Ultimate Guide to 31 Archery Terms

Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.

Last Updated on July 1, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Ultimate Guide to 31 Archery Terms

New and experienced archers know how tricky it can be to keep track of each archery term. Between different disciplines, rules, and plenty of gear, understanding it all will make each shot more successful. Let this be your go-to guide on archery talk and important terms.

Key Takeaway

Understanding archery terminology is essential for both new and experienced archers. Knowing the various types of bows, parts of a bow and arrow, and additional archery terms can enhance your shooting accuracy and overall archery experience.

Summary

With its rich history and modern advancements, Archery involves various terms crucial for proficiency. Bows come in different types, including recurve, compound, crossbow, and longbow, each with unique characteristics and uses. Key components of a bow include the riser, limbs, string nock, and string. Similarly, an arrow consists of parts like the point, shaft, fletching, and nock.

Additional important terms include the anchor point, archery arm guard, barebow, dry firing, and quiver. This comprehensive guide helps archers familiarize themselves with essential terminology, improving their understanding and performance.

Archery Bow Types

• Recurve Bow

Recurve bows are the most common bows in the archery community. Among beginners and experts, the recurve bow is the easiest to handle from start to finish. It has enough accuracy and power to help with every step of the shot.

This bow style gets its name from its limbs, which curve away from the archer. Although it may be confusing to navigate initially, this design ensures the maximum potential energy can be produced from the string. Recurve bows are typically made of fiberglass, carbon, and wood.

Archers can find recurve bows from some of the biggest names in the business. The recurve is your best choice if you want to enter competitions or perfect your hunting skills. It’s currently the only bow allowed in Olympic-style competitions.

• Compound Bow

Archery has existed forever, but the compound is a product of the most recent advancements in bow technology. This style simplifies the process of shooting arrows, and its easy-to-use features make it a favorite among modern bowhunters.

Developed in the 1960s, the compound bow uses a series of cams, pulleys, and cables. This archery equipment allows the archer to draw back a larger load than most standard bows. A compound bow can reach great distances and hit an archery target at a higher velocity.

Compound bows are almost exclusively made from composite materials. They’re easier to bend and warm, allowing the system to operate fully regardless of the surrounding conditions. Some archers even modify or purchase additional pieces to help when using a compound archery bow.

• Crossbow

New to the game, crossbows are among the most unique bows on the market. They have a simple firing and reload mechanism, making them foolproof for almost any archer. The crossbow combines a bow and a gun, with the archery arrow drawn back into the bow and placed. 

A crossbow’s arrow is fired from a trigger that slings it toward the target with incredible accuracy. The crank reloading system in this archery equipment allows for minimal effort between shots. Your arrow will be notched into place at the end of the bow, holding it in place until you’re ready to fire.

• Longbow

Now that we’ve covered the new and improved, let’s return to the oldest bow. The longbow dates back to medieval times when kings led charges against enemies. These bows are almost exclusively made of wood.

The design is very simple. A longbow’s string is strung across a long pole with a slight bend, allowing it to create more energy when drawn. Since this style is old technology, not many archers use it for hunting or competitions.

Longbows are mostly used for archery target practice outside of competition. Some athletes modify them by adding archery accessories to improve accuracy. Overall, consider the longbow a collector’s piece.

Parts of a Bow

• Riser

A riser is the bow’s central part, housing many essential pieces. Depending on the type of bow, a riser can be made of composite materials or wood. Three pieces reside in the riser: the grip, sight window, and archery arrow rest.

The grip is where archers grab the bow. It’s typically made of rubberized material to provide the best grip possible, and sizes vary to fit the archer’s grip style.

Sight windows generally fit above the grip, allowing archers a spot to aim. Typically, you’ll find a sight window on one side of the bow. However, some designs place one on either side for more customization.

The arrow rest is a piece that can be built into the riser or attached. It allows the arrow to come from a place free of obstructions when the archer rests from drawing back the bow. 

• Limbs

Limbs are crucial for bows and are formed in a specific, interchangeable way. An upper and lower section is attached to the riser at the grip. They must be properly attached to the bow and are made of wood, plastic, or composite materials.

• String Nock

The string nock is a small notch at the top of each limb used to attach the string. It works by looping the string through and around it. You’ll know the string is secure when it is tight in the nock.

