Why Do Archers Let The Bow Drop? #1 Guide

If you’re like most people, you probably think it’s because they’re resetting their aim for the next shot. However, there’s actually a lot more to it than that! Here, we’ll explore the various reasons why archers let their bows drop after releasing an arrow.

By the end of this post, you’ll better understand the sport of archery and the intricate technique involved in becoming a successful archer.  So read on to learn more about one of the essential yet often overlooked aspects of Archery.

Reasons for Letting the Bow Drop:

When you release an arrow from a bow, the bowstring slaps against the bow’s side. This noise is actually louder than the sound of the arrow leaving the bow. If you keep your hand on the bowstring after releasing the arrow, it will muffle this sound.

But by dropping your hand below the level of the bow, you allow the sound to travel freely and warn other archers in your vicinity that you have just released an arrow. It’s also a way of showing respect to your fellow archers. Here are a few reasons why archers let their bows drop:

To Increase Accuracy and Consistency:

By letting the bow down slowly, an archer can reduce the movement between when they release the arrow and when it hits the target. This helps to improve accuracy and consistency from shot to shot.

To Avoid Fatigue:

Muscles work more efficiently when they are stretched out than when they are contracted. Archers can avoid fatigue by keeping the bow relaxed and maintaining their shooting form for longer.

To Increase Speed:

Dropping the bow quickly will cause it to bounce back up, which will then require the archer to spend time lowering it back down again. This wastes valuable time and can slow down an archer’s shooting.

To Reduce Noise:

As mentioned before, letting the bow drop will reduce the noise of the bowstring slapping against the bow’s side. This can be helpful when trying to avoid detection or when hunting game.

To Prevent Damage:

If an archer keeps their hand on the bowstring after releasing an arrow, the bowstring can snap back and hit them in hand or face. By letting the bow drop, they can avoid this potential injury.

To Show Respect:

As mentioned before, letting the bow drop is a way of showing respect to other archers. It is seen as a sign of good sportsmanship and is considered to be polite.

To Save Energy:

By letting the bow drop, an archer can save energy that would otherwise be spent holding the bow in place. This can be helpful when shooting for long periods of time or in hot weather.

What Are the Benefits of Letting the Bow Drop?

The bow drop is a technique where you release the bowstring after the shot to minimize the recoil and noise. There are several benefits to doing this:

Increased Accuracy:

When the bow is allowed to drop, it moves slower and more smoothly. This results in greater accuracy when firing arrows. It also minimizes the chance of the arrow bouncing off the target.

Reduced Fatigue:

Holding a bow at full draw can be tiring, especially if you’re shooting multiple arrows in succession. Letting the bow drop can give your muscles a break between shots.

Improved Focus:

The act of dropping the bow after each shot can help you stay focused and prevent you from getting distracted. It also helps clear your mind and better prepare for your next shot.

Increased Distance:

A tightly held bow will only travel a short distance before release. However, a dropped bow will release more potential energy, resulting in a farther arrow flight.

Increased Power:

As the bowstring is drawn back, it stores energy until it’s released at the moment of truth. The longer the string is drawn back, the more powerful the shot will be. If you allow the bow to drop, that stored energy will still be released and create an even more powerful shot than if you had tensely pulled back on the bowstring.

Improve Hand-Eye Coordination:

It is important to develop good hand-eye coordination when shooting a bow. The act of dropping the bow after each shot can help improve your coordination. This improved coordination can result in better aim and increased accuracy.

What Are the Disadvantages of An Archer Letting the Bow Drop?

There are a few main disadvantages to letting the bow drop.

• First, if you’re not keeping tension on the bowstring, it can go slack and make it more difficult to draw back.
• Second, once the bowstring has gone slack, it can start to coil up on itself, making it more difficult to shoot accurately.
• Third, dropping the bow can damage the bowstring or even cause the bow to break.
• Fourth, if you’re in a competition or hunting situation, dropping the bow can mean losing valuable seconds (or even minutes) while you retrieve it.

Conclusion:

After practicing with a bow for some time, you might have noticed that good archers tend to let the bow drop after they release an arrow. There are a few reasons for this: it resets the string so that another arrow can be nocked more quickly, and it also allows the muscles in the arm to relax so that they don’t tire as quickly. You can become a better shot by understanding why archers let their bows drop. So go practice and see how letting your bow drop can help improve your aim!