The invention relates to the field of sports weapons. The crossbow comprises a bow with a bow string, a shoulder stock and a tubular stock which connects said bow and shoulder stock and has two diametrically arranged longitudinal helical grooves, the helical grooves in the stock are of through design, and the bow string is passed through the helical grooves, wherein the helical grooves have a length of not less than the value of the bow string tensioning motion. Furthermore, an arrow to be launched is arranged inside the stock and is brought into engagement with the bow string such that an axial force and a rotational moment can be transmitted to one of the structural elements: by means of an annular slide with two radial openings which are open therein, are diametrically arranged and through which the bow string is passed, inside a tube inserted into said openings, or without a slide, only with the aid of a tube which is slipped onto the bow string, for which supports are formed on the bow string, or directly from the bow string, without a slide and without a tube. A simplification of the design, a reduction in the weight and necessary power of the crossbow, and an increase in the stabilization of an arrow during flight are achieved.