How to Draw a Bow and Arrow

Archer with a recurve bow

Drawing a bow requires strong muscles in the back and stomach, the arms and the hands. As a beginner, you will start with a recurve bow and blunt-tipped arrows.

Things You'll Need

• Bow
• Bowstring
• Arrows
• Target
• At least 20 clear feet of space

Instructions

1. Find a place where you can shoot arrows without people or pets getting in the way. In the beginning, you will not need more than 20 feet between you and the target. You may prefer to stand closer.

2. Hold the bow in your non-dominant hand, and draw the string with your dominant hand. For most people, this means the left hand holds the bow and the right hand draws.

3. Point your left foot toward the target. The right foot is more than shoulder distance away, turned 90 degrees away from the target.

4. 

   Hold the bow away from you, at shoulder height, with your left arm straight. It points straight toward the target. With your right hand, line up the arrow head above the left hand. Place the string in the notch at the back of the arrow. Pinch the arrow shaft between your index and middle fingers. Hook the bow string in the first knuckles of your index and middle finger.

5. Leave your left arm extended straight out. Holding the bowstring and the arrow with your right hand, pull your right elbow back at ear-level until the arrowhead touches your left hand and the bow.

6. 

   Fire! With your right hand, release the arrow and the bow string simultaneously.

Tips & Warnings

• Clear space behind the target means that the arrows will not leave holes in a fence, and that you will not have to root around in the poison ivy to retrieve stray arrows.

• Some people hook the bow string with three fingers, but it is harder to release three fingers simultaneously. Start with a two-fingered draw.

• Good posture can help you control your arms. Suck in your abdominals and lower back before releasing the bow string.

• Do not shoot arrows where pets or people might get in the way.

• The bow string will "snap" when you release it. It may bruise your left forearm. Long-sleeved shirts can help, as can bending your left arm slightly.

• Pick up arrows after you shoot. If the lawn mower runs over them, you will have a quiver full of toothpicks.

Resources

• Arm Placement Video