Every archer strives to shoot as consistently and accurately as possible. Their goal, whether it be target practice, competition, or even hunting, is to do everything they can to make sure they hit their target. But before they can do this, before the aiming, releasing, and follow-through can be done, the first and one of the most important parts of form and alignment is finding the right anchor point.

What is an Anchor Point?

An anchor point or contact points (as there are usually more than one) are points of reference that an archer uses to make sure they are setting up a shot with the exact same form and alignment for every single shot. This creates a consistent, full-draw holding position, which is critical to improve and maintain the most accuracy as possible.

However, using an anchor point does not guarantee an archer will be completely accurate. A consistent anchor position does help with consistency and accurately, but it’s only one part of the shooting process.

At the end of the day, consistency is one of the most important things when it comes to shooting accurately. An archer who shoots with consistency, even with imperfect form, is going to be much more accurate than an archer with good form and inconsistent shooting patterns.

How to Find Your Anchor Point

Contact points generally vary from person to person, but there are a few different points that archers generally use when trying to identify and select their anchor point. A good anchor point will be easy to identify, easy to repeat, and very comfortable. These three aspects of an anchor point are very similar, and all very important.

If an archer has to turn or twist their body, arm, or hand in order to achieve an anchor point, then they are most likely shooting with bad form, their bow is not sized correctly to them, or they are using bad contact points altogether.

The next time you are shooting, come to full draw and notice where your hands, fingers, and/or release sits while shooting. Make a note of these points of contact and if they are comfortable for you. With a little experimentation, everyone can find the perfect anchor point that is comfortable and effective. While everyone will have different contact points, there are a few that are traditionally used by many archers.

Release-Hand Contact:

This contact point is one of the most important and can be placed in a variety of places. The goal is to be specific about your contact position along your face, jaw, or neck.

Nose on String:

Many archers choose to place the tip of their nose on the string at full draw. This is not required, but is common among compound shooters who use a sight.

You’ll also see many recurve archers using sights place their nose on the string as well, but it’s uncommon among traditional archers.

String to Mouth:

Some archers use the corner of their mouth as a reference point as well. You’ll even see some using a “kisser button” which is a small string attachment that helps archers find their consistent anchor point.

You can use one, two, three, or more of these contact points when establishing your anchor point. The goal is to find a comfortable position that establishes consistency.

Traditional Anchor Point

Depending on your shooting style and archery equipment, your anchor point options vary. Two common anchor points used by traditional archers can be found at the corner of the mouth and along the cheekbone.

Those who prefer to anchor at the corner of their mouth use their index finger to reference the corner of their mouth while at full draw. This is a great anchor point as it’s extremely easy to find and hold.

The cheekbone is another anchor point that many traditional archers use, especially if they have a longer draw length. Drawing higher to your cheekbone provides a consistent anchor position that allows you to look down the arrow more easily. While an archer can use whatever anchor points they prefer, these two are great starting points.

Recurve Anchor Point

When it comes to recurve bows, a very common anchor point is placing your index finger at the corner of your mouth. This is most common for recurve shooters who use sights.

Some recurve shooters, especially those shooting without sights, choose a higher anchor point that helps them aim with the tip of their arrow. When using this method, touching a middle or ring finger to the corner of their mouth will help establish a great anchor position.

Every archer is different and anchor points will vary by personal preference, shooting style, equipment used, and facial shape. Many archers, especially those using recurve and traditional equipment, will experiment with different anchor points until they find the one that best suits them. So, don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.

Compound Anchor Point

Compound bows are very popular among archers who strive for improved accuracy. That said, many compound shooters have multiple contact points for a highly consistent anchor position. This could include release hand contact, nose on string, and string on mouth positions.

When shooting sights and a release aid, these contact points help keep everything aligned and as accurate as possible. Using a release aid, which is most common among compound shooters, will create more points of contact than shooting with your fingers.

There are a few anchor points that compound shooters seem to gravitate towards. These include locations such as placing the release hand along the jaw line, ear lobe, or cheekbone. For instance, many compound shooters who use a thumb/hinge release place their jaw line between their index and middle fingers.

The goal is to identify a part of the release hand that will contact the same place on your face, jaw, or neck, every single time. Again, experimentation is key to finding the contact points that create your perfect anchor point.

Conclusion

Anchor points are an extremely important aspect of archery that oftentimes gets overlooked. Ironically, it’s one of the most important things an archer can use to increase consistency and accuracy when shooting. By finding an anchor point that best suits you, you can drastically improve your accuracy and achieve better results on your next trip to the archery range!