Stance, Posture and Head Position

We hope you're faring well and keeping busy! By now, you're all likely settled into your routines working from home. As you know, routines in archery are so important because it is a sport based on consistency. 

While many looking in from the outside world think shooting is simply a draw-aim-shoot process, we know there is so much more involved in creating a good shot. Even the basics are complex; an entire lesson can be taught on stance, posture, and head position alone because they are so integral to the execution of every shot. I have some tips you can try with your archers to simplify these steps, so let’s dive on in!

It’s best to begin by addressing an archer’s stance. This is the basis for stability in a good shot; it becomes even more important when shooting in harsh weather conditions such as rain or wind. 

The stance is an active pose in which the feet find stability through the toes. There are many correct ways to position the feet, but a simple explanation of this (without delving into each individual variation) is to keep the feet about shoulder-width apart with relaxed legs and neutral knees. The archer should disburse 70% of their weight on the balls of the feet and toes and 30% on their heels. It helps to think of the toes as roots growing into the ground when trying to accomplish this balance without lifting the heels. 

Posture is established after the stance. The archer’s hips should be tucked and situated over the knees to achieve a flat back, the core is actively supporting the lower back, and shoulders should be rolled back and down away from the ears. Note that drawing the shoulders back too far will push the chest out, so dropping the ribcage is also important for maintaining alignment in the shot. The archer can imagine a string attached to the crown of their head pulling them up, much akin to a marionette. 

Olympic archer, Sjef Van Den Berg, explains how important this is and the components of good stance and posture in this video: How to get the perfect archery posture.

Something many young archers tend to struggle with is head position. The positioning of the head in the shot sequence dictates the consistency of the anchor point, expansion capability, and the followthrough, so it’s crucial to creating a consistent shot. Finding a comfortable position isn’t difficult: with the head in a neutral position (not tilted forward or back), turn the head to address the target. As long as the neck isn’t experiencing discomfort and the head isn’t tilting to the left or right, this is a functional position. The difficult part is maintaining this position throughout the entire shot.

An easy way to work on this is to have someone stand behind the archer and lightly place a single finger on the top of the head after they’re in the position they intend to maintain. This gentle contact draws just enough attention to the area in question without compromising the rest of their process. The key is to remove the responsibility of remembering not to move their head so they can focus on integrating the feeling of this position into their shot cycle. Have your archers give this a try with a family member while they practice with their stretch bands at home! 

Practicing these steps leading into establishing the “Set” position can make a huge difference in the consistency of an archer’s form! Giving your archers time to let these practices sink in before moving on to the next steps will create a solid foundation on which to proceed with the complex steps ahead. For another great article on stance and posture, check out Proper Archery Posture Yields Consistent Shooting from Archery 360!

Let us know what your favorite virtual coaching practices are on our Facebook page! Happy training!