There’s one thing that you should always keep in mind when drawing a compound bow: do not draw a bow that is too heavy for you.
You need to use only the proper bows with the right draw length and the right draw weight.
This is the first lesson that you need to learn in properly drawing a compound bow.
First, You Need To Know Some Essential Things
A) Why is the right draw length important?
You can only draw a compound bow at a set distance. Extending it more than this set distance is not possible because of the engineering of the compound bow.
Traditional bows can be drawn back any distance you want until the string breaks but you can’t do that with compound bows.
According to Hunters Friends, says that when you have reached the maximum draw length of a compound bow, it stops there.
This is the draw length of the bow and it stops at its maximum distance because the mechanical system controls your movements that are affecting the bow.
It is also important to know the draw length of a compound bow because you can only shoot the arrow from the bow’s full-drawn position.
For example, if the bow is set at 30 inches, you should always draw it at 30 inches and then release the arrow. You should not release the arrow in the middle of your power stroke.
B) Why should you know the draw weight of a compound bow?
A compound bow’s draw weight is the power or force that you exert to pull back the string.
However, this force is neither linear nor static. It is not like pulling a dead weight by a string.
In compound bow mechanics, the weight is not getting progressively heavier as you pull back the string farther away.
Therefore, brute strength is not the key here. The important thing is for you to choose a comfortable draw weight just suited for you and your purpose.
If you are just engaging in archery for entertainment, don’t choose a bow with too much draw weight. You will not be able to hit your target often.
As a general rule, you should not choose a compound bow that has a draw weight that is more than 75 percent of your strength.
Choosing a bow with more draw weight than this will only make you tire easily and this might cause you to lose interest in the sport.
Here Is The Fundamental Way Of Drawing A Compound Bow
Now that you already know the basic requirements, we can now discuss the fundamental concept of how to properly draw a compound bow.
According to Archery360, You should have your hands at your nose’s height. Your grip hand, or your hand that supports the bow, and your release hand, or your hand that is hooked to the bow’s D-loop which holds the release aid, should be extended all the way in front and aligned with the target.
Keep your grip hand steady, firm, extended and at the height level of your nose. Then start pulling the bowstring with your release hand towards your face. Start to inhale as you pull back this string.
Your release hand will take a downward path slightly as you move it towards your face.
The rear parts of your body should begin rotating into your back as you pull the bowstring further back. This is the proper way of drawing a compound bow.
Here Are Some Additional Tips For Drawing A Compound Bow
Assuming that you are already in the right stance and holding the arrow properly, you are now ready to draw the bow. Here is how to do it.
1. Hold the compound bow at 90 degrees or at a right angle from the ground while pointing it at the target.
According to WikiHow, Keep a loose grip on the bow so that your wrist won’t hurt. Slightly bend your elbow so that you will be more comfortable.
It will also keep you from twanging the string with your arm as you release the arrow.
2. Use your extended arm to draw the bow straight towards your face.
You need to pull back the string using a fluid but solid motion while maintaining the straightness of your bow arm toward your target all the time.
The arm that you have extended in front is a natural straight guide for fluid motion.
3. To add more drawing power, imagine that as you are pulling back, you are rotating your shoulder backward. This will keep the rest of your body steady.
This technique will activate your back muscles giving you more control. You can also push the bow slightly forward as you draw for extra power.
4. Your feet, bow arm, and your hips should not move while you are drawing the bow.
5. If you have an arrow on the bow, treat it as if you have a loaded gun. You should not point it anywhere else but your target.
6. Don’t give in to the temptation of moving the bow around as you draw the string back. Moving slightly forward is typical, but don’t ever point the bow down or up while you are drawing back.
7. Point your bow arm straight towards the target with your release fingers while gripping the string firmly. Pull the string back with a smooth and fluid motion.
Soutdoors.com recommends that you extend the bow straight then pull the string at its maximum length and that you resist the tendency to move the bow forward. This is the importance of the right draw length and draw weight.
8. Rest the compound bow on your hip and secure the arrow in place. Put yourself in a comfortable stance.
Get a deep breath and start drawing your bow. If it is pointing upwards, you have put in too much draw weight.
Relax your draw until you feel comfortable. Release your breath. When the pin is right on target, and your elbow straight back, you can begin the motion of shooting the arrow. Release the arrow, but remain in your position until it has reached the target.
To help you further, watch this YouTube video on how to do it correctly.
This will help you get the right idea of drawing a compound bow.
