Archery is all about consistency. If you pull the bowstring back to a different place for each shot, accuracy suffers. That’s why one of the final steps in the shooting process is to consistently bring your drawing hand to the same place on your face, which is called an anchor point.
Bone on Bone
Professional archer John Dudley demonstrates the four components of a good anchor point. 1: Bone on Bone Contact 2: Light String Contact on the Face 3: String Touching the Tip of Nose 4: Looking Through Peep Sight. Photo Credit: John Dudley
A good anchor point has multiple points of contact, and at least one of them should be a hand bone touching a face bone. Bones are strong, consistent points of contact, which make them preferable to soft tissue.
How you anchor depends on your type of release. With a wrist-strap release, place your thumb on your jawbone to make a good anchor. With a handheld release, place the “V” created by your index and middle finger on your jawbone.
Bowstring Contact
Allow the bowstring to touch your nose. Photo Credit: ATA
Your bowstring should touch the tip of your nose to create a second point of contact. Although it’s not part of your anchor point, the bowstring should lightly touch the side of your face from its D-loop to the peep sight. It’s important to keep the facial contact light. Too much pressure on the bowstring causes left and right inconsistencies.
Peep Alignment
Align your peep sight with your sight housing. Photo Credit: ATA
You’ll further increase your consistency by looking through your peep sight and aligning it with your sight housing. When properly aligned, the peep and sight housing create two concentric circles.
Face shapes differ, so no two anchors are exactly alike. By following these guidelines and seeking help from a qualified archery coach, you’ll find a consistent anchor point. Find an archery coach here.
