Interested in taking up archery? Are you buying your first bow? Are you wondering “what is this dude talking about?”
I previously posted about the essentials to get started in archery
Now here is a list of common terms and pieces of equipment used in archery:
Aim – It is to point or direct at a target. In archery, it is the step after reaching full draw when the archer lines up his/her shot to the target using either sights or the arrow itself.
Aiming off - also known as off aiming. The act of aiming away from the middle of the target to compensate for factors affecting the arrows flight in order to hit the middle.
Active Aiming – Active aiming is the act of aiming at the target while keeping the sight pin in focus and the target out of focus. The objective being to keep sight pin as close to the center of the target as possible. This is “usually” used in short distance shooting and compound archery.
Anchor/anchoring- is the act placing one’s string and string hand to a fixed and repeatable point known as the anchor point during the shot process
Anchor Point – refers to a fixed, repeatable point in the archer’s body where she/he securely places the string and string hand on. This is a reference point(s) that varies for different archers and archery disciplines or styles.
Aperture – in archery, it is the ring, cube or housing through which the archer looks through in order to aim at the target. It is where the sight pin is located.
Archer - a person who shoots a bow and arrows. Sorry, crossbowmen are not archers 😊
Archery – is the skill or discipline of shooting with a bow and arrows. It has numerous styles and disciplines including Olympic Recurve also called freestyle, Compound, Traditional, Barebow, Asiatic, and many others.
Arm Guard – is a piece of plastic, leather, rubber or latex that protects the archer’s wrist or arm from string slap or being grazed by the string when shooting.
Arrow – is the projectile launched from the bow. In modern archery, it is a shaft with a sharpened point on the font end and a nock on the other end that connects to the string. It may have feathers, rubber vanes or spin vanes to stabilize the arrow in flight.
Arrow length – this refers to the length between the throat or groove of the nock to the end of the shaft. Not the end of the arrow.
Arrow puller – is a latex or rubber tool used to help grip the arrow safely when extracting it from the target.
Back of the bow – is the side of the bow facing away from the archer when held and draws.
Back tension – in archery, we rely on our back muscles to draw back the bow. Not the shoulders and arms. Back tension is the continuous engagement or use of the back muscles to simultaneously push the bow forward and to push the string back in equilibrium.
Back Wall - this is more commonly used in Compound Archery. It is the point where the bow can no longer be drawn back further. It is the point in which the draw stops.
Barebow - is a bow that does not have sights, dampers and stabilizers attached. It is also a discipline in recurve archery.
Belly of the bow – is the side of the bow that faces the archer directly when held or drawn back.
Brace – is the state of the bow when it is strung but not drawn back and the limbs are at rest.
Brace height – is the shortest distance between the throat of the grip of the bow or the middle of the plunger button and the string.
Bow – is the main instrument used to launch arrows in archery comprised of 4 main parts. The riser, the upper and lower limbs and the string.
Bow Arm – is the arm which holds the bow. Right-handed bows are placed on the left hand of the archer and vice versa.
Bow Bag – is a duffle back, or backpack used to contain the bow and all its parts specially when travelling.
Bow grip – is the part of the riser where the archer’s hand makes contact with. I avoid the word hold on purpose to prevent new archers from “holding on” to the bow tightly.
Bow Length - In recurve and long bows, it is the length of the bow when unstrung from string groove to string groove. In compound bows, it is the distance between the axle to axle.
Bow Press – used for compound bows. It is a device that applies and hold pressure on to the limbs to relieve tension off the string and cables.
Bow Square – is a measuring device the resembles a ruler that’s shaped like a “T”. It is used to measure the tiller, brace height and nocking point height.
Bow Stand – is the device or stand used to prop up the bow safely off the ground.
Bow Stringer – is a piece of cord or string attached to both limbs to apply pressure so that the string can be slid into its groove safely without twisting the bow.
Bow Vice – is a device used in tuning and aligning bows. It is used to hold the bow in place vertically or horizontally.
Cams – are the pair of eccentric pullies or mechanisms on the limbs of compound bows that rotate as the string is draw giving the archers a mechanical assist or advantage. They increase the bows efficiency and gives the bow its let off when in full draw.
Cant/Canting – is the leaning of the bow to either side off its vertical axis. This can either be intentional or not.
