How to Shoot an Arrow with a Recurve Bow

You’ve got a recurve bow, but now how do you shoot it? If you’re new to archery, it can be intimidating to start shooting a recurve bow. Where does the arrow go? How do you stand? How do you shoot an arrow?

First check if you are ready to go, there are some essential gear that you really need in order to stay safe and comfortable. For example, a wrist guard or a release aid. You can read all about them and other essential, good to have and optional archery gear here.

I remember starting archery, that there were many unknown and confusing terms. Check out our comprehensive archery glossary, in case any term seems unfamiliar.

Once you are ready to go, follow these steps to how to shoot a recurve bow and you’ll be sure to make the arrow fly, but first safety.

Safety precautions you should read first

Depending on where you are going to be shooting your recurve bow, there are different safety rules and regulations. Here is a sample list of rules that you can start familiarizing your self with.  Make sure you know the line calls and safety procedures of your range. And if you are outdoors make sure you are alone and aware if anybody were to approach. Never ever shoot an arrow if you can see someone in the direction of the target. Be 100% sure there is no one there.

There are also some things to keep in mind to minimize the risk of injury to yourself.

• • Before we start, make sure you never dry fire the bow.
  • Always check each arrow, specially carbon fiber arrows by bending them and listening for creaking and looking and feeling for cracks. You don’t want an exploding arrow making its way into your hand.
  • Maintain and tune your bow. Do not use fraying string.
  • Use appropriately weighted arrows for your bow, as a weak arrow in a string bow will splinter into pieces and will go through your hand.
  • Make sure your arrows are longer than your draw length. At lest one inch. The efficiency gained by shortening the arrow is not worth the risk of getting an arrow in hand. Archers that have gone through that go for 2 inches longer!
  • Do not borrow someone else’s bow without making sure it fits you and that the arrow will be long enough, so it doesn’t fall of the bow and go through our hand. Don’t test it by drawing it, it will go through your hand if it falls of the shelf.
  • Hold the bow without locking your holding arm and rotate your elbow outward to reduce the string slapping you and wear an arm protector just in case.

Simple guide to shooting a recurve bow

This is how you shoot a recurve bow:

1. First step is to stand perpendicular to the target feet shoulder width apart. Another way to think about it is your bow shoulder is pointing to the target.
   DRAWING
2. Place the front of the arrow on the arrow rest and connect the nock right below the nock point on the string. The one fletching that is a different colour should face you
   DRAWING
3. Place your index finger above the nock point. Middle and ring finger below. The pinky and thumb do nothing.
   PICTURE
4. Here comes the fun part. Raise the bow with your bow arm, then with your fingers in the above position pull the string back making sure to keep your elbow up.
5.  Pull all the way back until you have reached an anchor point. A common one for beginners is the tip of the index finger touching the corner of the mouth.
6. When you reach your anchor point contract your back muscles and find a position that is structurally dependent on bones and joints more so than muscle, so that you can maintain it and repeat it over and over.
7.  Aim,
8. Release! Let go of the string and maintain the position for a little while longer, so that the arrow has time to leave the bow and does not get misaligned form your aim.

Other alternatives

The process of shooting an arrow is so nuanced that there is actually a Japanese martial art that focuses mainly on it. Kyudo is all about the meditative and edifying process of shooting an arrow. They must follow very detailed steps to shoot an arrow. Mainly:

1. Ashibumi, locating the footing
2. Dozukuri, body positioning
3. Yugamae, getting the bow ready with the arrow
4. Uchiokoshi, raising the bow…
5. Hikiwake, starting to draw the string…
6. Kai, drawing fully…
7. Hanare, releasing…
8. Zanshin,  the remaining self

As you can tell the kyudo steps to shooting an arrow are very similar to the simple guide I have written. If you want more details on each of these kyudo steps, to compliment my guide this is a great place to start.

Final Thoughts

Shooting a recurve bow is an excellent way to start archery. It may feel cumbersome at first, but with enough practice it will become natural and you will be able to do it gracefully and without worry.