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.

If you have any questions about these articles or anything to do with archery, ask your instructor. They’ll help you get the answers you want and you might even prompt a future article.

Transfer to Hold:

During the previous steps, we’ve lifted the bow into position and drawn the string back to our anchor position. We’re ready to aim and fire, aren’t we? Almost, there is one more quick step in the process – Transfer to Hold or Shot Setup. What do we mean by this?

When we looked at drawing the string (link to July), we said that most of the pull should come from moving our shoulder blades together in the back. But there will still be some load in the muscles of the upper arm, forearm, and hand.

Now we need to take 1 second to transfer this draw load and any residual tension in the bow hand into our lower back muscles. For this micro-movement, focus on rotating the scapulae (shoulder blades) towards the spine just a bit more and squeezing the muscles down the center back. The draw arm circles back just a bit more, so that the elbow is inline with the arrow.

Hold:

What do we mean by hold? Why is there a hold at full draw before aiming and releasing?

The moment of holding is an important physical and mental step in the process.

The physical – the micro-movements of the transfer aligned the upper body so that the skeletal structure of the shoulders is holding the string at anchor, not the muscles.  This gives us more stability and relaxes our arms, making the aiming process more efficient.

The mental – a moment for us to calm our minds & settle the effort before aiming and releasing. Our heart rate should go down.

Breathe naturally and on your exhale let your eyes settle onto your target.

Why the Transfer to Hold is Important

  • Consistency: By using your skeletal structure and back muscles, you can maintain a more consistent shot, as you’re less likely to fatigue or shake.
  • Accuracy: A stable hold gives you the time to aim properly without rushing your release.
  • Reduced strain: Proper transfer to hold reduces muscle strain and the risk of injury, allowing for longer practice sessions without wearing out your muscles.
  • Mental Acknowledgement: Make the mental shift from the bigger movements we’ve just done to the stillness of aiming & releasing. When I’m shooting in front of an audience, this is a moment to take a deep breath, clear my mind, look at the target, ignore everything else but the shot, and start the aiming process.

Common mistakes in this step:

  • Not engaging the back muscles properly, means you are keeping too much tension in your arms, which will lead to fatigue and instability.
  • Not taking the time to feel the physical and mental stability before releasing the arrow.
  • Letting your draw hand slip from your anchor point during the transfer. Ensure that you maintain a consistent anchor throughout the process.

Having said all this, if something feels wrong or difficult or hurts while shooting, talk with your instructor. Sometimes accommodations (alternatives) need to be used.

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