What Is an Anchor Point In Archery? Maximise Your Shooting Potential!
Most people who start archery, have some idea as to what archery should look like.
So, the act of drawing the bow may seem very obvious, However, the questions soon start popping up.
When do I stop drawing?
Where do I put the string?
Now, This is why you need to understand anchor position.
Generally speaking, the arrow will go where you point it. However, without an anchor point which acts like a point of reference, you don’t know where you are pointing it.
That’s why you simply can’t just pull back the arrow and shoot because you have no idea where you are aiming.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what anchor points are, why they matter, and some common anchor points used in archery.
Anchor Point In Archery
The anchor position in archery involves attaching and securing the draw hand to the jaw, chin, or neck.
It serves as a fixed rear sight for the archer, with the goal of connecting the bowstring, arrow and drawing hand to the body’s core and strong back muscles.
How is it used in the shooting?
When an archer draws the bowstring back, they must anchor it at a consistent point on their face to maintain accuracy and precision. The anchor point helps the archer achieve a consistent draw length, which in turn helps them to aim and release the arrow with more accuracy.
Establishing an anchor point also helps with the archer’s muscle memory.
By anchoring the bowstring at the same point on their face every time, the archer’s muscles will become accustomed to the position, making the release of the arrow more consistent and precise.
Guidelines for Anchor Points
Although anchor points may differ between archers, there are three standard guidelines that archers should follow when determining and choosing their anchor points.
Anchor points must be
- Identifiable
- Repeatable
- comfortable.
Once an archer has determined their anchor points, they must be deeply ingrained in their mind.
The archer should be able to mentally visualize the exact location of their anchor points with precision, as even a slight deviation of as little as 3mm can cause the shot to miss its mark.
The archer should have such a thorough understanding of their anchor points that they can accurately convey their precise locations to another archer.
Why is it important to establish a Consistent Anchor Point?
Establishing a consistent anchor point is crucial in archery because it affects accuracy and precision.
When an archer draws the bowstring back to a different point on their face each time, it affects their draw length, which, in turn, can affect the trajectory of the arrow.
Inconsistent anchor points can cause the arrow to fly off course or miss the target altogether.
Furthermore, an inconsistent anchor point can lead to inconsistency in the archer’s form and release, which can affect their accuracy and consistency.
By establishing a consistent anchor point, an archer can help minimize these inconsistencies and improve their overall performance.
Different Anchor Points in Archery
There is no universally correct anchor point as the suitable location depends on individual shooting style and preference. For beginners, the commonly taught anchor point is the corner of the mouth.
Corner Of The Mouth
The “Corner of the Mouth” is an anchor point frequently utilized in archery, particularly among beginner archers.
To use the corner of the mouth as an anchor point, simply touch the corner of your lips with your index finger when the bowstring is at full draw.
Despite its simplicity, some people may struggle with this anchor point due to a fear of the bowstring.
However, it’s important to remember that the bowstring won’t harm you if you use the proper technique and follow safety guidelines.
Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid talking or opening your mouth while using this anchor point to ensure consistency in your shots.
The corner of the mouth anchor point is commonly used in barebow shooting, a traditional style of archery that doesn’t employ any additional accessories or sighting aids.
Under The Jaw
Archers who use sights, such as Olympic-style archers, often prefer to use the under-the-jaw anchor point.
This anchor point is located underneath the jaw and is preferred because it increases the distance between the eye and the arrow.
When using a sight, the need to compensate for parallax is removed. Instead, the archer simply adjusts their sight for the distance. The anchor point then serves as a rear sight.
Under the Jaw means a low anchor point and a low anchor is preferred over the high anchor because it provides a stronger contact along the jaw, which means more points of reference and more consistency.
With the under the jaw anchor, an archer is able to get three reliable points of reference.
Firstly, the top of their hand is positioned underneath their jaw, providing full contact and consistent placement.
Secondly, when drawing the string, the string comes across the archer’s lips, providing a second point of reference. Thirdly, the tip of the archer’s nose is positioned on the string, providing a third point of reference.
Getting these three reference points right each time and feeling it in the right place means the archer has good alignment and that leads to more consistent shooting.
Caution: While some archers choose to anchor next to their eye, this approach is generally discouraged due to the potential for injury in the event of an accident involving the string and arrow. Additionally, it may not be feasible to anchor at a higher point on your face if you wear glasses.
Let’s See The Different Anchor Point Categories
Anchor Points are mainly divided into below categories:-
Hand To Face
A hand to face anchor point is a technique used in archery where the archer brings their hand, usually the index or middle finger, up to touch their face in a consistent and repeatable manner during the shot.
In the context of traditional archery, this typically implies that the archer positions their index or middle finger in the vicinity of the corner of their mouth.
When it comes to archery, hand-to-face contact can be a useful starting point for a shooter.
However, it’s important to note that for the average bowhunter using a compound bow with a sight and release aid, multiple anchor points should be utilized.
Bone On Bone
The bone on bone anchor point, also known as the hard anchor, is an anchor point used in archery where the archer’s index finger bone touches the bony protrusion just beneath their cheekbone.
This anchor point is considered to be very consistent and is used by some archers who shoot with a release aid.
However, it requires a lot of practice to get right as the anchor point is not as easy to feel as the corner of the mouth anchor point.
It is called the bone-on-bone anchor point because it involves the bone of the archer’s index finger touching the bone of their cheek.
- The type of release you use in archery determines how you should anchor. If you use a wrist-strap release, a good anchor point can be made by placing your thumb on your jawbone.
- On the other hand, if you use a handheld release, you should place the “V” formed by your index and middle finger on your jawbone to achieve a proper anchor.
