Cams
The wheels on a compound bow have a 'cam shape' to one side that controls the amount of force and the shape of the draw/force curve of the bow. Many different cam shapes are available to choose from;
eg. Hoyt's 'Accuwheel' = soft cam, smooth shooting for target archers,
'Performa Cam' = radical cam, stores maximum energy for bowhunters.

Cant
To hold the bow to the right or left while at full draw. The reference to right or left is determined by the position of the top limb.

Cast
The distance a bow can propel an arrow.

Centre serving
The protective winding on the centre of the string where the arrows are nocked.

Centreshot bow
A bow where the sight window has been cut past the bow's centreline.

Classic style
A method of shooting with as little deviation as possible from normal relaxed body position.

Clicker
Small strip of metal mounted on the sight window in front of the arrow rest giving precise indication of full draw by snapping off the arrow point with an audible "click".

Clout
A form of target shooting in which an arrow is shot into the air at a 15 metre diameter target on the ground at distances of up to 180 metres.

Cock feather
The feather or vane set at right angles to the slot in the nock (also called the index fletch).

Composite bow
A Bow made of more than one material. Not necessarily a laminated bow.

Compound bow
A hand-drawn, hand-held bow that for similar poundage at full draw, stores more energy than a recurve bow through the use of two cables and two eccentric wheels. Most modern compound bows have a 65% let-off of the peak draw poundage at full draw, e.g. a compound bow of 60lb. peak weight will have a holding weight of approx. 21lb. at full draw.

Creep
Letting the arrow move slowly forward before release (not maintaining draw length). Usually caused by loss of shoulder/back muscle tension.

Cresting
Colored bands applied to the arrow shaft used as identifying marks.