Terminology
The sport of archery, like many other activities has its own language.
Anchor Point: The term used to describe the placing of the drawing hand against the face when at full draw.
Aiming: The term given to the act of aiming the bow.
Archers Paradox: The term used to describe the bending (side to side flexing) action of an arrow upon release.
Arm Guard: Protection worn on the forearm designed to protect the arm from the bowstring.
Arrow Rest: A device mounted on the bow window just above the bow shelf designed to support the arrow during the shot.
Bow Arm: The arm, which holds the bow.
Bow Hand: The hand which holds the bow.
Bow Sight: The device fitted to the bow enabling the archer to aim at the target.
Bow Sling: A piece of leather or cord which fits around the wrist and between the fingers during shooting. It allows the archer to keep a relaxed grip and helps prevent the bow from falling to the ground after release.
Bow Stand: A device used to support the bow when not in use.
Bow String: The string of the bow usually made of Dacron or a non stretch material.
Bow Stringer: A device used to string and unstring Recurve bows with safety.
Bow Window: The cut out of the bow handle to allow clearance of the arrow.
Brace Height: Term used to describe the measurement between the bow handle (grip) and the string measured at right angle, also called Fistmele.
Butt: Describes the material or backing used to stop an arrow upon which a target face is attached. Also can be called buttress, boss or matt.
Centre Shot: The term used to describe setting up the arrow so it is positioned in the true centre of the bow (Recurve) or the dynamic centre of a compound bow. Adjustable arrow rests and plunger buttons are used to adjust centre shot.
Crest: Identifying marks or pattern on the arrow, usually positioned in front of the vanes.
Compound Bow: A modern style of bow incorporating the use of wheels or cams.
DOS: The person responsible for the conduct of a competition or shoot. Full title is Director of Shooting. Also called Field Captain.
Draw: The process of moving the bowstring with a nocked arrow from brace height to the archer’s anchor point on the face.
Draw Weight: The weight measured in pounds required to draw a bow. For Recurve and longbows the measurement used is 28” e.g. 36lb @ 28”. The bow weight of compound bows is the maximum weight achieved when drawing the bow, this position will vary depending upon draw length and cam/wheel design.
Drawing Arm: The arm used to draw the bow.
Drawing Hand: The hand used to draw the bow.
End: A term used to describe the number of arrows shot before the score is recorded; an end is usually made up of 6 or 3 arrows.
Finger Sling: A piece of leather or string with loops at each end and is designed to fit around the archer’s thumb and index finger during shooting. It allows the archer to keep a relaxed grip and helps the bow from falling to the ground after release.
Finger Tab: A device usually made of leather worn on the drawing hand for protection.
Fletching: The term used to describe the vanes (plastic or feather) placed on the rear of the arrow to stabilise the arrow in flight.
Follow Through: The act of holding the release position until the arrow has struck the target.
Gold: The name for the centre of an archery target.
Grip: The position on the bow handle where the bow is held or the term used to describe holding the bow.
Ground Quiver: A quiver which sits on the ground used to hold arrows and sometime the bow.
Handle: The middle section of a bow, also can be called the riser.
Hit: The term which describes an arrow which has embedded into one of the scoring areas of a target face.
Holding: The pause between drawing and release, where the aiming process takes place.
Kisser Button: Small attachment on the string usually felt by the lips at full draw and made of plastic, helps with consistency in draw and elevation.
Limbs: The flexible upper and lower parts of the bow which bend when the bow is drawn.
Loose: The English term used to describe the release.
Nock: The plastic attachment on the rear of the arrow which allows the arrow to be attached to the string.
Nocking Point: The position on the string where the arrow locates; usually identified with two small attachments.
Open Stance: Standing position where your feet are angled somewhere between 15 and 35 degrees from the target centreline depending on your preference and comfort levels; this opens up your body to the target.
Peep Site: Rear site fitted into the bowstring and used with compound bows.
Perfect End: Shooting 6 arrows in the 10 ring.
Pile: A term used to describe the point of the arrow, usually refers to a target point.
Pinch: The undesired action of squeezing the arrow nock tightly between the fingers during draw or at full draw causing the arrow to move (fall) off the arrow rest.
Pivot Point: The deepest part of the bow grip where the bow normally rests and pivots against your bow hand.
Pulling: The term used to describe drawing the bow.
Quiver: From the French word “Cuivre”, a container for holding arrows. Usually attached to the belt and worn around the waist.
Recurve Bow: A bow manufactured so the limbs bend toward the target to increase power when the bow is released.
Release: The act of releasing (letting go) the bow string when at full draw and allowing the arrow to fly toward the target.
Release Aid: A mechanical device for releasing the string; usually used with compound bows.
Riser: The middle section of a bow also can be called the handle.
Robin Hood: The term used to describe one arrow when it becomes embedded into the back of another arrow, both arrows are always awarded the same score.
Round: The term used to designate the number of arrows to be shot at specific distances at specific target face(s).
Serving: The protective thread wrapped (bound) around the bowstring at the tips and in the centre where the arrow is nocked.
Shaft: The body of the arrow upon which the nock, fletching and point are attached.
Sight Window: The cut out section (usually past centre) of the bow handle (riser) which has the arrow rest fitted and allows for clearance of the arrow.
String Notch: The grooves at the end of the limb of recurve and longbows where the string attaches.
Target Face: The coloured paper or cloth placed on a target butt and used for scoring.
Tip: Another name for the point of an arrow.