Release (Type) To Hand Contact
This anchor point can be considered the most crucial for a bowhunter.
When it comes to archery, the type of release aid used by the shooter can have a significant impact on their anchor point.
The release aid is the device that connects the bowstring to the shooter’s hand, allowing them to release the arrow without using their fingers.
There are several types of release aids, including wrist-strap releases, thumb releases, and hinge releases, and each one requires a different type of hand-to-face contact.
For example, with a wrist-strap release aid, the shooter’s hand will be secured to the release with a Velcro strap or buckle. This type of release aid allows for a consistent anchor point as the shooter’s hand will be in the same position every time. The hand-to-face contact for a wrist-strap release aid typically involves the knuckles of the shooter’s index and middle fingers touching the side of their face, just in front of their ear.
On the other hand, a thumb release aid requires a slightly different hand-to-face contact. With a thumb release aid, the shooter will hook their thumb around the release, and the rest of their hand will be positioned behind the bowstring. The anchor point for this type of release aid is typically the tip of the shooter’s nose.
Finally, a hinge release aid requires the shooter to rotate their hand and wrist as they draw the bowstring back. This type of release aid has no trigger, and the release occurs when the hinge rotates, causing the hook to release the bowstring. The hand-to-face contact for a hinge release aid typically involves the knuckles of the shooter’s index and middle fingers touching the side of their face, just below their ear.
The objective of this anchor point is to achieve precision and determine the specific part of the hand that makes contact with a particular area on the face, jaw, or neck.
String to Face Anchor Point
Achieving a consistent anchor point is crucial for accuracy in archery, and face-to-string contact can help create a second reference point for this.
However, variations in the pressure exerted by the face on the string can cause left-right fliers, particularly at long range.
To combat this, it’s important to minimize face contact by finding an anchor spot that’s easy to locate repeatedly.
For handheld releases, a good anchor point is having the back of the index finger on one side of the jawbone and the back of the middle finger on the other.
For wrist-strap, and index-finger releases, a suitable spot is an index-finger knuckle at the back of the jawbone, below the ear.
To minimize face contact when anchoring, it’s recommended to keep the head upright and bring the bow and string to the face rather than moving the head to the string.
This helps to align all the elements, including the peep sight and anchor, with minimal face-to-string contact.
Using Kisser Button In String To face Anchor Points
You can add a kisser button to your bowstring for consistent anchor points.
A kisser button It’s a soft plastic or brass Nok Set that is attached to the bowstring so that it makes physical contact with the corner of your mouth. It should be used in conjunction with proper anchor and peep alignment.
Using a kisser button can help you monitor the amount of pressure your face is applying to the string. Because the button sticks out from the string, you’ll feel it pressing against your mouth if you’re exerting too much pressure.
Regardless of the method you use to position your nose, it’s important to avoid pressing it down or sideways onto the string. Doing so creates string torque, which leads to inconsistent shots. Instead, your nose should rest lightly on the string.
Anchor Points for Compound Bows
For compound shooters, having a peep sight provides a rear sight for aiming.
However, this makes the anchor point even more crucial because the entire shot process relies on sight picture and alignment.
Since a release aid is used, the anchor point will differ from the corner-of-the-mouth or under-the-jaw anchor points used by other archers.
Nevertheless, having the same points of reference, such as the corner of the mouth and the tip of the nose, will aid in aligning the peep sight and achieving a consistent string picture.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the bow’s draw length is set accurately. If the shooter has to move their head to obtain the proper sight picture, it will adversely affect their consistency.
Important Things To Keep In Mind-Anchor Points
Maintaining a Consistent Head Position for Accuracy in Archery
Maintaining a consistent head position is crucial to achieving accuracy in archery.
Many archers have a tendency to turn their head to the side or tilt it back, which can cause the anchor point to shift.
To avoid this, it is important to train yourself to replicate your head position with each shot. Even a slight variation in head position can result in changes to the arrow’s velocity and point of impact.
Therefore, When drawing the bowstring, it is important to keep your head still and bring the string to your anchor point, rather than moving your head towards the anchor.
This will help to ensure that your head position remains consistent throughout the shot process.
The Importance of Hand Position and Jaw Contact in Archery Shooting
One of the subtle issues in archery shooting is the angling of the hand.
When there is a gap between the hand and the jaw, it can result in increased variation between shots. Ideally, there should be a very close fit, but not everyone’s jaw shape allows for this.
Therefore, it’s important to aim for as much contact as possible to maximize consistency. Some archers may also struggle to get the string on their nose, which is okay, but it does mean one less reference point for alignment.
Peep Sight Alignment
Peep alignment is crucial in achieving consistency in shot execution, especially when using a bow with a peep sight.
The peep sight is a small ring installed on the bowstring that serves as a reference point for the archer’s eye.
It helps to ensure that the bowstring is drawn back to the same position every time, which is essential for accuracy and precision.
The proper alignment of the peep sight is important because it can affect the archer’s aim, and any inconsistencies in peep alignment can cause errors in shot placement.
When the archer closes their eyes and draws the bowstring back to anchor, the peep sight should naturally align with their eye, allowing them to look through the center of the sight and aim accurately.
Conclusion
Understanding the importance of the anchor point in archery can greatly improve an archer’s accuracy and consistency.
The anchor point serves as a fixed rear sight and helps an archer achieve a consistent draw length, resulting in more accurate shots.
The establishment of a consistent anchor point is crucial as inconsistent anchor points can cause the arrow to fly off course or miss the target altogether in your next shot.
Archers must choose an anchor point that best suits their shooting style and preference while keeping in mind the importance of consistency and safety.
