proper release

[ncsaknech1ydh]

McDave, the final part of your shot sequence sounds identical to mine, I have been very lucky to eliminate any plucking of the string, I can hold as long as I need to, but under normal circumstances that is about 3 seconds, I then increase back pressure along with about 1/4 inch of draw and the arrow is just gone. It gets easier and easier, but early on (I've learned this shot sequence over the past 7 months or so after finding the tradgang site) I was plucking the string from time to time, and for me the slower or more methodical I draw, then hit my anchor, where I am in a state of relaxation, until I slowly, and by this for me again the more slowly or methodically I increase my back tension and that final 1/4 inch or so of draw, the less chance that I will pluck my arrow. This was the toughest for me to teach myself to do is to come to final conclusion in a very slow methodical manner, the better I am getting at that final part of my shot sequence, the more automatic my release. And then after the arrow is gone I have taught myself to count to 3, before I ever drop my bow arm or move my release hand from where it ended up after the release.

[zetabow]

The extra 'zing' you get with dynamic release is that when using a dead release the relaxing of the fingers allows string to move slightly forward where the dynamic release the fingers are always moving backwards and you dont lose between 1/4" to 1/2" draw length at moment of release.

They both work, I've dead release in the past and now in recent years a more dynamic release, the best way to make a dynamic release subconscious is to just think of followthrough point and not think about the actual release.

The dynamic release has greatly helped on shots past 30y, a lot less misses

When I have release problems I've found it's a timing issue of releaxing fingers between expansion and followthrough, normally due to (self) pressure.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by kevshin21:
I am still not understanding the subconscious part. How can you wait for a shot to come or know when is the right time?  

I know this is going to sound easy,....

But if you keep shooting....it'll come to ya.

Same as the examples I listed above, you do not have to 'tell yourself' to let go of the coffee mug.

Good Post Zeta.....yes, there is a definite loss of speed over static vs dynamic release.  When It all came to me years ago, my arrows quit 'running out of gas' on the longer shots and bailing 4 to 6 inches low.

So then that raw red streak I get after shooting all day, from my anchor to the back of my jawbone, is a good thing.

[Terry Green]

The proper release also is easier to achieve with proper back tension.  I remember when it all came together and exactly where I was when the arrow went like a laser beam to the spot seemingly effortlessly..........and I said "WOW.......WHAT WAS THAT!!!!"

Once you find out what it is.....you will know it...and it will be easier to achieve time and time again.

[kevshin21]

Ok I think I got the jist of subconscious release but not really sure about back tension. So are you suppose to flex the muscle between your shoulder blades until the arrow is flying?

[reddogge]

There are many thought processes for this.

Think of trying to crush a beer can between your shoulder blades is one.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Terry,
I want to thank you.  Within the past hour I just had one of those "WOW.......WHAT WAS THAT!!!!" moments.  I have been reading on this site for a few months now and had a great practice.  From 5 - 15 yards my draw and release are going smooth, I am barely making contact with my ring fingers anymore. While every shot I made during practice today wasn't perfect, I knew the moment it was perfect.  I have been slacking off lately regarding my practice time but todays has reenergized me.  All I can contribute to this thread is "practice, practice, practice!!!".

[Terry Green]

NW no worries. I'll post more later when I get to a keyboard about a part of the shot that doesn't get mentioned much at all.........the feel of the shot.

[champ38]

Terry & McDave, You two need to write a book...WOW ! great info guys.

[Terry Green]

Champ

I go into proper alignment in The Bowhunters of Tradgang.com DVD.

[champ38]

yes sir,,,, and Ive watched it many time. thats one the best instuctional shooting dvds in my arsenal.......sure would like to see a bohunters of tradgang #2..??..maybe Im just wishful thinking though.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I second that, a lot of what is making my form feel so much better is the alignment I learned here and on the Bowhunters of Tradgang.com DvD.

[kevshin21]

one more question about back tension guys. Do you pull the arrow past your anchor while increasing back tension OR just relax your hand while increasing back tension?

[Terry Green]

Still no keyboard........

An anchor point should never be a resting place......

But instead, an evolution to execution.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I suppose you could call the corner of my mouth my anchor point.  I draw to the corner of my mouth and then steadily use my back muscles to pull my shoulder blades together.  The string and string fingers draw past the corner of my mouth until I can no longer hold the string and the shot just goes off.  This just happens to be when I am in perfect alignment for my body type and bow.  No thought, no conscious letting go.  It just happens.

I am looking forward to Terry's description of the feel of the shot.  

I know exactly where the arrow is going by "feel" as soon as I release it.  When I have it all together I can feel a great shot coming.  I have even let down and redrawn in practice and on the 3D course because I could feel a bad shot on the way due to improper form.  The shot set up just didn't feel right.

[McDave]

"Do you pull the arrow past your anchor while increasing back tension OR just relax your hand while increasing back tension?"

Neither, really.  Once you reach full draw, which is defined as when your forearm is in line with the arrow, you continue to increase back tension.  The movement, if any, at that point is as if you were using your elbow to close a door behind you; in other words, toward your spine rather than continuing to haul back on the arrow.  So you don't pull the arrow much, if any, past your anchor as you continue to increase back tension.

Nor do you relax your hand, which implies a conscious effort.  What you do is to focus on the spot you want to hit, as you increase back tension.  At the proper moment, the arrow will be released and the next thing you are aware of is that your fingers are on your shoulder, neck or wherever you want them to end up at the conclusion of the shot.

[Terry Green]

The last portion of my draw is not really back but around. My elbow course makes a 'J' out of a straight line.

[zetabow]

Originally posted by kevshin21:
one more question about back tension guys. Do you pull the arrow past your anchor while increasing back tension OR just relax your hand while increasing back tension?

Back tension is hard to feel with a high Trad Anchor, as an example just try under the chin Olympic style and you can really feel back tension, I dont get too hung up on back tension because it's so hard to feel, if you set up a good shot sequence with follow through back tension should just take care of itself and you wont ever have to think about it.

This is wrong according to all the text books but it works a treat for me, I just draw to anchor and set a 'lock' on my shoulders feeling neither an increase or decrease of tension, once I'm settled in with lock\\aim, I just visualize a touch point (neck muscle) for my follow through and the release just happens.

I spent a whole winter working on the feel of back tension, it's was like trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow      

Terry is spot on about Anchor not being a resting place but closing the door feeling just doesn't work for me        

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IFAA World\\European champ, Fita 3D world champ Longbow