Nocking Arrows – Fundamentals Series #3

Each month in 2024, we will be posting a new article in our Fundamentals of Shooting Archery series. These articles are intended to supplement and further explain any instructions given or terminology used by the instructors and assistants.

From the USAA list of 11 steps, nocking (putting) the arrow on the string is step #2, right after finding your stance. It is a small step, but an important one because if the arrow is not on the string, you can’t shoot. How simple is this? Put the arrow on the string. Can it be done wrong? Maybe.

The arrows we use at Enso Center have a plastic nock and three (3) fletches (feathers) or plastic vanes on the back end.

Nock:

The nock is a small plastic cap sitting on the end of the arrow. It has a notch in the back end that clips onto the string. You may notice on some nocks, a small bump on one side, this indicates fletch orientation and aids in nocking the arrow without looking at your hands. Both styles are common in target use.

Some archers, who bring their own equipment may have another style of nock on the arrows, self nocks cut into wooden arrows being the most likely. All arrow nocks function in the same basic way – attach the arrow to the string for energy transfer during shooting.

Fletchings / Vanes:

The vanes act to stabilize the arrow in flight from the bow to the target. Two (2) of the vanes are the same colour with the third being an alternate colour. The arrow should be loaded onto the bow so that the two (2) same colour vanes are closest to the bow, while the alternate is pointing out over the bow arm. Will it still work the other way? Yes, but arrow flight might be affected, especially over longer distances.

Some archers, who bring their own equipment may have four (4) fletches on the arrows. In this case, it does not matter which side of the arrow is closest to the bow.

Vanes and Nock                                                                                             Nock

The arrow is nocked onto the string either just above or just below a nock set (plastic, metal, string) indicator on the string. The bows at Enso Center are set to nock below the nock set.

Let the arrow sit on the shelf or arrow rest of the bow (if there is one). Some bows may not have a shelf & the arrow sits on the archer’s hand. A glove is usually worn when shooting these bows to protect the hand while it functions as a shelf. All the bows at Enso Center have a shelf.

Nock Set & Shelf (Right Handed)    Dual Shelf (Both Right & Left Handed) Arrow Rest above Shelf