Lets talk back tension....
 

Just got my new release today.:D Its the Tru ball tru tension ultra 3. I've been playing around with it and its going to take a little getting used to. I'm willing to stick it out though b/c my target panic is starting to get out of control. Believe me when I say that!

I've always been intimidated by this type of release aid.:( Anyway,I bought about 6' of 1/8" nylon rope and made a simulated bow string at about my drawlength. I've been practicing holding and releasing. I'm not too sure if I'm really using my back muscles or just turning my hand. I'm trying to use my back muscles but nothing happens and I have to cheat a little. I no want to cheat!:DAny suggestions? Thanks.

Donnie

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

If your practice loop isn't just the right length, the back muscles will be very hard to use to activate the release. Learning to use your back muscles WITHOUT any cheating is a very hard thing to do...at least for me anyway.:D

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

It is hard to learn but well worth the time.

pm sent.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Thanks guys! It may be hard at first since I have turkey season going on through May. I'll probably be switching back and forth between this release and my trigger. Thats probably not recommended but I'm going to turkey hunt. After that, it will definitely be all back tension.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Quick question. Do you guys pull back with the index finger around the head of the release and the thumb on the post (basically one finger) or do you rest all your fingers on the release and draw that way? I haven't tried it the last way but it seems like it would be difficult and risky.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

I started out just around the post area;)but now I can put my hand on the whole release and pull,just making sure the pressure is on the post.

Don't worry about switching back and forth,I did it while I was learning and it helped with the wrist release,even if I didn't completely have the bt yet.

You do want to make a complete commitment at some point though.The setup on the bow will probably change slightly if you are wanting to shoot full time with a bt but I don't advise it for hunting.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

By hooking your thumb over the post and using your index finger to pull, you are essentially locking the release so that it does not fire during the draw. Until you get really.........really comfortable with the release, I suggest keeping all of the pressure on those two fingers. The same thing goes for letting down, hook your thumb over the post and relax your middle, ring and pinky as you let down.

You can put some pressure on the middle finger as it is right next to the pivot point and will probably not cause that much rotation of the release, however anything further out is just begging to have the release fire on you.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

ah man, i've got a scar on my bottom lip from learning - took a lot to convince the neighbors my lady didn't pop me. don't get ahead of your shot sequence in your mind - and it won't happen to you.

it takes time to learn what to relax and what to tighten, and then to do it - specially the relaxing part. core archery by larry wise is a pretty darn good book about it.

don't cheat. you'll never learn it. don't accept that from yourself. there is a moment during the proper release of a back tension shot that is supreme - over and over again.
it will take you to the zone.

hi everyone! been too busy to hang -working, working, working, and trying to have a little fun too. hope all is well here, and everyone is shooting great. john

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

I don't really think a back tension release is a good cure for target panick. You can punch a back tension release just as easily once you figure out how they work. Your better off blind bale shooting and aiming at a target without shooting until you get rid of the target panick.

Don't be fooled into thinking you can't shoot well with a triggered release, or without using back tension. All it requires is good follow through. No different than shooting a gun really.

Paul

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

shooting back tension is the cure for target panic. there is no way to punch a back tension release w/out making a conscious decision to do it. paul, sometimes i wonder if you really shoot back tension, with the things you say about it.

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Shooting with back tension and simply using a back tension release are two different things. I sometimes wonder how you guys that shoot back tension all the time don't realize that you can purposefully set off a back tension release. It's really not that hard. And once you figure it out you can have target panic again.

Back tension is in no way a CURE for target panic. It's a band aid, not a cure. Also depends on the type of target panic you have.

I have actually seen people get target panic from using a back tension release. Some people are just completely freaked out by them. Especially if they use them wrong and get busted in the mouth a few times. That's not exactly a confidence builder.

Using a release that takes the trigger out of the equation doesn't cure anything, it just takes the trigger out of the equation. If you get a surprise release you don't have time to do anything that effects the shot, like grab the bow or drop your arm. The arrow is gone already. In most cases if you go back to using a trigger you will develop the same habits in short order. So you didn't really cure it, you just found a way around it.

Sort of like when I asked my doctor for a sedative for anxiety disorder. He told me no because that would be treating the symptoms not the disease.

And you can shoot quite accurately with a triggered release. As long as you have good form and follow through.

You are right though, I don't shoot a back tension release on a regular basis. And the reason is I really don't like them. I actually prefer releasing the arrow on my own as opposed to being surprised by the shot. I do have a couple though, and my girlfriend shoots with one. And we were taught how to use it by a world class and Olympic archer. So I didn't just pick it up and play with it.

You can feel however you want to about it and I will feel however I want to about it. All I know is that for me I don't shoot any better with one than I do without one. I also have a pinky release and I hate that thing.

Paul

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Well, I just got back from the range. I tried my new "BT" release and it was.....different. I never had one misfire or busted lip.:D I know it was my first time using it but I don't think I like it. Doesn't seem right for me. I would draw back, anchor, place my middle and ring finger on the release, and try to set the release off with BT. Well, I couldn't. I would get the shakes and keep trying but nothing would happen. I finally just "cheated" and turned my hand. Its definitely a workout.

I went back to my trigger. I think I can beat my target panic problems with the release that I started using. It just may take some time. I guess I shouldn't have been trying to shoot at targets anyway today. I need to start blank-bailing. Its hard though living in an apartment and not getting to shoot everyday like I used to. I'll be glad when we finally find a house.[&o]

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Not everyone can shoot a back tension release well. Different shooting styles, different personalities it really does make a difference. Some people can't handle the loss of control when using back tension. You did exactly what I thought you would do. The release didn't go off like you thought it should so you either jerked on it at full draw when your pin hit the target or you forced it go off because you knew how it worked.

My guess is your release isn't adjusted correctly though. Back tension releases take some time to get used to, especially if you are used a trigger. Hours of blind and bank shooting at the beginning help a lot. You certainly can't do it in one session.

Good luck,

Paul

RE: Lets talk back tension....
 

Yeah, your'e right Paul. I know this whole BT thing takes a while. I'm trying to prepare for spring gobbler and cure my target panic at the same time. Guess it doesn't work that way.