Archery is all about who keeps on consistent about it. Being consistent and focused on shooting makes you an expert archer, and this can only be done when you know about the nocking bow point and you have all the essential information about it.
Nocking point is the point where you have to clip your arrow before releasing it. The nocking point keeps the arrow in place for a perfect shot.
Every bowstring has at least one nocking point, as it keeps the arrow in position, but if there are two nocking points instead of one, it works pretty well because it keeps the arrow positioned perfectly.
Mainly there are two kinds of nocking points. You can make it by yourself by tying the string, and the other is mostly made of brass that you can place on the string in the desired position.
So, if you’re here, that means that you want to know how to find the nocking point on a bow. Therefore, we’ll be discussing how to do that.
But, before jumping into depth, let’s first talk about what in fact, nocking point is, types, and why it is so important in archery.
Let’s get started!
Table of Content
What is a bow nocking point, and why should you set one?
A nocking point is an exact location/point on a bowstring where you can nock your arrow for a perfect shot.
Bows have a nocking point most of the time, but if there is no nocking point on your bowstring, you can easily make one for yourself because it is necessary for a perfect shot.
From the name “nocking point,” you may think that it is the point on your bowstring where you’d nock your arrow, but some of the archers consider it the markers that tell us about the location (where to nock an arrow) as the nocking point.
A nocking point is a very crucial and significant tool in archery because it helps you to nock your arrow at the same place twice and more. And, this brings about accuracy.
If you have set nocking point too high or too low on a bowstring, it can lead to the bouncing of the arrow (on release), and you won’t be able to take a perfect shot.
Therefore, when you fix the nocking point at the right place, you are determined to be a professional archer and want fantastic shots.
Different forms of a nocking point:
The most common form of a nocking point is a nocking point made up of brass that fixes into the bowstring with a pair of pliers. Brass nocking points are commonly used because they stay tightly on the bowstring and never become loose again.
However, as it has benefits, it does have some disadvantages, and the main is that it is heavy and can lead to the slower speed of the arrow. So, for the archers that go for the speed, feel disappointed about the brass nocking point.
Apart from this, brass nocking points need care and attention. For instance, they can cut your finger when rubbed, so you need to be careful there. Otherwise, you’ll get your finger cut.
On the other hand, beginners prefer nocking brass points for practice because, at that point, they don’t need high speed.
However, apart from brass nocking point, “tied” is another nocking point, and the Olympic players mostly use it. And, in that case, thread or dental floss can easily work.
Tied nocking points are preferred mainly by the professionals and those who want some speed on their arrows. Tied nocking points are lighter and safe for the user, so expert archers use them.
However, as compared to the brass nocking point, tied nocking points are pretty tricky to fix because, in this case, you need to find out and fix the point manually.
How to find a nocking point on a bowstring?
A bare shaft can be the most helpful tool when it comes to finding the nocking point accurately. But a bare shaft is un-fletched, so why do you use it? Let’s see!
Finding the nocking point with a fletched arrow cannot be precise. The arrow may seem to be traveling with high velocity, but it won’t have much. Therefore, it will become a massive mistake during an archery competition or when you are targeting something.
On the other hand, on an un-fletched arrow, the arrow won’t receive any other external aid, and thus, it will move straight towards the target. However, it will move straight only when it will be released from an accurate nocking point. Hence, the results will be more precise.
Step by step: How to Find a Nocking Point.
To find the correct location for the nocking point is here:
Step 1 – either above or below the arrow?
The drawing style will determine the location of the nocking point. In case you are using the thumb draw, place the nocking point above the arrow. For this, slide the arrow upwards so that the nocking point must be above the arrow. It will help to fix the arrow perfectly, and it won’t slide from its position.
On the other hand, if you are using a finger nock high, you should slide the arrow downward so that the nocking point must be below the arrow and keep the arrow in the right position.
Step 2 – Determine the starting point:
First of all, find the starting point on your bow. If there is any shelf on the bow, it will be the starting point.
However, traditional bows do not have an arrow shelf, and at that point you’ll manually gauge the location on the bowstring. For this, you can also eyeball the location, so the starting point of the bow will be where the shaft stays horizontally between the bowstring and the resting point on your bow hand.
Step 3 – start with the nocking point too high:
The nocking point will be placed 1.5 inches above the starting point of the bow. At this point, bow square can be used to measure the distance accurately.
The high nocking point will be beneficial for a precise target aiming.
Step 4 – shoot the bare shaft:
Now, take a full-length shaft and shoot it at any rough target from a distance of 7-10m. The shaft length must be 1.5inches more than the draw length.
Step 5 – the last step:
Now, you have to lower the nocking point by 1/8 inches and then repeat the shooting process. Then, keep on lowering the nocking point and stop when the arrow hits the target straight. And, this is the right nocking point!
What do you need to prepare?
Let’s follow this step by step!
Here’s what we will need:
- Thread
- Bracing height gauge (bow square)
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Hot glue applicator with glue sticks (optional)
First step:
Take the thread you’ll need to make a nocking point, then pass it through the melted glue from the hot glue applicator.
Now, how will you do that? You’ll heat the hot glue applicator and take a small piece to the tip of the applicator and then pass the thread through it. Simple!
It is for those who want that their thread to stays on the bowstring for long.
Moving on to the next step!
Step two:
Now, you’ll need the bracing height gauge. What you have to do is that just clip the bracing height gauge on the bowstring.
Step three:
To mark the top of the nocking point, you’ll make a mark above the bottom line of the gauge. One thing to remember here is that this step is the most crucial one, and you need to pay attention here because this is the point where the arrow will be fixed.
Now!
Step four:
What you have to do now is that loop the thread around the string and tie it there.
After that,
Make another knot under the first one. Then, tie a third know above your first knot. Now, you’ll see that there are three knots in a line, and the first know will be in the middle of the other two knots.
Now, leave 5-6mm and cut the extra loose ends.
Moving forward!
Step five:
Now, bring the lighter, light it up and bring it close to the thread, but be careful that the string shouldn’t catch fire. The string will melt down slowly in this process, and the extra thread will burn away now. By pressing the melted part to the nocking points, and in this way, it will be sealed, it won’t get loose!
Moving on to the last step!
Step six:
Now, place the arrow on the bowstring on your new created nocking point and repeat this process from the end of an arrow for precision.
Don’t do this process tightly, and don’t put pressure on the nocking point because it will make a pinch in the nocking point. Therefore, a pinch in the nocking point lessens accuracy. So, you need to be careful here!