• String

An archer’s string is attached to the bow by loops in and around the string nock. Loops can be rubbed down into a silicone-based wax to keep the string intact after plenty of use. The center and the nocking point are components of the string.

Other Bow Terms

• Arrow Plate

An arrow plate is a shell-like object that receives the arrow’s chaffing once it is released. It sits where the arrow typically crosses along the lateral side of the bow above the handle.

• Arrow Shelf

The arrow shelf is above the bow’s grip. It’s where the arrow sits before firing.

• Back

The “back” of a bow is essentially the part of the bow facing away from the archer drawing it. 

• Backing

Some bows have backing, a material used to strengthen their limbs. Archers can use various materials as DIY bow backing or find one in the archery store.

• Belly

A bow’s belly is sometimes called the “face.” The side of the bowstring faces the archer as the bow is drawn—that is, what you can see while shooting.

• Brace Height

Brace height describes the distances between the bowstring and the bow’s grip. It’s important to keep track of this for maximum accuracy.

• Cast

The cast measures the maximum distance a bow can shoot an arrow. Understanding your cast can help you set goals during archery lessons.

• Tiller

A bow’s tiller measures the length between the upper and lower limbs of the bow’s belly. Knowing these measurements is important as they can affect your shot.

Parts of an Arrow

• Point

Now that we’ve covered bows, it’s time to discuss arrows! The arrow point—often referred to as the arrowhead—is the arrow’s most dangerous part. It’s the first point that enters the target.

There are three arrow points: bullet/field points, broadheads, and blunt points. The ideal point for you will depend on which discipline you plan to try and how you plan to do it.

• Shaft

The arrow’s shaft is its backbone—the central, cylindrical rod that holds the whole thing together. Shafts are typically made of wood, aluminum, or carbon.

• Fletching

Fletchings are the three feather-like pieces attached to the arrow’s shaft. They are designed to allow for optimal arrow flight, helping the arrow soar correctly. One feather will be a different color, called the “indicating fletch,” which points outward when the arrow is notched in archery lessons.

• Nock

An arrow’s nock is a V-shaped groove attached to the arrow’s end via the shaft. It allows for attaching the arrow to the string. The nock is an attachable piece that can be made out of wood or plastic.

Additional Arrow Terms

• Barreled Arrow

A barreled arrow is a specific design with tapered ends and a heavy center. It aims to improve the arrow’s stabilization after shooting.

• Bob-Tailed Arrow

This arrow type is tapered towards the notch and bulky at the pile margin. It produces a heavy hit while reducing vibration.

• Bolt

A bolt is simply the type of arrow used with a crossbow.

• Compressed Shaft

This term occurs when an arrow’s shaft has been squeezed to make it stronger and straighter. A compressed shaft is smaller and easier to shoot than other archery accessories. 

Other Archery Terms

We’ve covered the basics of bows and arrows, but we’re not done yet. Let’s explore the additional terms that can arise in archery discussions.

• Anchor

The anchor refers to a spot along the bowstring’s arm where the arrow is aimed before firing. It’s also sometimes known as the “anchor point.”

• Archery Arm Guard

Also sometimes known as the “bracer,” an archery arm guard is a strap worn on the bow arm. It helps protect the archer from the bowstring’s intense vibration after firing an arrow.

• Barebow

A classic form of archery, barebow refers to shooting without using sights or other target aids.

• Dry Firing

Dry firing is the act of firing a bow without actually releasing an arrow. This technique is used when getting used to a new bow or solidifying your stance. 

• Kiss Button

This cute-sounding term refers to where the lops meet the bowstring. Hitting the kiss button matters because it ensures the anchor point’s stability, which helps maintain consistency across shots. 

• Nocking

Nocking the arrow is placing it on the bowstrings in preparation for shooting. It’s one of the first steps in the shooting process.

• Quiver

An archery quiver stores arrows. It is typically equipped with a strap that can be worn over the shoulder, on the hip, or attached to the bow. Using one from the archery store makes fetching arrows easy during hunting and competitions.

Conclusion

Now that you’re versed in every important archery term, hitting that target has never been easier. Come back whenever you’re confused about a term or hear archery talk you’re unfamiliar with. In the meantime, check out some of Crow Survival’s additional archery content.

Home page
Back to the top of the page