Beginning Archery - Lesson 8: The Release

The release of the bowstring is the most critical step in the sequence. If it is not done correctly, then all the effort in the previous steps is cancelled out. To release the arrow correctly, the fingers holding the bowstring must allow the string to slip off the fingers. All three fingers must release at the same time.

This will let the bowstring pull away from the fingers with the least amount of deflection. When the release is done correctly, the hand should move backwards, as the back muscles will pull the arm backwards and the fingers should come to rest beside the neck. If the finger muscles are flexed open to release the bowstring, then the hand will usually come to rest about 5cm backwards from anchor position. Flexing the finger muscles will deflect the bowstring sideways and the arrows will have a horizontal spread across the target.

Beginning Archery - Lesson 9: The Follow Through

The follow through is maintaining the position of the bow arm on release until the arrow hits the target. As the arrow slides along the arrow rest any movement of the bow will move the arrow. The position of the head and body should remain steady, while the drawing hand moves backwards after the release.

It is important to not let the bow arm fall after the release, as this can become a problem when the bow arm actually starts to fall on the release, making some arrows land low on the target. Also moving the head to see where the arrow went too soon after the release can make the bow arm move sideways.