Bow actions and directions

Nock: putting an arrow on the string

Draw: pulling the string away from the target
   Pre-draw: a light tension is applied on the string, the archer can control if her form is optimal. Depending on the technique used, this may be part of the aiming process.
   Full-draw: the string is drawn until the desired point
   Overdraw: the string is drawn behind the desired point

Anchor: the draw hand and the string are fixed (anchored) at a point on the archer’s body. Typical European anchors are at the side of the face or at the neck. Japanese kudo archers draw almost until the ear, which can be seen as an overdraw by European archers.

Release: relaxing the draw fingers/opening the mechanical release, which allows the string to propel the arrow

Bow side: the side that holds the bow

Draw side: the side that draws the string

Dominant side: handedness, right for most people, usually the side that draws the string

Off side: left for most people, usually the side that holds the bow

Directions: forward and back can be confusing, since one should always point out whether one means the body or the shooting direction. To avoid this, four descriptive terms are used
   Towards the belly: forward with respect to the archer, ventral
   Towards the back: backward with respect to the archer, dorsal
   Towards the target: forward with respect to the shooting direction
   Away from the target: backward with respect to the shooting direction