How to String a Recurve Bow

Two Parts:Stringing Your BowTuning the BowCommunity Q&A

Stringing your bow is not difficult with the proper equipment. It still requires attention and caution,
however, to avoid whacking yourself with a bow limb under stress. You can start shooting as soon as
you've strung the bow, but tuning will help a great deal if your bow is new.

Part 1
Stringing Your Bow
1.

Purchase a bow stringer. This cheap tool is 100% necessary to string your recurve bow without
damaging the limbs. Choose one designed for a recurve bow (not a longbow), and intended for your
bow's length and draw weight. Confirm that the ends of the stringer fit snugly over your bow's limb
tips.
o Some sources recommend the "pocket and saddle" design for recurve bows, but "double
pocket" stringers are also common.[1] This guide covers both types.
2.

2
Place the string over the bow tips. Slide the string's large loop over the bow's upper limb,
positioning the string on the correct side of the bow. Fit the smaller loop into the notch on the lower
limb, double-checking that it fits snugly. Since the bow is in a relaxed position, the string should
have plenty of slack.
o The lower limb is on the heavier side of the handle.[2] The bow's draw weight is usually
marked on the lower limb.

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3
Fit the stringer pocket over the lower limb tip. If your stringer has two pockets, the larger one
fits over the lower limb.[3] This should cover the small string loop, keeping it secure in the groove.
o If this doesn't feel secure, wrap a rubber band tightly around the string loop.[1]

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Place the small pocket or saddle onto the upper limb. If your stringer has two pocket, place the
small pocket over the upper limb tip. If your stringer has a saddle (a leather or rubber pad) on one
end, slide this over the top limb and below the string loop. Position the saddle about 3 inches (8 cm)
from the tip, just behind the string loop.[1]
o Some saddles can be secured against the bow, while others require you to hold it in place.
The dimpled surface should press against the limb to reduce friction.

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Hold the bow horizontal. Hold the bow grip with your non-dominant hand. Hold it horizontally so
your dominant hand is near the upper limb, holding the loose string loop in place. Position the bow
so its limb tips point upward, with the bowstring and stringer underneath.

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Step on the bow stringer. Bend at the waist to lower the bow until the stringer (but not the string)
touches the ground. Step on it with both feet, about shoulder-width apart.[1] Use the balls of your
feet, not the arches, or the cord may slip.[4]
o If using a saddle bow stringer, use one hand to keep the saddle in place.
o You may use one foot, but planting both feet gives you extra stability. This is particularly
helpful for children and shorter adults.

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Draw up on the bow. Take up the slack in the bow stringer and confirm you have a secure grip. Be
prepared to pull upward, bending the bow limbs back toward the ground. Read the next step before
you start this motion.

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8
Slide the large loop onto the notch. At the same time you pull up on the bow, slide the loose string
loop up until it fits into the notch near the tip of the bow.

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Confirm the string is secure. Run your finger over the string loop to confirm it's secure in the
groove. Keep your finger over the string for the rest of this process, so you can stop if the string
starts to slip off.[5]

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Lower the bow slowly. Slowly lower the bow until the stringer is slack. Do not rush this step, or a
loose string could slip off and slingshot the limb into your face.

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Check the string. Immediately turn the bow so its limbs face away from you. Double check the
string loops once again. If they aren't secure, stand on the stringer again to repeat this process. Keep
your head back and turn it away from the string, in case the loose string snaps off.[1]
o Do not point the limbs at a nearby person, or a mishap could cause an injury.

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Remove the bow stringer. If you used a rubber band in an earlier step, remove this as well. For
best results, adjust your bow according to the instructions below before you shoot.
o When you're ready to unstring the bow, attach the bow stringer the same way you did
before. Step on the stringer and draw the bow up, then slide the upper string loop off the
notch and down onto the limb. Slowly relax the bow.

Part 2
Tuning the Bow

1.

1
Adjust the nocking point height. Imagine a line running from the top of your arrow rest to your
bowstring, hitting the string at a 90 angle. Position your nocking point on the string about " (1.25
cm) above this line, so your arrows are perfectly horizontal when nocked.[6]

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2
Shoot in a new string. If your bow or string are brand new, the string will stretch out a little.
Expect it to adjust to its final stretch over the course of your first one or two shooting sessions.
Alternatively, you can leave the bow strung overnight once to help it settle.[7] Don't spend too much
time adjusting the brace height (described below) until the string had adjusted.
o Flemish twist strings stretch out more than endless loop strings.

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3
Test the brace height. The brace height is the distance between the handle of the bow and the
string. Measure this distance, then shoot a few arrows to see how your bow feels. A high brace
height will slow down your arrows, while a lower brace height will make a loud, jarring noise on
release.[8]
o Ask someone to stand on the side and watch as you shoot. The noise and vibration are easier
to judge from the side.

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Adjust brace height. If you think brace height needs adjustment, unstring the bow. Twist the string
a few times to flex the limbs further, increasing brace height. Untwist the string a few times to
lower brace height.[9] Measure carefully and write down the number each time, along with notes
about how the bow fires. You'll probably have to make several adjustments to find the perfect point,
but after that you're set.
o Most recurve bows shoot best with a brace height between 7.5 and 9.75 inches (1925 cm).
[10]
Replace the string with a smaller or larger string if you can't get it near this range, or if
you have to twist more than 20 or 30 times.[11]
o If you're having trouble getting your arrows to fly straight, buy a T-square to measure
nocking point height and brace height more accurately.

 Nock the arrow. Point the bow towards the ground and place the shaft of the arrow on the arrow rest.
Attach the back of the arrow to the bow string with the nockthe small plastic component with a groove
for this purpose. If the arrow has three vanes, or fletching feathers, orient the arrow so that a single vane is
pointing away from the bow. Place the arrow below the nock bead or in between if there are two nock
locators. If you've never done this before, it's a very good idea to have someone who knows how show you
what to do.

