champion Ki Bo Bae of Korea demonstrates a solid anchor point thats used by
intermediate and advanced archers: drawing the bowstring to under her chin. Many beginning archers
anchor by drawing the bowstring to the corner of their mouth.

For beginning archers, anchoring consistently can be a challenge. The anchor point is a
spot on your face usually the corner of your mouth or just below your chin where you
pull the bowstring every time.
To understand the importance of a consistent anchor point, consider what an anchor does
for a boat: It keeps the boat from moving. Likewise, an anchor point prevents archers from
placing their draw-hand in different spots each time they shoot, which would send your
arrows flying in different directions.
You can determine your anchor point with your instructors guidance. The most important
part is drawing the bowstring to the same anchor point every single arrow. If you feel it
changing, work with your coach on techniques to become more consistent.

changing, work with your coach on techniques to become more consistent.

Strong Shots

Paralympian Lee Ford is a great example of an archer who consistently focuses on strong shots.

A common mistake made by many archers is failing to finish the shot with strength.
Aiming too soon often causes weak shots. Another culprit is focusing so much on aiming
that you forget to focus on the proper muscle movements.
Weak shots can cause low shots and side-to-side groupings, depending on whether the
archer is right- or left-handed. Fortunately, weak shots are easily fixed: Just change your
focus.
When youre at full draw and ready to aim, stay focused on the muscle movements your
coach taught you. Aiming is important, but its equally important to use your muscles to
create a strong release and follow-through. By focusing on the right technique at the right
time, your shots will be stronger and your groups tighter and more consistent.
Convinced your technical game is on point, but not so sure about your mental game? Learn
how to daydream your way to higher archery scores.

Categories: Advanced, Archery, Archery Instruction, Beginner, Intermediate

COMMENTS
19 Comments

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Bart Fried
Is there a reason to ignore compound shooters? That's just wrong.
Like Reply

1 Feb 14, 2015 1:36am

Tony Leger
Everything stated in the article applies to compound (target) shooters as well.
Compound 3D shooters may have to deal with an uneven stance due to terrain, but
the rest still applies.
Like Reply

1 Feb 14, 2015 2:00am

Bart Fried
I don't see how "Hook (Finger Position on the Bowstring)" applies to compound
shooters. Perhaps you could have included a similar comment regarding proper
release techniques.
Like Reply

3 Feb 14, 2015 2:06am

Johan Roets Owner-operator at Welding 4 U

Bart the basic anatomy is the sane for recurve as wel as compound or barebow. Only
difference between recurve release is the finger action. Recurve your finger relaxes
completely whereas with compound triger release you squeeze the trigger gently.
From there the follow through and back muscle action moving the release hand back
in a straight line to the back of the head is the same. Consistancy Consistancy
consistancy. Remember the only tension should be in your back muscle. Any tension
in your draw arm would end up in inconsistent groupings
Like Reply

2 Feb 14, 2015 3:32am

Show 2 more replies in this thread

Morgan Garcia Pro-Staff Member at EvoOutdoors

I think these are all great tips for recurves or maybe long bows, but not for archery as the
whole. With a compound, you can be sitting and as long as your knocking point and aiming is
good, then your shot will be true. Just kinda wish this would clarify that these are tips for
recurve or long bow, not really for compound.
Like Reply

5 Feb 14, 2015 1:44am

Tony Leger
Actually, they all apply to compound target shooters as well. The only one that would
be difficult is stance for those 3D shooters. Poor elbow rotation will result in poor
form. Fingers on the string is important to a whole class of compound finger
shooters, an incorrectly tied loop or rope can act like fingers on a string and cause
torqueing, so that point still applies. Anchor point, while much easier to obtain with a
compound due to set draw length, something as simple as a baseball hat can
interfere with getting your anchor point the same each and every time if it taps the
string and cause... See More
Like Reply

19 Feb 14, 2015 2:08am

Dave Gunn Phoenix, Arizona

I beg to disagree with your statement. You can use all these tip while shooting a
compound. The fact that your upper body does not change while sitting or in a
treestand. Now only a good balanced stance while hunting you should try to get an
open stance for stability. Not everywhere ouydoors is going to give you this then you
rely on what is going to give you the best balance through a center of gravity
Like Reply

8 Feb 14, 2015 2:10am

Phillip Greene Body Shop Tech at Muscle Rod Shop

Yeah compounds are a different game for competition maybe some of the rules work
but hunting? Yeah good luck having time to get into your "stance" draw to you anchor
level aim and loose and hope the thing didn't hear any of that haha... different game
different techniques
Like Reply

2 Feb 14, 2015 2:39am

Show 4 more replies in this thread

Robin D'Abate
I'm a beginner archer and my problem when I shoot my compound is that I tend to jerk my
shots when I fire. The result is tight grouping usually right on the side of the target. The
grouping is really good, but the jerk is causing me to miss a lot of the time. Anyone have any
advice?
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 2:08am

Mark Pouliot Owner at Pouliot's Archery LLC and Slick Shot Archery
Sounds like you are anticipating the shot. Google blank bale shooting and give that a
try. When I have people in my shop with this kind of behavior, blank bale shooting
can really help. Basically, shoot from 10-15 feet. Draw your bow, get set in your
stance, aim at the middle of your practice butt (doesn't need a target face on it),
close your eyes (yup) and concentrate on holding your form and squeezing off the
shot. I am assuming you are using a release, if not concentrate on your finger

shot. I am assuming you are using a release, if not concentrate on your finger
release. Really pay attention to how the shot feels... learn how it feels. Without
worrying about a target to hit, you learn more about how to execute the shot.
Like Reply

3 Feb 14, 2015 2:33am

David Doige Modesto, California

Are you using a release? Like the trigger on a rifle, you should gently pull it and follow
thru. Meaning keep your hand with the release in the same spot it was in when you
pulled the trigger. Don't drop your hand or pull it to the side.
Like Reply

1 Feb 14, 2015 2:33am

Robin D'Abate
Thanks for the advice, guys. Yes, I'm using a release. I'll keep it in mind and try it
when I'm out shooting next!
Like Reply

1 Feb 14, 2015 3:05am

Show 4 more replies in this thread

Phillip Greene Body Shop Tech at Muscle Rod Shop

Great Read it's not so much doing what everyone else says as it is doing what ever your
doing the exact same way every time
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 2:35am

Jim Cavallero Pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 100 West Main Street,
Mountville, PA
For any archers out there...
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 3:17am

Bing Famorca Flores San Fernando, La Union

Very useful tips.
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 3:24am

Bjrn Nord Works at Danfoss heat pumps

Great list of tips. Loved the references!
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 3:44am

Gerry Mid Frankston Technical College

Nicely written and sure to be a great help to up and coming Arhers
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 4:55am

Dave Broyles Founder, Frontman, Lead/Backing Vocals, Rhythm/Lead/Acoustic Guitars at

DV8 rogers arkansas metal/blues band
I don't hunt with a recurve, but a compound. Therefore a lot of these rules do not apply.
However I agree in stance, anchor point, and elbow rotation.
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 6:47am

S. Junaid Hassan AUC School of Medicine

Perhaps because I wear glasses (and my eyes are hypersensitive to contacts), the sight
window blurs as I try and aim. Trying to figure out how to look more directly at the target. I
shoot an Elite GT500 58#. DL is correct at 29.5 - checked at local archery pro shop
Like Reply Feb 14, 2015 11:50am

Lauren Elizabeth Ross Works at Jamberry Independent Consultant

Did you ever get an answer to your issue? If not I might have a friend who can help.

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