3 Ways To Shoot An Arrow - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Shoot an Arrow PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Clay Hayes

Last Updated: October 21, 2025 Approved

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  • Shooting a Drawstring Bow
    • |
  • Firing a Crossbow
    • |
  • Gearing Up
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Clay Hayes. Clay Hayes is an Archery Expert based in Idaho. He owns and operates the website Twisted Stave, where he sells merchandise, offers tutorials, and blogs about his life as an outdoorsman. Clay and his family have built an online community of over 440 thousand archery and hunting enthusiasts with their YouTube channel. Clay has authored three books and produced hundreds of videos on wilderness skills, traditional archery, bow building, and bow hunting. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 12 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 855,300 times.

Archery has been around for thousands of years and remains a fun, challenging activity to this day. Whether you’re doing it for sport, competition, or food, knowing how to properly load, aim, and fire your bow will make the difference between a whiffed shot and a bullseye.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Shooting a Drawstring Bow

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  1. Step 1 Line your body up perpendicular to the target. 1 Line your body up perpendicular to the target. When you’re ready to shoot, line yourself up so that, if you drew an imaginary line from yourself to the target, the line would go across your feet. If you are right eye dominant, hold the bow with your left hand, point your left shoulder to the target, and handle the arrow and string with your right hand. If you are left eye dominant, do the reverse.
  2. Step 2 Stand upright and place your feet shoulder-width apart. 2 Stand upright and place your feet shoulder-width apart. Pinch your buttocks together to bring your pelvis forward. Keep your back erect so that, when you pull the string, your arms and shoulders form a "T” shape. Your stance should be comfortable enough to hold for long periods of time, but also firm and alert.[1] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Point your bow down and attach an arrow to the string. 3 Point your bow down and attach an arrow to the string. Point your bow toward the ground and place the shaft of an arrow on the arrow rest. Attach the back of the arrow to the bow string via the small plastic component with a groove in it, called the nock. If the arrow has 3 vanes, or fletching feathers, orient the arrow so that a single vane points away from the bow. Then, place the arrow below the nock bead or, if there are 2 beads, in between them.[2]
  4. Step 4 Use 3 fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. 4 Use 3 fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. If you’re shooting with a sight, place your index finger above the arrow and your middle and ring fingers below. This is called the Mediterranean draw or "split finger" style. If you’re shooting without a sight, place all 3 fingers below the arrow, which will bring the arrow closer to your eye. Use your thumb to support the back of the arrow and keep it straight.[3]
  5. Step 5 Point your bow toward the target. 5 Point your bow toward the target. With your fingers on the drawstring, raise your bow and hold it out toward the target. Your inner elbow should be parallel to the ground and the bow should always remain vertical. When held properly, you should be able to look straight down the spine of the arrow.[4]
  6. Step 6 Use 3 fingers to pull the bow’s drawstring back toward your face. 6 Use 3 fingers to pull the bow’s drawstring back toward your face. Use your back muscles for strength and let your arm stay as relaxed as possible. Keep pulling until the bow feels tight, then use your chin, ear, or another body part as a reference point, that way you can draw the string back to the same spot each time.[5]
    • Try to draw the string as far back as possible. This increases accuracy and dampens the effect of wind and gravity.
    • When you pull back the string, lift your elbow up. This makes your shoulder muscles work instead of your arm muscles.
  7. Step 7 Aim at your target. 7 Aim at your target. Most casual archers will use a technique known as instinctive shooting. In this method, simply point your bow so that the tip of the arrow lines up with your target. If you want to fine-tune your aim, try purchasing an adjustable sight that attaches to the front of your bow. When shooting, you can either close your non-dominant eye or keep both eyes open.[6]
  8. Step 8 Release the arrow by relaxing the fingers on your string hand. 8 Release the arrow by relaxing the fingers on your string hand. The goal is to get a clean release, meaning the bow leaves your fingers with as little slowdown and interference as possible. While this may sound simple, the manner in which you release your fingers from the bowstring can impact the arrow's flight, and any unintended flinches or wobbles can knock it off course. After releasing the arrow, wait until it hits the target to lower the bow.
    • Do not move your hand forward to "boost" the arrow while you shoot. Remain still for the best shot possible.
    • Pay attention to the bow’s recoil or follow through, as it may indicate problems with your form.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Firing a Crossbow

