Drawing

Drawing is one of the fundamental actions in archery that involves pulling the bowstring back while holding the bow in a shooting position. It is a critical technique that transfers energy from the bow to the arrow, propelling it toward the target.

The Drawing Process

The drawing process can be broken down into the following steps:

Pre-draw

Before drawing the bowstring, the archer needs to take the following actions:

Grip and stance

The archer needs to place their bow hand in the bow grip, ensuring that the bow is not twisted. They should also stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and perpendicular to the target.

Nocking the arrow

The archer needs to nock the arrow onto the bowstring, making sure that the index feather or vane is facing away from the bow and the nock is securely seated on the bowstring.

Finger placement

The archer should place their fingers on the bowstring in the correct position. The most common finger placement is the Mediterranean draw, where the index, middle, and ring fingers are used to grip the bowstring.

The Draw

During the draw, the archer needs to focus on the following:

Back Tension

The archer needs to use the muscles in their back, especially the rhomboids and trapezius, to maintain a consistent and steady pull on the bowstring.

Bow Arm Position

The archer needs to keep the bow arm extended and steady throughout the draw. The elbow should be rotated slightly inward, and the wrist should be straight.

Draw Length

The archer needs to pull the bowstring back towards their face while maintaining a consistent anchor point. The draw length is the distance between the bow grip and the bowstring when fully drawn. Determining the optimal draw length is crucial to achieving maximum accuracy and power.

Anchoring

Anchoring is a critical step in the drawing process,

where the archer pauses and settles the bowstring against a specific part of their face, usually the chin or cheek. Anchoring ensures consistency and accuracy in the shot. The anchor point should be consistent from shot to shot to maintain accuracy.

Anchor Point

The anchor point is the specific point on the archer's face where they anchor the bowstring. The most common anchor points are the chin, cheek, or corner of the mouth.

Consistency

Maintaining a consistent anchor point is crucial for accuracy. The archer needs to ensure that the bowstring touches the same spot on their face with each shot. This can be achieved by using a reference point, such as a kisser button or nose button.

Aiming

After anchoring, the archer needs to focus on aiming the bow at the target. The archer needs to keep both eyes open and focus on the target while aligning the bow sight or bowstring with the target.

Aiming Methods

There are several methods for aiming in archery, including using a sight, gap shooting, instinctive shooting, and string walking.

Bow Sight

A bow sight is a device that attaches to the bow and provides a reference point for aiming. The most common type of bow sight is a pin sight, where a series of pins are adjusted for different distances.

Release

The release is the final step in the drawing process, where the archer lets go of the bowstring. The release should be smooth and consistent, with the bow hand staying in place after the shot.

Follow-through

A good follow-through is essential for accuracy and consistency. The archer should keep their bow hand in place after the shot and allow their body to naturally follow through with the shot.

Release Aids

There are several types of release aids, including finger tabs, gloves, and mechanical releases. These aids can help to improve consistency and accuracy in the release.