Chapter 4: Know Your Bow and Arrow
The Nock

The nock of an arrow is made of plastic and serves as the attachment point to place an arrow on a bowstring. Snap-on nocks lightly snap onto or grasp the bowstring to prevent unintentional separation of the arrow from the bowstring.

Prior to shooting, check nocks for cracks, nicks, or any other damage. A damaged nock may not absorb the energy from your bow properly, causing it to “dry fire.”

A nocking point (nock locating device) can be as simple as a small wrap of string or as elaborate as a rubber and brass band pinched onto the string at the appropriate spot.

In order to shoot consistently, the location where the arrow joins the bowstring must be the same with each shot and with all shafts. Proper placement of the nocking point is an important part of tuning a bow for the best arrow flight and accuracy.

Styles of Arrow Shaft Nocks Style A Two-piece arrow shaft nocking systems include a special shaft insert and nock that are made specifically for several types of arrow shaft materials (such as carbon-fiber, aluminum, or aluminum/carbon-fiber combination). Style B A common style of the one-piece arrow shaft nock is made to fit directly over the swaged shaft.