Bowstyles

A Guide to Archery Bows

Archery is a sport of precision, tradition, and personal preference – and at the heart of it all is your bow. Choosing the right bow is one of the most exciting parts of starting or advancing in the sport. From the sleek adaptability of the recurve to the timeless charm of the longbow, every bow type offers something unique for different styles of shooting.

This guide introduces the main bow types recognised by Archery GB, providing an overview of their features, uses, and why they might suit you. For detailed regulations on these bows, including their permitted configurations and accessories, refer to the Archery GB Rules of Shooting.

Quick Links

Olympic Recurve

The recurve bow is a true all-rounder, famed for its versatility and efficiency. Known as the "Olympic recurve," it’s the only bow used in the Olympics, but its appeal extends far beyond competitive shooting. Its distinctive curved tips (the "recurves") store energy efficiently, delivering smooth, powerful shots.

Recurves can be tailored to suit all archers, from beginners to seasoned competitors. Beginners often start with a simple recurve, while advanced archers customise their bows with sights, stabilisers, clickers, and other accessories to optimise performance. It’s also a mainstay of the Paralympic Games, valued for its adaptability across all abilities..

  • Best For: Target Archery, Field Archery, and Beginners.
  • Key Features:
    • Highly adaptable, allowing archers to customise their setup as they develop.
    • Available in a range of materials, from beginner-friendly aluminium risers to advanced carbon fibre for elite performance.
    • Used exclusively in Olympic competitions.
  • Why Choose It: If you want a bow that’s iconic, versatile, and grows with you as you develop your skills, the Olympic recurve is the ideal choice.

For full details on the specifications for recurve bows, see Rule 202 in the Rules of Shooting.

Penny Healey shooting at the Archery World Cup 2023 - September 2023
Penny Healey shooting at the Archery World Cup 2023 - September 2023 via Archery GB

Selection of archery bows.
Barebow at National Tour Final - September 2023 - Photo by Malcolm Rees via Archery GB

Barebow

Barebow archery strips away the extras, leaving just the archer and the bow. This minimalist style removes sights, stabilisers, and clickers, putting the focus squarely on instinct and technique. The barebow’s simplicity makes it an excellent tool for honing fundamentals and developing a deeper connection with your shot.

Barebows often feature heavier risers to improve stability, helping archers maintain precision even without modern aids. Popular in field archery and instinctive shooting, barebows are as challenging as they are rewarding.

  • Best For: Field archery, Instinctive Shooting, and Improving Fundamental Skills.
  • Key Features:
    • Shares the same structure as a recurve but with no additional aiming aids.
    • Often paired with heavier risers for improved balance and stability.
    • Promotes intuitive aiming, making it ideal for dynamic shooting environments like field courses.
  • Why Choose It: If you prefer a simpler, purer style of shooting that emphasises technique and instinct, barebow archery is a fantastic option.

For the official rules on barebow equipment, see Rule 204 in the Rules of Shooting.


Recurve Traditional

The Recurve Traditional bow blends the design of the modern recurve with the simplicity of traditional archery. Shot without modern aids like pressure buttons or adjustable rests, and requiring wooden arrows with feather fletchings, this bow is ideal for archers who want a more authentic experience.

Traditional recurves demand consistent technique and a focus on accuracy, making them a fascinating middle ground between historical archery and modern efficiency.

  • Best For: Target Archery, Field Archery, and Beginners.
  • Key Features:
    • Wooden arrows with natural feather fletchings
    • No adjustable arrow rests or modern accessories
    • A rewarding challenge for those with precise technique.
  • Why Choose It: Perfect for archers who love traditional archery with a hint of modern performance.

For full details on the specifications for recurve traditional bows, see Rule 205 in the Rules of Shooting.


Selection of archery bows.
Longbow archer at Archery GB National Clout - October 2022 - Photo via Archery GB

Longbow

The longbow is a symbol of archery’s history, with its tall, elegant wooden frame taking centre stage in medieval England. Longbows are beautifully simple, with no rests or modern aids, and are shot with wooden arrows, maintaining a direct connection to the past.

