Glossary of Archery Terms

Archery is more than just shooting arrows at a target. It’s a discipline that involves an intricate understanding of the equipment, techniques, and terminology.

Below is a comprehensive glossary of archery terms, with detailed explanations that provide insights beyond the basics, designed to give experienced archers and those new to the sport a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of archery.

Archery Terms

• Archery Cast: The ability of a bow to shoot an arrow over a long distance. A strong cast means greater speed and distance for the arrow.
• Archery Target: A circular board used in competitions or practice, divided into concentric scoring zones.
• Gold Goal Arrow and Target: Refers to the center of the target, also known as the “gold,” and the arrows aimed for it.
• Archery Equipment: Includes all necessary gear for archery such as the bow, arrows, arm guards, finger tabs, and sights.
• Parts of a Bow and Arrow: Essential components of the bow include the riser, limbs, string, and nocking point, while the arrow consists of the shaft, nock, fletching, and arrowhead.
• Archery Shooting Range: A place designated for practicing archery, with targets placed at regulated distances.
• Crossbow Designed to Shoot Arrows: A type of bow mounted on a horizontal frame, known for shooting arrows with greater force.
• Flu Flu Arrows: Arrows with oversized, spiraled fletching that slow down their flight, often used for hunting birds.
• Nock and Arrow: The nock is the slotted part at the rear of the arrow that fits onto the bowstring.
• Targets for Bow and Arrow: These are materials like straw, foam, or synthetic surfaces designed to absorb and stop arrows.
• Fletch Meaning: Refers to the feathers or vanes attached to the arrow that stabilize its flight.
• Bow Anatomy: The structure of the bow, consisting of the riser, limbs, grip, and tips.
• Bow Shooting: The act of pulling the bowstring and releasing the arrow toward the target.
• Arrow Shot: The moment when an arrow is released from the bowstring.
• Notching an Arrow: The process of placing the arrow’s nock onto the bowstring in preparation for a shot.
• Archery Sports Equipment: Includes bows, arrows, targets, protective gear, and accessories like stabilizers and sights.
• Bow Hunting Targets: Special targets designed to simulate the size of game animals for practice purposes.
• Nock Draw Loose: Refers to the sequence of nocking the arrow, drawing the bowstring, and releasing the arrow.
• Bow and Arrow Holder: A device or quiver used to hold arrows during shooting sessions.
• Archery Field: An outdoor space designed for target shooting, often with targets set at varying distances.
• Bow Tips: The ends of the bow’s limbs, where the string is attached, critical for maintaining string tension.
• Bow and Arrow Bullseye: The central, highest-scoring point on a target.
• Flu Flu Arrows: A type of arrow with large fletching used for short-distance shots or bird hunting.
• Parts of a Bow and Arrow in Archery: Refers to the riser, limbs, string, nock, fletching, and arrowhead.
• Bow Accessory: Any equipment added to the bow to improve performance, such as sights or stabilizers.
• Fletching: Feathers or vanes attached to the shaft of an arrow to help stabilize its flight.
• Riser: The central part of the bow where the archer grips the bow.
• Limbs: The flexible arms of the bow that store energy when drawn.
• Bowstring: The string that connects the two ends of the bow and is pulled back to launch the arrow.
• Arrow Rest: A small shelf on the bow where the arrow rests before being shot.
• Nocking Point: The spot on the bowstring where the arrow nock is placed.
• Anchor Point: A specific spot on the archer’s face where the string is consistently drawn to before releasing the arrow.
• Brace Height: The distance between the bowstring and the deepest part of the bow grip.
• Draw Weight: The amount of force needed to pull the bowstring back to full draw.
• Draw Length: The distance the bowstring is pulled back before release.
• Release Aid: A device used to help archers release the string more smoothly and consistently.
• Stabilizer: A rod attached to the bow to minimize vibrations and improve accuracy.
• Peep Sight: A small sighting device attached to the bowstring that helps the archer aim more precisely.
