The stance of an archer is very important as it builds the foundation of developing a repeatable and comfortable shooting position.

Ideally with both feet shoulder width apart and when the archer is at full draw, the body weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. Approximately two thirds of the weight should be on the balls of the feet and a third on the heels.

You should be upright with knees and muscles relaxed but not locked. There are generally two types of stances a beginner archer can be instructed to achieve a good shooting form. They are;
• The Square Stance and
• The Open Stance.

THE BASIC STANCE (a.k.a THE SQUARE STANCE)

Step 1:
A basic stance is formed by placing both feet on each side of the shooting line. If shooting right handed your left foot will be forward of the shooting line (“down range”) side. Left handed archers are the reverse.

Step 2:
Space your feet so they are approximately shoulder width apart.

Step 3:
Rotate your into what is called the “square stance” (detailed below). This means your feet are parallel with the shooting line.

Step 4:
Rotate your hips so they are tucked or rolled under your upper body so as to flatten your lower back and shoulders.

Step 5:
Lower your chest and ribs downward toward your stomach. This helps you to have a low bow shoulder and not to pre-tighten your shoulder for the draw.

THE SQUARE STANCE
This is the most easily taught stance for any new archer. The main reason for this is that, it is a very natural and easy to reproduce stance.

To achieve this stance the archer requires having their feet, hips and shoulders square to the target. Some archers with a large frame or large chest may incur clearance problems with the bow string; in this case the open stance would be a more appropriate stance.

See the below image for an example of a square stance. Notice that the feet are in line with each other and also line up with the centre of the target.

As you develop your skill you may feel more comfortable to open your stance. This is acceptable, but be reminded that you need to be able to repeat the stance for every shot and day to day.

THE OPEN STANCE
This stance is where the front foot is positioned towards your backside, such that the heel of your back foot is aligned with the toes of your front foot. This stance is similar to the close stance (more on that later) where it provides a stable support base.

This stance can fix the leaning away problem associated with the close stance (again more on that in a moment).

Archers who use this method of stance are less likely to lean away from the target. However where there is positive there is also a negative.

This stance is prone to cause your upper body to twist towards the target and may make you use much weaker arm muscles rather than your back muscles during the draw. This issue could possibly be minimized if you square your shoulders to the target, enough to use your back muscles.

The open stance does allow more clearance between you and the bow string, as you are opening your front towards the target.

The recommendation angle for this stance is between 15 and 35 degrees from the target centerline depending on your preference and comfort levels.

The most important part of this stance is that the feet must remain in position until the shot has been completed.

The below image is an example of an open stance.

VARIED STANCES
As you progress you may experiment with variances of the open stance and square stance.

These other stances are known as Close stance and Oblique Stance. However, for beginner archers the square stance and the open stance are the two most easy and favourable stances.

THE CLOSE STANCE
The close stance (yes, we got there!) is a position where the front foot (closest to the target) is forward of from the front of the body such that the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toes of the back foot.

The stance gives a very stable support base and provides an excellent alignment of the arm and shoulder with the target. However the major drawback experience with this stance is the reduced string clearance. This could cause the string to touch against your body. This stance does tend to make you lean away from the target, which may cause you to over draw.

THE OBLIQUE STANCE
The fourth and last stance is called the oblique stance. In many ways, it is similar to the open stance, and some instructors do not make the distinction between them during their archery lessons.

This stance is a little different. The archer places their big toe of their front foot on a line and pivots it 45 degrees to the target. The heel of the back foot is then placed in line with the big toe of the front foot.

The oblique stance has many advantages;
• It provides the best amount of clearance for the bowstring when arrows are released.
• It puts the body in total and complete equilibrium.
• It allows you to see the target very clearly, allowing for better aim.

The main disadvantage of this stance though is that it is hard to maintain, and so is mostly used by expert archers only.

THINGS TO REMEMBER;
• Your feet are the foundation of your form and should not move during the entirety of your shot.
• Which eve stand you decide use, it should be comfortable for you.
• The stance needs to be repeatable.
• Proportion the weight on your feet; do not let all your weight be rooted through the balls of your feet.
• Remember to align your hips with your feet.

Written By
Ethan Start

Location

401 Benalla-Baddaginnie Road