For beginners and advanced archers...

Technical archery terms

Masters

Age categories of the DSB for archery competitions: Archers in the Masters class are aged 50 to 65 years.

Mediterranean Grip

The Mediterranean grip is a classic technique in which the string is drawn with three fingers:

  • Index finger above the arrow
  • Middle and ring fingers below the arrow

The arrow rests between the index and middle fingers.

Features:

  • Widely used in recurve and traditional archery
  • Provides good control of the string
  • Even distribution of force

This technique is one of the oldest and most commonly used draw methods in archery.

Natural Feather/Fledge

Here is the translation of the text:

A natural feather is a real bird feather – usually from a turkey – used for fletching arrows. It helps stabilize the arrow in flight by generating air resistance and compensating for slight flight deviations.

Characteristics:

  • Soft and flexible
  • Compressible (gives way upon contact with the bow)
  • Particularly suitable for shooting “over the hand”
  • Quieter in flight than plastic vanes

Applications:

  • 3D archery
  • Traditional archery
  • Longbow
  • Recurve bow without arrow rest

Nock

The nock is the rearmost component of the arrow. It is either pushed onto or glued into the end of the shaft and serves to connect the arrow to the bowstring.

Functions:

  • Secures the arrow on the string.
  • Transfers the energy from the string to the arrow.
  • Determines the correct alignment (position of the index fletching).

Types:

  • Push-in nock
  • Pin nock
  • Glue-on nock
  • Beiter nock (a precision system nock)

It is crucial that the nock is chosen to match the string thickness – it must not be too loose, but also not too tight.

Nock Adapter

Beiter nock adapters are used to fit shafts with asymmetric Beiter nocks into standard arrow fletching jigs or holders.

Purpose / Function:

  • Allow the use of arrows with Beiter nocks on devices that normally accept standard nocks.
  • Ensure precise alignment for fletching.
  • Useful in arrow building and tuning for consistent and accurate flight.

Essentially, they act as a small interface tool so that your Beiter-equipped arrows can be worked on with standard equipment without misalignment.

Nock Seat

The nock seat (or nock base) is the inner surface of the arrow nock where the bowstring rests when the arrow is nocked.

Functions / Importance:

  • Determines how deep the string sits in the nock.
  • Controls how securely the arrow is held on the string.
  • Ensures smooth and efficient transfer of force during the shot.

Benefits of a well-crafted nock seat:

  • Consistent, clean release.
  • Predictable and tight groupings.
  • Secure hold without binding or slipping.

If the nock seat is damaged, worn, or dirty, it can negatively affect arrow flight, causing inconsistencies or erratic shots.

Nocking Point

The nocking point is the marked spot on the center serving of the string where the arrow is nocked. It determines the vertical position of the arrow on the string and directly affects the arrow flight. Caution: It should not be confused with nocking point limiters, which hold the arrow at the nocking point.

Functions:

  • Ensures a consistent release
  • Prevents high or low shots
  • An important part of tuning

The nocking point is usually set with:

  • Brass clips or
  • Wrapped thread (nocking point wrap)

Nocking Point Pliers

The nocking point pliers are a specialized tool used to install and remove brass nocking point stops on the bowstring. They are employed for pressing brass nocking points onto the string, gently removing them without damaging the string, and for precise adjustments during bow tuning. The pliers typically feature a pressing surface to fix the nocking point and an opening for removing the clamp.

Important:

  • Care must be taken during use to avoid damaging the serving (center wrap) of the string.

Nocking Point Stop

A nock point stop is a small component on the bowstring that holds the arrow in place at the nock point and prevents it from sliding. It is usually installed above—and sometimes below—the nock. These can be either pressed-on brass clamps or wrapped thread stops.

Function:

  • Fixes the vertical position of the arrow.
  • Ensures consistent shooting conditions.
  • Part of fine-tuning the bow setup.

Notes:

  • Wrapped thread stops are lighter and gentler on finger tabs or gloves.
  • Brass clamps are faster to install but slightly more rigid.

Nockpoint Offset

The nocking point overheight/offset refers to the slight elevation of the nocking point above the horizontal line of the arrow rest. This means the nocking point is set slightly higher so that the back of the arrow sits just a bit higher than the front.

Purpose:

  • During the shot, the string’s force does not act exactly through the arrow’s center.
  • A small overheight ensures the arrow leaves the bow cleanly and does not “dive” or jump off course.

Typical values:

  • About 3–10 mm above the 90° line, depending on the setup.

How to detect issues:

  • Observing arrow flight
  • Bare shaft (blank shaft) test
  • Paper test

This adjustment is essential for precise arrow flight and consistent grouping.

On the Fingers

This describes the “actual” draw weight that the archer has to pull and hold. The standard draw weight is typically measured at a 28-inch draw length. An individual archer’s draw length may vary above or below this, resulting in a different, “real” draw weight that the archer must hold “on the fingers.”

Open Stance

The open stance in archery describes a foot position where the front foot (toward the target) is slightly set back. This means the foot line is not exactly parallel to the shooting line but slightly open.

Characteristics:

  • Front foot positioned slightly backward
  • Upper body rotates more toward the target
  • Allows for more stable shoulder alignment

Advantages:

  • Commonly used in competitions
  • Better engagement of the back muscles
  • Creates a more stable power triangle

Paper Test

The paper test is a method used to check arrow flight and fine-tune the bow setup. The archer shoots from a short distance (about 2–5 meters) through a stretched sheet of paper.

The hole that appears in the paper shows how the arrow passes through.

What can be determined?

  • Clean, round hole → setup is correct
  • Horizontal tear → check arrow spine or center shot
  • Vertical tear → check nock point (over- or under-height)

The test is particularly useful for:

  • Checking nock point and arrow rest
  • Bow/arrow tuning
  • Arrow spine adjustment

Parabola

The parabola describes the arched flight path of an arrow. After release, the arrow is affected by gravity, so it does not fly straight but initially rises slightly and then descends along a curved line – this curve is called the parabola. A higher arrow speed results in a “flatter” parabola, making aiming easier.

Significance in archery:

  • Determines the hold points for different distances
  • Particularly important for outdoor shooting due to longer distances
  • The greater the distance, the more pronounced the effect of the parabolic flight path

Pass

A “pass” refers to a predetermined number of arrows that are shot consecutively and scored together.

Examples:

  • Indoor (WA): usually 3 arrows per pass
  • Outdoor: often 6 arrows per pass
  • 3D / Field: depending on the rules, 1–3 arrows per pass

After each pass, archers walk to the target together and record their scores.

Significance:

  • Establishes rhythm in the shooting process
  • Structures the competition
  • Provides comparable scoring units