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Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Top 10 Archery Errors and How to Avoid Them
New archers and pros alike aren’t immune to making mistakes; it’s inevitable! Learning new tips and identifying errors is essential to staying ahead of the game. We’ve made things easy for all skill levels with the 10 most common archery mistakes and how to correct them.
Key Takeaways
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- Proper Draw Weight and Length: Accurate shooting requires ensuring your bow’s draw weight and draw length are suited to your strength and comfort.
- Correct Bow Grip: Properly gripping the bow helps avoid hand torque and ensures consistency in shots.
- Follow-Through: Maintaining focus and following through with your shot without immediately looking at the target is crucial for accuracy.
- Consistent Focus and Stance: The key to successful shooting is staying focused on the target and maintaining a slightly open stance.
- Regular Practice and Professional Guidance: Regular practice and seeking advice from professionals or local archery shops can significantly improve your skills.
Summary
Archery is a sport where both beginners and experienced archers can make common mistakes, impacting their accuracy and performance. To help archers improve, here are ten common errors and how to avoid them:
By understanding and correcting these common mistakes, archers can enhance their skills and enjoy a more successful and enjoyable archery experience.
Top 10 Common Archery Errors
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Inaccurate archery draw weight.
It would be best to pull against draw weight to get a bowstring to full draw. Ensuring it fits your skill level and body is crucial to consistently hitting the archery target. One of the best tips for beginners in archery is choosing a draw weight appropriate to your strength.
Just because you’re used to lifting weights or staying in shape doesn’t mean you should purchase an archery bow with a high draw weight. Misjudging how much you can or can’t handle can be easy. You’ve gone heavy if you find yourself pulling upward or struggling.
On the other hand, if pulling yours requires only minimal effort, it may be too light. Most female archers will do well with 30-50 pounds, while men can find their perfect draw weight around 50-70.
Finding a local archery shop to experiment with a wide range is the best way to determine your appropriate draw weight. You’ll know your weight is correct when pulling the string back without straining or lifting the archery bow. However, weight isn’t the only part archers must remember.
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Incorrect draw length
The draw length is the distance at which you pull back the string for comfortable and proper shooting form. This measurement is essential because some bows have a mechanical stop set to a specific draw length. Shooting a bow with a size that’s too short or too long isn’t ideal for hitting that archery target.
Head to your local archery shop or find a certified coach to determine your perfect draw length. You can always tweak things here and there to get more comfortable. Just be sure to align your draw weight and bow so things are accurate.
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Improper bow grip
Every archer knows grip is one of the significant keys to hitting the target each time. If you don’t hold your bow correctly, each step in the shooting sequence can suffer. Proper hand position on the bow grip is the foundation of a good archery shot.
Many people tend to grip a bow like a gun. However, that gripping style can lead to hand torque—twisting the bow left or right due to pressure from the hand grip. A secret to consistency in archery is reproducing a set of motions repeatedly.
A grip that’s easy to replicate starts by holding your bow hand out like you’re motioning to someone to “stop.” Then, rotate it outward to form the letter V with your thumb and forefinger. When you draw the string back, the bow’s grip will push into the meaty part of your thumb.
This spot is flat and neutral, making it easy to find repeatedly. Be sure not to let any pressure on the grip with your fingers. Let them fall limp, as you won’t need them to hold up the bow and other archery supplies.
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Looking for the shot
One of the hardest things for new archers to do is not look where the arrow hits upon releasing the strong. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, an archery shot isn’t finished when your arrow leaves the bow. Instead, your bow arm is continually moved toward the target.
Your release arm should move away from it for the shot to be consistently accurate. Follow-through is critical for delivering a good shot. New archers searching for the arrow right after the string is loosened often move their heads left or right to see around the riser.
When you move your head to look, this interrupts the follow-through. Failing to complete the follow-through or interrupting it can adversely affect the shot. Stay focused when you release the bowstring and complete your follow-through.
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Failing to stay focused
One of the most common archery mistakes is failing to stay focused on your target. Unless you’re using a compound bow that has a peep sight, archery is not like shooting a gun. There is no sight down which you aim.
This means that you have to remain laser-focused while making shots. A tip about archery for beginners to remember is to start your practice in an area free of distractions. Keep your eyes fixed on where you want the arrow to go.
Before shooting, check your stance, grip, and breath. Lift your bow and draw it in one smooth movement. Be sure not to hold the draw for too long, as your arms may tire.
Additionally, avoid the temptation of aiming down the arrow’s shaft. Keep your eyes focused on the target to hold the draw for only a moment before release instead. After you’ve become more consistent, try practicing in an area with distractions to truly hone in on the game instead of archery talk nearby.
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Incorrect release technique
Whether you’re new to the game or have been shooting arrows forever, I highly recommend a hinge release instead of a trigger release. A repeatable release technique is just as important as a proper bow grip. Using a hinge-style release rather than a trigger can help with a shot that’s easy to replicate.
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Bad stance
It’s no secret that proper stance is vital to making that shot every time. A good stance is essential, but staying consistent is even more crucial. Your stance shouldn’t be wide open or too closed off when we’re in archery talk.
Instead, try to maintain a slightly open stance while drawing the bow and look downrange. Remember that using the same stance each time you draw is critical. If you need more tips on perfecting your stance, browse our other blogs on archery supplies and techniques!
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Failing to practice
Like any other sport, you can’t become an Olympic archer overnight. Improving your skills takes regular practice and dedication. The goal of practicing is to create an entire shot sequence that comes naturally to you.
Muscle memory will kick in for the actual test come competition time. Getting better at archery isn’t something you can do in a few training sessions. Give yourself time to adjust and perfect some skills before competing.
It should be noted, however, that there is such a thing as too much practice with archery. When your form starts to slip, and you start feeling shakier with each shot, it’s likely time to stop. Shooting too much can reinforce bad habits when we practice while physically exhausted.
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Striving for perfection
While everyone’s technique differs, following these general tips will help increase accuracy. The goal is to get better, not to reach perfection. Worrying too much about making a perfect shot each time can deter focus from the bow and arrow.
Plenty of players like to make extra moves after the shot, but those things don’t matter as much. The arrow is already flying. Therefore, the split second when you open your fingers is critical—remember that!
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Failing to utilize training and archery shops
Coaches and pro-archery shop workers are your best bet for learning from the best of the best. If you’re ordering arrows online and practicing at a home range, you’re missing out on a significant aspect of archery training. Consulting the pros is the best way to improve, from choosing archery equipment to following through on your shot.
Heading to a local archery shop will introduce you to professionals and fellow archers. They’ll help you choose the best bows, arrows, and accessories to fit your skill level, size, and budget. Shops will also point you toward great coaches and training sessions.
Another great way to utilize local resources is making an “archery lessons near me” search. There may be opportunities for training, “archery classes near me”, and clubs to get more involved in the scene. You’ll also meet plenty of archer friends along the way.
Now that you know which mistakes to avoid, improving your skill has never been easier. Keep practicing, get the right archery equipment, and have fun!
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