Approved Shooting Technique V5 May 2015

ARCHERY AUSTRALIA
NATIONAL COACHING PROGRAM
APPROVED SHOOTING TECHNIQUE

Author
James Larven
Approved by
Ya-Ping Shih (National Coach)
Archery Australia High Performance Committee
The shooting technique detailed in the following document is the only shooting technique approved and
endorsed by Archery Australia.
The approved Archery Australia Shooting technique has been developed over many years and follows all the
principles of biomechanics.
Instructors and coaches accredited to Archery Australia are expected to diligently follow this method and
process that is detailed in this document.
The Archery Australia Approved Shooting Technique when followed correctly is designed to –
• Minimise the possibility of injuries while ensuring the correct biomechanical technique is employed at
all times.
• Provide the best possible performance outcomes for the archer.
Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 2

Copyright Archery Australia 2014
UNDERSTANDING BIOMECHANICS
INTRODUCTION
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the science that applies the laws of mechanics and physics to human performance and
examines the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces.
It is a diverse interdisciplinary field, with branches in Zoology, Botany, Physical Anthropology, Orthopaedics,
Bioengineering and Human Performance. The general role of Biomechanics is to understand the mechanical
cause-effect relationships that determine the motions of living organisms. In relation to sport, Biomechanics
contributes to the description, explanation, and prediction of the mechanical aspects of human exercise, sport
and play.
In archery biomechanics is not new the principles have been

around for centuries it is only in recent times that the term
“Biomechanics” has been used.
If we examine archery publications from the 1850’s to the 1960’s

although the word biomechanics is not used the principle and
technique detailed relates directly to biomechanics.
The simple principle that should be applied is that muscles

fatigue, bones do not, so an archer should develop a shooting
technique that relies on the maximum use of our bones and the
minimum use of our muscles.
The human body is a collection of levers with the skeleton as the

base of these levers, the muscles providing the strength and
control the bones require to achieve a particular action.
The process of drawing, holding and shooting the bow should be

the process of engaging the body’s natural levers principally
utilising our bones with the minimum use of our muscles to
achieve an outcome.
Bio-Mechanical Efficiency
Maximum effectiveness of the use of the archer's bone structure and muscles is
gained when the forces are as much as possible directly along the bones and
through the joints. This minimises the amount of muscular effort required from
the archer.
However, it is not possible to achieve this perfectly for example, it is not

possible to have the force of the bow exactly in line with the bones of the
archer's bow arm so some level of muscular effort is required. Nevertheless, the
smaller the angles between the bones and the line of force minimises the use of
muscles and reduces fatigue and increases the archers ability to hold the bow
steady and most importantly ensure all the forces required to shoot the bow
remain directly behind the arrow increasing accuracy.
Control
Control of movement depends on the amount of muscular energy in excess of

the minimum amount required for the movement or activity in the muscles
being employed.

Apply this to the archer when drawing the bow, if the muscles on one side of the body exert more force than
the muscles on the other, control is reduced by the asymmetrical movement. The fatigue rate is increased in
the muscles employed leading to a reduction of control.
However, if drawing the bow muscle use is kept symmetrical and relies on the use of the body’s natural levers,
control is increased with a reduction in the work done by the muscles. This reduces fatigue and maintains
control of the movement over a longer period.
To reduce fatigue and maintain control, the efficient use of biomechanics with a strict economy of muscle use
is essential.
Essentials
The essentials of the perfect archery technique can be summarised as:
• Constant length of draw.

• Constant line of force.
• Balanced control.
• Economy of effort.
On the basis of these four essentials, the ideal position at full draw will be:
• Stance - upright, balanced and comfortable position.

• Constant draw length.
• Balanced control - maintained by the balanced forces from the forward pressure of the bow arm and
the equal traction (pull) through the drawing hand.
• Alignment - The nock of the arrow, the bow and drawing hand, and elbow of the drawing arm in the
same straight line (“Line of Force”).
• Ideally the drawing shoulder should be low in a natural position and most importantly never rotated.
Summary
The drawing sequence must be economical, systematic and repeatable. The draw must be a smooth flowing
process of planned physical movement resulting from a practiced technique.
Tension, both physical and mental, is the archer’s greatest enemy – the archer must learn to relax throughout
the entire shooting process and most importantly do not use muscles that are not required.
How do we aim steadily?
Aiming is the critical aspect of shooting; a steady aim relies on using the body in the optimum manner. We
aim using a sight but we achieve accurate and consistent aiming by developing a biomechanical shooting
technique, using our bones and muscles in the most optimum manner.
A few guiding principles to biomechanics
1) The archer should use the same technique shooting either a recurve bow or compound bow;
there should be no difference in technique.
2) Where possible the archer should use bones and minimise the use of muscles – remember
bones don’t get tired yet muscles most certainly fatigue. A coach must structure a shooting
technique that maximise the use of bones and minimise the un-necessary use of muscles, all
forces should as much as possible be along bones and through joints.
3) It is inevitable there will be some use of some muscles, but where possible only use muscles in mid
extension.
4) Use only large muscles

5) Use only muscles that are necessary for the process.
6) If an archer starts to us a muscle they must use it all the way through the shooting process, it is
impossible to relax or transfer tension from one muscle to another when a muscle is under tension.
7) The instructor or coach and archer must think bones not muscles. It is difficult for the human mind to
think about the complex structure of muscles and the process required using muscles, but the mind
finds the concept of bones and the movement of bones easier to understand and undertake.
8) The instructor or coach should always instruct the archer use a biomechanical technique that
eliminates or minimises risk of injury.
Understanding the Principle of Biomechanics

Maximising bone and minimising muscle use
Clearly we need to use muscles for any motion or action, but the archer should develop a shooting technique
that wherever possible maximises the use of bones and minimises the use of muscles.
For example, the bones of the upper arm and lower arm. If we have the force straight through the centre of
the bones and joints we don’t need to excessively use muscles to keep the bones and joints in place
Where the line of force is not through the joint, we now have no choice but to use the muscles to control the
joint leading to muscular stress and fatigue.
This should be the same principle for all the joints throughout the body.
What this means is as far as possible forces must be along the bones and through the joints. This is not always
possible but wherever it is possible the archer must develop a technique that utilises this principle.
Using muscles at mid extension
Where we have to use muscles these should

only be used at mid contraction.
For example if we take the upper arm and lift

an object you must use your bicep, you are
at the strongest when at mid contraction

You are at your weakest when at When at minimum contraction you
maximum contraction may be strong but you have run
out of muscular movement and as
such you are also very weak.
To allow for maximum strength and movement we must always use a muscle at mid extension.
The Shoulder and Arm
The two main bones of the shoulder are the humerus and the scapula (shoulder blade).
The scapula extends up and around the shoulder joint at the rear to form a roof called the acromion, and
around the shoulder joint at the front to form the coracoid process.
The scapula is connected to the body by the collar bone (Clavicle) through the Acromio-Clavicular Joint.
Front view of right hand scapular Side view of scapular
The end of the scapula, called the glenoid, meets the head of the humerus to form a glenohumeral cavity that
acts as a flexible ball-and-socket joint. The joint cavity is cushioned by articular cartilage covering the head of

the humerus and face of the glenoid. The joint is stabilized by a ring of fibrous cartilage surrounding the
glenoid called the labrum.
Ligaments connect the bones of the shoulder, and tendons join the bones to surrounding muscles. The biceps
tendon attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder and helps to stabilize the joint. Four short muscles
originate on the scapula and pass around the shoulder where their tendons fuse together to form the rotator
cuff. All of these components of your shoulder, along with the muscles of your upper body, work together to
manage the stress your shoulder receives as you extend, flex, lift and throw.
The shoulder is extremely complex, with a design that provides maximum mobility and range of motion.
Besides big lifting jobs, the shoulder joint is also responsible for getting the hand in the right position for any
function.
Other important bones
The arm has three bones
Humerus
Ulna
Radius

The Hand
Right hand from the back Right hand from the palm
How do muscles work from a technical aspect?
The skeletal muscle has a complex structure that is essential to how it contracts. To understand the skeletal
muscle we must tear it apart, starting with the largest structures and working our way to the smaller ones.
The basic action of any muscle is contraction. For example, when you think about moving your arm using your
biceps muscle, your brain sends a signal down a nerve cell telling your biceps muscle to contract. The amount
of force that the muscle creates varies -- the muscle can contract a little or a lot depending on the signal that
the nerve sends. All that any muscle can do is create contraction force.
A muscle is a bundle of many cells called fibres. You can think of muscle fibres as long cylinders, and
compared to other cells in your body, muscle fibres are quite big. They are from about 1 to 40 microns long
and 10 to 100 microns in diameter. For comparison, a strand of hair is about 100 microns in diameter, and a
typical cell in your body is about 10 microns in diameter.
A muscle fibre contains many myofibrils, which are cylinders of muscle proteins. These proteins allow a
muscle cell to contract. Myofibrils contain two types of filaments that run along the long axis of the fibre, and
these filaments are arranged in hexagonal patterns. There are thick and thin filaments. Each thick filament is
surrounded by six thin filaments.
Thick and thin filaments are attached to another structure called the Z-disk or Z-line, which runs perpendicular
to the long axis of the fibre (the myofibril that runs from one Z-line to another is called a sarcomere). Running
vertically down the Z-line is a small tube called the transverse or T-tubule, which is actually part of the cell
membrane that extends deep inside the fibre. Inside the fibre, stretching along the long axis between T-
tubules, is a membrane system called the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which stores and releases the calcium ions
that trigger muscle contraction.
Contracting a Muscle
The thick and thin filaments do the actual work of a muscle, and the way they do this is pretty cool. Thick
filaments are made of a protein called myosin. At the molecular level, a thick filament is a shaft of myosin
molecules arranged in a cylinder. Thin filaments are made of another protein called actin. The thin filaments
look like two strands of pearls twisted around each other.

