Archery Glossary  

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A  B  C  D  E  G  I  L  M  O  Q  R  S  T  U

A

Accent Stripes: Thin colored laminations that run through the riser section of the bow.

Agincourt: Site of the famous battle between the French and the English in 1415 on the 25th October, St Crispin's day, where the longbow was the decisive weapon in the English victory. 

Aiming: The process by which an archer points the bow. Archers either aim by instinct or use a bow sight.

Anchor Point: The exact location that a person pulls and holds the bowstring back to before releasing.

Anchor: The position of the drawing hand under the chin or in contact with some part of the face before shooting.

Archer: The person shooting the arrows.

Archery Manufacturers Organization: The AMO, this organization usually sets safety standards for the industry.

Archery Range: An indoor or outdoor space equipped with target butts for regular shooting. 

Arm Guard: A device of cloth or leather that protects the bow arm from abrasion by the string or cables while shooting the bow.

Arrow Nock: Plastic part glued or pressed into the back of an arrow that accepts the bowstring.

Arrow Plate: Material attached on the side of the sight window to protect it and quiet the arrow as it is drawn and shot. It reduces wear on the bow.

Arrow Rack: A device for storing arrows when they are not in use.

Arrow Rest: A shelf or device on the side of the bow that supports the arrow. 

Arrow Shaft: Main body of the arrow, not including the nock or point end, made from a variety of materials.

Arrow Shelf: Area of bow directly above the handle or grip section where arrows rest when "shot off the shelf".

Archery Shooters Association: A.S.A. - http://www.asaarchery.com/

B 

Back of Bow: Side farthest away from you when you correctly hold the strung bow.

Backed Bow: Reinforcement on the back of the bow.

Backset Handle: Bow design that has just the handle or grip setting behind the limbs. 

Backset Riser: Same as a backset handle.

Banana Shape: Feather fletching with a half moon shape also called magnum shape.

Bare Shaft: A blank arrow without nocks, inserts, points, feathers, stain or paint. Sometimes shot when tuning the bow to find faults in the set-up.

Barebow: A bow without sights.

Barreled Shaft: Shaft that is tapered smaller on each end than it is in the center section of the shaft.

Belly of Bow: Side closest to the archer when the bow is held correctly.

Best Gold: The shot nearest to the exact center of the Gold, for which a prize is sometimes given at a tournament. 

Blunt: An arrow that has a blunt end or a hard knob instead of a point. Flat ended arrow points that are made from various materials; used for small game and practice shooting.

Bolt: The “arrow” used in a crossbow. 

Boss: The part of the target without the face. 

Bouncer/Bounce Out: An arrow that has rebounded from the target. No score is given to it, even if a witness saw where it struck. The Archer may shoot another arrow, which is scored as long as the original arrow is found in front of the target.

Bow Arm/Bow Hand: That which holds the bow.

Bow Glass: Fiberglass laminations put on the back and belly of a laminated bow during construction. See Backed Bow.

Bow Nock: A term sometimes used to describe the string groves on each end of the bow.

Bow Rack: A device that holds bows when they are not being used.

Bow Sight: A mechanical device attached to the bow that enables the archer to hold a pin or spot directly on the target. 

Bow Square: T-shaped tool used to determine where to place string nock, also can be used to measure brace height and tiller.

Bowstring: Strands of material served and twisted together to form a string used to propel an arrow. Some types are Dacron, Kevlar and fast-flight. 

Bow Stringer: A device used to properly Brace a bow.

Bow Weight: The poundage required to draw the bow to the full length of the arrow.

Bow Window: The gap between the bowstring and the edge of the bow that some archers see when aiming. However, most archers prefer to line up their string with some part of the bow or sight, but without looking through this gap, which can vary in width.

Bowbender: An expression used for archers, usually more appropriate for traditional archery shooters.

Bowman: Another term for an archer.

Bowyer: A person who makes bows.

Brace Height: Distance, generally measured from the string nock to the deepest part of the handle/grip.

Brace: To “Brace” a bow is to tension it so that the string can be fitted also the stringing of a bow.

