I've been shooting a Zenith Back Tension release for about a week now. I'm making progress with the release, but need some advise in a couple areas.

This is my first time shooting a BT release. First, I find that I have to pull incredible hard to get the release to go off with pure back tension. So hard, that I'm literally shaking like a leaf by the time it releases. The only way I can get it to go off somewhat easily, is to rotate my wrist so that my fingers move rearward of my thumb. Do you think I'm doing somethng wrong? I'm using a string loop and attaching the release directly from the hook.

Problem 2: I'm anchoring by placing my jaw between my thumb and index finger. To anchor with the back of my hand would twist my string loop and I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. The problem is when the release goes off, I'm scraping my face with a sharp portion of the release hook. It's almost like punishment in exchange for a surprise release. Maybe someone using one of these Zenith releases, could tell me how I should be holding it, to prevent this stuff. Thanks,

Edited by - Straightarrow on 02/11/2002 09:08:05

Stop...the backtenson release.I used one for 3yrs,only had problems with it.i also use a loop.the best release ive found is the tru-ball loopmaster.try this and if you dont like the results than look in bowhunting mag.for there B.T. releases

Several things come to mind. First, your anchor point is off. You should anchor with your index/middle finger joint on your jaw bone. The release hand should be held at a natural angle on the face. Some shoot straight up and down but find an angle that's comfortable for you. Ensure that your draw length is set properly. Do not worry about the twisting of the loop unless it is extremely short. If it is short you'll have to retune the bow and tie a new loop, no big deal.

Find someone that knows how to shoot one properly to work with you. Do not pull with the front of your shoulder/bicept/forearm. This is what is causing your face to be hit by the release. If there are any sharp edges on the hinge, file them down. To execute proper backtension, imagine trying to squeeze a grapefruit between your shoulder blades. Totally relax the back of your release hand right up to the head of your shoulder and concentrate on feeling the muscles in your back holding the weight. same muscles used to draw the bow or row a boat.

Get rid of your sight and practice proper form with no target. Eyes closed, not aiming at all. A simulator will help as well. I can't reiterrate how important it is to have your draw length correct and to have a good coach to learn correctly.

I have been shooting a Zenith for a few months nowand have found that thay work realy well if you shoot it with a short loop on the release head and put that through a D-loop on your bow string, it gets rid of alot of torque that can be made of you are not anchoring comfertable position, the only downside I find is you then need to use a shorter draw lendth that can reduce arrow speed.

Zippernut,

I want to say thanks. I followed your suggestions, and within 10 minutes things were falling into place. Once I did it right, the release went off easily with no undue strain. I didn't hit my face after release and for the first time I experienced what a true back tension release felt like. Right away, my groups were better than I've ever been able to shoot.<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

It's weird, but I thought I was using back tension before, but it was almost all arm tension. With the true back tension, my arm didn't come flying back so hard. I see what you mean by the draw length being correct. I think mine may be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. I'll try it a little shorter and see if it works even easier.

On a side note: I put my regular index finger release on and shot a bit trying to use back tension and I shot better with it also. Strange, but I've shooting a bow for 30 years and never once released a shot with true back tension before yesterday. What feeling, almost like a revelation! I really believe that with practice, this will improve my shooting more than anything else I've done in the past 10 years.

Thanks again,

Glad you were able to decifer what I was saying and feel it too. It is very difficult to convey without being there next to a person. Keep up the good practice and your score will most definately improve. Don't expect overnight success, and don't overshoot. Good luck.