During contraction, the myosin thick filaments grab on to the actin thin filaments by forming crossbridges. The
thick filaments pull the thin filaments past them, making the sarcomere shorter. In a muscle fibre, the signal
for contraction is synchronized over the entire fibre so that all of the myofibrils that make up the sarcomere
shorten simultaneously.
There are two structures in the grooves of each thin filament that enable the thin filaments to slide along the
thick ones: a long, rod-like protein called tropomyosin and a shorter, bead-like protein complex called
troponin. Troponin and tropomyosin are the molecular switches that control the interaction of actin and
myosin during contraction.
While the sliding of filaments explains how the muscle shortens, it does not explain how the muscle creates
the force required for shortening. To understand how this force is created, let's think about how you pull
something up with a rope:
1. Grab the rope with both hands, arms extended.
2. Loosen your grip with one hand, let's say the left hand, and maintain your grip with the right.
3. With your right hand holding the rope, change your right arm's shape to shorten its reach
and pull the rope toward you.
4. Grab the rope with your extended left hand and release your right hand's grip.
5. Change your left arm's shape to shorten it and pull the rope, returning your right arm to its
original extended position so it can grab the rope.
Repeat steps 2 through 5, alternating arms, until you finish.
To understand how muscle creates force, let's apply the rope example.
Myosin molecules are golf-club shaped. For our example, the myosin clubhead (along with the crossbridge it
forms) is your arm, and the actin filament is the rope:
1. During contraction, the myosin molecule forms a chemical bond with an actin molecule on
the thin filament (gripping the rope). This chemical bond is the crossbridge. For clarity, only
one cross-bridge is shown in the figure above (focusing on one arm).
2. Initially, the crossbridge is extended (your arm extending) with adenosine diphosphate (ADP)
and inorganic phosphate (Pi) attached to the myosin.
3. As soon as the crossbridge is formed, the myosin head bends (your arm shortening), thereby
creating force and sliding the actin filament past the myosin (pulling the rope). This process
is called the power stroke. During the power stroke, myosin releases the ADP and Pi.
4. Once ADP and Pi are released, a molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binds to the
myosin. When the ATP binds, the myosin releases the actin molecule (letting go of the rope).
5. When the actin is released, the ATP molecule gets split into ADP and Pi by the myosin. The
energy from the ATP resets the myosin head to its original position (re-extending your arm).
6. The process is repeated. The actions of the myosin molecules are not synchronized -- at any
given moment, some myosins are attaching to the actin filament (gripping the rope), others
are creating force (pulling the rope) and others are releasing the actin filament (releasing the
rope).
Triggering and Reversing Contraction

The trigger for a muscle contraction is an electrical impulse. The electrical signal sets off a series of events that
lead to crossbridge cycling between myosin and actin, which generates force. The series of events is slightly
different between skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle.
Let's take a look at what occurs within a skeletal muscle, from excitation to contraction to relaxation:

1. An electrical signal (action potential) travels down a nerve cell, causing it to release a chemical
message (neurotransmitter) into a small gap between the nerve cell and muscle cell. This gap is
called the synapse.
2. The neurotransmitter crosses the gap, binds to a protein (receptor) on the muscle-cell
membrane and causes an action potential in the muscle cell.
3. The action potential rapidly spreads along the muscle cell and enters the cell through the T-
tubule.
4. The action potential opens gates in the muscle's calcium store (sarcoplasmic reticulum).
5. Calcium ions flow into the cytoplasm, which is where the actin and myosin filaments are.
6. Calcium ions bind to troponin-tropomyosin molecules located in the grooves of the actin
filaments. Normally, the rod-like tropomyosin molecule covers the sites on actin where myosin
can form crossbridges.
7. Upon binding calcium ions, troponin changes shape and slides tropomyosin out of the groove,
exposing the actin-myosin binding sites.
8. Myosin interacts with actin by cycling crossbridges, as described previously. The muscle thereby
creates force, and shortens.
9. After the action potential has passed, the calcium gates close, and calcium pumps located on
the sarcoplasmic reticulum remove calcium from the cytoplasm.
10. As the calcium gets pumped back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, calcium ions come off the
troponin.
11. The troponin returns to its normal shape and allows tropomyosin to cover the actin-myosin
binding sites on the actin filament.
12. Because no binding sites are available now, no crossbridges can form, and the muscle relaxes.
As you can see, muscle contraction is regulated by the level of calcium ions in the cytoplasm. In skeletal
muscle, calcium ions work at the level of actin (actin-regulated contraction). They move the troponin-
tropomyosin complex off the binding sites, allowing actin and myosin to interact.
All of this activity requires energy. Muscles use energy in the form of ATP. The energy from ATP is used to
reset the myosin crossbridge head and release the actin filament. To make ATP, the muscle does the
following:
1. Breaks down cretin phosphate, adding the phosphate to ADP to create ATP
2. Carries out anaerobic respiration, by which glucose is broken down to lactic acid and ATP is
formed
3. Carries out aerobic respiration, by which glucose, glycogen, fats and amino acids are broken
down in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP.
Muscles have a mixture of two basic types of fibres: fast twitch and slow twitch. Fast-twitch fibres are capable
of developing greater forces, contracting faster and have greater anaerobic capacity. In contrast, slow-twitch
fibres develop force slowly, can maintain contractions longer and have higher aerobic capacity.
Training can increase muscle mass, probably by changing the size and number of muscle fibres rather than the
types of fibres. Some athletes also use performance enhancing drugs, specifically anabolic steroids, to build
muscle, although this practice is dangerous and is banned in most athletic competitions.
In archery we do not trigger a muscle contraction to release the arrow. While maintaining the push/pull action
at full draw we simply relax the muscles of the forearm (recurve) which relaxes the drawing fingers and the
string is pulled from the fingers by the weight of the bow.

The compound is the same although to release, the archer does not relax the forearm but increases the pulling
tension to trigger the release device.
The release instantly reverses the contraction of the muscles, although ideally only a limited number of
muscles should be under isotonic contraction such as the back and shoulder muscles.
How do muscles work the simple explanation?
To give a very simplistic view; muscles are made up of a large number of fibres which interlock. Attached to
each fibre are a number of hooks. As the muscle is used the hooks lock onto each other and grip, giving
strength.
Muscle in mid contraction, results in good strength and movement.
Muscle in maximum contraction, although a large number of hooks are possible there is little or no muscle
extension or movement available and the result is strength is very limited.
Muscle is at minimum contraction; only a small number of hooks are being used giving little strength.
When developing our shooting technique it must be ensured the archer is not using muscles in minimum or
full extension. If this is done the archer will not be very strong and will fatigue quickly.
Overview
In simple terms the shooting technique should allow us to use only the minimum number of muscles for a
given task, only use large muscles and muscles in mid contraction as this will always give maximum flexibility,
strength and endurance.
One point that must be stressed with the drawing arm, it is common for many to draw using the Bicep muscle
which is usually at or near maximum contraction and correspondingly the Tricep muscle will be at minimum
contraction. If the archer uses their Bicep to draw and shoot the bow they will immediately encounter
problems, other then fatigue it is importable to executive a release with the Bicep muscle under contraction.
The drawing and release process should be executed by the movement of the drawing shoulder and the use of
the scapular and large strong muscles of the upper back and shoulder.
This graph compares muscle extension

against strength.
It should be noted maximum strength and

movement is achieved in mid extension.
In fact the strength difference between mid

extension and no extension and full
extension is about 50% in strength
This is particularly important with the bow arm, if

the archer develops a technique which results in a
bent elbow then will be forced to use their Bicep and Tricep, which will lead to strength and fatigue problems
and poor aiming.
Eliminating or minimising injury
Archery is a good sport in relation to eliminating and avoiding injuries, we don’t tackle, hit people, or throw
objects at people, but injuries in archery do happen and can take a long time to repair.
The shooting technique should be such as not to cause injury, for example develop a technique that requires
us to move joints when under load. If under load never move joints, moving joints requires muscular effort;
fatigue will follow r and potentially cause injury.
It is particularly important to the coach to instruct a technique that minimises the possibility of causing injury;
a coach is not only responsible for developing the skill of the archer but also ensuring their health and safety.
The contrary argument
Of course the argument will always be used that many top archers around the world use a shooting technique
that relies on the use of muscles, and in particular the drawing arm Bicep and Tricep (shooting using a bent
elbow). This is a valid argument: many a top score have shot in and won tournaments having a shooting
technique contrary to good Biomechanical practices.
Consistent shooting and an injury free long term experience in the sport directly relies on the archers shooting
technique.
It is true of some archers that they have success with a poor technique, little consideration is given to the
amount of hard work they need to undertake to make it. In many cases their success is short lived and no one
ever talks about their injuries.
Consistent, long term success in recurve archery never happens with poor technique, only recurve archers
with the correct Biomechanical technique consistently win.