Center serving – is the material wrapped around the center portion of the string to protect it from friction being in contact with the arrow’s nock and the archers fingers or finger tab
Center Shot – is the horizontal alignment of the arrow on the bow relative to the string when nocked.
Chest Guard - is a piece of fabric or mesh worn over the chest to help keep loose clothing away from the path of the string.
Clicker – is a draw length indicator that makes a clicking sound when the archer draws her bows to a set length. Olympic recurve archers use clickers on which the arrow slides under. Barebow and Traditional archers have clickers attached to the string on one end and the top limb on the other.
Clicker Plate – Also known as the strike plate, in Olympic recurve archery, is the plate or material where the clicker strikes after sliding off the point of the arrow.
Closed Stance – is when the archer’s hips are facing away from the target with the back foot slightly behind the front foot.
Cock Vane - also known as the index vane is the vane that is pointed away from the riser or bow. Generally, the if the arrows rests on the left side of the bow, the cock vane will point left and vice versa. For compound bows, the cock vanes points upward.
Compound – In archery, compound refers to the type of bow that uses a pully system know as cams to give the archer a mechanical advantage increasing efficiency and letting off the draw weight at full draw to help in aiming and holding.
Dampers/Dampeners - are rubber or latex accessories added to either the bow itself, the string, limbs or stabilizers to dampen or reduce the bows vibrations after the shot. They are usually used in conjunction with weights.
D loop – the short cord tied to the string of a compound bow around the nocking point. This is where the release aide hooks on to.
Draw Arm – is the arm used to arm the string back. Usually is the same side as the archer’s dominant eye.
Draw Hand – is the hand the hooks on to the string.
Draw Length – is the measurement of how far back the archer draws the string at full draw. It is measured from the plunger button or throat of the grip to the groove or throat of the nock.
Draw Weight – is the equivalent weight in pounds of how heavy it is to pull back the string to full draw.
Dovetail – the metal peg at the base of ILF and Formula limbs that secures the limbs to the riser in conjunction with the limb pocket.
Elevation bar – is the vertical bar on the sight that holds the sight block. Archers move the sight block up or down on the elevation bar to adjust how high the hold the bow up.
Eye Bolt – is the metal bolt that screws into the riser or extender to hold the v-bar mount in place. Also known as connecting bolt.
Eye Dominance - is the eye which the archer tends to line up or aim with.
Expansion - is the part of the shot process wherein the archer executes the shot by simultaneously pushing the bow and pulling back the string a couple of millimeters. In bows that use clickers, this small motion is what activates the clicker. For compound archers who use back tension or hinge releases, this is the final motion that activates the release.
Extender – is the part of the stabilizer system used to move the v-bar forward, away from the riser moving the center of mas of the bow forward.
Feathers – fletchings or vanes on the arrows that are made of bird or turkey feathers. They are normally used on bows where the arrows rest directly on the riser or on the archer’s hand. They are also used by Olympic recurve archers for indoor competition.
Finger Pressure – is the amount of pressure from the string distributed among the fingers hooking on to the string.
Finger Sling – is the cord, string or shoelace used by archers to keep the bow from completely falling off her/his hand after executing the shot.
Finger spacer - is the part of the finger tab that separates the index finger from the middle finger. This helps prevent the archer from pinching the arrow.
Finger Tab – is the piece of equipment used by archers to protect their fingers while hooking on to the bow string. It protects the fingers form abrasion and friction as well as providing the string a smoother surface to slide off.
Finger tab face – is the smooth piece of leather or synthetic on the finger tab that contacts the string
Fletching – are the thin, fin shaped wings attached to the back of arrows that provide stabilization in flight
Foam Core – is one of the types of synthetic materials used in the construction of bow limbs characterized as having less stacking compared to wood core limbs.
Follow Through – is the action immediately following the archer’s release of the string as a result of her/his continually pushing the bow forward and pulling the string back.
FPS – Feet per Second. The standard measurement of the velocity of the arrows launch from a bow.
FOC – Front of Center. It refers to how the center of mass of arrows are set closer to the point.
Full Draw – is the stage in the shot process where in the archer has drawn the string back to her/his anchor position and has transferred all her/his all the load of bow to her/his back muscles.
Grip – refers to the position of the archer’s hand on the bow grip on the riser.
Handle – Also known as riser. It is the central part of the bow which holds the limbs. It is where the bow grip is located.