Braced Bow: A bow that is strung and ready to shoot.

Bracer: A guard made of leather or other firm material that is worn on the forearm of the bow hand to protect it from the string after the release.

Bracing: Bending the bow to place the string in the notches. 

Broadhead: A sharpened steel point with razor blades attached used in bow hunting. Some blades open on impact.

Bulls-eye: The gold or other colored center circle on a target.

Butt: Old term for the shooting range. Now used to mean any backstop for halting arrows shot at a target face.

C 

Cable guard: An accessory used on compound bows which shifts the cables away from the centerline of the bow allowing the arrow to pass by without contacting the cables.

Cam: An egg shaped wheel/pulley on the limbs of compound bows used to store energy and provide let-off.

Cast: A general term describing the speed a particular bow gives to an arrow. Measures the efficiency of the bow. Also means the distance a bow can propel an arrow.

Center Shot: When the bow's sight window is cut to the imaginary centerline that runs down the belly of the bow.

Clicker: A device, usually a thin strip of metal, which is fitted to the side of a bow and one end of which rests against the arrow. As the point of the arrow comes past the clicker, the metal is released to strike the edge of the bow with a sharp 'click'. This is the moment for the archer to loose. NOT recommended for beginner archers. It is set at to go off when the archer reaches the proper anchor point.

Cock Feather/Fletching: The odd-colored feather/fletching on the arrow shaft at right angles to the nock. The other two fletching are called shaft feathers. 

Composite Bow: A bow made of two or more kinds of materials.

Compound Bow: Double cam: An archery bow with two cams, one on each limb to store energy and provide let-off.

Compound Bow, Single cam: An archery bow with one cam (perimeter weighted and bottom limb mounted) and one wheel providing a very fast and smooth shot.

Creeping: The fault of letting the string come away from the chin in a slight forward movement during aiming, instead of keeping it pressed in until the moment of loose. 

Crest or Cresting: Rings painted around the shaft near the fletching to identify the owner or as decoration.

Crester: Device that spins the arrow shaft so that cresting can be applied.

Cresting Brush: Brush used to apply cresting paint to arrow shaft.

Crossbow Bolt: What the projectile fired from the crossbow is called.

Crossbow: A mechanically drawn bow, held, sighted and shot like a rifle.

Crown Dip: Color (paint or stain) applied to the back 8-12" (nock end) of the arrow.

Cut Off-center: A bow having a sight window not cut to the centerline of the bow (the bow's an 1/8" off center).

Cut Past-center: A bow having it's sight window cut a certain amount past the imaginary centerline of the bow's belly.

D 

Dacron: Nylon type material used to make bowstrings.

Deflex: Section of the limb and or riser that bends toward the bowstring. The limbs angle toward the belly of the bow.

Dental Floss: Dental tape used for a nocking point or for reinforcing the serving. 

Draw Length: Distance a person draws a bow, generally measured from the bottom of the arrow nock (throat) to the back (side facing farthest away from you) of a correctly held bow.

Draw Loop: Attached on the string, over the string nock, used with a release to pull the string with no pinch.

Draw Weight: Actual amount of weight taken to pull a bow a certain distance; usually measured at 28" For example: 50lbs @ 28". 

Draw: The act of pulling the string on a bow to the shooting position.

E

 
Elevated Rest: Arrow rest that is attached to the sight window or installed through the riser, to "elevate" the arrow above the shelf.

End: A group of arrows that are shot before being retrieved from the target and scored. There are usually six or three.

Endless Loop: Simple bowstring with a loop on both ends.

Eye: The end loop of a bowstring.

F

 
F.I.T.A.: Le Federation International de Tir à l'Arc, the International body of archery, also refers to the rounds designed by them for international competitions. Pronounced; “feetah”. Call 011 41 21 614 3050.

Fadeouts: The very ends of the riser where the riser "fades out" into the limbs.

Fast Flight: Relatively new lightweight material that has little stretch and is very strong and used to make modern bowstrings.

Fast: A command to stop archers shooting. It should be instantly obeyed, even when on the very point of loosing. Usually in the phrase “Stand fast.”

