10 Tips to Improve Archery Accuracy

Key Takeaways

To improve your archery accuracy: 

• Make sure your bow fits you properly.
• Use a relaxed grip.
• Experiment with your stance.
• Use multiple anchor points.
• Maintain back tension.
• Let the pin float when concentrating on the bullseye.
• Let the release happen on its own.
• Experiment with breathing techniques.
• Shoot with confidence.

It seems that customers are always asking, “How can I shoot better?” or “How can I tighten my groups?” Sometimes, it can be linked back to improperly set up equipment, but more often than not, the cause is bad form. 

I have compiled a list of some basic form checks that could help you make a few tweaks to get your arrows in the middle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far can an archer accurately shoot?

How far you can shoot accurately depends on many factors, such as your equipment, environment, and conditions, as well as your skill level. Experienced archers can be accurate up to around 100 yards.

Learn more here: Determining the Best Archery Distance for Your Skill Level.

Can an unwaxed bow string affect accuracy?

Yes, waxing your bow string is crucial for accurate shooting.

Learn more here:How to Properly Wax Bow Strings.

1. Fit

Make sure your bow fits you. This sounds simple, but I would hate to know the percentage of archers that are shooting bows either too heavy in poundage or too long in draw length. 

You want to make sure you can smoothly draw your bow back and comfortably hold it at full draw for 20-30 seconds. If you have to do the ‘sky draw’ to get it back, or can only hold steady for a few seconds, then you are more than likely shooting too many pounds.

2. Grip

You want to make sure you have a relaxed grip. A lot of shooters will confuse an open hand for a relaxed grip, when this is not the case. 

Many shooters will use a tense open hand. A good, relaxed bow hand will ‘cradle’ the bow and allow it to jump forward into the bow sling during the shot. 

You want to make sure the grip on the bow is comfortable, and you can repeat it the exact same way on every shot. The first thing I do when testing a new bow is grab it and see how the grip feels. If you don’t like the grip, you probably won’t shoot the bow very well.

3. Stance 

Ideally, you want to be straight up with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your core should make a T shape at full draw. 

Here’s a simple test:

• Stand with your feet very close together and have someone give you a little push. You will notice that you are very wobbly. 
• Now, spread your feet further apart and do the same thing. You will now notice that you are more rigid.

I personally prefer a little bit of an open stance, but it’s always best to experiment to see what works best for you. By “open stance,” I mean my body is turned slightly towards the target instead of being exactly 90 degrees to the target.

4. Anchor Point

It’s always best to have as many reference points for your anchor as possible. 

• The string can touch the corner of your mouth and the tip of your nose. 
• Your knuckle can rest against your jawbone. 

Using a kisser button or peep sight is also a great little addition to help make sure everything is lined up the same every time.

5. Back Tension 

While this could be a whole article on its own, I will try to keep it short and simple. 

• When you draw your bow, you are using back tension. Without this, the bow would stay static. 
• Once you get your bow to full draw, you want to keep steady and constant tension opposing the force of the bow. Don’t just draw the bow back and hold it there. 

This is a very important part of the shot sequence, and when done properly, will let many other parts fall into line almost automatically.

6. Aiming 

There is a misconception that your pin should just sit in the middle for several seconds. While there are a few top professionals who can seemingly hold rock-solid forever, the rest of us are human and have some movement in our sight picture. 

It’s important to concentrate on the bullseye while letting the pin float, and not try too hard to make the pin stop. 

The problem with concentrating on stopping your pin dead center is that once it gets there, the archer tends to punch the trigger real quick before it moves. Punching the trigger usually throws your form off and causes errant shots.

7. Execution 

If your aim and back tension are working properly, the execution side of the shot sequence should take care of itself. You do not want to know when the release is going to go off. 

Having an unanticipated or ‘surprise’ release is possibly the largest factor for improving accuracy. By eliminating punching the trigger, you will no longer flinch or jerk to throw your arrows off target. In a perfect scenario, you just draw, aim, and let the release go off on its own.

8. Breathing 

I’m sure this can be debated heavily. I’ve had people tell me that it is best to hold your breath while you shoot, while others just breathe normally. 

For me, I have always found that if I take a deep breath while drawing the bow and slowly exhale while aiming, I perform at my best. I picked this up while reading a sniper guide at some point. 

Now, I am not sure how well I do when Mr. Big Buck is under my tree, but I am sure this is where my practice pays off, and everything is automatic.

9. Follow-Through 

If anyone is a golfer, I am sure you have heard “follow-through” more times than you like to admit. Shooting a bow is no different. 

Much like execution, your follow-through should be automatic if everything in your shot sequence is in place. 

Follow-through is nothing more than the reaction to the bow going off. When the shot goes off, your bow arm and bow should go straight toward the target, while your release hand should come straight back.

10. Confidence 

This is key to being able to shoot at a high level. If you draw back on a target with doubts about your ability to hit it, chances are good that you will miss your mark. 

When you practice, it is to become a better archer, right? So, only practice executing good shots with good form. Confidence will be your reward.

Keep Practicing

Accuracy with a bow does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of patience and practice. I’ve learned over the years that not every great archer will have the same exact form or stance as the next. 

However, the one thing that they all have in common is that they choose a shooting style that is repeatable every time they draw their bow. Archery is a game of repetition, and if you can do the same exact thing every time, every arrow will hit the same spot. 

Boost Your Accuracy With a Bow String Upgrade

These tips will get you started, but don’t overlook the importance of high-quality, well-maintained equipment. It’s impossible to hit your target with pinpoint precision if your gear isn’t performing optimally. That’s where we come in.

Here at 60X Custom Strings, we offer the world’s best bow strings. Many professional archers use our custom bow strings specifically because they improve accuracy, power, and overall performance.

Whether you need compound bow strings, crossbow strings, or a recurve bow string replacement, you can count on our pre-stretched, individually made strings to take your accuracy to the next level. Shop now.