static release or pulling through

[CalebNH00]

just wondering about which release might be better. I have noticed that the pull through method works best for me. any thoughts?

[moebow]

I recommend a "pull through" release.  A static release uses many muscles that you don't need to shoot.

Arne

[mahantango]

Moebow, that's a very interesting comment. Could elaborate a little? I really enjoy your insight.

[moebow]

Glad to try to elaborate.  Here is an example.  If you were in a tug of war with another person, and giving it your max effort, what would happen if that other person suddenly let go?  If you were giving it a full and honest effort, chances are that you would end up on your butt. Right?  If you were anticipating the other guy's releasing the rope and were determined to not move would you be able to really give the tug of war your best effort?

Now take that concept to archery. Your string side (hand, forearm, upper arm) as relaxed as possible, what happens when the "tug of war" with the string is suddenly gone?  You should get the same effect with the string arm/hand moving briskly to the rear.

If, however, you are anticipating the release AND want to hold your string hand static on your face, you must engage arm, shoulder and pectoral muscles (on the front of your body) to counteract the back muscles.  This anticipation many times will lead to collapsing on the shot.  It becomes a VERY delicate timing act to hold a static string hand.  You are trying to anticipate a future event (the loss of string tension) and setting your body to counteract a motion that should be normal.

We do not need those arm, shoulder or pecs involved in the shot.  That just adds complication and makes the timing MUCH harder.  So for those that shoot with a static hand (don't get me wrong here, many shoot very well this way) they are also using muscles that are not needed for the shot.

If we are only using what is needed the string hand must recoil to the rear when the string is released.  Just like in the tug of war.  The reason we all marvel at how easy top athletes look to perform in their chosen field is that they do NOT ever use a muscle that is not needed.  And when using the ones they do need, they are practiced, trained and efficient.

Next time you can, watch as many archers as you can and see who looks smooth and effortless, and who looks jerky or even contrived in their shot.

Arne

[CalebNH00]

Thanks, i noticed that my groups were a bit tighter than before.

[McDave]

While I generally agree with Arne's comments, I don't think that people who end up shooting very well using a dead release, like Rick Welch, do it because they have decided they want to do something the hard way.  I think that instead they try things until they find something that works for them, and in Rick's case, works very well for them, and then they use that.  I know several other very good shooters who are not in Rick's class, but still are very good shots, who use a dead release because they have tried both a dead release and a dynamic release, and find that they shoot more accurately with a dead release.

I personally shoot better with a dynamic release, but it only works if I am relaxed and able to concentrate on the shot.  If I'm not 100% there, and a little tense, the likelihood is that I will end up with a dead release.  Those shots still turn out okay, most of the time, but they aren't those effortless shots that seem to be drawn into the bulls eye that you'd like to be able to shoot all the time, if you could.

I'm not sure about Arne's analogy about maximum effort, either.  Everything we do about shooting a bow is controlled; nothing is the same as pulling a rope as hard as you can to win a tug of war.  I don't know that there is any less control involved in holding at full draw, and then slightly increasing back tension to trigger a dynamic release, than there is in holding at full draw, and then relaxing the fingers to trigger a dead release.  I assume this is only an argument between people who hold at full draw; I think snap shooters generally fall in the category of dynamic release, so long as they're not collapsing on the draw.

My opinion is that you have to keep an open mind about it, because there are definitely good shooters who shoot both ways.

[moebow]

McDave,

I think we are saying the same thing but in different ways.  My "max effort" example was just to show what happens when exerting a force in one direction  and the counter posing force is suddenly released.  I said above that there are many shooters that use a dead release to great effect and I have NO quarrel with that.

I also don't believe that those that do use a dead release "decided" to do it a harder way, just that I personally THINK it is a harder way.  

I was just trying to answer the pros and cons (as I see them) to someone who asked the question and is seemingly exploring the options.  Everyone is free to choose what they want to do and experimentation with an " open mind" is the name of the game -- always.

Arne

[The Night Stalker]

I shoot better when I use a small dynamic release. Rick welch shoots a static release. I tend to collapse my shot with a static about one out of 20 shots. I have to be conscious of my hand andI do not like that since all my focus is on the spot and steadiness of my Bow arm. My shot happens when I settle and I try to slowly bring my hand back. If I make a off shot, I think it is not maintaining proper back tension and I associate it with a static release.  When all is right, I am extremely accurate. I try not to miss left or right just up in down.  Yesterday, I took a crazy shot from 50-60 yards walking out to the target. I missed low by an inch and I knew it would be close on my release. I shoot varying distance out to 40yds because you can make any left or right mistakes at that yardage. It makes 25 yards and under so much easier. I also use Arne's method of rotational draw. After I almost killed myself last year, I am shooting better than I ever had in the past. I am close to figuring it out.

[Brianlocal3]

Not to hijack here. But in watching myself shoot it seems that my release has gotten better and my follow is now my hand ending on my top shoulder. BUT I feel I struggle with implementing the concept of relaxing the bicep/whole side of body/back of hand.  How do you practice that?

[moebow]

Brian,

One way to get the feel of a relaxed arm is to take a pail that has a wire bale on it.  Fill the pail (no more than half to start) with sand or water to give it some weight.  Now stand beside the pail so it is on your string side.  Hook the bale with your normal string hook (fingers).  Now relax the entire arm except for the hook and stand up straight.  Lifting the pail just with the "hook" and feeling the weight on your shoulder.  Your arm, both upper and lower, is just a relaxed connection ( chain) between your shoulder and the finger hook.

After you lift the pail, look down at your hand and wrist.  If you are relaxed the wrist will bent so your hand angles in towards your leg and the back of your hand will be flat or even concave.

You can also practice a relaxed finger release by relaxing the hook and letting the pail drop back to the ground (watch out for your toes).

Transferring this feel to your shot takes a little practice.  You must maintain the feel of the relaxed arm, wrist and hand and pull the bow by rotating your upper arm (humerus) around your spine with the back or your shoulder and back.

At full draw, your lower arm should feel like a limp chain that has been pulled straight by the weight coming from the string.

One of the reasons we so often recommend a light weight bow is that learning this is much easier with light resistance THEN once learned is much easier to transfer to a heavier bow.  Trying to get this "feel" is very hard (impossible?) with a full weight bow when you are trying to learn the "feel."

Hope this helps a little.

Arne

[Brianlocal3]

Thanks Arne. I have the bucket with water and that's what has helped alot, I also have a 32# bow that I will spend more time with. Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes