Archery terms

Below is a list of Archery terms that will educate, fascinate and allow you to wow your friends with your newly gained knowledge of Archery terms and facts! You know they will thank you for it...perhaps.

Ever wanted to know what Want to know where the nock is? Discover where the name Fletcher came from? Are you an Ambi-Ocular archer? Do you want to know where the belly or the face of the bow is? Do you want to know what a Bowyer does? Why should you never dry-fire a bow? Should you be afraid of a Field Captain? Can you put your limbs on the riser the right way? Have you ever had to Let Down a bow? Do you know where the nock point is?

Below is an A to Z of Archery terms. Some will become familiar to you, and some you will never need or hear uttered by Leith Community Archers instructors or volunteers. Archery is an ancient activity, and the origin of some surnames, words, and phrases we use today have originated from archery terms.

Fletcher was the name of the person who used to put flights on the arrows and Bowman was more simply an Archer. Today Fletcher has become a common surname as has Bowman (Archer), similar to Smith (Blacksmith), Fisher (fisherman), and Cooper (barrel maker). For more information, you could visit the Wikipedia page on Archery. There you will find lots of interesting facts about Archery.

Why not add another string to your bow, or add another arrow to the quiver and read on?

A B C D E F G H I K L M N P Q R S T V Y

There are currently 10 names in this directory beginning with the letter L.

Laminated Bow

This is when the bow is made and uses multiple layers of material. More often than not it has a hardwood core with a layer of fibreglass on either side.

Left-Handed Archer

When a archer holds the bow with their right hand but pulls the bowstring back with their left hand, as this is more dominant.

Left-Handed Bow

A bow that is manufactured to be used by left handed archers.

Let Down

When the bow is fully drawn and you return the bowstring to its standing position, without shooting an arrow/releasing the string.

Let-off

A term relating to compound bows, this is when the draw weight is reduced when the bow is fully drawn.

Limb

There are two limbs that attach to the top and the bottom of the riser. These are the flexible part of the bow and the bowstring is attached to either end of the limbs.

Limb Dampener

Is used to help reduce the vibrations of the limbs after releasing the arrow. They are usually made from rubber and attach to the limbs.

Limb Stacking

Is when you are able to draw the string further back than its designed to go. This can damage the limbs as well as risk injury.

Longbow

A traditional bow in archery, it is made from one piece of wood and doesn't have the recurve. This type of bow is typically what you see in Medieval films.

Loop

The loop is found at either end of the bowstring and is used to fit around the top of the limps in the teardrops/nocks.