Center Shot in Archery Explained | Legend Archery

Center shot refers to the horizontal and vertical alignment of the arrow rest so that the arrow flies straight out of the bow — directly in line with the bowstring and riser. When a bow is properly set up for center shot, the arrow path runs through the geometric center of the bow's handle rather than being offset to one side.

A Brief History

Many early bow designs did not feature a centershot riser. Traditional bows from various cultures often used a grip offset to one side — frequently to the left — to accommodate right-handed archers. This meant the arrow sat off-center at full draw, which could contribute to inconsistent flight and reduced accuracy. Modern bow design moved away from this offset approach, and a true centershot configuration is now standard across most styles.

Center Shot by Bow Type

The mechanics of achieving centershot differ depending on the bow you shoot.

• Traditional longbows may use a cut-out shelf on the handle to allow the arrow to rest closer to the bow's center line, or they rely on an arrow rest attachment.
• Recurve bows typically use a plunger button and arrow rest to fine-tune horizontal centre shot. Because finger shooters experience the Archer's Paradox — where the arrow bends around the riser on release — the plunger spring tension is adjusted to bring the arrow back to the ideal centershot position through the shot cycle.
• Compound bows use an arrow rest mounted near the Berger hole (the threaded hole in the riser that serves as the vertical reference point). A widely used starting measurement for center shot compound bow setup is 13/16 of an inch from the side of the riser to the center of the arrow shaft, with manufacturer tolerances varying slightly from there.

Why Center Shot Matters

A properly set center shot makes a bow more forgiving of small inconsistencies in grip and draw length, which is particularly helpful for archers who are building their shooting technique. It also means the bow can be used comfortably by both right- and left-handed shooters, unlike offset designs that favor one hand.

Centershot alignment also simplifies tuning. Once limb alignment is confirmed — meaning the string runs cleanly down the center of both limbs — you have a reliable baseline from which to set the arrow's position. Field verification methods like the walk-back test (shooting from progressively greater distances while aiming at the same point) can reveal whether centre shot needs to shift left or right.

Understanding center shot archery fundamentals is a useful foundation before moving into more detailed arrow rest selection and setup.