Nockpunkthöhe
Nock height is the vertical position of the nocking point — or bottom D-loop knot — measured from a reference line perpendicular to the string at rest level. Most compound setups start with the nocking point set between 1/8" and 3/16" above square (90° to the string), then fine-tune from there based on paper-tuning results.Details
Nock height is measured with a bow square or T-square clipped onto the string at the rest. The square's horizontal arm rests on the arrow rest shelf or launcher, and the measurement is taken from that reference up to the bottom of the nocking point or the bottom knot of the D-loop. A reading of zero means the nocking point is at exact square; positive values mean it sits above square. Most compound archers begin at 1/8" above square as a neutral starting point before consulting paper-tuning results.
The nocking point controls the angle at which the arrow departs the bow. Set it too high and the arrow launches slightly downward at the nock end, producing a nock-high tear in paper. Set it too low and the nock rides above the point, creating a nock-low tear. Because cam geometry varies significantly between bow models, the ideal nock height is not universal — it is determined by the bow's specific cam design, the rest height, and the arrow's dynamic behavior off the launcher. This is why paper tuning is always used to confirm nock height rather than relying on a single published number.
Nock height and rest height are interdependent: raising the rest has the same vertical effect on nock travel as lowering the nocking point. When correcting a nock-high paper tear, most tuners start by raising the rest before moving the nocking point, because rest height is often easier to adjust in small increments and its effect is more direct. Moving the nocking point changes the string angle across the full draw cycle, which can also affect timing and peep rotation on some setups.
Once dialed in, nock height should be recorded and checked periodically. String stretch over the first few hundred shots, D-loop serving compression, and limb set on a new bow can all shift nock height subtly. Re-checking with a bow square at the start of a new season — or after changing strings — catches drift before it affects groups.
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Häufige Fragen
- Should I move the nocking point or the rest when correcting a nock-high paper tear?
- Try raising the rest first — it has a direct, linear effect on nock travel and is easier to adjust precisely. Move the nocking point only if the rest is already at its upper travel limit or if the tear persists after exhausting the rest's range.
- Does nock height matter on a recurve bow the same way it does on a compound?
- Yes, but the starting reference differs. Recurve archers typically set the nocking point 3/16" above square as a baseline, whereas compound setups are more variable because cam geometry determines ideal nock travel. Both disciplines use paper tuning or bare-shaft tuning to confirm the measurement.
- How often does nock height shift on a new bow?
- String and cable stretch during a bow's break-in period — typically the first 200–300 shots — can move nock height noticeably. Re-measure after the initial break-in and again at the start of each season. A change of more than 1/16" warrants re-checking your paper tear.