Vane: The name for plastic or synthetic fletches.
Anchor Point: The term used to describe the placing of the drawing hand against the face when at full draw.
Aiming: The term given to the act of aiming the bow.
Archers Paradox: The term used to describe the bending (side to side flexing) action of an arrow upon release.
Arm Guard: Protection worn on the forearm designed to protect the arm from the bowstring.
Arrow Rest: A device mounted on the bow window just above the bow shelf designed to support the arrow during the shot.
Bow Arm: The arm, which holds the bow.
Bow Hand: The hand which holds the bow.
Bow Sight: The device fitted to the bow enabling the archer to aim at the target.
Bow Sling: A piece of leather or cord which fits around the wrist and between the fingers during shooting. It allows the archer to keep a relaxed grip and helps prevent the bow from falling to the ground after release.
Bow Stand: A device used to support the bow when not in use.
Bow String: The string of the bow usually made of Dacron or a non stretch material.
Bow Stringer: A device used to string and unstring Recurve bows with safety.
Bow Window: The cut out of the bow handle to allow clearance of the arrow.
Brace Height: Term used to describe the measurement between the bow handle (grip) and the string measured at right angle, also called Fistmele.
Butt: Describes the material or backing used to stop an arrow upon which a target face is attached. Also can be called buttress, boss or matt.
Centre Shot: The term used to describe setting up the arrow so it is positioned in the true centre of the bow (Recurve) or the dynamic centre of a compound bow. Adjustable arrow rests and plunger buttons are used to adjust centre shot.
Crest: Identifying marks or pattern on the arrow, usually positioned in front of the vanes.
Compound Bow: A modern style of bow incorporating the use of wheels or cams.
DOS: The person responsible for the conduct of a competition or shoot. Full title is Director of Shooting. Also called Field Captain.
Draw: The process of moving the bowstring with a nocked arrow from brace height to the archer’s anchor point on the face.
Draw Weight: The weight measured in pounds required to draw a bow. For Recurve and longbows the measurement used is 28” e.g. 36lb @ 28”. The bow weight of compound bows is the maximum weight achieved when drawing the bow, this position will vary depending upon draw length and cam/wheel design.
Drawing Arm: The arm used to draw the bow.
Drawing Hand: The hand used to draw the bow.
End: A term used to describe the number of arrows shot before the score is recorded; an end is usually made up of 6 or 3 arrows.
Finger Sling: A piece of leather or string with loops at each end and is designed to fit around the archer’s thumb and index finger during shooting. It allows the archer to keep a relaxed grip and helps the bow from falling to the ground after release.
Finger Tab: A device usually made of leather worn on the drawing hand for protection.
Fletching: The term used to describe the vanes (plastic or feather) placed on the rear of the arrow to stabilise the arrow in flight.
Follow Through: The act of holding the release position until the arrow has struck the target.
Gold: The name for the centre of an archery target.
Grip: The position on the bow handle where the bow is held or the term used to describe holding the bow.
Ground Quiver: A quiver which sits on the ground used to hold arrows and sometime the bow.
Handle: The middle section of a bow, also can be called the riser.
Hit: The term which describes an arrow which has embedded into one of the scoring areas of a target face.
Holding: The pause between drawing and release, where the aiming process takes place.
Kisser Button: Small attachment on the string usually felt by the lips at full draw and made of plastic, helps with consistency in draw and elevation.
Limbs: The flexible upper and lower parts of the bow which bend when the bow is drawn.
Loose: The English term used to describe the release.
Nock: The plastic attachment on the rear of the arrow which allows the arrow to be attached to the string.
Nocking Point: The position on the string where the arrow locates; usually identified with two small attachments.
Open Stance: Standing position where your feet are angled somewhere between 15 and 35 degrees from the target centreline depending on your preference and comfort levels; this opens up your body to the target.
Peep Site: Rear site fitted into the bowstring and used with compound bows.
Perfect End: Shooting 6 arrows in the 10 ring.
Pile: A term used to describe the point of the arrow, usually refers to a target point.
Pinch: The undesired action of squeezing the arrow nock tightly between the fingers during draw or at full draw causing the arrow to move (fall) off the arrow rest.
Pivot Point: The deepest part of the bow grip where the bow normally rests and pivots against your bow hand.
Pulling: The term used to describe drawing the bow.
Quiver: From the French word “Cuivre”, a container for holding arrows. Usually attached to the belt and worn around the waist.
Recurve Bow: A bow manufactured so the limbs bend toward the target to increase power when the bow is released.
Release: The act of releasing (letting go) the bow string when at full draw and allowing the arrow to fly toward the target.
Release Aid: A mechanical device for releasing the string; usually used with compound bows.
Riser: The middle section of a bow also can be called the handle.
Robin Hood: The term used to describe one arrow when it becomes embedded into the back of another arrow, both arrows are always awarded the same score.
Round: The term used to designate the number of arrows to be shot at specific distances at specific target face(s).
Serving: The protective thread wrapped (bound) around the bowstring at the tips and in the centre where the arrow is nocked.
Shaft: The body of the arrow upon which the nock, fletching and point are attached.
Sight Window: The cut out section (usually past centre) of the bow handle (riser) which has the arrow rest fitted and allows for clearance of the arrow.
String Notch: The grooves at the end of the limb of recurve and longbows where the string attaches.
Target Face: The coloured paper or cloth placed on a target butt and used for scoring.
Tip: Another name for the point of an arrow.
Vane: The name for plastic or synthetic fletches.