Do you fear punching yourself using back tension?

mobow · 06-10-2006, 06:33 PM

If you do, I've found the solution. Actually, Larry Wise found it, I'm just doing it and passing it along.

Take a length of 1/8" nylon cord of some type and tie the two ends together making a loop equivalent to your draw length. Get it as close as possible. Then, just take your form and instead of shooting the bow, "shoot" the string using back tension. If you do it correctly, the rope will fly away from your, your bow hand will drop down and left, (for a right handed archer) and your draw arm will recoil away. I've learned how to use my trigger release using back tension, although not completely. W/ this release style, it's not (for me anyway) a surprise release, but the string flies away and my arms move as they are suppose to. I'm going to be doing this for several more days to train myself, then blind bale shoot a few days, then I'm going to see how accurate I am.

Give it a shot, it works and it don't hurt your nose.

[&:]

MO_Bowhnter · 06-10-2006, 07:21 PM

You shoot that BT release RJ has been passing around yet? With the open style jaw, if you draw with all the weight on your first two fingers, it won't slip off and punch you.

mobow · 06-10-2006, 07:34 PM

No, I haven't recieved it yet, but I'm going to try this when I do.

Rick James · 06-10-2006, 07:37 PM

If you draw that thing with weight on the first 2 fingers, you will most certainly get a mouthful of metal. Use the index finger only. Good to see you are reading the book, it is a great resource. I carry my loop in my quiver and use it frequently.

Also regarding where your hands should go on release, I believe in something different for the release hand. I strongly believe that the release hand should end up touching your release shoulder/deltoid after the shot and that you should develop a repeatable "touch point" on that shoulder for that hand to go to after execution of the shot. Blank bale until you can find this place and until it becomes second nature, and then what happens is you are subconsciously pulling through the shot with your back in an attempt to place your hand to that touch point, rather than to make the bow fire. This will make you release motion much more repeatable and keeps ones mind off the release.

MO_Bowhnter · 06-10-2006, 07:39 PM

What release is it rick james? I guess I misspoke because I have never seen this release but I shoot a Carter Hunter with the open hook and havent punched myself yet.(Knock on wood)

mobow · 06-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Yes, the book is great. In fact, I've read it twice. I've printed out practice logs too. Like I said, I've already noticed a difference w/ my caliper release, and I am excited about trying it w/ a new BTR.

I understand what you are saying about your draw hand. It does recoil enough to hit your shoulder, I think I even have a couple of times. The problem w/ my caliper is I have to squeeze the trigger as I am applying BT, unless I'm doing something wrong, but my bow hand moves down and left, the string flies away, and my draw arm recoils so I suppose I'm doing at least part of it right.

Thanks for the suggestion of the book, it really does help.

Paul L Mohr · 06-10-2006, 08:07 PM

If you draw any backtension release that is set up correctly the proper way you shouldn't punch yourself in the mouth any way. I have never done it. I have hit myself in the face more times with a malfunctioning caliper release than with a back tension release.

However if you have problems with it they make releases with safeties on them. My girlfriends Truball has it. Once you come to full draw you just release the safety then start your backtension. We got it because she was having trouble hooking up the pure backtension release to the loop.

What rick james is talking about is called finnishing the shot, and it should be part of your shot sequence, especially with a back tension release. You should not concentrate on the release, but rather the conclusion of your shot. Like he said, if you do it enough it will just happen.

Paul

Rick James · 06-10-2006, 08:33 PM

Here are two prime examples of that "touch point" or finishing the shot.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/ringostar40/?action=view&current=MOV00965.flv

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/ringostar40/?action=view&current=MOV00961.flv

I haven't shot a thumb trigger for months, however if you pull through properly with one the same thing should happen. If you relax your index finger a bit on that thumb trigger it would allow the release to begin pivoting a bit transferring the weight into your middle/ring finger and this combined with pulling through w/ your rhomboids will shift the weight onto your thumb trigger and apply pressure to it. If you can figure this part out, it will be much more repeatable than squeezing while pulling. My Ultra Xtreme thumb trigger has the trigger adjusted so that it sits actually almost on the webbing between my thumb and index finger, so adjust that so that the trigger sits as far away from your thumbprint as you can.

Rick James · 06-10-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: MO_Bowhnter

What release is it rick james? I guess I misspoke because I have never seen this release but I shoot a Carter Hunter with the open hook and havent punched myself yet.(Knock on wood)

The release he has on the way is just a 2.5 finger old school stanislawski hinge/back tension release.

mobow · 06-10-2006, 09:12 PM

Rick, I've dowloaded the appropriate plugin, but I can't view your files. I'd like to, I've never seen a properly executed shot w/ BT.