Back Tension Release?
 

Will a back tension release help me with my release/not punching the trigger? I have done some research on this subject but not a whole lot, just giving it some consideration. Will it be ok to use for hunting (especially when spot and stalk/ground hunting like i do)? What is a good mid price release I could get started with? Recommendations?

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

No. Infact, it will probably make it worse. Your target panic problem is not in the release.... its in the releaser (read: YOU).

If you are talking about a pure BT release... and not a thumb trigger... then its really not something designed for hunting. T-Handles work fine for hunting... but most poeple don't shoot them correctly.

The only release that immediately comes to mind that will help you is like a Carter Evolution.... and its anything but mid-priced.

You need to do some simple shootnig drills with the release you have. If you have a release with a super light/hair trigger.... start by making it heavier.... you should be able to rest your finger on it and start applying pressure.

Go back to ten yards.... and shoot at a BIG bullseye... like a paper plate.... focus all your attention on AIMING.... NOT SHOOTING... AIMING.... draw the bow... aim at the center.... hold it for like 30 seconds.... let down.... have your finger on the trigger... don't shoot the arrow.... just aim. I think you'll find about the time you are right on it.... you'll either involuntarily shoot... or you'll have one of those full body flinches.

Blank bale works the same way.... just focus on aiming.... not shooting.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

Let me rephrase that about target panic -- I dont think its as much target panic as it is my finger slipping off the trigger when I'm not expecting it to. What you described above is what seems to be happening ( the full body flinch). Its not like I say "trigger in 3...2...1 NOW" I usually take aim and try to concentrate on a very small point at the target. However, sometimes when I subconsciously go to shoot I get the full body flinch. I have thought it may just be that I am not thinking about it and my muscle is so relaxed that its not actually hitting the trigger hard enough (making me think I need to back some bolts out on the release so I can get more of a suprise release). When it doesn't happen I usually am touching arrows at 20 yds. I also think I may be over stretching my finger in order to get it fully on the trigger ( the gap between the release and the wrist strap is too far -- it IS adjustable). Your thoughts Mr. Duck Hunter?

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

Also should add that when I do get that flinch my finger is always slipped off the trigger. Its like my subconscience pulls the trigger but my finger misses and my brain just says OH SHAT!!! In other words I don't see it coming until after it happens if that makes sense

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

That sir,is full fledged TARGET PANICK.


Heavy trigger and aiming drills along with blank bail can cure it.There are no short cuts.;)

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

What he said.;)
Sorry..[:@]

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

That is your subconscious (which has been improperly trained) screaming NOW.... and your conscious mind stopping yourself. You got the little devil and the little angel on either shoulder.

My target panic was a little more clear cut... you are trying to stop yourself... which in my mind shows you know you got it... you just don't want to admit it. Brother, ain't nobody I know of that hasn'thad target panic... not anybody whose been shooting more than two weeks. But its kinda like the clap.... you gotta get rid of it or you'll have it forever.

Its quite the opposite. Every muscle is really very tense. You shouldn't be hitting the trigger period. You should have your finger on it. I hate long releases for just that reason.... when you try and relax and at the same time try to reach up to the trigger... you can creep the bow. That will make you freak out too. Shorten that thing up to the first joint in your finger (middle/main joint). You'll be able to lay your finger on it, and pull through the shot is much much easier that way. I know a few guys who shoot long releases and actually have the mindset to pull the trigger smooth like they would on a rifle... two of them are Navy Seal Snipers, the other one is an army sniper (probably half my customers are military.... with the largest Navy base in the world right here in Norfolk/VA beach and two or three huge Army and AF bases in 20 minutes of each other).... common ground is they have some of the best available training in the world on trigger control... and right or wrong, it works for them. Everyone else (you and I included) have to go about it another way.

yeah you are over stretching. And the reason you can slap shafts at 20 is because you have focused on something else... like JUST slapping the trigger.


What kind of release are you shoot right now?

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

The BT release will not be good for hunting at all! Its very easy, to accidently make a BT release go off if you are not experienced with it, and even when you are, a hunting situation makes all of those form things, so muchharder to do.

I actuallyseem to goback and forth with tp,where every couple months (maybe 3-4) i will start getting into a bad habit of tp, and start punching the trigger. for the next week or so ofshooting, i have to go into "bail mode". I have to make myself blank bale,adn do like SC said and aim without shooting. The aiming without shooting and letting down is what personally helps me the most.I do that from time to time even when im shooting good, just tocheck up myself and make suremy mind is right when going into shooting. Its hard to make yourself go out and aim adn not shoot. Shooting is the satisfying part, but you have to have the discipline to get your mind right so shooting is second nature.