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  1. Step 1 Pull or crank the string to cock the bow. 1 Pull or crank the string to cock the bow. If you’re using a manual crossbow, place your foot into the stirrup located at the front of the bow, then pull the string toward the back of the device until it cocks. Make sure to keep the string as even as possible. For crank crossbows, attach your crank to the device if necessary, then simply turn the crank until the bow cocks.[7]
  2. Step 2 Load the crossbow with an arrow. 2 Load the crossbow with an arrow. After cocking the bow, place a crossbow bolt or arrow into the barrel of the device and line the cock vane up with the barrel channel. For safety, load the arrow from the top of the device, keeping your hand away from the main chamber and the front of the bow at all times.[8]
  3. Step 3 Bring the bow to your shoulder. 3 Bring the bow to your shoulder. Similar to a rifle, bring the crossbow up to your dominant shoulder and either push it into the pocket of your shoulder or let it sit on top of your shoulder. Then, place your non-dominant hand below the crossbow to steady it, making sure to keep your fingers away from the main chamber. Do not freehand your crossbow as it can lead to inaccurate and dangerous shots.[9]
    • Freehanding is when someone holds their crossbow in 1 hand and attempts to shoot it.
  4. Step 4 Aim your shot using the bow’s sight pin or scope. 4 Aim your shot using the bow’s sight pin or scope. If your crossbow has a scope, peer through it and line the aiming reticles up with your target. Make sure to check your scope’s user manual so you know what each reticle means. If your device does not have a specialty scope, line up your shot using the crossbow’s peep sight or other alignment device.[10]
  5. Step 5 Fire your crossbow. 5 Fire your crossbow. When you’re ready to shoot, hold your crossbow steady and double check your scope or sight. Then, pull the trigger like you would on a gun. When the arrow releases, you’ll hear a slight pop from the trigger.[11]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Gearing Up

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  1. Step 1 Determine your dominant... 1 Determine your dominant eye. With archery, eye dominance is more important than hand-dominance because your dominant eye is what will handle aiming and judging distances. To figure out which of your eyes is dominant, point your finger toward a distant wall or object and close 1 of your eyes. If your finger appears to jump, you closed your dominant eye.
  2. Step 2 Buy a bow that matches your dominant eye. 2 Buy a bow that matches your dominant eye. Most archery equipment is labeled as "right-handed" or "left-handed" in reference to which hand pulls back the bowstring. If your dominant eye does not line up with your dominant hand, purchase equipment for your weaker hand. Though it may take your hands some time to adjust, picking gear based on your eyes will boost your precision.
    • Typically, you can use crossbows in either hand.
  3. Step 3 Choose arrows 3 Choose arrows to go with your bow. For crossbows, look for bolts that adhere to the length, density, and nock recommendations given by your bow’s manufacturer. When dealing with drawstring bows, purchase arrows that are about 2 in (5.1 cm) longer than your draw length. If possible, purchase high-quality arrows made from carbon fiber, aluminium, fiberglass, or wood.
    • If you’re planning to shoot targets, get arrows with field point heads. If you’re going hunting, use broadhead or blunt tips instead. Judo points are also used. They have small clasps that grip onto the prey after you shoot it.
    • To find your draw length, pull back your bow as if you were going to shoot it. Then, have a friend measure the distance between the front of the bow and the back of the string.
  4. Step 4 Purchase protective gear. 4 Purchase protective gear. Certain pieces of equipment are essential for ensuring both a safe and enjoyable shooting experience. Some items to consider buying include an arm-guard to cover you bow arm and protect it from bowstring slaps, a plastic chest protector to prevent string burn along your chest, gloves or a finger tab to protect your hands from string injuries, and a quiver to hold your arrows.[12]
    • The finger tab/glove is the most important. Without it, you can get permanent nerve damage even on a 20 lb. bow. Trying to tough it out is not a good option even if you have developed callouses by playing guitar, working out, etc.
  5. Step 5 Buy targets and other practice equipment. 5 Buy targets and other practice equipment. For archery, the best way to practice is with a personal target. These come in a variety of forms including bag targets, which work well for simple point heads, foam targets, which can handle notch and broadheads, and 3D targets, which look like wild animals, zombies, and other creatures. Along with targets, consider buying things like:
    • Strength training bars
    • Release trainers
    • Practice bows
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question If I'm a kid, is it best to start learning archery with a longbow or a recurve bow? Community Answer Community Answer Recurve bows provide more power for less draw, which means you don't have to be as strong to pull the string. This is generally better for kids. However, there are longbows designed for kids. You will have to judge what equipment you want based on why you are practicing archery. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 49
  • Question How do I put more pressure into it? Community Answer Community Answer You draw the bow string back further while straightening your shoulders. This will give you more pressure and a more powerful shot. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 72
  • Question When I release the arrow, I sometimes see the arrow contact the bow and then pitch sideways mid-flight. What causes this, and how should I correct this? Community Answer Community Answer It is caused by the position of the fletch. The two same colored ones should be on the inside, and the single colored one should be on the outside. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 66
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