Hand Shock – is the amount of vibration felt on the bow hand of the archer after executing the shot.
Hen vanes – at the 2 other vanes opposite the cock vane. They are angled 120 degrees from the arrow shaft to the riser.
Holding – is the stage in the shot process after reaching full draw and aiming when the archer is full prepared to execute the shot
Hook – is the contact the bow hand makes with the string. Literally the fingers hooking onto the string.
Hotmelt Glue – is the heat activated adhesive used the install the points and pins into the arrow shaft.
Index vane – is also known as the cock vane. It is the vane positioned opposite to the riser.
Jig – also known as fletching jig. It is a tool used in the assembly of arrows. It holds the arrow in place while installing vanes or marking the shaft where spin vanes will be secured with tape.
Kisser – is a device attached to the bow string designed to make contact with the archer’s lips to serve as an additional reference point in the anchor position.
Let down - is when an archer lets her bow down and resets her shot process back to step 1.
Let off – is it a feature in compound bows where in the draw weight is significantly reduced when reaching full draw.
Limbs – are the parts of the bow which store potential energy when drawn back and then generates the kinetic energy that drives the string forward to launch the arrow. The limbs connect to the riser and the string.
Limb Alignment – refers to the horizonal alignment of the limbs on the riser relative to the string.
Limb bolts – also called tiller bolts on ILF bows. These are the retaining screws that hold the limbs in position on the riser
Limb pockets – are the parts of the riser where the bases of the limbs are connected to. In ILF and formula risers, these are where the dovetails are inserted.
Limb tip – is the end of the limb where the string is connected.
Long bow – are one piece or take down bows whose limb tips point towards the archer or 90 degrees from the archer. In long bows, the only points of contact between the string and limbs are the string grooves. Long bows generally form the letter “D” when at brace.
Long Rod – also know as the front rod. It is the longest component of the stabilizer system located at the front of the bow pointing towards the target.
Mass Weight – is the overall weight or physical weight of the bow.
Mediterranean hook/draw – the style of hooking on to the string wherein the index finger is placed above the arrow while the middle and ring fingers are placed below.
Negative tiller - is when the string distance of the lower limb is greater than that of the upper limb.
Neutral tiller - is when there is no difference between the string distances of the upper and lower limbs.
Nock – the part at the rear of the arrow that clips onto the bow string.
Nocking Point – the reference point placed on the string to indicate where the arrow is nocked. This is used to insure that the arrow is nocked at the same point on the string every time.
Olympic Recurve – the discipline of archery played in the Olympic Games where in a recurve bow with sights is used.
Open Stance – one of the fundamental stances in archer where in the hips of the archer is at an angle slightly facing towards the target or “open” to the target.
Overbowed – is when the bow is too heavy for the archer to efficiently use. This may be heavy in terms of either the draw weight or the mass weight.
Overdraw – is the act of drawing back and anchoring the string beyond the typical length. This can either be intentional or non-intentional.
Palm plate - is the rigid part of the finger tab that provides support to the palm of the hand and prevents the archer from squeezing her hand or closing her fist.
Passive Aiming – is the act of aiming while keeping focus on the target while the sight pin is blurred. This is normally used in Olympic Recurve at longer distances. The sight pin with tend to float around and within the target.
Peep sight – is an aperture used on compound bows attached to the string to serve as a rear sight.
Pivot Point – is on or slightly below the webbing of the archer’s thumb. It is where the hand contacts the throat of the grip of the bow.
Point – is the sharpened metal piece attached to the front end of the arrow. This helps the arrow penetrate the target.
Point weight – is the weight of the arrows point measured in grains.
Poundage – also known as draw weight. The equivalent weight in pounds of how heavy it is to pull back the string to full draw.
Positive tiller - is when the string distance of the lower limb is less than that of the upper limb.
Pressure Point – is the point on the hand where the archer focuses most of the force to push the bow forward. It is located on the thumb pad of the hand below the pivot point.
Pull – is the force the archer exerts to draw back or “pull” the string.
Push – is the force the archer applies to drive or “push” the bow forward
Quick disconnect – a mechanism or bolt system used to connect the stabilizers to the v-bar or riser quickly. Without having to screw the parts all the way in.
Quiver – is the piece of equipment used to hold or store the arrows while on the shooting line.
Recurve – is the shape of the limbs where to limb tips are pointed away and forward from the archer towards the target at brace.