Mastering a longbow requires patience and technique, as the archer relies predominantly on instinctive aiming, although limited 'sights' are allowed. Despite its challenges, the longbow offers a deeply rewarding experience, celebrated by traditionalists and historical enthusiasts alike.

  • Best For: Traditional archery, historical events, and instinctive shooting.
  • Key Features:
    • Over five feet tall, with a D-shaped cross-section.
    • Requires wooden arrows with feather fletchings.
    • Demands consistency and precision, making it a true test of skill.
  • Why Choose It: If you love history or want to experience archery as it was practised centuries ago, the longbow is the perfect choice.

For the official rules on longbows, see Rule 206 in the Rules of Shooting.


American Flatbow

The American flatbow offers a modern twist on traditional longbows, featuring wider, flatter limbs that improve stability and shooting consistency. While maintaining a simple design, it’s more forgiving and user-friendly, making it a great option for newer traditional archers.

  • Best For: Traditional archers seeking a stable, reliable bow.
  • Key Features:
    • Wide limbs improve stability and reduce twist.
    • Crafted from wood or laminated materials for durability.
    • Retains a traditional aesthetic with a touch of modern refinement.
  • Why Choose It: If you’re drawn to traditional archery but prefer a bow that’s forgiving and easy to use, the flatbow strikes the perfect balance.

For full details on the specifications for American Flatbow, see Rule 206A in the Rules of Shooting.


Asiatic bow at Leicester Archery Academy
Asiatic Bow at Leicester Archery Academy - July 2021 - Photo by Christopher Bunce via Archery GB

Asiatic Bow

The Asiatic bow, also known as the horsebow, is compact, fast, and highly efficient. Historically used by mounted archers, its design is steeped in cultural significance. These bows are typically shot using a thumb draw with a thumb ring, a unique and fascinating technique.

Modern Asiatic bows often use traditional materials like wood, horn, and sinew, though fibreglass and carbon are also common. Their compact size and speed make them ideal for dynamic shooting styles.

  • Best For: Historical and cultural enthusiasts, or those exploring unique techniques.
  • Key Features:
    • Compact and manoeuvrable, designed for speed and efficiency.
    • Traditionally made from natural materials but available in modern constructions.
    • Uses a thumb draw technique for release.
  • Why Choose It: A must-try for archers interested in historical styles or unique cultural practices.

For the official rules on Asiatic Bows, see Rule 206B in the Rules of Shooting.


Compound

The compound bow is the pinnacle of modern archery technology, using cams and pulleys to store energy efficiently. These mechanical systems allow the archer to hold the bowstring at full draw with minimal effort, improving aim and control. Its adaptability and precision make it a favourite in competitive archery and a key feature of the Paralympic Games.

Compound bows are highly customisable, allowing archers to add accessories like stabilisers, magnified sights, and release aids to maximise performance. Despite its complexity, the compound is accessible to archers of all skill levels, offering unmatched accuracy and consistency.

  • Best For: Competitive target shooting, and archers who value precision.
  • Key Features:
    • Cams and pulleys reduce draw weight at full draw, allowing for steadier aiming..
    • Customisable with advanced accessories like magnified scopes and stabilisers.
    • Designed for accuracy and efficiency at all distances.
  • Why Choose It: Perfect for archers who want a high-tech bow that prioritises performance and precision.

For full details on the requirements for Compound, see Rule 208 in the Rules of Shooting.

Jessica Stretton shooting at the World Archery Para Cup 2023
Jessica Stretton shooting at the World Archery Para Cup 2023 - July 2023 by Emily Armstrong via Archery GB

Compound Limited

Compound Limited bows retain the efficiency and power of the compound design but impose restrictions to simplify the experience. Archers must draw and release the string using their fingers, and magnified sights are not allowed, creating a balance between traditional skills and modern technology.

