Archers Glossary

 

N

Nock [1] A small fitment with a groove or slot in it for the bow string fixed on the end of an arrow shaft. Also see Self nocked arrow.
[2] To nock an arrow, to place an arrow on the bow string prior to shooting.
[3] A notch cut into the limb tips of a bow for the string.
Nocking point The point marked on the string for the location of the arrow.

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O

Open Stance The position on the shooting line where an imaginary straight line to the target passes through the toes of the front foot (the one closest to the target) and behind the toes of the rear foot.
Overbowed

When an archer uses a bow of a draw weight which is too heavy for him/her.
Overdraw A device that allows an archer to use arrows that are shorter than his actual draw length. Also to draw an arrow past the belly of the bow.

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P

Paradox see Archers Paradox
Pass through When an arrow passes completely through the target face and boss.
Peak Weight The highest draw weight achieved during the draw of a compound bow.
Peep Sight A device with a small hole in it fitted into the bow string in the line of sight of the archer,and when looked through acts as a rear sight. Only used on compound bows.
Perfect End An end in which all arrows are in the maximum scoring zone.
Pile The arrow point fitted to the arrow shaft at the opposite end to the nock. Piles are available in various weights to aid tuning of the arrow.
Pinching Squeezing the arrow nock with the draw fingers during draw, this may cause the arrow to either flip or fall off the arrow rest.
Pinhole The exact centre of the target usually marked by a cross.
Pivot point The position on the bow's grip that is furthest from the string.
Platform Tab A finger tab with a platform added to the top edge, used to aid in maintaining a consistent anchor point under the jaw bone.
Point see Pile
Porpoising The up and down movement of an arrow's nock in flight.
Plucking When the draw hand is pulled away from the face on release.
Plunger button An adjustable spring loaded plunger (button) fitted into the handle above the pivot point and arrow rest that the arrow pushes against on release. The spring pressure and offset of the complete pressure button are both adjustable for tuning and centre shot.
Popinjay A form of shooting where one shoots at artificial birds arranged on a tall mast using blunts.

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Q

Quiver A holder for arrows, and may be worn either on the back or on a belt at ones side.
See also Ground Quiver.

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R

Recurve bow A bow that has its limb tips curved away from the belly of the bow. Also the more common name for the type of take down bow used by archers today
Release To let go of the bowstring, ideally by relaxation of the fingers holding the bowstring.
Release aid A mechanical device held by the draw hand to hold the bowstring instead of ones fingers, a trigger on the device is used to release the bowstring. Used by compound archers to minimise interference with the arrow on release.
Riser The centre section of a bow to which the limbs are attached.
Round The number of arrows shot at various distances and target sizes depending on the type of round being shot.
Rounds Below is a table of Target archery rounds shot in the UK.

Senior Outdoor rounds shot on a 122cm face with 5 zone scoring
Round
100yd
80yd
60yd
50yd
40yd
30yd
York
72
48
24
 
 
 
Hereford
 
72
48
24
 
 
St George
36
36
36
 
 
 
Albion
 
36
36
36
 
 
Windsor
 
 
36
36
36
 
Short Windsor
 
 
 
36
36
36
New National
48
24
 
 
 
 
Long National
 
48
 24      
National
 
 
48
24
 
 
Short National
 
 
 
48
24
 
New Western
48
48
 
 
 
 
Long Western
 
48
48
 
 
 
Western
 
 
48
48
 
 
Short Western
 
 
 
48
48
 
New Warwick
24
24
 
 
 
 
Long Warwick
 
24
24
 
 
 
Warwick
 
 
24
24
 
 
Short Warwick
 
 
 
24
24
 
American
 
 
30
30
30
 
Junior Outdoor rounds shot on a 122cm face with 5 zone scoring
Round
80yd
60yd
50yd
40yd
30yd
20yd
Bristol l
72
48
24
 
 
 
Bristol ll
 
72
48
24
 
 
Bristol lll
 
 
72
48
24
 
Bristol lV
 
 
 
72
48
24
Bristol V (under 9's only)
(soon to be revised)
 
 
 
 
72
15yd
10yd
48
24
Short Windsor
 
 
36
36
36
20yd
Junior Windsor
 
 
 
36
36
36
Junior National
 
 
 
48
24
 
Short Junior National
 
 
 
 
48
24
Junior Western
 
 
 
48
48
 
Short Junior Western
 
 
 
 
48
48
Junior Warwick
 
 
 
24 
24
 
Short Junior Warwick
 
 
 
 
24
24
St Nicholas
 
 
 
48
36
 

Metric Outdoor Rounds - 10 Zone scoring
Round
122cm Face
80cm Face
 
90m
70m
60m
50m
40m
30m
20m
15m
50m
40m
30m
20m
10m
5m
FITA (Gentlemen) 36 36             36   36      
FITA (Ladies) or Metric I   36 36           36   36      
Metric II     36 36           36 36      
Metric III       36 36           36 36    
Metric IV         36 36           36 36  
Metric V (under 9 years old only)             36 36         36 36
Half FITA (Gentlemen) 18 18             18   18      
Half FITA (Ladies) or Metric I   18 18           18   18      
Half Metric II     18 18           18 18      
Half Metric III       18 18           18 18    
Half Metric IV         18 18           18 18  
Half Metric V (under 9 yrs old only)             18 18         18 18
Long Metric (Gentlemen) 36 36                        
Long Metric (Ladies), Long Metric I   36 36                      
Long Metric II     36 36                    
Long Metric III       36 36                  
Long Metric IV         36 36                
Long Metric V(under 9 yrs old only)             36 36            
Short Metric, Short Metric I                 36   36      
Short Metric II                   36 36      
Short Metric III                     36 36    
Short Metric IV                       36 36  
Short Metric V(under 9 yrs old only)                         36 36

The above is for information only and as such no guarantee is given as to the accuracy or use of this glossary.

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