In archery terminology, the term spine refers to which aspect of the arrow?

• A. The shaft stiffness
• B. The nock style
• C. The fletching type
• D. The arrowhead size

Answer: (A)

Spine is about the shaft stiffness—the amount the arrow shaft flexes when the bowstring is released. This stiffness determines how much the arrow bends in flight and how well it returns to a straight path after release. Matching the spine to your bow and draw length helps ensure the arrow flies consistently and accurately. If the spine is too stiff, the arrow may not bend enough and drift unpredictably; if it’s too soft, it can flex too much and become unstable. The other features—nock style, fletching type, and arrowhead size—affect other flight aspects but don’t define how stiff the shaft is.