The Nock and the String Loop

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.

There are a variety of nocks, and the type you choose should be based on your arrow shaft and what you will be doing.

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) is most popular on recurve bows, longbows, or bows that are not using a release aid for shooting. It 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.

A string loop is often used as the nocking point when archers are using a release aid and are shooting short axle-to-axle compound bows.

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 or string loop is an important part of tuning a bow for the best arrow flight and accuracy.