Feather Splice: Taking two or more different colored feathers, cutting out sections and "splicing" them back together to form a uniquely colored feather then gluing the one piece on the arrow.

Feather, Die Cut: A feather that has been cut to a particular shape like a parabolic, shield or magnum shapes.

Feather, Full Length: a 10" - 12" long uncut feather that can be used for making a flu flu arrow or be cut or burned to a particular shape.

Field Archery: More like a round of golf where archers move from one target to another. With target sizes and distances being different. 

Field Pile: An arrow point used only in field shooting which is less sharp then the one used for target shooting.

Field Points: Round, sharp-ended arrow points made from steel used for target practice.

Finger Pinch: Describes having your finger pinched against the arrow nock by the bowstring when pulling the string back. This is a bad habit that should be avoided because it puts torque on the arrow.

Finger Tab: A piece of leather or plastic worn to protect the bowstring fingers.

Fistmele: A rough bracing height measured with the width of a fist plus the extended thumb. Mainly for older one piece bows not for modern recurves or compounds. 

FITA Round: A round of 144 arrows, with 36 shot from each of four distances.

Flat Bow: A short longbow with a wide limb design.

Flemish String: Short for Flemish Twist String, it consists of two separate bundles of string hand twisted together.

Fletcher: One who makes arrows, also used to mean one who attaches fletching to a shaft. 

Fletching Clamp: Device fletching is inserted into, and then attached to fletching jig, in order to apply fletching to shaft.

Fletching Jig: Tool used to hold the fletching clamp, which will apply fletching to arrow shaft.

Fletching: The feathers or other material that help stabilize the arrow during flight. Usually natural feathers or plastic, but new materials are available.

Flight Shooting: Type of competition without a target where the arrow that has traveled the furthest is the winner. Distance counts not accuracy.

Flipper Rest: Simple elevated rest attached to the riser/sight window.

Flu Flu: An arrow with over-sized feathers to limit the distance in which it flies. Commonly used to shoot such things as aerial targets and small game hunting.

Follow the String: Said of the older type of one-piece wooden bows that have taken a permanent curve through use. 

Follow Through: The action that takes place directly after an arrow is fired. An archer with a good release has a consistent follow through. The archer's bow, hand and string should remain still after shooting, until the arrow has hit the target.

Footed Arrow/Shaft: A wooden arrow which has the front three or four inches made of harder wood than the rest of the arrow in order to take the shock of impact better.

Forgiveness: Ability of a bow to be shot in many different positions without any noticeable affects on accuracy.

Forward Set: Describes a bow that has the handle and/or the riser setting in front of the limbs ("has a forward set riser").

Freestyle: A bow that has sights. Also, competition conducted with such bows.
Front of Center (FOC): The balance point of the arrow, usually measuring about 60 per cent of the total weight in the back and 40 per cent in the front.

Full Draw: String pulled to the shooting position with proper anchor.

G 
 

Grain weight: Refers to the actual weight of an arrow or arrow accessories in terms of grains. 

Grains: Standard weight of measurement in archery.

Grand Master Bowman: G.M.B. the highest standard of archer. 

Grand National Archery Society: The ruling body of sport in the United Kingdom.

Grip: Section of the bow riser where you place your hand to shoot the bow. Also refers to the way in which a bow is held.

Ground Quiver: A metal rod with a loop placed in the ground to hold spare arrows and the bow when not in use. 

Group: The pattern of arrows shot on target during an end. 

H 

Hand Grip: The part of the handle that your bow hand actually holds.

Hand Shock: The felt vibration produced by a bow after it has been shot.

Handle: The center of the bow, the part that the archer uses in gripping the bow, also called the riser.

Hanging Arrow: An arrow that hangs down because it hasn't penetrated deeply into the target.

Heel: A relaxed bow hand against the full handle sometimes referred to as a “broken wrist”. Also refers to the habit of kicking the bow up with the heel of the hand upon release.

Hen Feather: Two feathers of the same color on an arrow that has three feathers. They are not at right angles to the nock.

