Apr
For the beginner archery student, here’s a couple of quick tips (pardon the pun) ;)
To be sure of hitting the target every time, the begining archer should try to:
1 - Keep the bow (the draw) pulled fully back until it is time to release the arrow and
2 - Be consistent with the way you release the arrow.
The Draw.
“Creeping,” is the word commonly used to describe even the slightest of movement of the arrow prior to releasing it. You always have to be watchful about allowing this movement to occur.
This is often caused by an Archer trying to use a more powerful bow than they can easily use. The drawing arm is unable to hold the draw back steady enough and long enough to aim well. Creeping will let you down every time.
You can only consistently allow for arrow fall over different distances with consistency in drawing the bow to full stretch each and every time you aim.
If you don’t, your arrows will fall low of your intended target.
Lets now look at the release.
The Release.
Most beginners find this quite difficult to master. If the arrow is released incorrectly, it is almost impossible to hit the target. However, by learning the correct procedure at the start, no bad habits will creep into your Archery.
The arrow is loosed by relaxing the tension in the first joints of the drawing fingers.
This allows the bow string to slip smoothly from the fingers.
What happens to the beginner, usually, is that they hurt their fingers, often burning them, as they let go. To stop this happening again they pull their fingers out of the way sideways, thereby sending the arrow off in the wrong direction.
How to avoid this problem:
When the tension is released the drawing hand should move directly to the rear, along the projected line of flight of the arrow. Due to physical limitations, this movement cannot amount to more than a couple of inches.
One main way you can avoid this problem if you cannot overcome this urge to pull sideways, is that you can purchase a release device, that takes away any chance of hurting your fingers and ensures a clean release every time.
Archery takes much concentration and practice to master, however it is well worth the effort.
