What is Barebow Archery?
Barebow is a recurve bow discipline that uses modern materials but prohibits accessories that aid in aiming or stabilization. Archers must rely on consistent form, muscle memory, and specialized aiming techniques to achieve accuracy.
Competition Distances
Field Archery: 5-50 meters at target faces 20-80cm diameter
Target Archery: 50 meters at 122cm target face
Indoor: 18 meters with specialized arrow setups
Equipment Setup & Regulations
Riser Length Selection
23" Riser
Best for: Draw length < 25"
With Short Limbs: 64" bow
With Medium Limbs: 66" bow
Competition: Standard barebow class
25" Riser (Most Popular)
Best for: Most draw lengths
With Medium Limbs: 68" bow (standard)
With Short Limbs: 66" bow
Competition: Most common choice
27" Riser
Best for: Draw length > 31"
With Medium Limbs: 70" bow
With Long Limbs: 72" bow
Benefit: Increased stability
Weight System (No Stabilizers)
Equipment Restrictions
Prohibited: Traditional stabilizers, clickers, draw checks, sighting aids
Allowed: Fixed weights above/below grip that pass through 12.2cm ring
Vibration Dampeners: Allowed if they pass through 12.2cm ring without flexing
Weight Placement Benefits
- Bottom Weight: Prevents bow tipping backward, improves vertical balance
- Equal Limb Weights: Improves shot reaction and stability
- Forward Weight: Makes bow jump forward instead of falling away
- Heavy Riser: Natural weight distribution (Spigarelli, Best, Bernardini)
Recommended Weight Products
- Axcel Stabilizer 10oz Stack: Inspection-approved design
- Custom Weights: 1/4 lb to 5/8 lb options
- Stollid Bull Black Thunder: 2.5kg heavy riser with weight block
- Round Weights: Fit regulation ring requirements perfectly
Bow Weight Selection
Key Insight: Higher Poundage ≠ Better Performance
Unlike compound or Olympic recurve, higher draw weight can be detrimental to barebow aiming accuracy.
Range Capability: Even 22# bows can comfortably reach 100 yards
Recommendation: Choose weight that allows consistent, controlled shooting over maximum power
Arrow Selection & Tuning
Spine Selection for Barebow
Critical: Barebow Requires Stiffer Arrows
Rule: Generally 1 spine stiffer than Olympic recurve recommendations
Reality: Spine charts are not very accurate for barebow shooting
Method: Tune all components together - spine, length, point weight, vane weight
Spine Examples by Poundage
26# @ 30": 1000 spine (or longer 900 spine)
32# @ 30": 730-800 spine
36# @ 30": 660 spine
Note: These are starting points - tune with components
Tuning Process
Method: Bare shaft/fletched grouping at 18-20m
Components: Tune spine, length, point, vane, nock weights together
String Walking: Choose one crawl distance for tuning
Goal: Bare shafts and fletched arrows hit same group
FOC (Front of Center) Balance
Standard FOC
Range: 10-15%
Use: General shooting
Point Weight: 100-120 grains
Application: Most versatile setup
Indoor Competition
Range: 12-18%
Use: Indoor tournaments
Benefit: Better grouping at close range
Point Weight: 120-200 grains typical
Extreme FOC
Range: 26-28%
Use: No string walking tournaments
Benefit: Arrow points in right direction quicker
Expert Level: Used by top USA barebow archers
FOC as Tuning Tool
"FOC's best application is fine-tuning the spine of your arrow" - Modern approach uses FOC less as flight tool, more for spine adjustment.
Point Weight Effects on Dynamic Spine
Physics Principle
Point weight affects dynamic spine - the actual stiffness in flight. More point weight = weaker dynamic spine because the point provides resistance against the bowstring's driving force, causing increased shaft flex.
Aiming Techniques
String Walking
Technique Overview
Move fingers down the string based on target distance while keeping arrow point on target center.
Close Targets: Fingers farther from nock (up to 20cm below)
Far Targets: Fingers closer to nock (higher on string)
String Walking Requirements
- Finger Tab: Pre-marked three-under tab with crawl marks
- Anchor Point: Consistent facial reference (fixed anchor)
- Practice: Extensive distance practice and data collection
- Tuning: Choose one crawl distance for arrow tuning
Tuning Crawl Selection
Field Archery: Use median crawl distance
Outdoor Target: Use 50m crawl
Indoor Target: Use 18m crawl
Gap Shooting
Technique Overview
Maintain same finger position and anchor while aiming arrow tip above or below target center.
