There are 6 steps to shooting accurately: Stance, draw, anchor, aim, release, and follow-through.

                                                                      STANCE

An archer should stand in a square stance which is standing with toes pointing no more than 90 degrees from target.  Most experienced archer's perfer the open stance which is standing with toes some what toward target (less than 90 degrees) with feet spread about 18 inches apart. The open stance forces the bowsting away from your chest avoiding collision os string agaist loose clothing.  It is always wise when shooting to stand with feet 12 inches to 16 inches apart for balance and solid aiming.

                                                                      DRAW

Beginners usally have trouble at first with their draw because the arrow falls off the rest and have not built up muscles used for drawing.  Those who shoot fingers will learn quickly how to rotate the string with the fingers so their arrow is tight against the rest.  Those who shoot with a mechanical rest, the best arrow rest to use is a V launcher type of rest.

Idealy, you should learn to draw with your four fingers wrapped around the bow loosely. Your index finger holding arrow on to rest is unnecessary.  When drawing the bow concentrate on keeping bow hand closed, but, relaxed.   Experiment with gripping your bow tom find the grip most accurate for you. some archers perfer togrip bow loosely with thumb and index finger touching near the front of bow.

When drawing the bow, the forearm should more or less align with your arrow for best muscle control and maximum drawing strength. To double check your forearm to arrow alignment, simply have a friend watch you draw from the side.

                                                                      ANCHOR

When the bow is drawn,you should anchor tothe side of your face with bowstring closely in line with your eye.  Anchoring transfers some bowstring weight from your arm and shoulder muscles to your neck which steadies the aiming and by anchoring on same spot on side of your face gives you consistent aiming from shot to shot.

The most common anchor point is placing your index finger in the corner of your mouth with thumb dropped below the jaw line. the jaw bone is nestled tightly agaist the hand giving you a consistent and comfortable anchor.  Some anchor higher with middle finger resting at corner of mouth.  You should experiment with anchoring points to find one that is comfortable and consistent to you.

Mechanical releases can change the way you anchor depending on type of release you use.  Most release shooters add a peep sight because it forces you to have a consistent anchor point even if release does not fit naturally against your face.  However, if you practice hard and develope a solid anchor, you can shoot quite well without a peep sight.

                                                                      AIM

This is not a complex step.  you move your appropriate sight pin or cross hair on target, steady a split second, and release bowstring.  The key is moving on target smoothly and moving on target in same direction everytime.  If you rush your bowsights on target with a quick swing, you are likely to flinch or cant your bow to one side as you release.  If you swing up on your target one time, swing down on your target the next time, and swing left or right on your target the next, you will never develope a subconcious or accurate aiming style.

It doesn't matter from which direction you swing your sights on to target, as long as you make it a habit to swing smoothly and in same direction each time. The key is consistency!

                                                                   RELEASE

For good accuracy, you must achieve a smooth and cosistent bowstring release.  Finger shooters you simply relax your hand and let bowstring slide free.  Do not throw open your sting hand or pluck the bowstring. when this is correctly done, your string hand should slide smoothly backwards along your face.  When you pluck a bowstring, it allows the string hand to fly away from your face and forces the arrow to fly in the direction the string was plucked.

A mechanical release simplifies shooting because the string is away with a simple press of the trigger or button.  However, it is easy to punch or slap the trigger or button causing a lack of a smooth, accurate release.  Mechanical release shooters must practice a soft, easy squeeze of trigger or button.  The squeeze should be so gradual that it is a surprise when the arrow releases.  Remember at this point, you do not grip the bow, but, hold it with a light relaxed grip.  Holding the bow tight will cause the bow to cant foward or backward depending on where the most force is applied on grip.

                                                                    FOLLOW THROUGH

This is the most ignored step in shooting.  Follow through is simply holding up your bow and continue aiming at your target until the arrow hits the target.  Follow through ensures you will not drop your bow or cant it to the side before your arrows leaves the bow.  Some archers cancel their best shooting efforts by releasing the bowstring and losing their shooting form. This often throws arrows up, down,left or right.  If you follow through with your shot there is little that can go wrong.

                                                                                                                                                    Gray Ghost