  • Try doing push ups, pull ups, and other arm strengthening exercises before you shoot. This will make it easier to hold the bow. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
  • Seeing a coach and getting instruction is the best way to learn as you will always have a form fault that is hard to spot for you and can be easily corrected when someone else watches you. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Never aim at something you don’t intend to shoot. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 1
  • Do not pull back and release the bowstring without an arrow as “dry firing” can create micro-fractures in the bow. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 3
  • Have a backstop at all times to your target in case you miss. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 4
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_AhoW2zPks
  2. ↑ http://www.learn-archery.com/nocking-the-arrow.html
  3. ↑ https://cavemangym.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/how-to-shoot-an-arrow/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_AhoW2zPks
  5. ↑ https://cavemangym.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/how-to-shoot-an-arrow/
  6. ↑ https://www.archerylibrary.com/books/stemmler/essentials-of-archery/docs/how-to-aim.html
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WpqQymEno0
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WpqQymEno0
  9. ↑ https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2013/2/21/12-crossbow-dos-and-3-donts/
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2013/2/21/12-crossbow-dos-and-3-donts/
  2. ↑ https://wildernesstoday.com/how-to-shoot-a-crossbow/
  3. ↑ https://myarcherycorner.com/what-kind-of-protective-archery-gear-do-i-need

About This Article

Clay Hayes Co-authored by: Clay Hayes Archery Expert This article was co-authored by Clay Hayes. Clay Hayes is an Archery Expert based in Idaho. He owns and operates the website Twisted Stave, where he sells merchandise, offers tutorials, and blogs about his life as an outdoorsman. Clay and his family have built an online community of over 440 thousand archery and hunting enthusiasts with their YouTube channel. Clay has authored three books and produced hundreds of videos on wilderness skills, traditional archery, bow building, and bow hunting. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University. This article has been viewed 855,300 times. 128 votes - 84% Co-authors: 79 Updated: October 21, 2025 Views: 855,300 Categories: Featured Articles | Archery Article SummaryX

To shoot a drawstring bow, start by lining your body up perpendicular to the target, making sure your back is straight and your feet are shoulder-width apart. Then, point your bow toward the ground and attach the back of an arrow to the bow string via the nock. Place 3 fingers on the string around the arrow, then pull the bow up and hold it out toward the target. When you’re ready to shoot, draw the string toward your face, aim, and relax your fingers to release the arrow. For tips on how to shoot a crossbow and pick equipment, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Micheal Jonee

    Micheal Jonee

    Apr 2, 2018

    "I have a bow that shoots over 200 feet, and I needed to learn how to hunt bears with it. I hide and shoot but..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Clay Hayes Co-authored by: Clay Hayes Archery Expert Co-authors: 79 Updated: October 21, 2025 Views: 855,300 84% of readers found this article helpful. 128 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote Micheal Jonee

Micheal Jonee

Apr 2, 2018

"I have a bow that shoots over 200 feet, and I needed to learn how to hunt bears with it. I hide and shoot but..." more Rated this article: Mykull Holguin

Mykull Holguin

Jul 27, 2016

"What helped me was which side the arrow rest faces. The knuckles on the same side as the arrow rest, very helpful." Em Rae

Em Rae

Jun 6, 2016

"This helped me in my gym class. After reading this, I was able to shoot the rubber chickens three times in a row!" Jaymee Yeung

Jaymee Yeung

Jul 9, 2016

"Wow! I want to start learning how to shoot, and this wikiHow help me so much! Thanks for creating this!" Miriam Nichols

Miriam Nichols

Mar 8, 2016

"Amazing! I'm going to share what I learned with my class. Thanks again. I feel like I can be Katniss! " Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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Tag » How To Shoot Bow And Arrow