Release tips

[Jethro21]

I have noticed lately in my practice that my release is a little sloppy. I am probably releasing 2-3 good arrows for every 5. I know at least some of the time I am plucking the string.

I have noticed some excessive wear on my side plate which I am guessing has to do with poor release.

I have not been shooting as much lately as I used to. When I was shooting more often I shot much more consistantly, and at that time I tuned my arrows pretty well, so I don't think the side plate wearing has to do with that (but what do I know).

I would like any release advise you are willing to give. I shoot split fingers and a glove.

Thanks for the help,
Jethro

[McDave]

Trust your subconscious mind to release the arrow when it's ready.  If your subconscious mind needs a little help, slowly increase your back tension at full draw, and hopefully at some point your subconscious mind will start cooperating.

I've been in classes where 19 out of 20 students seem to have a pretty good subconscious release, and 1 person seems to have a hard time releasing the arrow without consciously letting go with the fingers.  The instructor works with them, and eventualy their subconscious release starts to work, or maybe they just get tired of being pestered and fake it, I don't know.  But if you can develop a subconscious release that will go off without you consciously letting go with your fingers, you will shoot much better, I do know that.

[zetabow]

Like McDave said release is best left to the subconscious, at moment of release only two things going through my head 'Aim' and 'Follow through'

[BobCo 1965]

Yup, think about back tension and then follow though. If the follow though is truly done correctly, then the release will have happpened correctly. A lot leads up to a proper follow through though.

[xtrema312]

Side plate wear sounds odd.  I have never gotten that from release.  Are you sure your arrow is not over stiff?  It will really magnify any release variations if it is.

[JohnHV]

See Jerry Hill's post below.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005149

[highelk]

Something that I learned recently is that it may not be your release that is wrong but your grip.
For me I was tweaking the bow on the release which was causing the arrows to travel wide left or right. I was having a tendency to grip the bow strong and with a conscious effort I relaxed the grip and the shooting improved. Hope this helps.

[Earthdog]

I trained myself to think "back tension follow through" followed by releasing the string.
My follow through triggers my release,not the other way round.
So if I was to pluck the string it would be caused by incorrect back tension and follow through,,,not by the release it's self.
That mind set for me takes the release right out of the picture.

[Jethro21]

xtrema, according to Stu Miller's calculator my arrows are right about on. When I tuned them they tuned great out to 25yrds. I have no clue if my release has anything to do with it or not. btw, I am shooting 75/95 GT trad full length (32"), 4 feathers, footing and 175gr up front.

Third Eye, thanks for that link, I am gonna try that immediately.

[Jethro21]

xtrema, I just ran my numbers through the calculator again and it appears that as I have it, my arrows are stiff and I need to increase my point weight. That may cure my side plate issue, but my release still is a problem.

[xtrema312]

I run about 5-7# under the calculator number for good bare shaft flight.  If I run right on the calculator number I am too stiff.  It could be me, but it is very consistent bow to bow and at different weights.

I read or maybe saw on one of the Masters of the Bare Bow DVD’s that for a right hander a shot off to the left is typically bow torque, and a shot off to the right is typically release.  That generally holds true for me.

[Matt_Potter]

Blind Bale and lots of it.  I have the same issue.

Matt

[lpcjon2]

I practice my draw technique( from Howard Hills method) and I find that the way I draw the bow makes my release almost a surprise,I shoot much better than if I think of the releasing.If you draw ,anchor smoothly then the release will occur without much thought.If you think about the release your not thinking of the aiming point.IMHO

[Longspur77]

I am in agreeance with lpcjon2. The more i think about something the worse the outcome is.