10 Tricks to Improve Accuracy During Archery
Whether you’re shooting arrows for fun or are looking to become the next archery champion, there’s always room for improvement. Even the most inexperienced of bow holders can hit their target with a good stance and execution. Keep reading to find out professionals’ favorite tips and tricks for how to improve your archery accuracy.
BROWSE ESSENTIAL ARCHERY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING TRAINING DEVICES
Tips and Tricks for Improving Accuracy
1. Relax your bow grip hand.
When you’re focusing hard or anxiously seeking out your archery target, forgetting to relax is easy. However, your bow hand should have as little contact with the bow as possible. It should seem as if your bow is just gently resting on the top of your bow hand.
Start being mindful of how tightly you’re gripping the bow during your next few shots. As you stay vigilant about relaxing that hand, you’ll learn how to improve bow accuracy. Therefore, it’s important to test the grip before purchasing a new bow.
If you’re uncomfortable with the grip, your chances of nailing the target are pretty low. Try out a few and see what feels natural before committing to a bow. With some practice and mental ease, that relaxed hand will take you to the target.
2. Practice at a proper distance.
You might want to start practicing from an impressive distance when you’re starting with archery. However, shooting from a distance that’s achievable for your skill level will increase improvement in the long run. After all, beginner joggers don’t start with a marathon, right?
We recommend starting at three to five yards, even if you’re an epic shooter – just keep practicing for now! Begin by shooting where you feel comfortable. When you become uber accurate at that distance, move back one yard and continue the process as you improve.
It’s important to mind that the further you move from your target, the more mistakes are magnified. So don’t get over-zealous! And don’t feel discouraged if you can only hit the target from shorter distances; you’ll improve over time.
3. Perfect your stance.
After figuring out your ideal practicing distance, your shooting stance is just as important. Stance preferences vary by archer, some standing with feet close together and others with an open position. However you choose to stand, mind that it directly affects your aim.
Some archers recommend doing a mirror check to ensure your stance is solid. Grab your bow and stand in front of a mirror large enough to view your entire draw. Don’t look yet, though.
Draw your bow as normal and once it’s drawn, look in the mirror. How’s your posture? Practice this a few more times, glancing at your stance each time; does anything need improvement?
4. Choose the right equipment.
Even with a strong stance and relaxed grip, low quality equipment can only take you so far. Be sure to find supplies that are the best quality within your budget by thoroughly researching and consulting archery professionals. Those with bad gear tend to struggle more with improving accuracy, so search “archery shops near me”.
BROWSE ESSENTIAL ARCHERY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING TRAINING DEVICES
5. Establish proper aiming.
Aiming is one of the key steps when learning how to improve archery accuracy, as it helps determine where your bow will go. Some archers believe that your pin should set in the middle for several seconds. But we know that’s not realistic for most humans, as our sight pictures aren’t rock solid.
You should concentrate on the bullseye while letting the pin float instead of trying hard to make it stop. Focusing so hard on stopping that pin dead center can lead to punching to trigger too early. Punching that trigger typically throws off form and causes inaccurate shots.
6. Master the draw.
Your eye is on the prize: now, it’s time to draw. Extend your bow arm toward the target with the string gripped in your fingers or the jaws or a release aid. Point the bow at your target, ensuring that your bow grip is loose.
Then, you’ll move the string toward your face with a sleek pull. Be sure not to point the bow in the air or dip it as you draw to improve archery accuracy. You may have to, however, if the bow is too heavy.
In this case, you should reduce draw weight until your muscles have become a bit stronger. Shooting a bow that’s too heavy will decrease your accuracy by a long shot. Talk about bad shotting habits and arrows all over!
7. Relax and breathe.
Most humans are aware of the bodily tension that comes along with stress and anxiety. We’ve all forgotten to breathe here or there, letting out a big sigh as things start to unwind. Anxiety always comes up during sports, even for the most experienced and skilled athletes.
Staying present and focusing on breath is a crucial aspect to target accuracy that archers often forget about. Next time you find yourself becoming stressed during the draw, tap into your breathing. It’s likely you’ll be improving archery with a bit of ease and deep breath.
8. Follow through.
You’ve perfected the stance, got the right equipment, you’ve breathed, now, it’s time for the follow through. Keep aiming after the release until your arrow hits the target. Hold your bow up while being mindful to keep the sight picture the same.
After practice following through during every shot on targets, you’ll unconsciously do it in any archery situation. Even big animals don’t stand a chance against bow hunters who fully execute their shot. Hence why it’s so important to keep these tricks in mind, even during practice rounds.
BROWSE ESSENTIAL ARCHERY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING TRAINING DEVICES
9. Be confident.
While every little tweak of stance and practice drawing your bow can improve accuracy greatly, the biggest factor is believing in yourself. Remember not to take things too seriously, it is supposed to be a fun hobby! Beginners and seasoned shooters alike should always carry themselves confidently when shooting at the archery range and on home base.
10. Utilize archery training devices.
Practicing on your own is great, but there’s nothing like help from a professional. They can observe your shots and help point out parts that need improving. Take some lessons or head to a group class, consult archery shop workers, and utilize an archery range near me for even more improvement.
Becoming a better archer just got a whole lot easier. These tips can guide you toward more accurate shots, every single time. Before you go, don’t forget to check out more of Crow Survival’s content on all things archery talk.
