The elusive back tension--Any suggestions?

[limbow]

It seems I have a difficult time properly setting in motion my back muscles on the draw. Sometimes I will just plain get lazy I guess and pull the string back instead of draw. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It obviously effects my form and I need to correct it sooner than later. Thanks

[Terry Green]

Pretend like you are going to close a door behind you with your elbow when you draw.  That way you wont engage your bicep and muscle the bow.

[hcorrigall]

Oh man you are in the right place-these guys here really know what they are about when it comes to archery.Read and take note!! They are good.

[LongbowGuy83]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Pretend like you are going to close a door behind you with your elbow when you draw.  That way you wont engage your bicep and muscle the bow.

Thanks Terry. I think that's the best way I've heard it explained. Was wondering myself.

[limbow]

Working on it guys! I am shooting in the basement and my two little girls are asleep above me and my wife is studying. I have to wait for the furnace to kick on before I can send em' down range to help drown out the noise. It seems when it is done correctly, my bow arm gets fatigued?? Does this make sense?

Thanks Terry for the suggestion, I am in between furnace runs so I am imagining what you are telling me to do. Anxious to apply your suggestion. Thank you!

[sdpeb1]

If you still have problems do a search on FormMaster. Rather simple set up and you can make one easially. Here is a link showing how they work.  http://www.texasarchery.org/Photos/Formaster/Formaster.htm

[Earthdog]

Second the Formaster,one of the best things since sliced bread.

[dragonheart]

Push the drawing elbow, do not pull.  Push your elbow around and continue to push through the shot execution.

[zetabow]

Dont get too hung up on back tension.

Use a stretch sports band to learn back tension action and feeling then at the Bale with your Bow and build that feeling so it's second nature, it will feel very akward until you ingrain it into your subconscious, once you get to that stage everything will feel easy.

With Trad we tend to have higher draw weights and high anchor, back tension is hard (for me at least) to feel so dont worry too much about it as it will distract you from the real task of putting an arrow where you want.

I got a clicker for my Longbow from 3 Rivers a couple of weeks ago, I found it a great training tool to get to draw and extend through the clicker, relax and extend through the clicker, do that 4-5 times and come down, rest and start exercise again, think it's working my Scapula better than the Foremaster and it's cheaper than the Foremaster.

[Quinn]

Formaster.

[1screagle]

I have been practicing more back tension and I'm amazed how much better I'm shooting! I have always seen and heard it talked about, taught, and have used the back muscles more at times but forget about it after down times from shooting. When implementing this technique my releases are cleaner and shot placement seems magical. Sometimes on a good day seeing arrow after arrow go right to where I'm looking, the percentage of actual hits versus acceptable hits incredibly higher. Taking my time through the draw and holding to stabilize that extra 1/2 second, and pow! Right there!!!

[dagwood64]

There is a site here showing how to make a formaster. It is on page 4 sept 2nd.  

[limbow]

Thanks to all! The suggestion that Terry has made on imagine that you are closing a door with your elbow has made a huge improvement. I am going to focus on this for now and then look into the formaster once I feel I have master the other.

I am amazed at how this forum has brought light to my shooting and the lack of discipline I had with form. What it has pointed out is that I had NO clue before. Sure, I could put a few arrows where I look from time to time but there eventually would be a break down. The break down is no longer acceptable to me, I need to get it right or move on to needle point! Thanks again for making these valuable lessons available.

[T Folts]

I've gained 1 1/2 inches in my draw after working on back tension.

[Terry Green]

 

       

         

[ronp]

I agree!  Terry's description about shutting the door with your elbow is a nice way of describing back tension.  I have (just recently) found that if I can think about and feel back tension through the shot, I don't think about my release so much, and I think it helps me a little.  Thanks for the lesson!
ron

[graybark uk]

i second the string clicker ... when im hunting or shooting my broadheads i try to touch my finger with the bottom blade (this does the sme job for me).gives me a pull through release without even thinking about it .
john

[Del Savio]

I havs been shooting a recurve for many years.  I don't knowanybody who shoots traditional equipment and have only learned from trialand error.  Having just just begun to use a computer, I have learned more from these posts than years of shooting.  Thanks

[TheFatboy]

Many tend to tense the arms and shoulders before the shot. Naturally, this will make the arms and shoulders take over. Instead, relax and start the draw by applying back tension, and the rest will follow. I did this yesterday after not having pulled the bow for some time, and the draw was  smooth and it was easy to hold at full draw.

[turkeyslayer]

From what i have found the best & easiest way for me to engage my back muscles is to start my draw before i bring my bow up,seems like when i draw after my bow is up,i put more arm/shoulder into it & then have to engage my back to finish the shot.