I 

Instinctive Shooting: Aiming and shooting the arrow instinctively, rather than using a mechanical device or the point of aim theory to aim the arrow.

International Bowhunters Organization: The IBO, Another archery organization, this one primarily for bowhunters. Call 1 216 967 2137.

International Field Archery Association: IFAA, like FITA a world governing body.

J 

Jar: Lack of smooth action in the bow after release.

Judo Point: A flat-ended arrow point, used like a blunt point but with spring arms that grab and keep the arrow from skipping or completely penetrating the target.

K

Kick: The recoil from the bowstring and bow as it is shot.

Kinetic Energy: Term used in physics, this term basically mean the energy being transferred from the archer, to the bow and then on to the arrow. More kinetic energy basically means more penetration.

Kisser Button: A device attached to the bowstring that touches the archer's lips when the string is at full draw. Used to hold the anchor point consistently in the same position.

L

Lady Paramount: This is the sexist title historically given to the lady who presents the prizes at the close of a tournament, but she is also in fact the supreme arbitrator in any disputes that may occur. In recent years to combat sexual inequality we can also have a Lord Paramount. 

Lamination Taper: Amount of taper from the butt to the tip of the limb lamination (example: lamination taper is .030 per inch).

Laminations: Thin strips of material that run the length of a laminated bow, both in the limb and riser section.

Let-Off: The amount in percent that a bows holding weight is reduced from its pulling weight.

Limb Core: Laminations sandwiched between the two layers of bow glass; makes up the "core" of the limbs.

Limb Taper: Amount that the limb width tapers from the fade outs to the tips (example: limb tapers from 1 3/4" to 3/4").

Limb Tips: End of the limbs where the string groves/nocks are. 

Limb Wedges: Wedge shaped piece between the limb laminations at the base of the limbs. This term is generally used in reference to a take down bow's limbs.

Limbs: The parts of the bow from the riser (handle) to the tip that bend and give the arrow its forward momentum.

Longbow: Traditional bow made from wood with stacked belly and horn nocks. The bow shall carry no support for the arrow.

Loose: The act of letting go the drawn bowstring. Note archers may loose or shoot arrows, but they never ever “fire” them! Also known as “release”.

M 

Magnum Shape: A profile shape for fletching, also called banana shape.

Master Bowman: The standard immediately below Grand Master Bowman.

Matt: Straw disk behind the target face to stop and hold arrows.

Mechanical Release: A tool attached to the string providing an archer smooth consistent string releases when used properly.

N

National Archery Association: The NAA is the ruling body in the USA for FITA style and collegiate archers. Call -1 719 578 4621.

National Field Archery Association: NFAA Field and hunter style shoots. Also supports hunter’s rights in the USA. Call 1 800 811 2331.

Nock Cushion: Used as a barrier between the string nock and a release to lessen the pinch at full draw.

Nock Self: Groove that is manually cut in the back of primitive arrows to accept the bowstring.

Nock: An attachment that holds the arrow in place on the bowstring. Nock, as a verb, the act of placing the arrow on the string. Also the slots in the tips of a bow, made to take the string, or the slot in the end of the arrow. To “nock” an arrow is to place it on the string.

Nocking Pliers: Used to put on brass string nocks.

Nocking Point: A marked part of the string where the arrow is placed. Usually made from small metal crimps or strands of dental floss attached to the string serving. 

Nocking: The act of applying the arrow to the bowstring for releasing.

North American Bow Hunters: NABH. Call 1 800 224 4990.

O

 
Off the shelf: Refers to shooting an arrow directly off of the riser shelf.

Over-bowed: Said of an archer who is using too heavy a bow. See weight. The bow is too powerful for the person. 

Overdraw: A device used to make the arrow rest stick out past the belly of the bow and shorten the length of the arrow. This adds speed and makes a lighter arrow. This term used to mean that the arrow was drawn back too far, past the belly of the bow. This is a very dangerous thing to do.

Overlays: Laminations used in the grip and limb tip areas to beautify and strengthen those areas.

P

Parabolic Shape: Feather that has a round back shape.

Parallel Shaft: An arrow shaft that is the same diameter from one end to the other.

