The following shows the basic steps of shooting that will eventually become part of your automatic mental check list for each arrow you shoot.
- Stand up straight, feet astride the shooting line about shoulder width apart, sideways on to the target and directly in front of it.
- Nock the arrow to the string, making sure that the cock feather is facing away from the side of the bow.
- Hook your fingers on the string, index finger above the nock of the arrow, 2nd & 3rd fingers below. Fingers should not touch the arrow, the string should rest on the first joints of the fingers, the thumb should be relaxed. Settle.
- Pre-Draw, bring the bow up so that the bow arm is roughly level with the shoulder, pointing towards the target, draw the bow about half way.
- Draw smoothly all the way back to the anchor …
- The anchor point is usually with the index finger of the drawing hand under the chin, with the string touching the point of your nose and chin.
- Continue to pull into the anchor point while you …
- Aim.
- Keep the sight on the gold, then, when everything “feels right“, loose.
- Allow your drawing hand to naturally continue backwards towards your ear, while keeping the bow sight on the gold until the arrow hits. This is the “Follow through”.