How to aim a recurve bow
There is no single correct way to aim a recurve bow — the right method depends on your goals, the type of archery you want to do, and how much you want to practise. The aiming method selector and gap chart calculator below help you find the approach that fits your situation.
Part of the Archery Calculators toolkit. Once you have your aiming method sorted, use the Draw Length Calculator to verify your setup is correct — the right draw length underpins every aiming system.
The five recurve aiming methods
Each method occupies a distinct position on the spectrum from fully intuitive to fully mechanical. None is universally better — the right choice depends on your format, goals, and practice time.
Aiming method selector
Answer the questions below to find the method that best fits your situation — with a personalised learning roadmap.
Recommendation updates automatically as you answer.
Gap shooting reference chart
For gap shooters: enter your draw length and estimated arrow speed to generate a starting reference gap table. Gaps are approximate — verify and adjust by shooting at each distance.
Gap table updates automatically. These are starting estimates — always verify at the range.
Gap shooting in practice
Gap shooting is the recommended starting point for most barebow and traditional recurve archers because it is systematic, teachable, and produces consistent results without the volume requirement of instinctive shooting.
What the gap actually is
At any given distance, your arrow follows a parabolic trajectory. If you aim the tip directly at the target, the arrow will land lower. The gap is the vertical distance between where you aimed and where the arrow lands — you compensate by aiming that distance above (or below, for very close distances) the target. The calculator above gives your starting reference gaps by distance.
Point-on distance
Every archer has a point-on distance — the range at which the arrow tip aimed directly at the target results in a hit on the target. For most barebow setups this is somewhere between 20 and 40 yards depending on arrow speed and draw length. Knowing your point-on is useful as a reference calibration point for all other distances.
Gap reference during the shot
Keep your focus on the target, not on the arrow tip. Place the tip at the reference gap in your peripheral vision while your primary focus stays on the spot you want to hit. Shifting primary focus to the tip produces inconsistent aim and anchor point drift. The tip is a reference, not the aiming point.
Building your gap book
Shoot 6 arrows at a known distance, aiming the tip at a reference dot below the target. Measure where the group centred and calculate the actual gap. Record this for each distance from 10 to 40 yards. Re-verify whenever you change arrow weight, draw weight, or draw length — all three affect your gaps.
String walking — how it works and when it is legal
String walking is the dominant technique in NFAA barebow competition because it allows the archer to aim directly at the target centre at any distance by adjusting the crawl distance. Once calibrated, it is highly repeatable and produces scores comparable to sighted recurve at short to medium distances.
The mechanics: the draw hand moves down the string from the nocking point by a set distance (the crawl). This tilts the bow slightly, changing the arrow's departure angle and shifting the point of impact upward relative to where the tip is aimed. Longer crawl = higher impact. Each distance has a known crawl distance, measured with a tape and recorded in a crawl book.
Competition format legality
| Format | String walking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic recurve | ❌ Not permitted | Sight required, no crawling allowed |
| World Archery barebow | ❌ Not permitted | Gap shooting only, 1 under (Mediterranean) draw |
| NFAA barebow | ✅ Permitted | Up to 6 crawl marks allowed |
| 3D archery (most formats) | ✅ Usually permitted | Check specific ruleset — varies by organisation |
| Traditional / instinctive classes | ❌ Not permitted | No marks, no string contact reference |
| Hunting (no competition) | ✅ No restriction | Your choice entirely |
Olympic sight aiming — recurve with a bow sight
If your goal is target competition, Olympic recurve with a bow sight is the most efficient path to high scores. A sight turns distance compensation into a mechanical adjustment rather than a memorised reference — you set the sight mark for each distance and aim the pin directly on the gold.
Setting sight marks
Shoot at a known distance, note where the group lands relative to where the sight was set, and adjust the sight toward the group. Repeat until the sight produces a consistent group at centre. Record the sight setting for each distance. Use the Sight Mark Calculator to generate a starting reference for your setup.
The clicker
A clicker is a thin metal plate that rests over the arrow. When you draw the arrow past the clicker it clicks — signalling that you are at full draw length. This produces a consistent draw length on every shot. Most competitive recurve archers use a clicker. It requires a specific setup and a period of adjustment — draw length must be verified accurately before fitting one.
Stabiliser setup
Olympic recurve uses a long front rod plus two side rods (a V-bar system) for torque damping and balance. The balance affects how the bow behaves through the shot and at follow-through. Start with a basic long rod before adding side rods — adding complexity too early makes it harder to diagnose form problems.