• Sight: A mechanical aid mounted to the bow, helping the archer aim more accurately.
• Quiver: A container used to hold arrows, worn on the body or placed on the ground.
• Broadhead: A type of arrowhead used for hunting, designed to cause significant damage to the target.
• Field Point: A practice arrowhead that is typically bullet-shaped.
• Barbed Arrow: An arrowhead with backward-facing hooks, designed to prevent the arrow from being easily removed.
• Target Archery: A form of archery where archers shoot at a stationary target from a set distance.
• Field Archery: A variation of archery where the archer shoots at different targets at varying distances in a natural setting.
• 3D Archery: A form of field archery where the targets are life-sized three-dimensional models of animals.
• Compound Bow: A modern type of bow that uses a system of pulleys and cables to reduce the draw weight.
• Recurve Bow: A type of bow with limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung, providing more power in a compact design.
• Longbow: A tall, traditional bow with a simple D-shaped cross-section and no recurve.
• Reflex Bow: A bow with limbs that curve toward the archer when unstrung, offering more stored energy.
• Bowstring Wax: A wax used to maintain the durability and performance of the bowstring.
• Arrow Shaft: The main body of the arrow, often made from wood, carbon, or aluminum.
• Arrow Spine: A measurement of how much an arrow bends, affecting its flight.
• Fishtailing: An undesirable motion where the arrow oscillates side-to-side in flight.
• Robin Hood: The act of splitting one arrow with another, usually considered a remarkable feat.
• Clicker: A device used by archers to indicate that they have reached full draw.
• Vane: The plastic alternative to feathers used on modern arrows for fletching.
• Field Tip: A practice arrow tip with a rounded point, used for shooting at foam or other soft targets.
• Bowyer: A person who makes bows.
• Fletcher: A person who makes arrows or attaches fletching to arrows.
• Archery Scorecard: A card used to record the score of each arrow shot in competition.
• End: A round of arrows shot during an archery competition, usually consisting of six arrows.
• Group: The pattern formed by an archer’s arrows on the target face, indicating consistency and accuracy.
• Overdraw: Pulling the bowstring past the optimal draw length, often resulting in a loss of accuracy.
• Bow Sling: A strap attached to the bow to prevent the archer from dropping it after release.
• Serving: The wrapped thread on a bowstring that protects it from wear.
• Let-off: The reduction in draw weight that occurs when the bow is fully drawn, a feature of compound bows.
• Footed Shaft: A traditional arrow shaft made from two different types of wood spliced together for strength and flexibility.
• String Loop: A loop tied to the bowstring that allows for a more consistent release with a release aid.
• Sight Pin: The adjustable part of a bow sight that the archer uses to align the target.
• Release: The act of letting go of the bowstring to shoot an arrow.
• Loose: Another term for releasing the bowstring.
• Bow Arm: The arm that holds the bow steady while the other hand draws the string.
• Draw Arm: The arm that pulls back the bowstring.
• Follow-through: The motion an archer continues after the arrow has been released, crucial for maintaining accuracy.
• Plunger Button: A device used to fine-tune the side-to-side movement of the arrow as it leaves the bow.
• Stance: The position of the archer’s feet, which is critical for balance and accuracy.
• Closed Stance: A foot position where the archer’s body faces slightly more toward the target.
• Open Stance: A foot position where the archer’s body opens slightly away from the target, providing better balance.
• Bowfishing: The practice of using a bow and arrows to fish, usually with specially designed arrows attached to a reel.
• Flight Archery: A type of archery focused on shooting arrows for maximum distance rather than accuracy.
• Broadhead Tuning: The process of adjusting the broadhead arrow’s flight for accuracy.
• Arrow Rest Tuning: Adjusting the arrow rest for optimal arrow flight.
• Paper Tuning: Shooting arrows through a sheet of paper to examine the tear pattern and adjust the bow for better accuracy.