Pass Through: The act of the arrow clearing the bow while having nominal contact, this will improve accuracy and consistency. Also used as a term for an arrow that goes through the target completely.

Peep Sight: Placed on string to help sighting. They sometimes just have a hole but others have magnifying lenses. This is used for better consistency. 

Perfect End: All six arrows of one end in the Gold.

Petticoat: The outside, non-scoring, edge of a target face.

Pile: The point of the arrow. 

Pinhole: The exact center of a target. 

Point Blank: The distance from the archer to the target is virtually nil.

Point of Aim: The spot that the archer must aim at to hit the target, this is a different place for different styles of shooting. For short distances the “point of aim” will be in front of the target, for longer distances it will be above the target.

Points, Blunts: See Blunts.

Points, Broadhead: See Broadhead. 

Points, Field: See Field Points.

Points, Judo: See Judo Points.

Popinjay: A type of shooting where a wooden model of a bird is placed at the top of a mast and blunt arrows are shot at it from directly below. Points are awarded according to which parts of the bird are knocked down. Rarely used in the United States.

Projectile: An arrow released from a bow.

Pull: The act of pulling the bowstring to full draw.

Q

Quarrel: A crossbow arrow also known as a bolt. 

Quiver, Back: An arrow holding device worn on the back, tube shape or quiet backpack style.

Quiver, Bow: An arrow holding device that is attached to the bow’s riser or limbs.

Quiver, Cat: Unique back quiver keeps arrows separated for quietness.

Quiver, Hip: Quiver attached to a belt and worn on the hip; usually keeps arrows divided. Also called a roving quiver.

Quiver, Pocket: Small pouch worn inside the pants pocket where a few arrows may be carried.

Quiver, Tube: Round "tube" shaped quiver worn on the hip.

Quiver: A case or receptacle for holding arrows usually hung somewhere on the person. 

R

 
Recurve Bow: A non-compound archery bow having two limbs of any cross section connected by a handle, either one piece or takedown, so when strung at the manufacturer's recommended brace height the string contacts the limbs after it leaves the string nocks. In other words the limbs point away from the archer.

Reflex: Section of the limb and or riser that bends away from the bowstring.

Reflexed Bow: The limbs angle toward the back of the bow, away from the archer.

Release Aid: A mechanical device that allows smoother release of the arrow. 

Release: The act of letting go of the string to launch the arrow. Also known as loose.

Riser: The bow's handle, in the center section of the bow. Note that the part of the bow you actually hold is called the handgrip, not the handle. 

Robin Hood: The feat of driving the tip of an arrow into the end of another arrow that's already in the target. Named, of course, for Robin Hood's legendary accomplishment. 

Round: A certain number of arrows, shot from established distances, in competition. A round is made up of ends, as a baseball game is made up of innings.

Roving Quiver: Cross between a hip quiver and a tube quiver worn on the hip.

Roving: A type of archery game or competition in which archers shoot a variety of targets from different distances.

Rub: Damage on a tree, shrub or fence post where a male deer has raked his antlers.

Rut: A time of year when male deer mate or attempt to mate with the females.

S

 
Scrape: A territorial marking male deer "scrape" in the ground showing their readiness to mate. 

Self-Bow: A bow made of a single piece of wood. Can be in either the longbow or recurve styles.

Serving Jig: Small tool used to apply serving to bowstring.

Serving: A tough whipping of thread or monofilament that protects the middle and ends of the bowstring. This string prevents the arrow or the archer's fingers from fraying the string and causing it to break. Also the act of wrapping the thread on the string.

Sheaf of Arrows: 24 arrows.

Shelf: The place on the bow where the arrow rests.

Shield Cut: Feather having a concave shape in the rear.

Shooting Glove: Leather glove used to protect the fingers while shooting.

Shooting Tab: Small piece of leather material placed between fingers and string to protect the fingers while shooting.

Sight Window: The cut out area of the riser directly above the arrow shelf.

Sight, Peep: A rear sight placed in the string, allowing the shooter to look through the string aligning front and rear sights. 

