There are so many different terms when it comes to archery that it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t know the sport all that well. From phrases such as risers, fletchings, cock fletchings, and nocks, it can be hard to figure out what the archers are talking about.
So, what is a nock in archery?
The nock refers to the part of the arrow that you latch onto the bow string. This helps to keep the arrow securely locked in place until you loose it. A good quality nock will need to be tight enough to keep your arrow in place while you’re aiming.
If the nock is too loose, the arrow will be bobbing up and down along the string. Not only is this highly annoying, it means your arrow will never be in the same place each time you shoot it, so you can never get the consistency you’re after.
So the nock is actually a very important part of your arrow.
Why is the nock important in archery?
The nock is a very important part of your arrow, so is highly important in archery. To get the best, most consistent results, you will need to have all the right equipment in top notch condition.
As we’ve already mentioned above, the nock of your arrow will need to be tight enough to hold on to the string properly. This is to keep the arrow in the same place each time, so you can get consistent results. You will need to nock the arrow against the nocking point on your string.
The nocking point is a metal ring that has been attached to the string so that you can get the arrow in the same place every time.
Your nock will also be important as it will hold the arrow in the correct position on the bow. You will need to use the nock to ensure that the cock fletching of the arrow is facing you. This is so that the arrow can fly smoothly from your bow when you release it.
What is nock tuning?
Nock tuning is the process of finding the stiffest part of the arrow. Your arrows will typically fly better if this stiff part of the spine is facing upwards when you shoot. So the aim of nock tuning is to slightly adjust the positioning of your nock to different places along the shaft until you find the position where your arrow will fly straightest.
The best way to do this is to shoot an arrow without any fletchings on it through paper, until you find the position of the shaft that will shoot a perfect “bullet” hole. Typically this will give you a better idea of where to place the fletchings so that you can have more accurate shooting.
It’s important to remember that you won’t be able to adjust a nock that has been glued on to your arrow. You will only be able to complete nock tuning with arrows that feature adjustable nocks.
Why do archers say nock?
The term nock refers to the plastic piece on the end of the arrow which allows you to slot it onto the string of your bow. However, the term nock is also used to describe the action of attaching the arrow to your bow. So you will need to nock the arrow onto your string, ensuring the nock is securely attached.
It is thought this term is possibly Scandinavian in origin, though there is little evidence to prove exactly where the term nock came from. Other archery terms include draw, which means to pull back the string. When you let the arrow fly, this is called loosing the arrow.
Do you nock or notch an arrow?
The term for attaching an arrow to your bow string is referred to as nock. It is thought that the term nock has been derived from the term notch, such as the notch on the end of an arrow. This has over time become nock, so this is the term that is more commonly used when referring to the action of attaching an arrow to your bow string.
Where is the nock on a bow?
The nock isn’t actually located on the bow itself. The nock is located on the end of your arrow, and is the part of the arrow that is used to attach it to the string.
The only aspect of your bow which uses the term “nock” is the nocking point along the string. This is usually a metal attachment that has been secured to the string, so that you can place the arrow in the same place every time.
The nocking point typically tends to be around half an inch above the shelf where the arrow tip will rest. Each time you get a new string, you will need to attach new nocking points to it so that you can achieve accurate, consistent results.
If the nocking point has been placed in the wrong position, this will affect your consistency. The arrows won’t be able to sit straight across the shelf, and will likely fly in completely the wrong direction. This may leave you confused and wondering if something has happened to your bow or your arrows. Make sure that the nocking point is in the correct position for better results.
In summary
So there you have it! You now know that the nock refers to the slotted end of the arrow. It also refers to the action of attaching the arrow to your bow string.
You will need to ensure that the nock is fairly tight so that it can be attached to the same place on your string. This will allow you to get better, consistent results with your shooting.
Some archers like to nock tune their arrows to help improve their shooting. This is the process where they adjust the positioning of the nock on their arrow to find the stiffest part of the arrow. You will only be able to nock tune an arrow that comes with an adjustable nock.
