Nocking an Arrow

A nocked arrow should be positioned about a quarter inch above the arrow rest on the bow handle. On most bows, a small brass band called a “nocking point” is crimped onto the bowstring to mark the correct position.

To nock the arrow:

• Grasp the arrow between the thumb and index finger of the right hand (if you’re a right-handed shooter).
• With your left hand, hold the bow parallel to the ground about waist high, string toward the body.
• Lay the arrow shaft on the bow’s arrow rest.
• Align the slot in the nock with the string, while making sure that the cock feather points up (while the bow is parallel to the ground).
• Pull the arrow back until the string snaps into the slot.

When the arrow is nocked and the bow is raised, the cock feather points to the left if you are right-handed.