11 steps to archery success
Below is a complete video on the NASP eleven archery steps. Great video explaining the steps. The only criticism being the bow is held sideways, which must be held vertically while nicking arrow. There are a few other form issues, but the purpose of including this video here is to give you a visual reference to the eleven archery steps listed above.
NASP 11 ARCHERY STEPS
1. STANCE:
Open stance and shoulder width position, with imaginary line between heals and arm-pits.
2. NOCK ARROW:
Grab below fletching, up & over a vertical bow with index fletching toward you.
3. DRAWING HAND SET:
Hook the bowstring in the archer’s groove - 3 fingers under using a semi-shallow hook - NOT a deep hook. Do not create tension or pressure on arrow nock. Do not leave large gap between fingers and nock.
4. BOW HAND SET:
Center the bow’s grip under the lifeline of the relaxed bow hand. Bow hand knuckles should for 30 - 45 degree angle
5. PRE-DRAW:
Hinge the bow arm and drawing arm to eye level. Rotate bow arm elbow down and away. Do not begin to draw until after bow is raised. Beginning draw while bow is down will create tension on the bottom of arrow and can cause bad arrow flight.
6. DRAW:
With draw arm parallel to the ground, smoothly pull the string towards the face.
7. ANCHOR:
Index finger tip at the corner of the mouth, string on nose and thumb under jaw. (or however coach and archer determine what is most suitable for the archer's face shape and hand size)
8. AIM:
Align the string and arrow point on the target
9. SHOT SET-UP:
While the eye continues to aim, check string alignment, think about and maintain a tight anchor, active bow muscles
10. RELEASE: (Remember the String Bow)
Relax the hooked fingers and the back of the drawing hand all at once, slight rearward movement of the drawing shoulder, arm and elbow. It should feel like letting go of a heavy pail of water.
11. FOLLOW THROUGH/REFLECT: (Remember the String Bow)
The drawing hand continues rearward, under the ear and painting the face, until the thumb touches or is near the shoulder. The drawing elbow should relax and hinge downward. The bow arm remains steady and up until AFTER the arrow hits the target
Reflect - did the shot feel and look right? Where did the arrow go? If it went dead center, then rinse and repeat. If not, why was it not dead center? Did you drop your bow arm? Was your release clean? Did you come to full anchor? Did you get to your aim point?