Cams are the eccentric wheels located at the ends of the limbs on a compound bow. They control the draw-force curve and create the characteristic let-off, which reduces the holding weight at full draw.

The cams are the heart of a compound bow – they determine how the bow feels, how much holding weight is required, and how fast the arrow will be.

The center serving is the wrapping in the middle section of the bowstring – where the arrow is nocked and where the fingers or release aid make contact.

Functions:

• Protects the strands of the string from abrasion
• Provides a defined resting surface for the nock
• Serves as the foundation for the nocking point

The center serving is made from special, abrasion-resistant thread and is tightly wrapped around the string.

Its thickness affects:

• The durability of the string
• How firmly the nock sits on the string
• The shooting feel

The center shot describes the sideways position of the arrow in relation to the centerline of the bow. The goal is to align the arrow so that it travels as centrally and straight as possible through the bow window.

A correct center-shot setting results in cleaner arrow flight and better grouping. The center shot is usually adjusted using the arrow rest and the plunger button.

In short: The center shot determines whether your arrow is aligned correctly to the bow from side to side – an important factor for accuracy and clean arrow flight.

A checker (AKA Bow Square) is a small measuring tool used in archery to check certain bow settings. Depending on its design, it can be used to measure the brace height, check the nocking point, or measure the tiller. Many checkers are combination tools, often T-shaped, and are placed directly on the bow.

In short: A checker is a measuring and inspection tool used to verify important basic bow settings.

See also arm guard. A chest guard is a close-fitting garment worn in archery to prevent the bowstring from contacting clothing or the body. It prevents the string from catching on loose clothing, ensures a clean and uninterrupted shot process, and protects against painful contact with the string.

A clicker is a thin metal or carbon tongue on a recurve bow that sits above the arrow. It serves as a draw length control. Once the archer reaches the precisely set draw length, the arrow slips under the clicker – producing an audible “click.” This signal indicates full draw and tells the archer to release the arrow. It helps increase precision, supports a consistent draw length, and aids in better repeatability.

Compound: A bow class according to WA (World Archery) classification.

A compound bow is a modern bow with a cable and pulley system (cams) at the ends of the limbs. This system creates what is known as let-off: as the bow is drawn, the draw weight increases significantly, but at full draw it is reduced noticeably. This means that, at anchor, the archer only has to hold a fraction of the original draw weight.

Typical features include:

• High arrow speed
• Very precise shooting characteristics
• Technical equipment such as a sight, peep sight, release aid, and stabilizers
• Compact design

In short: The compound bow is an advanced, high-performance bow with mechanical reduction of holding weight at full draw. It is especially popular in competition and 3D archery.

The crawl refers to the position of the drawing hand on the string below the nock in barebow archery. Instead of always hooking the string at the same point – for example directly under the arrow – the archer moves the fingers farther down the string depending on the distance. This is why it is called a “crawl.”

Purpose:

• To adjust the point of impact for different distances
• To use the stringwalking technique

The farther the fingers are placed below the nock, the more the arrow’s flight path changes.

In short: The crawl is the variable finger position on the string used in barebow archery to hit different distances without a sight.

Cresting is the individual, usually decorative design of an arrow – serving both a functional and an aesthetic purpose.