Use three fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string

6
Use three fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. Most commonly, the index finger is held above
the arrow and the middle and ring fingers below. This is called the Mediterranean draw or "split finger"
style and is currently the most popular position.[3] In the Eastern tradition of holding the bowstring, the bow
is held with the thumb and this is often done using a ring of metal or bone to protect the thumb.[4] Another
type of grip used it to place all three fingers below the arrow, which will draw the arrow closer to the eye.
This is the advised position when shooting without a sight.

Raise and draw the bow by pulling

your string hand toward your face
7
Raise and draw your bow. This is often done in one fluid motion and with repeated practice, will involve
perfect control of your movements, allowing you to concentrate fully on the target and not be distracted,
not even by tiredness. Whenever holding the bow, it should be held in as relaxed a way as possible, without
torque on the riser of the bow.[4]

1. Hold the bow arm outwards toward the target. Your inner elbow should be parallel to the ground
and the bow should always stay vertical. You should be able to look straight down the spine of the
arrow

2. Draw the string hand towards the face to an "anchor point". The anchor is usually somewhere
around the chin, cheek, ear or the corner of the mouth. Since this is your reference point, it must
remain consistent from shot to shot. Take care not to relax too much or to keep pulling back once
you reach the anchor point, or you risk ill-targeted shots or losing power.

Aim for the target

8
Aim. Choose either instinctive shooting or shooting with a sight.

Instinctive shooting is the coordination between the eyes and the bow arm, allowing your
experience and subconscious to guide your movement. It requires large amounts of concentration
and practice. Focus on nothing but the center of the target.

Shooting with a sight involves adjusting pins on the side of a compound bow or some target
recurves, setting for different distances.[4] This way is much easier to learn, therefore is best for a
beginner lacking experience.

Release the arrow by relaxing the fingers of your string hand

9
Release the arrow by relaxing the fingers of your string hand. While this may sound simple, the manner
in which you release your fingers from the bowstring can impact the arrow's flight. The aim is to get as
clean a release as possible and as a beginner, this will probably take time. Problems that you may encounter
when releasing the bow include flinching, wobbling or anticipating the shot inaccurately. Anything that
deflects the string from the way you remove your fingers can alter the arrow's course.

Move your draw hand back and finish the shoulder rotation
10
Once the arrow has left for its target, move your draw hand back and finish the shoulder rotation.
Keep the bow hand steady until the arrow hits its target. Watch your arrow as it flies.

Shoot the full end of six arrows to practice repetition

11
Shoot the full end of arrows.This is usually composed of six arrows. Repetition is learningwith
practice, you'll improve over time. Part of learning to shoot an arrow effectively is learning the sequence
outlined above so well that it simply flows and you do not get distracted by having to remember each
distinct movement. Expect it to be difficult initially but it will become more fluid and comfortable the more
that you go through the steps again and again.

Score your arrows on the target

12
Score your arrows if you wish. There are ten evenly-spaced rings on a standard FITA (International
Archery Federation) target. The two inner yellow circles are equal to 10. Then the value decreases by one
as you move outwards. If the arrow is just touching or on the line it is awarded the higher score.[5]
Naturally, the aim is to shoot arrows as closely as possible to the target's center.

Different disciplines (field archery, animal archery, Beursault archery, etc.) are recognized by the
FITA with respect to distance, number of arrows, target type and equipment; these variations need
to be taken into account when scoring.[2] There may also be time limits, as with the Olympics.

Hold the bow with a firm yet comfortable grip. If you are right-handed, hold the bow with your
left hand on the hand grip. Most recurve bows have handles, so you will know where to hold the
bow.
o The thumb and index finger should turn slightly inward, while the rest of your fingers on
this hand should be relaxed. Your wrist should also be relaxed.
o Dont hold your bow with a death grip. This will cause inaccuracy in your shooting.[11] Stay
relaxed so that every movement will be smooth.

Part 5
Drawing and Firing the Bow
1.

Load an arrow onto your bow. You need to load the arrow by fitting the notch in the end of the
arrow onto the bow string. Do this before lifting your bow and without actually drawing the string.
This is called "nocking" the arrow.
2.

2
Lift the bow to shoulder height. As you lift, ensure that the arm holding the bow is straight and
locked at the elbow.[12] If your elbow is bent at all, it will be much more difficult to draw the bow.
o Keeping the elbow of your bow arm straight additionally helps to keep your arm away from
the bow string as you release.[13]

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3
Pull the bowstring back. You should pull back far enough that your hand rests right under your
jawbone. Your bowstring should nearly touch your face around the corner of your mouth.[14] Check
again as you draw back that you are not twisting your torso to face the target.
o Try to practice letting the stronger muscles in your back do most of the work as you draw
the bow as opposed to your arm muscles.[15]

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Take aim. You want to aim with your dominant eye while keeping your other eye closed.[16] Your
dominant eye is much more reliable for your aim to the target.
o If your bow has a sight, use the notches in the sight to help you line up your target. Also
check your aim with your eyes.

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Relax your fingers off the string to fire. Dont jerk the string back, or the arrow won't fly straight.
Keep your release as smooth and gentle as possible, thinking of the action more like relaxing your
fingers off the string as opposed to letting it go.[17]

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Stay in position until the arrow hits the target. Once you release the string, the arrow still must
accelerate off the bow, and any movement during the fraction of a second can disrupt the intended
flight path of the arrow. Train yourself not to jerk or flinch by holding your position until you hear
the arrow hit the target.[18]