Archery term
Creep
What does Creep mean?
Creep is a slight forward movement of the drawing hand and string, letting the draw shorten just before or during release, instead of holding firmly at full draw. On a compound bow it means easing forward out of the back wall of the draw cycle.
Primary source for this term: World Archery Coaching Manual: Archery Glossary (Updated 2015)
Why it matters
Creeping reduces the stored energy delivered to the arrow and varies the release point from shot to shot, which lowers and scatters impacts, particularly affecting vertical consistency. Maintaining steady back tension so the draw stays at full length until release is a key part of a clean, repeatable shot, and on recurve a clicker helps guard against it.
What to check
- Ask a coach to observe draw, expansion, and release timing.
- Check that draw length and holding weight suit the archer.
- Do not buy a release as a substitute for correcting shot process.