Short Distance: Aim below target center
Long Distance: Aim above target center
Gap Shooting Requirements
- Fixed Anchor: Consistent facial reference point
- Gap Data: Distance-specific aiming points
- Practice: Develop gap charts for various distances
- Windage: Use string/bow window edge alignment
Gap Development
Start with known distances and record where arrow tip aims
Build personal gap chart through systematic practice
Adjust for varying shooting conditions
Face Walking
Method: Change anchor point on face based on distance
Close Distance: Anchor closer to eye
Reliability: Less reliable than fixed anchor methods
Challenge: Difficult to find exact reference points
Instinctive Shooting
Method: Subconscious aiming through repetition
Focus: Concentrate on target spot, not aiming mechanics
Development: Requires extensive practice at all distances
Mental: Faith that arrow will go where looking
Technical Setup
Finger Tab & Draw Technique
Three-Under Mediterranean Draw
Finger Position: Index, middle, and ring fingers all below arrow
Benefit: Arrow closer to eye for better alignment
Application: Enables string walking technique
Standard: Most common barebow draw method
Tab Selection
Type: Simple single-patch tab (not split-finger Olympic style)
String Walking: Pre-marked tabs with crawl distance marks
Material: Leather or synthetic with good feel
Features: Ledge preferred by most archers
Anchor Points
Most Common Anchor: Index Finger at Lip Corner
Position: Index finger tucked into corner of lip
Hand Position: Top of hand runs under cheekbone
Eye Alignment: Line up eye with string for proper windage
Consistency: Critical for accurate shooting
Alternative Anchors
- Middle Finger: Corner of mouth (some archers prefer this)
- Cheekbone: Just underneath eye (novice recommendation)
- Jaw Line: Consistent bone reference
- Note: Choose one and practice consistently
Regional Preferences
- European Style: Index finger anchor preferred
- American Style: Middle finger anchor common
- Beginner: Cheekbone anchor for learning
- Advanced: Lip corner for precision
Arrow Rest Selection
Beginner Choice: Hoyt Super Rest
Benefits: Lightweight, flexible, forgiving
Cost: Affordable entry-level option
Setup: Easy to install and adjust
Performance: Excellent for learning barebow
Advanced Choice: Zniper Drop-Away
Benefits: Cleanest shot, minimal arrow contact
Cost: Around £70 (premium option)
Setup: Requires tuning patience
Performance: Competition-level accuracy
Plunger Button Recommendation
Recommended: Shibuya DX plunger button
Purpose: Essential for countering archer's paradox and straightening arrow flight
Value: Reasonably priced with excellent performance
Competition Considerations
Equipment Compliance
Prohibited Equipment
• Sights, marks, or blemishes used as sighting aids
• Clickers and/or draw checks
• Traditional stabilizers (vibration dampeners must fit 12.2cm ring)
• Arrow modifications beyond fletching wraps or use wear
Allowed Equipment
• Weights above and below grip (non-aiming purpose)
• Vibration dampeners (if they pass 12.2cm ring test)
• Arrow shafts up to 9.3mm (.366") diameter
• Field points up to 9.4mm (.370") diameter
Arrow Length Strategy
Outdoor Shooting
Shorter Arrows: Provide longer range with any given crawl
Benefit: More efficient for field archery distances
Trade-off: May require more crawl adjustments
Indoor Shooting
Longer Arrows: Advantageous for indoor distances
Benefit: Better sight picture at close range
Setup: Optimized for 18m competition
Premium Equipment Options
Elite Arrow Options
Easton Premium Series
X10 Series: X10, X10 Protour, X10 Procomp (from £360/12 pack)
A/C/E Arrows: From £260/12 pack
Feature: Digital spine alignment within ±0.5 grains
Benefit: Tighter grouping for elite competition
Software Tools
Archer's Advantage Online
Cost: $20/year subscription
Features: Shaft spine selection, custom sight tapes
Calculations: Velocity and weight optimization
Purpose: Optimize arrow design for barebow setup
Mental Game & Practice Development
Mental Game Requirements
Consistency Demands
Draw Length: Incredible consistency in bow draw repetition required
Mental Fortitude: Execute clean shot without mechanical aids
Shot Process: Better form = more effective aiming
Confidence: Faith that arrow will go where aiming (instinctive)
Practice Philosophy
- Volume: "Arrow after arrow at all distances" for instinctive
- Data Collection: Systematic gap/crawl chart development
- Patience: Aiming methods need most time and practice
- Dedication: Each method equally effective but requires commitment
Technique Combinations
Hybrid Approaches
Combined Methods: Many archers use string walking + gap shooting
Scenario-Based: Different techniques for different shooting situations
Accuracy: Nearly as accurate as sighted archery when mastered
Versatility: Adapt techniques to match conditions
Development Progression
- 1. Start with gap shooting (most intuitive)
- 2. Add string walking for precision
- 3. Develop instinctive feel for close shots
- 4. Combine techniques based on situation
Quick Reference Guide
Essential Setup
- • 25" riser with medium limbs (68" bow)
- • Three-under finger tab with marks
- • Shibuya DX plunger button
- • Fixed weights below grip
- • 1 spine stiffer than OR charts
Arrow Specifications
- • Max 9.3mm shaft diameter
- • 100-120 grain points (standard)
- • 10-15% FOC (general shooting)
- • Bare shaft tuning at 18-20m
- • All components tuned together
Aiming Foundation
- • Index finger at lip corner anchor
- • Eye aligned with string (windage)
- • Choose string walking OR gap shooting
- • Extensive practice at all distances
- • Consistent shot execution critical