Release aide – is the device used by compound archers to hook on to the d-loop of the string. Release aides can be hinge/back tension releases, thumb triggers or wrist releases.
Riser - Also known as handle. It is the central part of the bow which holds the limbs. It is where the bow grip is located.
Stacking – is when the limbs (recurve or long bow) start to increase in weight/resistance the farther back the bow is drawn.
Serving – is the thread wrapped around the ends and the center of the string to protect it from friction and abrasion.
Side rod – is the shorter rod in the stabilizer system. Connected to the stabilizer or riser with a v-bar mount. The are angled back towards the archer.
Sight – is the device on the bow used by archers to aide them in aiming. Only compound archers can use sights with magnification.
Sight block – is the assembly which is part of the sight which holds the sight aperture or scope.
Sight picture - is what the archer sees when aiming
Sight pin – is the small dot, pin or fiber optic archers’ line up with the target in aiming.
Sling – is a piece of cord or string or a shoelace archers use to avoid fully dropping the bow.
Short rod – also called side rods. The shorter rod in the stabilizer system. Connected to the stabilizer or riser with a v-bar mount. They are angled back towards the archer.
Shot process – is the series of mental and physical steps that an archer performs in order to execute a shot repeatably and efficiently.
Shot trainer – is a tool archers use in training to develop a strong release and follow through
Square stance - is the a fundamental stance in archery wherein the hips of the archer are facing away from the target in a perpendicular direction.
Spider - the X mark on the target. It is the exact center or the target
Spine – is the amount of flex or bend an arrow shaft makes when a 1 pound weight is suspended in the middle of a 28 inch shaft.
Spin wing/vanes – these are vanes designed to curl to one side to give the arrow a higher amount of spin in flight.
Stabilizers – are a combination of rods, weights, mounts and dampers that aide in keeping the bow steady in the wind and while aiming.
Stabilizer mount – is the 5/16 threaded hole at the front of the riser where the main stabilizers are attached.
Stance – is the position of the archer’s feet and hips relative to the target.
String – is the material or “string” connected to the limbs. It is what transfers the energy from the limbs to the arrow.
String alignment - is where the archer aligns the string in his sight picture when aiming.
Stringing – is the act of attaching the bow string to the limbs.
String Groove – are the grooves on both sides of the limb tips where the string loops will sit.
String slap – is when the string hits or grazes the archer’s arm or wrist.
String Walking – is a style of hooking on to the string when shooting barebow archery. 3 fingers are positioned on the string below the arrow. The distance between the index finger and the arrow is determined but the distance the archer is shooting.
Target – is the material or piece of equipment being shot at in archery. This can be made of straw, EVA foam, paper, cardboard and other materials. It can be on the shape a circle, square, cube or in the care of 3D archery, animals. Also known as target butt.
Target face – is the paper or material on which the scoring rings are printed on to be placed on the targets.
Target stand – is a structure on which the targets are mounted.
Tiller - is the difference between the distances of the string and the base of the upper and lower limbs. Effectively it is the difference in poundage between the upper and lower limbs.
Torque – is the act of applying torsional or twisting forces on the bow resulting in usually inconsistent shots.
Throat of the grip – is the deepest part of the bow grip. It is where the archer’s pivot point contacts.
Twist (string) – are the twist or turns applied to the string to adjust the bow’s brace height.
Twist (limbs) – is the direction the back of the limb is pointing perpendicular to the axis of the limb pockets.
Unstring – is the act of safely sliding the string off the string groove.
Upshot – The last arrow shot in an archery competition.
V-bar – is the part of the stabilizer system on which the side or short rods are mounted.
Weights – are pieces of metal or other materials used to add mass to the bow or its stabilizers.
Windage - the lateral forces that affect the arrows flight that the archer must account for. This compensated for by adjusting the sights windage or aiming off.
Window - also known as sight window. It is the vertical space through which the archer can see through the cut out.
X – also known as the spider. It is the exact center of the target.
X ring – the scoring ring immediately surrounding the x or spider.
Yellow – refers to the center most scoring rings in a target.
Yew – one of many preferred materials in traditional bow making
Zen – is the state of mind many archers strive to achieve in their shot process.
I am positive I missed a few terms. Please send me a message if you have a term or word that applies archery that can be added. I can probably send you a freebie.
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