This has not always been the case with compound archers: archers with a poor technique have shot good
scores and have won tournaments, the advantages of let off and release devices can cover up for poor
technique but can never overcome injuries.
If you analyse the results of compound archers with poor technique over time you will find their performances
are very inconsistent, they may shoot well for period of time but long term one day they will shoot a good
score and the next day a poor score.
In recent times with compound scores reaching higher and higher standards the importance of being able to
hold steady and maintain strength for a full days shooting is becoming the most important aspect. The
consistent performers are those with the correct Biomechanical technique.
The high let-off of compound bows coupled with increased arrow speed have allowed compound archers to
get away with poor technique. But, in recent times as compound scores are raising to almost unheard of levels
10 or even 5 years ago, only compound archers who rely on a good Biomechanical technique are the winners.
The others may still be around but their names are way down on the result lists.
Another point about archers with poor technique: if you study their records you find they are not always
consistent in their performances. They may win today with a great score but the next event they will come in
with disappointing results for no apparent reason.
A good Biomechanical technique will give you consistency in performance; because you are always strong
relying on your bones to control the shot and not your muscles which will fatigue, good Biomechanical
technique will give you maximum endurance: you will come back day after day with consistent results.
Archers who rely on muscles to shoot need to put in hours and hours of training to build up strength; while
the biomechanical correct archer still must practice but the practice is more constructive and better focused
on results and not building brute strength.
Shooting Technique and Biomechanics

Ideally the archer should develop a shooting technique that employs all of the principles of biomechanics
establishing a strong and efficient archery technique. It does not matter what style of archery you are
engaged, tournament archery field archery, hunting or simply social archery always strive to use the correct
technique.
This is not always possible due to each individual’s own unique body shape and structure or disability.
The skill of the coach is the ability to identify and recognise each individual’s unique requirements. A coach
must have the ability to identify, analyse and be prepared to make comprises from what may be the optimum
technique.
It must be accepted that not everyone can shoot using the correct biomechanical model but let’s try and get
close.
In saying this, the role of a coach is to –
1) Have a thorough understanding of biomechanics, bow and arrow dynamics and coaching principals.
2) Be able to observe and identify an individual’s unique requirement and develop a shooting technique
that allows them to achieve maximum performance and enjoyment from the sport.
3) The coach should also be able to develop variances to the biomechanical model to suit each
individual’s unique requirements
To develop the correct biomechanical model, let’s look at the archers and examine how they stand and
position their body. We need to observe and see if the bones and muscles are being used in an appropriate
manner.
We should divide the shooting technique into two parts –

We should be striving to set up a shooting machine that can repeat shot after shot without loosing strength
and endurance.
1) Waist down - the archer should have a stable platform that assists in orientating the top of the body
appropriately, like the legs of a shooting machine.
2) Waist up – this is our shooting machine, providing maximum strength and endurance.
What should be the structure of the Human Shooting Machine?
Lets first look at bones of the upper body used to draw, hold and shoot the arrow.
The joints and relevant bones of the upper body are –
What the archer is attempting to achieve is to have all the forces along the bones and through the joints.
The force of the bow (Bow weight) is pushing through the hand and pulling on the string fingers and drawing
elbow.
The line of force should pass through the bow hand, to the drawing hand and the drawing elbow, this is
particularly important. If the line of force does not go through the drawing elbow the archer must their
drawing arm Bicep and/or Tricep to hold back the weight of the bow and release the arrow. In this situation
the arm muscles are at full extension and very weak.
If we look at the average archer, most recurve archers have a draw length that is too short and they can not
get their elbow into this position whist most compound archers have a draw length that is too long and go
beyond this position. In either case the archer is forced to use his upper arm muscles (Bicep and Tricep) to
draw, hold and shoot.
The important point to note is the forces of the bow arm shoulder and elbow do not line up and the archer is
forced to use muscles: fortunately the muscles around the shoulder are large strong muscles.
The shoulder has a wide range of movement; to minimise the use of the muscles around the shoulder the
shoulder must be positioned as low as possible. The lower we get the shoulder into a natural position the
more lined up the bones will be.
The other reason we must keep the bow shoulder low is consistancy of draw, if the shoulder is high we will
have inconsistent draw length. This is because the archers will be forced to use the muscles to control the
shoulder which as mentioned weaken with use and we find the shoulder is set in a different position each
shot.
For recurve archers this will vary how you get through the clicker and for a compound it will change the
anchor position.

The bow shoulder position must be stable, easy to maintain and repeatable from shot to shot.
The easiest position is to drop the shoulder onto the “collar bone”, the lowest it can go is when the collar bone
is sitting on the ribs.
The important point to consider is body shape and bone structure particularly around the chest, although
people may appear to have a high shoulder this will depend upon their bone structure.
Standing comfortable with arms by their

sides archer A below has natural high
shoulders and a wide bone structure across
the chest (looking from the side). Archer A
may be considered to have a short neck,
although it only appears to be short due to
his high shoulder position.
Archer B has slightly lower shoulders and is

smaller across the chest. Archer B has a
slightly longer neck.
Archer C has very low shoulders and is

smaller across the chest, with a very long
neck.
If you view each of these 3 archers shooting and they all had low bow shoulder it would be common for
people to consider that Archer A has a much higher bow shoulder then archer C.
By the nature of the rib cage structure they can all have low bow shoulders but when viewed by the untrained
eye Archer A may be thought to have a high bow shoulder compared to Archer C.
This is not the case and this point must be considered by coaches when assessing archers. The important point
is a low bowarm is one that is resting on the “collar bone”.
To determine the lowest point a person can drop their shoulder, have them stand with their arms by their
side, view the position of their shoulders: this is the lowest position the shoulders can go. The important point
when looking at various archers is that the position of the shoulder will vary from person to person based on
their build.
This is an important point when deciding which bow to use, recurve or compound. A person with a smaller
chest, smaller frame and lower shoulders generally makes for a much better recurve archer while a person
with a broader chest, stockier frame and higher shoulders better suits a compound bow.
This case in point is borne out when you study current and past recurve and compound champions
Correct alignment with “Line of Force” going through bow hand, drawing hand and drawing elbow.

Poor “Line of Force” drawing elbow too high which will require the drawing arm Bicep and Tricep to take all
the force this creates fatigue, common with recurve archers.
Poor “Line of Force” drawing elbow too bow which will require the drawing arm Bicep and Tricep to control
the do take all the force and fatigue, common with compound archers.
View from above
The Bow Arm. We cannot have the bow arm wrist, bow arm elbow and bow arm shoulder joint on the line of
force, if we do the string would need to travel down the middle of our arm
As we can not have the line of force along the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints we then need to use muscles,
so if we need to use muscles then we must use the least amount of muscles possible.
The way we do this is to push the bow arm shoulder in toward the arrow as far as it will go.
But be aware of a common mistake many people make: that is to roll the bow shoulder joint toward the
string. Never do this: the shoulder must be pushed toward the arrow. To roll the shoulder requires the use of a
number of muscles which will cause fatigue. You must also use some if the smaller muscles in the shoulder
which can lead to long term injury, the most common injury is to the “rotor cuff”, which is very painful and
requires a long time to repair.
The shoulder has a lot of movement left to right so it’s easy to push the shoulder toward the arrow, but
depending on body shape you may run out of clearance with the forearm and the string. So learn how far you
can push the shoulder in and still maintain clearance.

If a person has their shoulder pushed in as far as possible toward the arrow the natural reaction is for the
drawing shoulder to move back away from the body, this then gives a straight line between both shoulder
joints, the bow arm elbow and bow wrist and requires minimum use of muscles.
If we were to draw a line between shoulder joints this line will point to the right of the target (for a right hand
archer).
What you do not want is to have the drawing shoulder in front of the “Line of Force” (Drawing A below) which
is common with recurve archers or behind the “Line of Force” (drawing B below) which is common with
compound archers and in most cases a result of too long a draw length.
Bow arm, shoulder joint, elbow and wrist

The arm is made up of three bones, the forearm has the ulna and the radius and the upper arm the humerus.
The ulna and radius attach to the humerus at the elbow joint.
The humerus attaches to the shoulder blade (scapula) as a ball and socket, this allows for arm movement and
rotation.
The arm is controlled principally by two large muscles along with a number of smaller muscles 1) the biceps
muscle which sits on the top upper arm and go between two points at the elbow attaching to the ulna and
radius and two points on the collar bone and 2) the triceps which sit on the bottom of the upper arm and
attaches to two points to the ulna and radius and two points on the scapula.
These muscles along with a number of smaller muscles control the movement of the arm, the biceps pulls the
forearm toward the upper arm and the triceps counteracts the biceps by extending and straightening the
forearm.
The orientation of the humerus (upper arm bone), around the shoulder is controlled by a number of very large
muscles around the shoulder joint and influence the orientation of the arm, there are also some quite small
deep muscles around the shoulder called the rotor cuff which influence the rotation of the arm.
It is common to hear of injuries to the shoulder and these are referred to as rotor cuff injuries, what is being
damaged are the tendons associated with the rotor cuff.
Of course we want an archer to have a technique that provides them with maximum results but with no
injuries, the guiding principle of biomechanics is not to use muscles that are not necessary, so if there is a way

we can shoot without the need to use muscles then we should use this method. Muscles should be as relaxed
as possible during shooting and only use muscles that must be used.
If we were to stand upright with our arms by our sides and simply raise our bow arm to shoulder level with the
palm of the hand pointing at the ground without rotating the arm this is the shoulder orientation and in
particular the position of the humerus that is required to shoot a bow without the need to use rotor cuff
muscles.
You will also note the position of the bones (ulna and radius) in our forearm and that the palm of our hand is
pointing toward the ground which is important for a correct bow hand position.
It is common to see archers rotate the shoulder toward the arrow this immediately requires the use of the
rotor cuff muscles and placing them under stress, they will fatigue quickly and long term will cause injury.
The bow shoulder should at all times be positioned in a neutral position.
The correct orientation of the elbow should have the ulna and radius aligned with the shoulder, drawing A
below; this orientation of the bow arm requires almost no use of muscles to control the elbow, this position
also gives you clearance for the string.
If the archer were to rotate your shoulder they would find the ulna is rotated out toward the string and radius
back away from the string drawing B below. This places excessive loading on the elbow and then requires the
use of muscles to control the elbow, in many cases this will place the arm into the path of the string.
A B
By having a relaxed bow shoulder in a natural position will make it much easier to move the shoulder joint in
toward the arrow as you approach full draw. Ideally we should have our bow shoulder joint positioned as close
as possible towards the arrow when at full draw without creating clearance problems with our forearm.
Having the bow shoulder joint as close to the arrow as possible is very advantageous from the point of view of
minimising the muscles being used.

