How to Tie a Nocking Point

Things you’ll need:

  • Nocking point string that’s about 40 cm. Enough to tie two nocking points
  • T-gauge
  • A paint marker
  • An arrow
  • Lighter, preferably jet lighter
  • Pen-knife/Scissors

Things to do before tying a nocking point:

  • Check your brace height according to the length of your bow
  • Adjust your string accordingly if it lies outside of the acceptable range
  • Note: The location of your nocking point changes after the adjustment   

 

 

Step 1: Let’s Get Started!

  • Clip the t-gauge onto your serving
  • Rest the t-gauge on your arrow rest
  • Lift the tip of the t-gauge lightly to ensure that it does not overlap with your arrow rest 

Step 2: Marking Where to Start Your Nocking Point

  • Use a paint marker to mark the point lightly on the “1” of the “1/8” mark, just enough to indicate where to tie your nocking point
  • This is where you’ll start tying the bottom nocking point

 

Step 3: First Half of the Bottom Nocking Point

  • Remove the t-gauge from your serving
  • Tie a knot on the point you’ve marked. Ensure that one tail is much longer than the other
  • Hold the short tail down with your left thumb as you loop the long tail over the short tail with your right hand

  • This helps to tighten your knot as you do your first loop
  • Turn the string towards your riser (forward loop). This direction ensures that your nocking point gets tighter every time when you release
  • Use your left index finger to hold the nocking point every time you complete a loop. It helps to maintain the tension
  • Loop a total of 4 times

We have just completed the first half of your bottom nocking point!

Step 4: Second Half of the Bottom Nocking Point

  • To complete the second half, loop the long tail over your left index finger to create a big loop as you maintain the tension, aka the “mountain” 
  • Release the short tail you’ve been holding
  • Maintain tension by pulling the mountain with your left index finger 
  • Similarly, loop the same number of times as you did for the first half towards the riser. But this time, loop it within the “mountain”.
  • Note: The loops do not have to be extremely tight as this step is simply a bridge for the final step
  • Then, use your left thumb to hold the loops
  • After completing the loops, use your right hand to collect the tails and hold it down tightly towards the right side of the serving with your right thumb

 

Step 5: (Con’t) Second Half of the Bottom Nocking Point

  • Since your left index finger has been holding on to the mountain, we will now use that finger to complete the second half of the nocking point
  • Turn the mountain towards the riser to close the gaps
  • Use your right index finger to hold the completed loops when you release the mountain before the next loop
  • Pull the longer tail gently as you close the gap for the final loop

Step 6: Tightening the Nocking Point

  • Notice that both ends are situated right in the middle of the nocking point
  • Tighten your nocking point by pulling the tails towards its respective directions
  • Note: Do not pull it in the perpendicular direction of the string as it will create a gap in between your nocking point

Step 7: Complete the Nocking Point

  • Cut the excess of the tails, leaving less than 0.3cm
  • Grab your lighter to burn the tails. Afterwich, use the bottom of the lighter to press down the burnt area immediately
  • Be careful not to burn the entire nocking point/serving!

Congratulations! You’ve completed your bottom nocking point!

Step 8: Top Nocking Point


  • Nock an arrow against the bottom nocking point to mark your top nocking point
  • Remove your arrow after marking
  • Use the leftover string to tie your second nocking point
  • Repeat steps 4 to 7, except use the mirror image of finger placements this time round
  • Important note: The direction of the longer tail must be forward-looping as well

Step 9: Final Check

  • Ensure that your nock fits nicely into your newly minted nocking points before you start shooting!
  • Do not tolerate slight gaps as it can cause huge deviations in your grouping especially at longer distances.

Challenge of the Week!

Challenge yourself to tying both nocking points in 5 minutes once you’ve mastered the skill! It’s an important skill to have especially during competitions where time is a constraint during matches.

 

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