Archery discipline

Compound

Compound archery uses a bow with cams and cables that reduce the holding weight at full draw, and is typically shot with a release aid and a magnified sight.

Part of Archery

Overview

The compound bow uses a system of cams, or pulleys, at the limb tips linked by cables. As the archer reaches full draw, the cams roll over and create 'let-off', reducing the weight the archer holds to a fraction of the bow's peak weight.

It is usually shot with a mechanical release aid rather than off the fingers, together with a small peep sight in the string and a magnifying scope, which support very consistent, tightly grouped shooting.

Compound is a distinct target discipline with its own competition categories, using equipment and technique that clearly set it apart from recurve and barebow.

What defines it

Uses cams and cables that create let-off at full draw.
Let-off reduces the weight held while aiming.
Typically shot with a mechanical release aid.
Commonly paired with a peep sight and a magnifying scope.
Associated with tight, consistent shot groupings.

Getting started

1Beginners often try compound at a club or range where equipment can be set to a comfortable draw.
2Learning to use a release aid and settling on a repeatable anchor point are common early steps.
3A coach or club can help fit the bow and introduce the fundamentals.