The other point is at "Predraw" to drop the shoulders and rib cage down, this gives very beneficial results in a
number of areas, this is referred to as “Chest Down” position.
The ‘Chest Down” position; not only helps to bring the bow shoulder joint closer to the arrow at full draw but
also helps to –
• Bring the drawing hand into a more vertical position without the need to rotate the forearm and
hand.
• Assist with bringing the drawing elbow into alignment with the drawing hand and bow
The “Chest Down” position is achieved by using the abdominal muscles to pull the chest down to the hips. Not
to be confused with sucking the stomach in, rather, just flexing the abdominal muscles, this position also helps
to straighten the lower spine. Never bend forward at the waist thinking this is the “Chest down” position.
Correct “Chest Down” position Incorrect technique
Bow Hand
Ideally the “Line of Force” should be over the wrist joint where the ulna
joint meets the hand. If the force is not over this ulna wrist joint the bow
hand will be under unnecessary tension and will result in side to side
bow torque upon release.
Bow torque is the most common cause of arrow clearance problems as

the arrows passes the bow upon release

o
Ideally the knuckles of the bow hand should be at 45 ; this can also be used as a quick visual reference to see if
a person has their bow arm correctly orientated and relaxed. If the bow arm is not orientated correctly the
o
knuckles of the bow hand will not be at 45 .
Elbow
The most important point is the elbow joint should be straight not bent, if the bow elbow is bent this forces
you to use muscles unnecessarily to control the elbow joint.
One important point to note, if you shoot with a bent arm you may, long term invariably suffer from
“tendonitis” which can be a painful injury requiring a long time to repair.
Correct - Straight bow arm requires little or no use of muscles to control the elbow
Incorrect – Bent bow arm, requires the use of muscles to control the elbow
Head Position and Spine
The head should be in a natural upright position with none of the neck muscles under tension and the head
turned toward the target.
The spine should be vertical throughout the shooting sequence. The heels should be set up slightly further
apart then the hip joints, this allows for the orientate of the upper body for shooting at different distance i.e.
90m compared to 30m or shooting up or down hills in field archery without the need to change the geometry
of the body. If the geometry of the body is changed this will vary the muscles used and change the forces in
the body.
To change the orientation of the upper body simply move the pelvis.

Drawing arm, shoulder, elbow and wrist
With the drawing arm, we must also consider in particular the orientation of the humerus (upper arm bone),
and the use of the rotor cuff muscles to control the drawing shoulder.
It is critical to ensure when drawing the bow that the rotor cuff muscles, biceps or triceps are not excessively
used.
Again if we were to stand upright with our arms by our sides and simply raise our drawing arm to shoulder
level with the palm of the hand pointed down and without rotating the arm, this is the shoulder orientation
and in particular the position of the humerus that is required at full draw.
Now we have our arm at shoulder height with the palm of our hand pointing down, bend the elbow of the
drawing arm bringing the hand (with the palm down) to our face. This is the desired orientation required to
hold the bow. What is now required is to rotate the hand into the anchor position, to achieve this will require
the use used additional muscular tension which is unavoidable.
Recurve Archer
For a recurve archer the anchor position is achieved by rotating the hand into a vertical position. When you do
this you will feel an increase in tension in the forearm and biceps but this is a compromise that recurve archers
have to make.
There is a natural tendency for the drawing hand to rotate out from the body as your draw the bow and come
to anchor. The result is the drawing hand is rotated out from the body at full draw and the drawing hand is not

held in a vertical position. This will result in inconsistent finger pressures on the bow string and excessive
forces in the wrist and forearm
It is ideal that the drawing hand should be as vertical as possible at full draw as this provides even tension on
the fingers, relaxes the wrist and forearm and does not cause side interference to the string upon release.
Never attempt to force the hand into a vertical position when under load; this will further increase tension on
already tense muscles.
By slightly rotating the drawing hand in towards the body at Predraw and when commencing the draw, you
will find as the hand naturally rotates during draw and when you reach full draw the hand will be in a vertical
position with no added tension in the muscles.
Archer displaying good firm anchor position, square and consistent finger pressure on the string with no
tension in forearm/biceps or triceps but good even string contact.
As mentioned above, the “Chest Down” position is an excellent technique for overcoming many problems, one
of these is obtaining a vertical drawing hand at full draw, the “Chest Down” technique also helps with
• Moving the bow shoulder joint in toward the arrow.
• Assists with bringing the drawing elbow into alignment with the drawing hand and bow
The “Chest Down” position uses the abdominal muscles to pull the chest down to the hips. Not to be confused
with sucking the stomach in, rather, just flexing the abdominal muscles, this technique also helps to straighten
the lower spine. Never bend forward at the waist thinking this is the “Chest Down” position.
Compound Archer
It is a very common practice for compound archers to excessively rotate their hand holding the release device.
As the archer excessively rotates their drawing hand tension builds up your forearm, biceps and triceps and
most importantly in the shoulder as the rotor cuff muscles are now under tension.
The other result of excessively rotating the hand is the elbow joint at full draw this generally forces the elbow
below the “Line of Force” due to the use of the triceps and biceps resulting in a low elbow at full draw. The
natural reaction upon release is a downward motion with the elbow, which can result in high scatter of
arrows.

Archer with an excessive rotation of the drawing hand.
Ideally the compound archer should have an anchor position that is horizontal or just slightly rotated out from
the face.
Archer displaying good deep grip on the release device and minimal rotation of the hand.
It is important to note that, unlike a recurve archer who must maintain a consistent solid anchor under the
jaw, the compound archer should have a floating anchor that varies from distance to distance.
As the peep sight is always the same location above the nocking point, the angle of the archers head varies to
enable the archer to see clearly through the peep sight at different distances, this means the hand position
(holding the release device) against the side of the archers face varies at different distances.
Also to give the best possible string clearance there should be no or minimal string contact with the face.
Release
When shooting a recurve bow the release must be a surprise and must be made immediately the clicker goes
off.
With a compound the release must be a surprise and not forced.
As the archer releases and the arrow leaves the bow the forces will come off the body and the body must
react to the forces and move, this movement is the follow through.
The follow through is a very powerful diagnostic tool, if you watch the follow through upon release (before the
archer proactively moves their body), and see how they react upon release this will tell what forces were in
play and if the technique was correct.
If all the forces were correct the drawing hand should move back in a straight line and bow arm (and bow)
should move to the left and down (for a right hand archer).

If this happens then it tells you immediately that the archer is only using the muscle they should and the
release is a surprise.
Drawing Technique
Now that we have detail biomechanics and how it world on various parts of the body, we should look at the
most efficient technique for drawing the bow, employing all of the principals of biomechanics, the so called
“Square Draw”.
Predraw
Raise the bow arm and drawing arm together above shoulder level ideally around eye level. This lowers the
bow shoulder into a natural position.
Take a deep breath while raising the bow into the Predraw position.
The drawing hand should be relaxed with the back of the hand flat (rotated in slightly toward the body) the
back of the hand, wrist and forearm in a straight line behind the line of the arrow.
The bow arm should be straight and pointed toward the target.
Sat this point the archer should transfer 60% to 70% of your body weight onto your front foot; this enables the
archer to transfer their body weight evenly on both feet as they draw the bow.
At “FULL DRAW” the archer should be standing upright

with body weight evenly distributed on both feet. There
should be between 60% to 70% of body weight toward the
front of each foot and only 40% to 30% on your heels.
If there is a backward lean to the body this may indicate,

the bow may be too heavy in draw weight or in the case of
a compound bow also the draw length is too long,
although the most common cause is the tendency is to
transfer the body weight onto the back foot upon drawing
the bow: to overcome this issue -
1) Change the draw weight of the bow to a lighter

draw weight bow or in the case of a compound
bow shortening the draw length.
2) At “Predraw” transfer 70% to 80% of the body

weight on the front foot, as they draw the bow and
the natural tendency to transfer the bodies weight
to the back foot will then result in even distribution
of weight.
Bow Shoulder
It is imperative that the bow shoulder remains low throughout the draw and the bow arm extends towards
the target.
Drawing the Bow
To utilise the benefits of “biomechanics” and ensure the minimum use of muscles to draw and hold the bow,
the bow hand and drawing hand should be raised above shoulder level ideally around mouth/nose/eye level in
the Predraw stage.
By raising the bow hand and drawing hand above shoulder level into a high Predraw position this lowers the
bow shoulder into the correct position with the “collar bone” sitting onto the ribs and sets up the rest of the
body for the draw and shooting process.

The draw is then achieved by drawing back the string and rotating the drawing shoulder back and around into
the anchor position while at the same time ensuring the bow shoulder is kept low and the bow arm is
extended toward the target.
The draw must finish with the bow hand, drawing hand, arrow and draw arm elbow in line behind each other.
It is imperative that during the drawing process, as the drawing arm moves back toward the anchor position,
the bow arm shoulder is kept down and the bow hand extended toward the target through the pivot point of
the bow.
The string should be drawn back to the head, never move the head to the string.
Once the drawing action has commenced, most of the work must be done by the muscles in the back and
shoulders, with very little tension in the biceps and forearm.
The draw must be along as straight a line as is physically possible, drawing back close to the bow shoulder,
finishing with bow and hand, arrow and draw arm elbow in line behind each other.
NOTE – It may be suggested that this “High Draw” method is against World Archery High Draw rules This is not
correct as both the drawing hand and bow hand are on the same line.
The World Archery rule is concerned where an archer raised the bow height and keeps the drawing hand low,
the arrow is now aimed high and if shot accidentally the arrow may fly out of the field of play creating a
hazard.
Compromises
Not everyone is built the same or they may have a disability. A good instructor/coach should be able to
establish compromises to deal with these issues, but unfortunately compromises may translate into a loss of
potential scores.