Setting up your release short will help you too. My trigger is in the perfect spot where my finger is just bent/hanging over the trigger. Then instead of squeezing the trigger, you lay your finger over the trigger, and pull back like your trying to tear apart your bow (pull through the shot) and the release will come asa surprise. It is something that takes a bit to aquire, but once learned itwill make you more accurate. You are incorporating back tension into atrigger release.
Derek

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

I also benefited most from aiming drills.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

Along with what the other guys have said I would add that it also sounds like you are shooting with the tip of your finger. NOT GOOOD! Try shortening the release so when you draw and anchor the trigger is between the first and second joints of the finger so you don't have to reach for it.

Something else you might try on a temporary basis is shooting with your middle finger and not the index finger. Index finger is way too sensitive.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

You have target panic. Nothing to be ashamed of as I bet almost every single one of us has had a touch of it at one point or another. Some worse than others. If you shoot long enough, you'll eventually come down with a case of it.

As other said, the blind bale shooting will really help. As long as you stick to it.

I had an issue a couple years ago where I could not, for the life of me, bring my pin down into the center of the target once I settled into my anchor. Now, I shot well since I just ignored it and concentrated on what I wanted to hit and not the pin, but it bothered me enough that I did a lot of blind bale shooting where I would draw, force the pin to the center of the target, relax there for about 20 seconds, then let down. I'd do this 6 times before I would shoot one arrow. Then I'd do it again until all 3 arrows were gone.

It worked well the problem is behind me now. However, I still perform this exercise regularly, just to keep my demons at bay.:D

Using a pure back tension release is a definite way to work on target panic. However, if you're a wrist strap shooter only and have no intention of getting into target shooting, it just may compound the problem. It did me. I went to a BT release to help with my above problem and it really made this worse.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

Trigger releases have been one of the biggest culprits of target panic and flinching issues than anything us bow shooters can put our hands on. They are an awful piece of equipment in the hands of a beginner who has no idea what a properly executed shot should feel like. I've never had target panic, and I still won't go near them. Just doesn't feel natural to me, I'm much more comfortable with a hand held bt release or thumb trigger for hunting.

This isn't your fault, you just need to be re-programmed, and get rid of the bad habits.

You are shooting your bow like a shotgun. Your aiming, and when the pin hits the dot, you're hammering the trigger. It don't work that way. What you have to focus on is the target. You are going to aim the bow, but not force it to the target. Relax your grip, tighten your shoulder blades, and let the pin hover. Keep your eyes on the dot, and squeeeeeeze the trigger. Step up to 5 yards, blank bale, and do that about 10,000 times :). Try it with your eyes closed too. And by all means, try a new release. When i threw away the wrist strap trigger, and picked up a thumb trigger release, I improved my shot so much more. I've been shooting a BT release since 1995, and there is nothing like it for shooting a bow. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't learn to shoot one or that they are worthless. The off season is the best time, but you have to dedicate yourself to it, like all year, or it's a waste of time. Ifyou can get in with a pro shop, and hang out with thedot shooters that shoot well, and know how to use a BT release, it will make the transition easier.Shoot me a pm if you want chat about them more.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

Whenever I start to get TP or have gotten it before, I always go back to the middle finger. It works and onceI ammentally ready, I go back to the index finger.

Theres tons of remedies for TP, you just need to find out what works best for you, and stick with it. Its probably going to be the thing that annoys you most to do that makes you better;) For me, its drawing and not shooting, but for you it might be something else. Just be persistant and you will get better. Thats why archery is considered a discipline right?
Derek

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

As to what SC said : sound exactly what I'm going through - and yes I get the creep sometimes (better than the clap I guess[:@]). BGFisher -- yes only the tip of my finger is on the trigger. I am going to shorten my release to see if that helps at all. One thing I have done that I find helps with just aiming at a spot and not thinking about anyone else is a suprise release by second party. My buddy will often pull the trigger for me while i aim. I actually do shoot some with my eyes closed. Thanks for all the suggestions and I will definately give them a try. Keep the suggestions coming.

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

having someone pull the trigger is the most suprised you can be. you have no control over it. That will help with the tendancy to creep or want to shoot, but you still have to learn how to pull through the shot, or squeeze instead of punch.
Derek

RE: Back Tension Release?
 

I don't know if it will help but reading a copy of Core Archery by Larry Wise would be another recommendation.