This bow style offers a unique challenge, appealing to archers who want the advantages of a compound bow while maintaining a simpler shooting style.

  • Best For: Competitive target archers who prefer a simplified compound setup.
  • Key Features:
    • Must use fingers for drawing and releasing (no release aids allowed).
    • Sights are restricted to non-magnified options.
    • Encourages a mix of traditional technique and modern technology.
  • Why Choose It: Ideal for those who enjoy a streamlined compound experience without the complexity of additional aids.

For the official rules on Compound Limited, see Rule 208 in the Rules of Shooting.


Compound Barebow

Compound Barebow removes the accessories often associated with compound bows, focusing on instinctive shooting. With no sights or release aids, archers rely on their skill and form to deliver accurate shots. A single stabiliser up to 12 inches is permitted, but otherwise, the bow is stripped back to basics.

This style is perfect for archers who want to combine the power of a compound bow with the simplicity of instinctive shooting.

  • Best For: Archers who enjoy instinctive shooting with modern efficiency.
  • Key Features:
    • No sights, aiming aids, or release aids allowed.
    • One stabiliser up to 12 inches may be used.
    • Prioritises skill and form over mechanical assistance.
  • Why Choose It: A great option for those who want a blend of modern bow performance and traditional barebow technique.

For full details on the rules for Compound Barebow, see Rule 209 in the Rules of Shooting.


Archer shooting crossbow at the National Flight Championships August 2024 - Photo via Archery GB
Archer shooting crossbow at the National Flight Championships August 2024 - Photo via Archery GB

Crossbow

The crossbow is a horizontal bow design that combines historical appeal with mechanical precision. Equipped with a trigger mechanism, crossbows are easy to shoot accurately, making them popular for target shooting. They use shorter, heavier bolts instead of arrows, and modern versions often include scopes for enhanced aiming.

Although historically used in military and hunting contexts, modern crossbows are primarily used in competitive archery. However, not all clubs allow crossbows, so check your local club’s rules before investing in one.

  • Best For: Archers who enjoy mechanical precision or want a unique shooting experience.
  • Key Features:
    • Horizontal design with a trigger for controlled shooting.
    • Short, heavy bolts replace traditional arrows.
    • Often equipped with scopes for improved accuracy.
  • Why Choose It: Offers a distinctive archery experience, blending tradition and modern mechanics.

For the official rules on Crossbow, see Rule 210 in the Rules of Shooting.



Flight Bows

Flight bows are purpose-built for shooting arrows as far as possible, focusing entirely on speed and distance. Unlike other bows, flight bows are not concerned with accuracy or aesthetics, prioritising raw performance instead. There are two main types of flight bows - Conventional Flight Bow and Compound Flight Bow

Conventional Flight Bow

Lightweight and simple, conventional flight bows avoid mechanical advantages like cams or pulleys. Instead, they rely on traditional designs optimised for speed.

  • Best For: Archers who want to test their limits in distance shooting competitions.
  • Key Features:
    • Simple, lightweight design.
    • Overdraws permitted for increased draw length.
    • Focused entirely on maximising arrow speed.
  • Why Choose It: Ideal for purists looking to achieve maximum distances using 'traditional' methods.

For full details on the rules for Conventional Flight Bows, see Rule 211 in the Rules of Shooting.


Compound Flight Bow

Compound flight bows take the mechanics of a compound and apply them to distance shooting. Using cams and pulleys, these bows are engineered to generate extreme arrow velocities.

  • Best For: Archers seeking a high-tech approach to distance shooting.
  • Key Features:
    • Cams and pulleys enhance energy efficiency for maximum power.
    • Overdraws permitted for extended draw length.
    • Requires handheld release aids for precision.
  • Why Choose It: Perfect for archers looking to push the boundaries of mechanical performance.

For the official rules on Compound Flight Bows, see Rule 212 in the Rules of Shooting.