IMPORTANT POINTS
Once you have started using a muscle you are committed to use that muscle for the entire shot, you can not
switch off a muscle when under tension, so develop a technique that only uses muscles that are necessary.
If the archer is using muscles they don’t have to use or over using a muscle, they won’t aim as steady and they
won’t be able to score as well.
The guiding principle is - In drawing the bow the archer must not use a muscle they will not need at full draw.
Using a "low draw".
So, if they have a technique that requires they to draw the bow low (under shoulder height) then they must
use muscles to draw back the bow, in fact to draw back the bow they must use far more muscles in their arms
and shoulders then they will need at full draw.
They are using muscles at full draw they do not require and can not stop using the result will be they can not
hold still and will fatigue.
The archer will need to move joints when under load, it is important to avoid moving joints when under load
this will cause injury. Generally people using a low draw raise the bow shoulder as part of the drawing process
and create a large amount of tension in the shoulders and shoulder joints.
Using a "high draw".
Most importantly this technique is contrary to the rules and continued use of high draw could see the archer
disqualified.
People usually develop this technique as the bow's draw weight is too much for their ability. This technique
develops a drawing process that loads up the shoulder joints as they drop the bow as the bow is draw creating
excessive load on the bow shoulder.
Like the low draw the archer will need to move joints when under load, it is important to avoid moving joints
when under load this will cause injury.
Remember the guiding principles to biomechanics
1) We use the same technique shooting either a recurve bow or compound bow, there should be no
difference in technique.
2) Use bones, not muscles – bones don’t get tired yet muscles most certainly fatigue, we must consider
how to structure a shooting technique to maximise the use of bones and minimises the use of
muscles.
3) If we must use muscles, only use muscles at mid extension
4) Use only large muscles
5) Use only the necessary muscles we have to use
6) Use a technique that eliminates or minimises injury

SHOOTING TECHNIQUE
The Ten Basic Steps
To obtain any degree of excellence in the sport of archery, the shot must be executed in a relaxed, controlled
and consistant manner following all the principles of biomechanics.
To undertake and maintain this relaxed, controlled and consistent shooting technique it is essential for an
archer to develop a shooting cycle. This cycle has been developed based around ten basic steps. Each step
having a direct bearing on the next step and ultimately the overall shot.
It is also essential that people are taught and develop a shooting technique from day one to ensure any
chance of injury is minimised.
It should be noted that instructor or coaches could be held personally responsible if injury is caused due to
instruction of the incorrect technique.
The ten basic steps are:
1. Stance
2. Nocking the Arrow.
3. Bow Hand and Bow Arm
4. Drawing Hand.
5. Predraw and Drawing the Bow.
6. Anchor.
7. Holding and Aiming.
8. Release.
9. Follow Through.
10. Relaxing.

STEP 1
STANCE
Stance or the standing position on the shooting line is the foundation of the shot. It is imperative
that the stance must be simply, repeatable and above all comfortable.
The principles of stance are –
• For good balance both feet should be shoulder width apart.

• The hips should be square to the target when at full draw.
• Legs should be relaxed and straight.
• Knees should straight but not locked tight (lockimg joins requires the use of muscules and
crates tension in the body).
• At full draw the body weight should be evenly distributed on both feet with 60%-70% of
body weight taken on the balls of the feet and 30%-40% on the heels.
• At full draw from a side view the spine and head should be straight over the centre of the
body.
There are principally three common stance positions: the Square, Open and Closed stance.
SQUARE STANCE
The square stance is the RECOMMENDED stance, it is easy to achieve and requires the feet and hips
to be square to the target.
Most importantly a square stance requires little or no tension in the lower body and is easy to
repeat shot after shot.
As skills improve and for some people in particular those people with a large frame or large chest
may feel uncomfortable with the square stance or may have be clearance problems with the
bowstring. If this is the case it may be necessary to slightly open up the stance.
To achieve good balance it may be necessary to experiment with slight variation with the width of
the stance and the angle of the feet.
Square Stance – Rear View Square Stance – Side View

OPEN STANCE
Open stance is NOT the recommended stance, it requires the rear foot to be positioned in front of the centre
line to the target, and this opens the hips and upper body to the target at shot set-up.
The angle of the hips and shoulders is usually somewhere between 15 and 35 degrees from the target
centerline. When drawing the bow the open stance requires the archer to rotate their hips and upper body
usually under load into line with the target. To achieve this rotation requires the use of muscles to rotate and
to control the joints.
For many people using an open stance gives the feeling of greater stability when shooting but, as the rotation
requires the use of muscles, you will tire, as you tire inconsistency and fatigue is introduced into the shot.
Increased muscular flexibility is also required to achieve open stance over the square stance.
Open Stance – Rear View Open Stance – Front View

STEP 2
NOCKING THE ARROW
Nocking the arrow is really the first step in the shot sequence as the stance should be position for the first shot
in an end and the feet not moved from shot to shot.
Nocking the arrow should become a smooth, quick and automatic action requiring little effort or thought.
The arrow is placed on the string at the Nocking Point, which is positioned slightly above the centre of the
string. For recurve bows the index vane or fletch is placed so that it is pointing away from the bow. For
compound bows the index vane or fletch is placed either up or down depending upon the style of arrow rest
being used.
The recommended method of nocking the arrow is –
• Hold bow across body, canted at a slight angle. Care should be taken to ensure the bow tips do not
interfere with other archers.
• Draw the arrow from the quiver, holding the arrow by your thumb and index finger between the nock
and fletch.
• Place the arrow onto the arrow rest.
• Sliding the arrow along the rest rotating the arrow until the index vane or fletch is point away from
the bow (recurve) or either up or down (compound).
• Carefully draw the arrow back against the string until the nock engages and clicks onto the string
between the nocking points. It is recommended that two nocking points be always used, even
if using a compound bow with a loop on the string.

STEP 3
BOW HAND
Bow Hand
Hand Position: The hand is placed on the bow handle with the bow grip sitting along the Thenar
Eminence – otherwise known as the thumb muscle.
Ideally all the fingers and thumb should be relaxed, ideally the fingers should be slightly curled
around in a natural position toward the palm of the hand. Do not grip the bow or have the fingers
straight or open.
Allowing the fingers to be straight or open will cause the fingers and thumb to tense up during draw
and the shot. By allowing the fingers to slightly curl around into the palm of the hand will prevent
the fingers from tensing up.
Also, curling the fingers removes the temptation to grab the bow upon release.
This bow hand position requires the use of a wrist or finger sling.
The bow hand should be positioned directly

behind the centreline of the bow. With the arrow
positioned over the centre of the V of the thumb.
The only part of the bow hand that should contact

the bow grip should be about the size of a 20 cent
piece with the contact point high into the pivot
point of the bow grip and the thumb, pointing
toward the target.

o o
Ideally the bow hand should be rotated on the bow with the knuckles angled at 30 to 45 ; this
assists in achieving correct elbow rotation providing elbow clearance as well as setting the
bow shoulder into the correct position by aligning the bones of the arm for maximum
strength.
The bow hand, fingers and thumb should remain fully relaxed during the entire shooting sequence
to avoid introducing side pressures (torque) on the bow which will affect the flight of the arrow. The
hand should be positioned directly behind the centre line of the bow with the thumb straight and
pointing directly toward the target. This aligns the forces over the strongest part of the wrist joint.
The drawing technique which we will discuss later is very important, if the line of draw is not straight
but, out away from the body the bow upon being drawn will rotate in the hand creating excess torque
and erratic and inconsistent left to right shots.

Step 4
THE DRAWING HAND
Recurve Bow
This method details shooting with a recurve bow, for details on shooting with a release device refer
to release devices.
For a recurve bow the first three fingers of the drawing hand are placed on the string, the index
finger above, and the second and third fingers below the arrow nock.
The principles of the drawing hand are –
• At predraw take a hook on the bowstring, generally as the three fingers are different lengths
take bowstring behind the first joint of the middle finger, slightly behind the joint of the
bottom finger and in the joint of the top finger.
IMAGE
• As you draw the bow back to full draw the string will roll forward in your fingers settling into
the first joint.
• At full draw the bowstring should be in the first joint of the three fingers (not on the
fingertips) with about 40% pressure on the middle finger and 30% on the top and bottom
fingers.
• The drawing hand, elbow and wrist must be relaxed and tension free at all times giving you
a soft feeling.
• The back of the hand, wrist and forearm must be kept flat and straight from the elbow to
the fingers.
• The knuckles must be flat, not poking out or bent.
• At full draw the fingers and the back of the hand should be as vertical as possible to avoid
the introduction of side forces onto the bowstring, never rotate the hand and ensure the
string never sits on the finger tip.
The recommended method is -
1. At predraw take a hook around bow string behind the first joint of the middle finger, slightly
behind the joint of the bottom finger and in the joint of the top finger.
2. Either rest the tip of the thumb in the palm (diagram A) of the hand or straight along the
first finger. If the thumb is straight along the first finger this can be used as an additional
anchor reference under the chin.
3. The little finger should be behind the string with a slight bend. The little finger should not be
bent into the palm of the hand, as this will create tension in the hand. Do not force the
thumb or little finger into the palm of the hand, as this will create tension.
4. As the bow is drawn the string will roll forward slightly settling in or just behind the first
finger joints, this is the ideal position and will mininise the likelihood of blisters, soreness
and calluses to the fingers.
5. Never allow the string to sit on the fingertips as the fingertips are very soft, blisters,
soreness and calluses will ensue even if using a finger tab.
6. At full draw there should be about 40% pressure on the middle finger and 30% on the top
and bottom fingers.
Diagram A
If teaching a person the principles of release undertake a mimicking exercise, using a bucket or a bag
have then pick up the bucket or bag by the handle.
Instinctively a person will take the same grip as they would take holding a bowstring, taking the
pressure behind the first joint of the middle and bottom fingers and in the joint of the top finger,
keeping the back of the hand flat with the wrist and forearm straight.
Have them take the pressure of the bucket or bag and ask them to release, instinctively they will
release the bucket or bag in the same manger required to release a bowstring.
PINCHING THE NOCK
A very common problem with recurve archers in particular new archers is pinching the nock or the
arrow rotating off the arrow rest as the bow is drawn.

