These three settings rarely get discussed together, but they all shape the same thing: how consistently your arrow leaves the string. Nocking point height and D-loop placement control how the arrow sits and releases from the string. Let-off percentage controls how much weight you're holding at full draw, which affects how steady you can aim and how consistent your release actually is. Get any one of the three wrong and the other two can't fully compensate. Here's how they work, and how to set them correctly.
Part 1: Nocking Point Height
The nocking point is the exact spot on the string where your arrow's nock clips on. Its height relative to the arrow rest determines whether the arrow leaves level, or kicks up and down (porpoising) as it flies — a flaw that ruins accuracy and broadhead flight even when your form is perfect.
Most compound bows are set with the nocking point around 1/8" to 3/16" above square (perfectly level with the rest), which gives the arrow slight nock-high clearance as it flexes off the rest during launch. The exact number varies by rest type and cam system, which is why paper tuning exists — it shows you exactly how the arrow is leaving the bow so you can move the nocking point up or down in small increments until the tear is clean and level.
Symptom check: A high tear (arrow nock kicking up) on paper usually means the nocking point needs to come down slightly. A low tear means it needs to move up. Small adjustments — 1/32" at a time — are all it usually takes.
Part 2: The D-Loop
A D-loop is a short loop of cord tied directly above and below the nock point, which your release aid clips into instead of clipping onto the string or arrow nock itself. Almost every hunting and target compound shooter uses one today, and for good reason.
✓ Why Use a D-Loop
- Even pressure on both sides of the nock — no left/right push on release
- Protects the string serving from release jaw wear
- Consistent, repeatable clip-in point every shot
- Works with virtually every release aid type
⚙️ Setting It Up
- Tie with dedicated D-loop cord, not spare string material
- Center the arrow nock precisely between the two loop knots
- Burn or seal cord ends so the knots don't slip over time
- Check loop knot tightness each preseason — cord stretches
The two knots that form the D-loop are tied directly onto the string using a small jig or by hand, positioned so the arrow nock sits centered between them once the nocking point is set. Get this asymmetric and you reintroduce the exact side-to-side nock torque a D-loop is supposed to eliminate.
Part 3: Let-Off Percentage
Let-off is the percentage of peak draw weight that "lets off" once you reach full draw. A 70 lb bow with 80% let-off means you're only holding about 14 lb at full draw, not 70. This is what makes it possible to hold a compound bow at full draw and aim steadily for several seconds — something impossible on a bow with no let-off at all.
| Let-Off | Hold Weight (70 lb peak) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 65% | 24.5 lb | Target archers wanting more back-tension engagement |
| 75% | 17.5 lb | Balanced hunting setup — solid wall, manageable hold |
| 80-85% | 10.5-14 lb | Hunters needing a long, steady hold under adrenaline |
| 90%+ | 7 lb | Maximum ease of hold; less defined "wall" at full draw |
Higher let-off makes the bow easier to hold at full draw for longer — valuable when a buck is walking in slowly and you need to stay at anchor without shaking. But it also softens the "wall," the hard stop at full draw that gives you a consistent, repeatable anchor point. Too little wall and some archers creep forward inconsistently, which hurts accuracy more than the lighter hold weight helps.
Most modern hunting bows ship around 80-85% let-off as a factory default because it suits the widest range of hunters. Target archers and some experienced hunters intentionally drop to 65-75% (often via a cam or module swap) for a firmer wall and more consistent back-tension shots, accepting the extra hold weight as a trade for repeatability.
How the Three Work Together
A properly tied D-loop keeps pressure symmetric on the nocking point, which keeps the arrow's launch clean. A correctly set nocking point keeps the arrow flying level off the rest. And the right let-off for your strength and shooting style determines whether you can hold that clean setup steady long enough to break a consistent shot. Change one — swap cams for different let-off, retie a loop off-center, or bump the nocking point without re-tuning — and the other two need to be checked again before you trust your groups.
After any change: New D-loop, new nocking point, or a let-off/module swap all shift how your arrow leaves the bow. Re-paper-tune and confirm your point of impact hasn't shifted before hunting season — and update your sight tape if it has.
If you've made any of these adjustments recently, don't assume your old yardage marks still apply. Build a fresh, accurate sight tape for your exact setup with the free sight tape generator before you head into the field.
The Bottom Line
Nocking point: Set with paper tuning, typically 1/8"-3/16" above square, adjusted in tiny increments.
D-loop: Tie it symmetric around the nocking point with dedicated cord — asymmetry reintroduces the torque it's meant to fix.
Let-off: 80-85% suits most hunters; drop to 65-75% if you want a firmer wall and don't mind the extra hold weight.