Cock just before you shoot. Once the bow is drawn, keep it pointed at the ground. The range is potentially over 300 yards if you discharge into the air, and the bolt will retain half it's initial kinetic energy even to that range. Cocking a crossbow requires little strength. My wife can cock my 165 pound crossbow, but cannot draw my 50 pound longbow.
Crossbows are great competition 'levelers', in a male dominated sport.
When shooting longbow, a smaller person's handicap in handling heavy draw weight bows in NFAS competition makes it essential to segregate male and female. My indifferent performance with a longbow is often enough to beat the top woman archer. She'll be a much better shot than me, but has to estimate the range that much more accurately because her bow is slow. In crossbow archery, strength alone gives little advantage. You could then hold the bow as you would a rifle, but there is a better way.