Why does this happen?
There are generally thee reasons -
1. As you draw the bowstring back to full draw there will be an amount of rotation of the string
hence the reason you should have your equipment set-up with the correct nock fit on the string
(Refer Equipment Set-up - Nock Fit).
If the nock fit is a tight fit on the string the string will not be able to cleanly rotate inside the nock
creating internal forces on the nock forcing the arrow to move away from the rest.
2. Pinching the nock between the fingers. The index and middle finger are touching or pinching the
nock causing the arrow to rotate with the rotation of the bowstring.
To prevent this keep the fingers apart and away from the nock, use a finger space between the first
and second fingers.
3. The hand is tense and the back of the hand is cupped, may also be holding on the fingertips.
When the hand is cupped the arrow will be forced to rotate away from the arrow rest.
One solution of course is to use a clicker to keep the arrow on the rest, this may appear to fix the
problem but the forces are still present and will have an effect on accuracy.
Compound Bow
Release devices are used for compound bow as they provide a much cleaner and efficient release.
Generally there are two styles of release devices, hand held and wrist held.
The engineering of a compound bow is best suited to the use of release devices. The action of the
cams rolling forward as the bow is shot will create a slight up and down flexing action of the arrow
as it moves forward, leaves the bow and travels to the target. Unlike a recurve bow, which crates a
side-to-side, flexing action, which is enhanced by the fingers rolling off the string upon release.
A release device is much more forgiving than fingers although still quite easy to make those errors
which result in inconsistent shots.
If you use fingers to shoot a compound bow the arrow will still naturally flex in an up and down
motion but also in a side to side motion created by the fingers rolling off the string upon release a
situation which is very difficult to control. Most importantly no one makes an arrow rest that
adequately caters for shooting a compound with fingers, most compound finger shooters have to
compromise.
There are three types of release devices, “Thumb Trigger”, “Hinge Trigger” and Index Finger
Trigger”.
The secret of using any release device is surprise.
The Thumb and Hinge Trigger release devices are available in two, three or four finger designs and
are usually hand held while the Index Finger Trigger style usually attached to the wrist with an
adjustable strap.

Hand Held Thumb Release Devices
The thumb generally activates the trigger type of release device.
To use a Thumb Release device grip the release by the fingers taking the grip between the first and
second joint of the fingers. This allows the knuckles and back of the hand to be flat which will assist
with achieving a consistent anchor against your face at full draw.
Hand Held Hinge Trigger Release Devices
The Hinge Trigger also know as Back Tension release devices has the release head mounted on a
hinge or half moon which is held in place by the angle of the head as you draw back, hold and aim.
To activate the release you rotate the release device in your hand altering the position of the head
and ultimately releasing the arrow.
Index Finger Trigger Release Devices
The Index Finger Trigger release device is attached to the wrist and should be adjusted so at full
draw the first finger can wrap around the trigger between the first and second joint. Never allow the
fingertip to activate the trigger.

STEP 4
PREDRAW
Once the fingers have been positioned on the bowstring and the bow hand positioned on the bow, a
slight tension is taken up on the string. The archer begins to focus for the shot and enter a relaxed
state. This is known as the preparation position.
At the preparation stage develop a system that allows you to “Switch On” and focus.
Being able to switch on and focus is important as it narrow your concentration removing external
distractions and allows you to only think of the task at hand.
Many archers see this as staring at the target (or where they want the arrow to land). Develop a
personal technique of focusing which becomes part of the aiming process to follow.
This preparation and focusing process is a major element of a repeatable process
At this stage in the process its time to relax, removing any tension from the body. For many this
involves taking a beep breath and slowly exhaling feeling the tension drain from the body while
commencing the focus stage.
Bow Arm and Predraw.
When ready the bow, bow arm and drawing arm/elbow are
raised together and set all above shoulder height, drawing the
bow back a few inches taking a small amount of tension.
This leaves the bow arm shoulder sitting down in its natural
position and the drawing elbow high. When you start to draw
from this position it also assists in dropping the chest, bow
arm shoulder and drawing arm shoulder down.
If you draw the bow, bow arm or drawing elbow set low
below shoulder height this will force the bow and drawing
shoulder to sit high out of its natural position when the bow
is drawn. Also, the ribs will be forced high throughout the
shot.

Also, if the draw is commenced with the drawing arm/elbow low that is at or below shoulder
height this will force you to use your drawing arm bicep muscle (not back muscles) causing loss of
control and introducing fatigue as well as placing excessive forces on the small shoulder muscles.
The bow shoulder should not be raised or rolled in toward the bowstring under load (i.e. when
drawing the bow or having achieved full draw).
One of the most common injuries found in archery is rotator cuff damage to the bow shoulder,
very painful and requires a long recover process and a long period away from archery.
The main cause of rotator cuff injury is either or both a high shoulder or rotating the shoulder
when under load.
The drawing hand should be positioned in close to the bow arm with the back of the drawing hand
vertical or slightly tipped in toward the bow arm.
Pre-Draw- Rear View
DRAWING ELBOW
This is now also the time to set the bow arm elbow. Many people have a problem with the bow arm
elbow by rotating the elbow out of alignment into the path of the shot bowstring.
A B

The correct orientation of the elbow should have the ulna and radius aligned with the shoulder,
drawing A above; this orientation of the bow arm requires almost no use of muscles to control the
elbow, this position also gives you clearance for the string.
If the elbow was rotated with the ulna rotated out toward the string and radius back away from the
string drawing B above. This places excessive loading on the elbow and then requires the use of
muscles to control the elbow; in many cases this will place the arm into the path of the string as well
as rotate the shoulder high and toward the string.
New archers should be taught from the start the correct process of aligning the elbow when at the
predraw stage.
HITTING THE FOREARM

Hitting the forearm is a common problem in archery; although many
people may not hit their arm the elbow may still be rotated out of
alignment requiring muscles around the elbow to come into play to
control the elbow. This results in loss of control (not being able to hold
the bow steady); fatigue and possible injury (a form of tennis elbow).
From the start people should be instructed how to overcome this

problem with a few simple exercises which starts with a simple test to
demonstrate the problem.
TEST
To determine if the person may hit their
elbow before they start to shoot conduct a
simple test.
Have the student extend their bow arm

toward the target (Diagram 1) and then
bend the arm toward their chest in a line
parallel to the ground.
If the student’s arm moves toward their

chest (Diagram 2) most likely the student
will not have elbow problems and will not
Diagram 1 hit their arm.
If the student’s arm moves toward their face

(Diagram 3) special attention may be given to
the student, as the bowstring will most likely
hit their arm upon release.
Diagram 2
Diagram 3

DEMOSTRATION
To demonstrate the correct elbow position have the student extend their bow arm toward the target with their
palm down.
o
Without moving their elbow, have the student rotate the hand so the knuckles are at a 45 angle. This produces the
correct elbow position.
EXERCISE
Give the student an exercise they can do at home to

assist them in learning how to rotate their elbow upon
drawing the bow.
Have the student place the palm of their bow arm on a

wall with their fingers pointing up.
While exerting pressure on the wall with their bow arm

have them rotate their elbow in a clockwise direction
Diagram 1 (right hand archers, anticlockwise for left hand archer)
(Diagram 1). They will quickly learn how to rotate the
elbow (Diagram 2).
The instructor should ensure the student does not

rotate or roll the shoulder as the elbow is being rotated.
At first this may feel uncomfortable but with practice

the student will learn to rotate the elbow during the
predraw and drawing process.
Diagram 2
BOW ARM ELBOW
The most important point is the elbow joint should be straight not bent, if the bow elbow is bent this forces
you to use muscles unnecessarily to control the elbow joint.
One important point to note, if you shoot with a bent arm long term this could possible results in “tendonitis”
which can be a painful injury requiring a long time to repair.
Correct - Straight bow arm requires little or no use of muscles to control the elbow

Incorrect – Bent bow arm, requires the use of muscles to control the elbow
The elbow should be straight but not locked as this will require the use of muscles.
Head Position and Spine
The head should be in a natural upright position with the head turned toward the target.
The spine should be vertical throughout the shooting sequence. The feet should be set up slightly further
apart then the hip joints about shoulder width, this allows for the orientate of the upper body for shooting at
different distance i.e. 90m compared to 30m or shooting up or down hills in field archery without the need to
change the geometry of the body. If the geometry of the body is changed this will vary the muscles used and
change the forces in the body.
To change the orientation of the upper body simply move the pelvis.

STEP 5
DRAWING THE BOW
The process described below is the approved Archery Australia drawing technique and should be
used by recurve and compound. The only variation will be with the anchor position. The anchor
position described below is for recurve, for compounds refer to Step 6.
Now predraw has been achieved its time to commence the draw by rolling the drawing arm
shoulder down and back and rotating the drawing elbow and shoulder blade to bring the drawing
elbow in line with the arrow when seen from behind.
At the same time drawing the bowstring back under the chin, remembering the drawing hand must
be kept as flat as possible. Allow the drawing hand to slide in under the jawbone with the top finger
making firm contact under the jaw and the string contact with the chin and nose.
As the drawing arm is moving back, the bow arm is held out extended toward the target with the
shoulder down, pushing the bow directly toward the target and having no rotation of the drawing
shoulder.
The bow arm elbow should be straight with the bones aligned but not locked firm.
Draw the bowstring back to the face in a straight line as close to the bow arm shoulder as possible.
If the string is drawn out of line away from the shoulder this will cause four negative effects and
increase the possibility of injuries –
1. The bow will rotate left to right in the bow hand causing torque and uncontrollable left to
right shots.
2. The bow shoulder will move out of alignment and possibly rotate while under load causing
unnecessary use of muscles to control the shoulder leading to possibly rotator cuff injury
and loss of control and consistency.
3. The bow shoulder has moved out of alignment resulting in variation of draw length from
shot to shot. Timing will be effected as the draw length will vary from shot to shot, this
variation in draw length will effect the process of activating the clicker which will become
inconsistent.
4. As the drawing hand is now away from the face when full draw is achieved the drawing
hand now needs to be moved into the face and under the chin. This will create unnecessary
muscular tension in the drawing fingers and forearm, and require unnecessary use of the
shoulder muscles and bicep to rotate the drawing shoulder. The drawing arm shoulder will
most likely be positioned high. This will create unnecessary tension in the bow shoulder,
drawing shoulder bow, muscles of the bow arm and drawing arm and tension in the forearm
and fingers of the drawing arm, and will cause fatigue, loss of control as well as the
possibility of long term injury to the shoulders.
Remember, the draw must be along as straight a line as is physically possible, finishing with bow and
hand, arrow and draw arm elbow in line behind each other.
The head must be held as still as possible with the string drawn to the head, the head must not
move to the string.
With the drawing action mentioned above most of the work must be done by the muscles in the
back and back of the shoulders, there must be very little tension in the biceps, forearm and shoulder
joints.

