Archery Terms Glossary

Greetings to the realm of archery, a sport enriched with a vivid community, a long history, and a language exclusive to itself.

No matter if you’re an aspiring archer or an experienced pro, comprehending the specialized terminology utilized in this ancient discipline can prove to be a daunting task.

Therefore, I have developed a comprehensive archery glossary, intended to facilitate your understanding of the exceptional vocabulary that characterizes the art and science of archery.

Starting from arrows and bows to techniques and scoring systems, my objective is to provide you with an all-in-one resource for all your archery lexicon needs.

So, grab a seat, set up an arrow, and join us as we delve into the captivating language of archery.

3D Archery: 3D archery is a modern and immersive form of archery that challenges participants to shoot arrows at life-size, three-dimensional foam or plastic animal targets placed at varying distances and angles throughout a natural course.

AMO Length: AMO length, established by the Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization, is a standardized measurement of a bow’s string length, crucial for selecting the appropriate equipment and optimizing shooting performance in archery.

Anchor Point: An anchor point in archery is the consistent and stable position on an archer’s face or jaw where the bowstring is drawn and anchored before release, ensuring proper alignment and accuracy in each shot.

Arrow: An arrow is a slender, aerodynamic projectile designed to be launched from a bow, featuring a shaft, nock, fletching, point, and spine, each component meticulously crafted to optimize accuracy, stability, and efficiency in flight.

Bowstring: Constructed using various techniques and composed of different materials, a bowstring is a crucial element of a bow that links the bow’s limbs and stores potential energy to launch an arrow towards a target.

Compound Bow: A compound bow is a modern, high-tech archery tool that utilizes a system of cams and pulleys to provide mechanical advantages for increased power, accuracy, and ease of use compared to traditional bows.

Draw Length: Draw length refers to the distance between the nocking point on the bowstring and the bow grip’s pivot point when the bow is fully drawn, significantly impacting accuracy, power, and overall shooting performance.

Draw Weight: Draw weight is the force needed to pull the bowstring back of a bow. It is usually expressed in pounds.

Recurve Bow: Featuring limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung, a recurve bow is a type of bow that enhances power and velocity in the shot.