Interested in learning how to make a compound bow easier to pull back? In this article, I go over steps you can take to make pulling back a compound bow easier.
Archery seems to be an easy game. All you have to do is hold the archery equipment, pull the string, and shoot at a target. But, if you look at it closely, you would realize that the game entails the use of sophisticated techniques.
Just as the techniques and skills are important for the game, the right archery equipment also holds a lot of importance. If you are a target shooter or a hunter, you’d know that different types of archery bows yield different results. To up their game, archers pay more attention to the type of bow they use. Compound bows are one of the most popular bows in the world of archery. These bows use a levering system – of pulleys and cables – to bend the limbs. They are a bit heavy and need practice and training for their smooth operation.
People who are new at experimenting with this bow often find it a bit difficult when trying their bows. In this article, we explain how to make a compound bow easier to pull back. With a little bit of training and just the right technique, you will be able to draw the bow without any problems.
Pulling Back a Compound Bow Easily
Before we explain the entire process, here are a few things that you must take care of. Don’t draw a bow that is too heavy for you. When buying a bow, consult with the salesman and only purchase the one with the right draw length and weight for you. Even if you think that you’re strong enough to draw a heavy bow just because you are athletic, you should pause and reconsider your decision.
It is worth note that archery requires the use of different muscles than those used for weightlifting or other sports. So, even if you are in a strong form or have a toned body because you are into other sports or physical activities, you still shouldn’t consider getting a 40- or 50-pound bow. So when you venture into the world of archery, start with a lightweight bow. Practice rigorously to build your archery muscles and work your way up.
The Proper Way to Draw a Compound Bow
Almost all sports are based on a scientific model. You will have to learn a few techniques and tricks to be able to master the game. This is equally true for archery where you’d have to learn the proper way to draw a compound bow.
Start with your hands at nose height. Both your grip and release hand should be in line with your target while being extended in front of you. Keep your grip hand steadily at nose height and use your other hand – release hand – to pull the bowstring back (toward your face). As the bowstring comes back, you will also notice that your release hand is on a downward path and that your rear shoulder is rotating into your back. You’d know that you are drawing the bow correctly when you feel the muscles both in your back and your arm.
One of the safety tips that you must take while drawing the string is that you shouldn’t use your biceps or triceps. If you do so, you will be at risk of injury. The safest way is to lead with your elbow. Eventually, you will feel that your hand is in proximity to your jawline. Here, you need to find an anchor point for drawing the bow. It is this point from where you can safely shoot the target. Once you’ve mastered the art of drawing the bow, you can start taking a shot. To ensure that you draw the bow effectively, don’t forget to work on your proper stance and form.
4 Easy Exercise Moves to Draw a Compound Bow
Part of how to make a compound bow easier to pull back has to due with strength training. In this section, we will discuss some easy exercises that you can perform to make your archery game better. When practicing, use a resistance band to strengthen your bow-drawing string.
1. Resistance Band Bow Drawing
Fold the band in half and grab it with each hand. While pulling the shoulder blades toward the center, pull on the resistance band. Make sure that your left arm is extended while you draw your right hand to your face. Now, swap positions, and repeat the process by keeping your muscles in balance.
2. Arm Spreaders
Grab the resistance band with both ends and bring it in front of your cheek. Squeezing your shoulder blades together, pull outward on the band. Release the resistance slowly and bring your hands back together. This outward-inward motion will tone your muscles.
3. Planks
Plank is one of the most difficult exercises. Almost everyone stresses out when they are made to do a set of planks. But this difficulty comes with a reward. This exercise is best for building a strong core. The good thing about planks is that it can be done almost anywhere. This exercise will help you build your bowstring muscles to improve your archery skills.
4. Strengthening Muscles
Another seemingly easy exercise is as follows. Choose a location and sit down. Place the resistance band under your legs and grab each end with each hand. Now, slowly lift both arms up. Once your hands have reached the maximum height, slowly lower your hands. This is a good exercise to build muscle strength.
The Final Word
To try your hands on archery, there is only one rule: practice. Before you take your first shot, you must have adequate practice sessions to learn how to effectively draw the bow. If you are practicing without an arrow, make sure that you don’t release the string that doesn’t have the arrow in place. Doing so may lead to injury.
We hope that this guide was helpful for both beginners and professional players who want to improve their games by learning how to make a compound bow easier to pull back. The exercises given in the last section can help you to build your muscles and take your game to a higher level.