Woman must draw straight into the side of the breast close to the shoulder, not into centre or past
the breast.
The principles of the drawing the bow are –
• Bow hand rotated with knuckles angled at 30o to 45o

• Bow arm straight with straight elbow but not locked firm
• Draw the bow string back to the face in a straight line close to the bow arm shoulder
• Draw the string by rolling the drawing arm shoulder down and back and rotate the drawing
elbow and shoulder blade to bring the drawing elbow in line with the arrow
• Anchor under the chin with the top finger making firm contact under the jaw and the string
making contact with the chin and nose
• For a recurve the drawing hand should be vertical at all times with no or little rotation of the
hand including at anchor
The drawing process is completed when the drawing elbow is rotated into line with the arrow nock and
contact point on the bow.
To achieve drawing arm alignment there are few points to consider -
• If the arm muscles (biceps and triceps) are used to draw the bow it will be almost impossible to
achieve drawing arm alignment.
• The drawing process must rely on the use of the back muscles and the rotation of the drawing
shoulder scapular.
• Another common cause of poor drawing arm alignment is too heavy a draw weight and the person is
simply not strong enough to complete the drawing process.

For most people the process of achieving drawing arm alignment may not be easy but if you are looking for
any degree of consistency as well as constant improvement this is a very important element of the drawing
process and one must that may be mastered.
One point to consider is the archer’s chest; is the chest square to the target or is it open to the target?
In the images above the CORRECT image has the chest square to the target and the drawing arm in alignment.
The scapular has been rotated across and slightly down the back, there is little to no use of the biceps and
triceps which then means the process of activating the clicker/release device is more controlled and smoother,
the release more reactionary and in a straight line. Most importantly all the forces are in line.
With the INCORRECT image above the chest is open to the target and the drawing arm is out of alignment
(under rotated), this is very common and in most cases an open chest and poor drawing arm alignment (under
rotated) go together.
Under rotating the drawing arm may also position the drawing arm elbow into a low position, placing extra
load on the bicep and the muscles of the shoulder joint which may lead to shoulder injuries.
As the biceps and triceps are under tension this will make releasing difficult and forced. For a recurve
activating the clicker will be difficult and for a compound activating the release device will be inconsistent, the
result will be a forced shot and inconsistent timing from shot to shot.
To correct an open chest and to rotate the drawing arm into alignment in most cases all that is required is a
more dynamic drawing process. To do this simply rotate the upper part of the body around so the chest in
square to the target during the drawing process. This rotation brings the chest into line with the target and
assists with the rotation of the shoulder and scapular bringing the drawing arm around into alignment.
The drawing process needs to be a dynamic process, not a static process.
A static draw involves moving only the drawing arm in the shoulder socket. A static drawing process relies on
the biceps and triceps to do all the work and can result in injuries to the shoulder muscles.
The other advantage of rotating the upper body ensuring the chest is square to the target assists in bringing
the bow arm shoulder closer to the arrow at full draw.
The same principles apply for both recurve or compound except with a compound due to draw length
variability and the bow let off (lighter holding weight) it is easy to over rotate the drawing arm.
Over rotating the drawing arm is as undesirable as under rotating. With over rotating it may raise the drawing
arm elbow high; this can place stress on the shoulder joint and will have the effect of releasing out from the
face.

STEP 6
FULL DRAW, ANCHOR and STRING ALIGNMENT
FULL DRAW
The principles of the full draw are -
• Looking from the side you should be able to draw a straight line from the drawing arm
elbow joint through the arrow nock to the contact point of the bow hand with the bow.
• Looking from above you should be able to draw a straight line from the drawing arm elbow
joint through the arrow nock to the centre of the bow hand making contact with the bow.
• The back of the drawing hand must be vertical and flat with the three fingers in contact with
the string.
• The bow arm must be straight with the elbow rotated away from the bowstring with the
elbow straight but not locked.
• The bow shoulder should be down in its natural position with the head of the upper arm
bone (humorous) square in the shoulder socket; there should be no rotation of the shoulder
joint.

• The bowstring should be as close to the bow arm shoulder as possible without the string
hitting the forearm upon release.
• The rib cage should be dropped down, not raised.
• Body weight should be evenly distributed on both feet with 60%-70% of body weight taken
on the balls of the feet.
• Looking from the side the head and spine must be straight and from the rear the spine
straight in its natural position with a slight forward position of the chest.
ANCHOR
The anchor is the term used to describe the position where the drawing hand makes contact with the face.
For a recurve bow a consistent anchor-point is vital and, along with many other aspects of the archery
technique, plays an important part in accuracy.
When shooting the recurve bow the anchor effectively becomes your rear sight, any variation in anchor
position from shot to shot will vary accuracy.
On the other hand when shooting the compound bow the anchor is not as important as you are using a peep
sight. The anchor position on the face will vary from distance to distance and the peep sight effectively
becomes your anchor.
You might ask why does the anchor move from distance to distance when using a compound bow?
With a recurve you do not use a rear sight (Peep Sight) as you move from distance to distance and the sight
pin is moved up or down on the sight bar the anchor does not change but there are very minor up or down
changes to the head position.
For example: If shooting a recurve at 18m the sight pin would be high on the sight bar for comfort and better
vision the head would be tilted slight down. Alternatively when shooting at 90m where the sight pin would be
at the bottom of the bar the head would be lilted back.
For a compound as the archer is looking through a peep sight they require a clear image at each distance that
will enable them to line the ring of the peep around the ring of the scope body. When shooting a compound at
various distances its not possible to see through the peep sight tilting the head while maintaining the same
anchor. Hence the need to change anchor position from distance to distance.
When using a peep sight shooting at 18m the anchor is high on the face and at 90m low on the face.
This also makes the need to use a Kisser Button unnecessary, as it will need to change as the anchor position
changes, unless of course you are only shooting at one distance and not planning on moving your sight.
The important aspect of anchor is the position of the anchor on the face.
RECURVE
When using a recurve bow the anchor position should be toward the front of the chin. This allows the arrow to
move sideways (for a RH archer the nock will move to the left about 25mm) as part of the initial movement of
the arrows flexing cycle also known as the “Archers Paradox”.
If you adopt an anchor that is down the side of the face this will prevent the arrow from adopting the
appropriate flexing cycle and will indicate you need to use a stiffer spine arrow.
Always maintain the fingers as vertical as possible, avoid excessively twisting or rolling the drawing handed.
This will create inconsistent pressures on the fingers, increase tension in the forearm and wrist and cause
string torque. Instructors should identify students who shoot with a rolled or twisted hand and wrist and
ensure the correct position is taught as early as possible.

COMPOUND
When using a compound bow as mentioned above the anchor position will vary as you move from distance to
distance but the position on the face is critical and directly related to draw length.
As a peep sight is to be used unlike a recurve where you look to one side of the string with a compound you
look direct through the centre of the string. It is then important that the peep sight should come to rest at full
draw directly in front of the eye. The eye always wants to sit in the center of the eye socket, it is also
important that the head is upright and not tilted off to one side.
It is also important that the string does not make any contact with the face but is positioned slightly away
from the face. As most modern compound bows have high let off a with a holding weight of only 8lb to 18lb,
any string contact with the face will create interference with the string causing left to right shots.
The drawing hand should make contact with the side of the face (jaw) around the first knuckle. If the draw
length is too long the drawing hand will make contact with the face around the rear of the jaw or throat.
The ideal position at full draw will have the nock of the arrow at the corner of the mouth, unlike a recurve bow
the string should not touch the nose but should sit directly in front of the eye. If the string touches the nose
you need to bend your head to look through the peep sight.
Always use the release device you plan to use when determining draw length, as the head of different brand
and model release devices vary as much as 25mm (one inch).
The image above demonstrates the head differences between three popular brands of release devices.
Varying brands and models of release devise will not change the draw length of the bow but will have a
significant change to where you hands can sits against your face at full draw.
A simple test to determine if the draw length is correct, best not carried out with a compound bow as it will
have set draw length, peak and holding weight which could give incorrect results. Use a lightweight recurve
bow (about 10 lb-15lb) with a string loop attached to the string and the release device you plan to use.
Close your eyes and draw the bow with the hand making contact with the side of your face. Now without
moving your head open your eyes, if you can see the centre of the bowstring the draw length is correct.

On the other hand if the string is to the right the draw length is too long or if the string is to the left the draw
length is too short (right hand archer).
Never try this test with your eyes open as your eyes will take control of your actions and you will move your
head to look through the peep sight. Ideally when you determine full draw your head will be upright and the
string directly in front of your eye.
BODY ALIGNMENT
Stand upright, with 60% to 70% of their body weight distributed forward on the balls of their feet and only
40% to 30% on their heels.
Looking from the front stand upright with a straight spine without leaning back or forward. It is common in
particular if the draw weight is too heavy to compensate by leaning lean back, placing the majority of body
weight on their back foot.
Their spine should be straight and their head directly over their spine.
Looking from an overhead the shoulder joint should be positioned as close as possible towards the arrow at
full draw without creating clearance problems with our forearm.
Having the bow shoulder joint as close to the arrow as possible is very advantageous from the point of view of
minimising the muscles being used.
Never attempt to achieve a close position with the shoulder joint by rotating the shoulder as this will require
the use of shoulder muscles in particular the use of the rotator cuff and will also cause the should to rise.

Looking from behind the archer – the lower spine should also be straight. This should not be confused with
standing straight. The spine has a natural curve as it comes from the upper body into the waist and then joins
the hip. This natural curve needs to be maintained throughout all phases of shooting.
It is common for people to have the majority of weight on their heels. This will cause the lower back to be
arched backwards, causing a hollow back.
Ideally the body’s centre of balance should be centred in a line below the archer’s spine toward their feet.
By not standing straight and keeping the spine straight, long term this can cause injuries as well as affect the
archer’s development.
See diagram below.
The correct posture is the one on the right with the tick. This is also known as the chest-down technique. It is
using the abdominal muscles to pull the chest down to the hips. Not to be confused with sucking the stomach
in, rather, just flexing the abdominal muscles, this technique straighten the lower spine.
KISSER BUTTON
When shooting a recurve bow if a consistent anchor can not be maintained n try using a “Kisser Button”. This
is an attachment to the string which makes contact usually with the lips, hence the name “Kisser Button”. A
Kisser Button should be used as a last resort as it can become a crutch and lead to variations in draw length if
not used correctly.
Kisser Button
A kisser button is not used on a compound bow unless you are only shooting at one distance. Unlike a recurve
anchor which must be consistent and firm against the face as you use a peep sight with a compound bow the
anchor position must be allowed to move up and down the face slightly as you shoot at different distances.