Sight: A device on the bow that assists the archer in taking aim on the target. 
 

Skirt: The part of the target outside the scoring area.

Sloppy Release: A bad release, usually throwing the hand out sideways. 

Smoothness: Describes the way a bow feels when drawn. Denotes the ability of a bow to be drawn back by the archer without any felt “catches”.

Spent Arrow: An arrow that has traveled too far to be effective.

Spine Tester: Tool used to determine the spine of a shaft.

Spine Weight: Refers to the strength of an arrow in terms of poundage or a range of poundage (50#-55# spine). This is important when selecting the proper arrow for your bow weight.

Spine: A measurement of arrow shaft stiffness. 

Spiral Fletching: The feathers are laid on the bow in a curved manner, to aid them in straightening out faster after it leaves the bow.

Stability: Describes the stiffness of the bow limbs when drawn, in relation to their twisting side to side.

Stabilizer: A rod and weight system mounted on a bow to minimize undesirable torque of the bowstring upon release. Can attach to the front and or the back of the bow used to dampen vibration. Stabilizers lead to better balance and performance.

Stack: An excessive or uneven build up of poundage when the bow is drawn.

Stance: The manner in which the archer sets him/herself up for a shot, usually at a 90-degree angle facing the target. If the rear foot is farther forward the stance is said to be “open”. If the front foot is farther forward the stance is called “closed”.

Stick Bow: A term used for recurve bows and longbows, which are considered to be more primitive bows.

String Fingers: The two or three fingers used to pull the string back. 

String Groove: The grooves at the end of the bow limbs where the bowstring is held in place.

String Nock: Various materials put on bowstring to permanently mark the nocking point.

T

 
Tab: A piece of leather or tough plastic that fits over the fingers that hold the bowstring. 

Tackle: A general term for archery equipment.

Takedown Bow: A bow that can be taken apart for ease of transportation, bows typically consist of either 2 or 3 pieces. A takedown bow is usually an aluminum alloy handle and two detachable fiberglass limbs.

Tapered Shaft: Shaft that has the back 10-12" tapered down to a smaller diameter typically from 23/64" to 5/16".

Target Arrow: A lightweight arrow used for shooting at normal targets.

Target Face: A paper or cardboard with scoring areas.

Target Panic: The loss a control due to nervousness at the sight of a target.
Can be devastating to the archer who is afflicted. There are now classes and videos to help available through the NFAA.

Target: The object that an archer aims at.

Tassel: Fabric that some archers use to wipe arrows. A tassel usually hangs from the archer’s quiver. 

Tear Drops: An attachment at the end of some compound cables. They are used to attach the string (compounds only), this helps in rapid change of string even in field conditions. NOTE: Not available on Fast-Flight harnesses.

Throat of Grip: The deepest spot of the grip/handle.

Tiller: The amount that one limb is weakened compared to the other limb in order for the two limbs to be in time. This is used in tuning the bow and is the measured distance between the string and the meeting point between the limbs and riser of a compound.

Timber!: A cry of warning that an arrow has been, or is about to be, released. (Similar to "Fore!" in golf.) This term is almost never used anymore.

Torque: The act of the bow twisting in the bow hand due to improper twisting of the string by an improper hold.

Tree Stand: An elevated location in the trees that a hunter can shoot from.

Trigger: Another term for a mechanical release.

U

 
Understrung: A bow with a bowstring that is too long for it.

Unlimited: A category of archery equipment that can be simply stated as one who shoots with a trigger and has a stabilizer bar longer than 15". An unlimited shooter can use any equipment to advance his/her score that is approved as safe.

V 

V of the Hand: The natural “V” formed between the thumb and index finger of the bow hand.

Vane: A plastic feather for an arrow.

Velocity: The speed at which the arrow travels measured in feet-per-second or meters-per-second.

W 

Waiting Line: A line located at least five meters behind the shooting line, where competitors not competing or spectators are permitted to stand. 

Weight in Hand: The actual weight of a bow.

Weight: The number of pounds of force required to pull the bowstring back 28 inches. Can also denote the actual weight of a bow,
Z