Eye dominance and sighting
Sight aiming requires using your dominant eye over the sight. Cross-dominant archers (dominant eye on the opposite side to the bow hand) often close the dominant eye or use an eye patch to force the weaker eye to aim. Some cross-dominant archers shoot off the other side — switch bow hand to match eye dominance. This is easier to adapt to early than later.
🛒 Recurve bow sights at Optics Planet — a basic adjustable sight is the first accessory to add if you are shooting Olympic-style recurve.
Cross-dominance in recurve archery
Cross-dominance — where the dominant eye is on the opposite side to the bow hand — is more common than most archers realise and is frequently the hidden cause of persistent accuracy problems that seem unrelated to technique.
For sighted recurve: the dominant eye must be behind the sight aperture. Cross-dominant archers typically address this by closing the dominant eye, using an eye patch, or wearing a blinder on the sight. Closing the eye consistently is the simplest solution for beginners.
For barebow gap shooting: cross-dominance is less critical because the aiming reference is the arrow tip rather than a sight aperture. Many barebow archers shoot cross-dominant without issue. If your groups are consistently drifting to one side despite correct technique, check eye dominance with a simple pointing test — point at a distant object with both eyes open, then close each eye in turn. The eye that keeps the finger on target is dominant.
Equipment for each aiming method
The method you choose determines what equipment you need. Olympic recurve requires a bow sight, stabiliser system, and clicker. Barebow uses none of these — only the bow, arrows, and a finger tab or glove. Traditional and instinctive setups are the most minimal: bow, arrows, and a tab or glove.
The single most useful first purchase for a barebow or gap-shooting archer is a quality finger tab — it standardises your string feel and anchor point more than any other accessory. For Olympic recurve, a basic adjustable sight is the first addition: see the Arrow Spine Calculator to confirm your arrows are matched to your draw weight before buying equipment.
How to aim a recurve bow — frequently asked questions
What is the easiest aiming method to learn on a recurve bow?
Gap shooting is the most learnable sight-free method. It gives you a concrete, measurable reference for each distance and produces accurate results within a few sessions once your gaps are calibrated. For beginners who want to use a sight, Olympic sight aiming with a basic pin sight is equally learnable and produces the most consistent scores. Use the method selector above to find the right fit for your goals.
What is gap shooting in archery?
Gap shooting means using the arrow tip as a visual reference point. At each shooting distance, the tip is positioned a known amount below (or above) the target centre to compensate for arrow trajectory. The "gap" between where the tip is aimed and where the arrow lands is consistent for a given setup and distance. Once you have shot at each distance and recorded your gaps, you can aim precisely at any distance in your range. Use the gap chart calculator above to generate starting reference gaps for your draw length and arrow speed.
What is string walking and when is it allowed?
String walking means moving your draw fingers down the string from the nocking point by a calibrated distance to change the arrow's elevation. This allows direct aim at the target at any distance. String walking is permitted in NFAA barebow competition and most 3D formats, but is prohibited in Olympic recurve and World Archery barebow divisions. See the legality table in the string walking section above for a full breakdown by format.
How do I aim a recurve bow without a sight?
Without a sight you have three practical options: gap shooting (arrow tip as a reference point), string walking (finger position on the string as elevation reference), or split vision / instinctive (spatial calibration through practice). Gap shooting is recommended for most barebow beginners because it is systematic and produces accurate results quickly. The gap chart calculator above generates starting reference gaps for your setup.
Does eye dominance affect recurve aiming?
Significantly for sighted recurve — the dominant eye must be behind the sight. Cross-dominant archers typically close the dominant eye, use an eye patch, or add a blinder to the sight. For barebow gap shooting, eye dominance is less critical since the reference is the arrow tip rather than a sight aperture. If your groups consistently drift to one side despite correct technique, check eye dominance with a pointing test.
What is the point-on distance for gap shooting?
The point-on distance is where the arrow tip aimed directly at the target produces a hit at centre — no gap compensation needed. For most barebow recurve setups this falls between 20 and 40 yards depending on arrow speed and draw length. At distances shorter than point-on, the tip is aimed above the target (negative gap). At distances beyond point-on, the tip is aimed below. Knowing your point-on is a useful calibration anchor for all other gap references.
How do I aim a longbow?
Longbows are typically shot using gap shooting, split vision, or instinctive aiming — the same methods as barebow traditional recurve. Gap shooting works identically: establish your gaps at each distance and aim the tip at the appropriate reference point. Instinctive shooting is a popular choice among longbow archers because it complements the traditional aesthetic and field-shooting context, but requires substantially more practice volume than gap shooting to achieve consistent results.