STRING ALIGNMENT
When shooting a recurve bow consistent string alignment must be maintained during aiming.
String alignment is the relationship between the blurred image of the bowstring and the bow or sight pin.
To achieve string alignment align the string with the bow handle, or sight pin whichever feels comfortable.
If string alignment is not maintained from shot to shot most likely the head will be in a different position from
shot to shot. Any variation in string alignment will show as a change in left/right arrow placement.
If all is correct and a consistent anchor and string alignment has been obtained, the line of sight (aiming) may
be established
VARIATIONS IN STRING ALIGNMENT

STEP 7
HOLDING AND AIMING (LINE OF SIGHT)
Holding is the short time frame between the anchor, expansion and than release of the arrow.
The internal muscle mechanics of holding can be described as the act of flexing the muscles when full draw
and anchor has been attained. The lower trapezius of the drawing side is flexed as well as the bow arm – as if
you do not to move at all, like you have become a statue for that short period of time.
Holding, if done correctly, is like shooting a rifle as compared to shooting a pistol. In the proper alignment of
drawing elbow, arrow and bow hand, we try to duplicate the idea of a long barrel rifle using the body’s
skeletal structure.
If holding is done correctly, the archer’s body is maintaining

resistance against the natural forces that would cause the form
to collapse. (That is, the drawing arm that wants to be pulled
forward and the bow arm, that wants to be pull back toward the
archer’s body).
Aiming should only commence once the draw and holding steps
has been completed. Once the archer has gone through the
process of drawing and holding they may then start the process
of aiming and expansion to ultimately shoot the arrow. If aiming
is started too early, then the archer becomes more focused on
the outcome rather than keeping the focus on maintaining a
consistent technique that must always feel the same. It is shot
sequence consistency that will allow the arrow to hit the gold
shot after shot.
The focus should be on the target and the sight pin should
simply an image in your visions. The subconscious mind will take
care of the aiming process.
.
It is almost impossible to hold the sight pin steady; there will
always be movement usually caused by minute muscle twitches
and heartbeat. The student should be aware of this and learn to
simply relax and allow the pin to float.
The archer must never be tempted to hold the sight pin as still;
this is a sign of over-aiming. Over-aiming will cause tension to
build up making aiming even harder. The archer must remain
relaxed and allow the sight pin to float on the target.
In time with practice, learning to relax and increased confidence

in the process the movement of the pin is reduced to the point
where it appears to be is minimal.
The sight should only be changed to make changes to the arrow

groups; never adjust the sight to correct a single arrow
For a recurve bow the use of a clicker is vital, the clicker is vital as the clicker delivers
• Constant draw length resulting in consistent draw weight

• A non visual signal to release the arrow

WHAT IS A CLICKER AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
A clicker is a piece of archery equipment used on a recurve bow and gives an audible "click" when the arrow
point is drawn through the clicker.
The archer trains to use this “click” as the signal to shoot the arrow. New and intermediate experienced
archers do not use the clicker while they develop the basis skills but as the archer develops their skills and
wants to achieve any sort of success in recurve archery the clicker is a must use device.
For a recurve archer the clicker serves a number of roles,
1. The clicker ensures consistent draw length, which equates to using the same amount of stored
energy for each shot. Variations in draw length from shot to shot will store different amounts of
energy in the bow and this will result in high/low and left to right variations from shot to shot.
High/low shots due to variation in the amount of stored energy from shot to shot and this variation
in stored energy will have an effect on how the arrow reacts when shot causing left /right shots.
2. Although many may consider variation in stored energy a major factor when shooting the most
important aspect of a clicker is to provide this audible signal “click” that directs the archer’s mind
when to shoot. Using this audible signal directly leads to repeatable and consistent results in the
target. Ideally the release should be an auto response to learned stimuli such as the audible “click”
of the clicker.
Without a clicker the archer must rely upon feel and visual inputs to indicate when to shoot, this will
lead to 'flinching, freezing, and creeping' as the archer is never quite sure when to shoot.
Not using a clicker has a major effect on an archer’s ability to shoot repeatable and consistent
arrows from shot to shot.
The clicker is usually a flat piece of spring metal or recently introduced carbon fiber or a piece of
wire activated by a magnet. The clicker generally mounts to the inside of the bow window, most
modern bows have pre-drilled holes designed to accept the clicker or in some cases may mount
under the sight mounting block or onto the sight extension.
HOW TO USE A CLICKER
In use, the arrow is placed under the clicker, all arrows must be cut to exactly the same length, if not this will
lead to inconsistency as variation in arrow length will lead to variation in stored energy at full draw.
• As the bow is drawn the arrow moves back under the clicker so at full draw no more than 1mm to 2
mm of the point remains under the clicker.
• The archer sets their anchor and aims while maintaining tension and their position under the clicker.
As part of the drawing action when ready the archer simply exerts additional backward tension
(back muscles) and the arrow is drawn through the clicker.
• As the clicker falls away from the arrow point its makes an audible clicking sound and the archers
activates the release upon hearing this sound. It is important that the archer learns to release
immediately they hear the sound.
• The ‘Click” is the trigger to shoot.
DETERMING CORRECT DRAW LENGTH
It is impetrative before an archer starts to use a clicker that must ensure they are using the correct length
arrows and that all arrows are cut to the same length.
An archer’s draw length will vary from the initial draw length they had when they commenced learning the
skill of shooting and settles down after a few weeks as they develop a consistent biomechanical technique.
It is important that a coach access the archer and assists them with determining their correct draw length.
SETTING UP THE CLICKER
Attach the clicker to the bow and have the coach roughly set the clicker in the position that suits the arrows to
be used.
Initially the archer should be taught to watch the point of the arrow as they draw and watch the clicker blade
move onto the arrow point, as this happens they look away toward the target and aim, while maintaining the
tension of the draw.

Watching the arrow point must never become a habit. In time as the archer develops the correct technique,
posture and body alignment and becomes consistent with the drawing process and they start to draw within a
couple of mm of the clicker going off each shot, at this point they should stop watching the clicker and arrow
point and only focus on the target when drawing.
If the archer’s draw technique, posture and body alignment is not consistent from shot to shot the process of
moving the last couple of mm to make the clicker “go off” can’t be achieved in a smooth flowing movement
but will require the use of muscular effort or force.
If muscular effort or force is used the process of the clicker going off will be forced and not a smooth
consistent process from shot to shot.

STEP 9
FOLLOW THROUGH
The follow through occurs after the arrow has left the bow and is travelling toward the target. Focus should be
kept on the target, the natural reaction of the bow after the arrow has left is to roll forward and for a right
hand archer slightly off to the left.
It is important to maintain focus by looking at target until the archer hears the arrow has struck the target.
Some people may consider the bow rolling forward and slightly off to the left as undiresable, some even use
the term “dropping the arm”. As it takes between 18 to 22 milliseconds for an arrow to leave a bow any
movement in the bow happen as a reaction to the shot, the arrow is usually about 20m from the bow before
there is any movement and will have no effect on the arrow.

STEP 10
RELAXING and RECOVERY
After the arrow has hit the target, lower the bow arm so that the bow is either resting with the limb tip on the
foot or with the stabilizer resting on the ground. This is the time to relax and recover from the shot allowing
any tension to drain from your body.
Now analyse the shot if you are using a telescope or binoculars have a look to check the arrows position in the
target and prepare to shoot the next arrow. This time should take longer than the act of shooting the arrow.
Learn to relax after shooting each arrow, analyse the last shot and mentally rehearse the next shot.


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ARCHERY AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL COACHING PROGRAM

APPROVED SHOOTING TECHNIQUE

• Provide the best possible performance outcomes for the archer.

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 2

In archery biomechanics is not new the principles have been

If we examine archery publications from the 1850’s to the 1960’s

The simple principle that should be applied is that muscles

The human body is a collection of levers with the skeleton as the

The process of drawing, holding and shooting the bow should be

However, it is not possible to achieve this perfectly for example, it is not

Control of movement depends on the amount of muscular energy in excess of

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 3

The essentials of the perfect archery technique can be summarised as:

• Constant length of draw.

• Stance - upright, balanced and comfortable position.

How do we aim steadily?

A few guiding principles to biomechanics

4) Use only large muscles

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 4

Understanding the Principle of Biomechanics

Using muscles at mid extension

Where we have to use muscles these should

For example if we take the upper arm and lift

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 5

The Shoulder and Arm

Front view of right hand scapular Side view of scapular

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 6

Other important bones

The arm has three bones

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 7

How do muscles work from a technical aspect?

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Triggering and Reversing Contraction

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 9

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 10

How do muscles work the simple explanation?

Muscle in mid contraction, results in good strength and movement.

This graph compares muscle extension

It should be noted maximum strength and

In fact the strength difference between mid

This is particularly important with the bow arm, if

Eliminating or minimising injury

The contrary argument

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 12

Shooting Technique and Biomechanics

In saying this, the role of a coach is to –

We should divide the shooting technique into two parts –

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 13

What should be the structure of the Human Shooting Machine?

The joints and relevant bones of the upper body are –

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 14

Standing comfortable with arms by their

Archer B has slightly lower shoulders and is

Archer C has very low shoulders and is

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 15

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 16

Bow arm, shoulder joint, elbow and wrist

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 17

The bow shoulder should at all times be positioned in a neutral position.

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 18

Correct “Chest Down” position Incorrect technique

Bow torque is the most common cause of arrow clearance problems as

Archery Australia Inc Approved Shooting Technique Page 19