The elusive back tension--Any suggestions?

[Stykbow62]

The formaster is the most eye opening thing you'll find. It will REALLY expose whether you are using back tension or not. Trust me on this one.

[ChuckC]

Take a stretchy exercise rope and tie it to something.  hold it in arrow hand and extend bow hand.. as if. . .  now practice pulling back to anchor but each time change the height of your elbow (arrow hand) until you can feel your back tension.  If your elbow is too high it is tough to use your back.  Straight bow, and arrow, arms almost feel like they are too low, but they aren't.
ChuckC

[SHOOTO8S]

If anyone is still searching for what back tension should feel like.....a simple trick is to take an arrow,grip it with both hands in the middle, hold the arrow above the tip of your nose, then try to pull the arrow in two...that's whats back tension should feel like! However the trick is to maintain that tension until the arrow clears the bow.

[swamp donkey]

With almost any of those other methods you can still muscle the bow(use forearm) making it hard to relax fingers. Terrys method of pushing back with your elbow forces you to use your back instead of your forearm allowing a relaxed arm that makes it easy to relax fingers. Sorry I normally just lurk, but thought I'd add my 2 cents to this one.

[Lazy Ike]

I guess I learn things better by feel than any other way. Rod's method of feeling what back tension is , was very helpful.But, to transfer that feeling to shooting I am using Steve's method with stretch bands. After simulating the draw anchor and expansion(shoulder blade squeeze) with the stretch band , I'm now going to the bale. Those muscles between the shoulder balades are really feeling it !!!

[JF]

my best shots are when my draw hand fingers end up on my sholder. John