An Ultimate Guide on How to Keep Your Arrow on the Rest
New archers are likely to experience their arrows sliding from the arrow rest, but this can be easily rectified if they identify and understand what’s causing it. Many simply choose a quick fix – holding the arrow in place with their index finger while drawing back on the bowstrung. However, that is considered an unsafe short-term solution! But don’t worry; let’s discover why this happens so often when you draw your bowstring back.
Don’t grip your string too tightly.
Don’t grip the bowstring too tightly, or you could twist your arrow off the rest. Instead, take a relaxed approach and find just the right spot to place it between your index finger’s first joint, middle finger’s second joint, and ring finger’s third joint.
Experiment with where exactly to put it – practice makes perfect! Some archers prefer to place the string closer to their first joint. You should only apply enough pressure on the bowstring so that it doesn’t slip out of your grip.
Your bone structure, not muscle, should bear the weight of the bowstring; visualize yourself holding onto a bar by your fingertips and keep your hand flat and relaxed as you do this. A relaxed arm and forearm when drawing back on an arrow after setting up for release will ensure that you maintain control with precision and accuracy!
Too Much Draw Weight
As a rookie archer, you may think that more draw weight is better. However, this assumption can be detrimental to your shooting accuracy. Excessive tension in the muscles of your hand and forearm will cause arrow misalignment while releasing – one sign of too much draw weight. If you observe yourself struggling to keep full draw for 10 seconds or longer than it’s time to switch up your bow for something with less pull weight!
Nocking Point Too Low
Finding the perfect nocking point is essential for any archer. If it’s set too low, not enough downward pressure will be applied to the arrow rest which can cause arrows to fall off the bow. To check if your nocking point is too low, use a bow square and measure its height; ideally, it should be anywhere from ¼-inch to ½-inch high on recurve or longbows. However, fine-tuning your bow’s nocking point requires more precision than that—in this situation, an experienced pro at an archery shop will prove invaluable in helping you find exactly what you need!
Torquing The Grip
Keeping too much tension in your gripping hand can cause problems like improper positioning of the bow grip, which will result in twisting off the rest. It’s similar to how a baseball bat needs to be firmly held – if you don’t hold it properly with both hands, it will twist side-to-side; this is what’s called “torquing” your bow.
Adopting the correct bow grip generates minimal torque. The best grip is one that requires the least effort. To reduce torque and achieve the best accuracy results, relax your hand and grip the bow lightly. Place it at its highest point on the grip; be sure to place the web of your hand in the deepest area of the grip (located in the throat). This way you can experience maximum control over each shot.
To set your hand correctly, place only the area between your thumb and palm’s lifeline against the grip. Your knuckles should form a 45-degree angle concerning the bow riser. Pointing your thumb towards the target, curl up your fingers until they rest in front of the bow. Then tuck in so that none of them can touch it – unless you’re using a tucked technique or have bought yourself an archery shop-purchased finger/wrist sling that will keep away from dropping afterward!
Once you have your grip firmly set, make sure to relax your hand as much as possible before releasing the arrow. Struggling with this? Consider taking a lesson from an archery instructor – it is the best way to address any issues and most shops provide lessons for beginners!
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs) – How to Keep Your Arrow on the Rest
Q: How do I ensure my arrow stays on the rest?
A: To keep your arrow on the rest, start by ensuring you have the correct nocking point set up to hold the arrow in place. Be sure to also properly grip your bow and apply enough pressure with just your fingers. Finally, relax your muscles as much as possible before releasing the arrow. This will help ensure that you maintain precision and accuracy while shooting.
Q: What is Toqueing?
A: Toqueing is a term used to describe the action of keeping your bow hand too tense while shooting. This can cause improper positioning of the bow grip, resulting in twisting off the rest and misalignment of the arrow. It’s important to keep your hand and forearm relaxed when drawing back on an arrow to avoid this issue.
Q: How can I reduce torque when drawing back my bow?
A: To reduce torque, grip your bow lightly with just your fingertips and make sure to relax your hand as much as possible before releasing the arrow. Additionally, be sure to point your thumb toward the target and curl up your fingers until they rest in front of the bow. This will help ensure that your shot is accurate and consistent.
Q: What should I do if my arrows keep falling off the rest?
A: If your arrows are consistently falling off the rest, it’s likely that your nocking point is too low. Therefore, use a bow square to measure its height and make sure it’s set anywhere between ¼-inch to ½-inch high for recurve or longbows. If you need more precise measurements, you can take your bow to an archery shop to get help finding the perfect nocking point for your style of shooting.
Q: What can I do if my arrow still falls off the rest when I let go?
A: If your arrow continues to fall off the rest even after you set up your nocking point and grip, try using a finger/wrist sling or tucked technique. These methods will help keep your hand from dropping and ensure that your grip is secure until you release the arrow. If neither of these methods works, consider investing in a better quality rest or taking a lesson from an archery instructor to help improve your technique.
Q: What can I do to avoid torquing my bow?
A: To avoid torquing your bow, start by lightly gripping it with just your fingertips and sliding your hand up the grip as far as it can go. Make sure that the web of your hand is in the throat of the grip and point your thumb toward the target. Additionally, be sure to relax your hand and muscles as much as possible before releasing the arrow. Finally, if you’re still having trouble, consider taking a lesson from an archery instructor – they can help you address any issues and improve your technique!
Hopefully, this guide has given you some insight into how to keep your arrow on the rest.
