anchor point and back tension

[don s]

i don't understand what back tension is or what it feels like? when i reach my anchor point i release the string. please explain just what it is that i'm supposed to feel in my back. don

[NBK]

Just repeating what others have said, but to get the feeling of back tension:
Hold an arrow with both hands, about 6" apart, horizontal in front of your face, and try to pull it apart.  Those muscles in your back doing the work are the same when achieving "back tension".

[McDave]

One way to feel back tension is to hold an arrow about chest high with both hands on the arrow next to each other in an overhand grip, so you're looking down at the knuckles of your hands.  Your hands should be pretty close to each other.  Now try to pull the arrow apart, and feel the tension in your back and shoulder blades.

One of the reasons we try to hold the arrow with back tension at full draw is that it allows us to relax our forearm and string hand.  Try to eliminate all tension in your forearm and string hand except for whatever is necessary for your fingers to form a hook.  The feeling should be that your forearm and hand are just links in a chain being pulled one way by the bowstring and the other way by your back and shoulder muscles.

[Don Stokes]

Don, when you reach anchor, you should feel like you're squeezing your shoulder blades together. It keep you from creeping forward when you hold at anchor for that brief time when your mental computer lines up the shot. It's like you haven't quite quit drawing the bow, but actually you are holding steady at full draw. If you don't do it that way, your muscles compress under the tension of the bow and you creep. Easier to do than to explain- maybe someone else can make it clearer.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

With regards to the release and anchor question I love this thread:
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005155

[don s]

thanks you guys are great. i noticed that when i draw and release in a fluid motion, i do pretty good. i'm always thinking that i'm snap shooting. so, i started to practice drawing and holding for a count of 3 before i release. my accuracy suffered. i couldn't figure out what i'm doing wrong. now i see. the word anchor is confusing. just because you anchor, doesn't mean you doing it right. i think i'm on the right track now. thanks. i'll let you know how i do. don

[fmscan]

Northwest Bowhunter, Thank you for the reference above, a great tread discussing EXACTLY what I need. I gave up golf cuz of frustration, elbow locked, eye on ball, head down, shift weight from back forward, relaease hands.... I like shooting the bow, pull the string and let go. However I was NEVER a good shot. Now I know why. Form and Concentration is not easy for it has several things to remember until you get the habit/muscle memory etc. So many helpful people on this site. Thank you all.

[bowgy]

A formaster taught me what back tension is in one or two shots.  Not that I always remember though.  It's like a judo master.  If your back tension is good everything is fine.  If not it slams you to the mat.

[notdodger]

A form master or shot trainer is a great tool.
Use it about 20 to 30 shots. Then when you take it off , feel the first shot you make with out it.
Just amazing.  Or you can pull your bow with a wrist release aid. (just for feeling back tension). And your forearm is not doing the pulling. Then have one of your friends touch the trigger.