Trigger punching???
 

I've read and heard about how a suprise release is better for accuracy (in the long run) but I still have a trigger release. What do you guys do to stop trigger punching, and also is there a way to make a trigger release more like a surprise release?

RE: Trigger punching???
 

You could go to a back tension release but you can have a "surprise" release with a trigger style as well. Punching the trigger is just like it sounds, you put the pin where you wantand hit the trigger. To achieve a surprise release you should slowly squeeze the trigger just like you would with your deer rifle. One way to do this is to get real close to your target, draw and close your eyes and squeeze the shot off with your eyes closed. Don't worry about where you hit, just focus on form and a smooth release. Do this for a week or so and you'll be surprised at the results.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

Mobowhuntr got it on the nose. I had this problem last summer but with practice it will go away. You have to change your style a little. I found that at long ranges I would hurry to get my pin on target and real quickly fire the release. Well that worked about 20% of the time. If you have trouble keeping still at long distances don't shoot you will lose more arrows that way. Also you can have a saying when you pull the trigger. Ted nugent has one where he says the names of three bowhunters from the past. Give it a try it cant hurt. another thing I have heard of and I have yet to try is to put a spring on the trigger with a little over hang and use the over hang to trigger the release.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

I'm thinking about trying a relax trigger release. You squeeze the trigger while you are drawing and slowly release the trigger to shoot. Free Flight makes the one below. I've heard that finger shooters like this style release because it's more like shooting with fingers. They're supposed to help trigger punching.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

One thing you can try is to trigger your release with back tension. There are many back tension releases on the market, but you can use back tension on a caliper type release as well. It will not work on a release that straps to your hand like a wynns free flight. For the caliper release, when you draw your bow and anchor, hook your finger deep over the trigger. Get it at least to the first joint or further. Once you are hooked deep on the release, your finger is just that, a hook. You do not bend your finger anymore. Now, while you are concentrating on aiming, you squeeze your shoulder blades together and point your release elbow directly away from the target and use a slight push pressure with your bowarm directly at the target. The release should go off durring this process. It will be a complete surprise when it does. This is what you want. Remember, do not think about the release while doing this. All you are supposed to think about is aiming while you are simultaneously squeezing off the shot. Like someone else mentioned, it is a good idea to practice this at 5 yards from the backstop with your eyes closed to get the feel of what ti is like before moving to normal shooting distances.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

I switch back and forth between a thumb trigger release and an index finger one. Practice with the thumb trigger is easier to squeeze the shot because your thumb is less sensitive.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

make your trigger less sensitive so you can get your finger on it without fear of it going off then when your ready start squeezing you back shoulder blades together and at some point your finger will move backward tripping the release, key is to try and use some back tension and use you finger as a hook, when your back moves the hook, (your finger) the release trips, surprise

RE: Trigger punching???
 

thats a good release, my dad has one and its really nice, it does feel like your pulling with your fingers instead of your wrist. i bought one though and i think there was somethin wrong with it, because i ended up makin a new whole in our snowblower that was in our shed.....

RE: Trigger punching???
 

If a person is wanting to switch releases to try and cure this problem another you can look at is "the answer" by Golden Key Futura. It will not allow you to punch the trigger.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

I never ever let my finger rise up above the trigger. My finger is always resting on the trigger, and when I release my finger slowly fires the release. To me my way of shooting has become almost an instinct. My finger pulls the trigger when my pin is floating in the x ring.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

I had a problem with trigger punching not too long ago. I use a release that I pull the trigger with my index finger. As I draw my bow, I have my hand in a fist, with the top of the index finger touching the back of the trigger. I anchor and as I do, I slowly move my finger from behind the trigger, to resting very easily on it. As I get the pin around where I want to shoot, I just start to add more and more pressure in slight increments until the bow fires. All in all, from drawing to anchoring to shooting, my index finger is always touching the trigger.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

Some Scott releases come with a spring that replaces the the trigger.This is how I cured my punching problems years ago. What works for me is putting the pin on the target, holding firmly against the wall, and slowly pulling the spring while mentally thinking aim, aim, aim, until the shot goes off. I've never been as consistent with the push-pull method but everyone is different so try both ways and see what works for you.
A surprise release will make you a better shooter because by the time you react to the shot the arrow is already gone. You won't be able to affect the shot by grabbing the bow or tensing up as you release because you don't know when its going to happen.As statedin another post, start up close to your target until you get used to it.
When you get good at it you will be able to do it quickly when you need to, like in a hunting situation. And once the surprise release is acheived make sure you never go back. If archery had a ten commandments I think #1 should be ; Thou shalt never punch your release. Never ever.

RE: Trigger punching???
 

GregH,
Great description of back tension! For all the times I've read about it, I've never seen a detailed explanation. I think some outdoor writers pick up on a phrase, or buzzword, without really understanding it. I finally asked someone what it actually meant a few years back...and the first three people I asked couldn't tell me,even though theyused the term quite frequently!

RE: Trigger punching???
 

Thanks, I've got a lot of years of shooting tournaments up to the national level. Shooting with back tension is the most accurate, whether it is with a back tension release or a caliper release. I've also taught kids archery lessons for about 10 years, couple of state champs including my son. So a description that is easy to under stand took me a few years to come up with! BTW, I'm an electrician also, you know how technical we can get!;)

RE: Trigger punching???
 

Thanks a lot guys. I can't wait to try it!

RE: Trigger punching???
 

After mulling over this post a few days (and reading GregH's description again), I decided to go out this morning and give back tension a try...I'll never go back to triggering my release like a rifle. Unbelievable control! It took about three arrows and I felt like I had been releasing with back tension forever. Just don't move your finger and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Of course, I'll probably be refletching my arrows more frequently now!
Thanks again Greg!

RE: Trigger punching???
 

ME TOO AND I LIKE THAT WAY

RE: Trigger punching???
 

i think if u just make sure you follow through with ur release u won't punch it