This is another one for which I have an unconventional suggestion. As important as the release is I don't think there's a lot of real detailed information on a certain area. At least nothing I've read. Part of that maybe due to the use of a clicker. Another part maybe due to the grip and rip club.

Again this maybe a bit bassackwards. Maybe I should first do a KSL sequence thread and break it down to how I use it for hunting. And that would come with the usual warning: DON'T DO IT BECAUSE I DO IT, DO IT BECAUSUSE IT MAKES SENSE TO YOU. But I'm doing these subjects because they interest me or someone gives me a suggestion that I can add to.

So I'll be using terms that are probably already in most peoples sequence. Let's start at set up, draw, anchor, transfer, aim, expand, release and follow through. EVERYTHING before release is an action!!!!!!!!!!! Release and follow through are REACTIONS. If you do the actions correctly, your release and follow through WILL BE SOLID.

Some of the really good and detailed info comes from Rick McKenney. I can't believe he's the only one who addressed it that I've read. It's really, really important!!! He suggests there's two way to get your fingers off the string. One is never stop drawing until the string is gone. The other is stop at transfer/alignment/bone on bone contact, then aim and then re-egage the back muscles (expand) to get off the string.

The second he says is much harder, but more accurate. Once you relax those muscles it's hard to start them again. I totally agree. On a longer shot it takes time to set the gap.

Something happened after I started writing this thread that might make discussion easier. George posted a Jimmy Blackmon video on the 'Alignment' thread. In it he discusses the 'J' movement. That's the movement after transfer/alignment. (You might want to go to that video before or after reading the following – thanks George)

And here's my unconventional suggestion that I've never heard mentioned. You do what Jimmy's doing with the idea of not shooting. Come to alignment and KEEP PULLING. You'll eventually come to a spot/location/area where you know you've drawn TOO FAR. YOU HAVE TO REALEASE BETWEEN ALIGNMENT AND THAT 'TOO FAR' SPOT. It's important!!! Let me say it another way. You have to release AFTER transfer and you have to release BEFORE 'too far'. Do it again. And again. You need to get the feel.

This will give you a feeling in your back muscles and you will know that it's time to release. Soooooo, what happens is you wait to feel the back muscles and once you do BANG, that's the action that makes your fingers release. So there is no such thing as a release. It's related to the expansion feeling of the back muscles. Draw too far and don't shoot a couple of times. The feeling in the back is pretty obvious.

In practice it's a good idea to do this drill before you shoot that first arrow. When you get past alignment your brain goes, 'there's the feeling I'm looking for on my next shot'.

Now, you have Jimmy for a description and this for a feeling.

Bowmania

LT, I think that 'think' and 'second nature' are two different things.

Since release and follow through are reactions, I think your 'think'ing should be on actions. But you sure are correct about second nature and ingraining the feeling, which is the point of the thread. Betting you shoot better than 95% here.

I'm really surprised this thread doesn't have more posts. It's the most important of all and has the least interest???????

I think all the others had 40-50 responses and for the most improtant - 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bowmania

I like the 'think Follow Thru' method or a second anchor point (Jeff Kavanaugh) and others. I believe any thought on or about the release will negatively impact the release.

Rod Jenkins says it well too, and I believe it to be true. (paraphrasing) 'The release is a byproduct of back tension and expansion'. The release is not a action in and of itself.

Keep pulling, I never think about it..

The last thing you do, with the power to wreck everything else. Get it wrong and it doesn't matter how good you are with all the rest of it.

This is interesting ...

Electromyography of arrow release in archery : Hennessy MP: Parker AW

Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 01 Jan 1990, 30(1):7-17]

Abstract

An electronic arrow movement detector was used to accurately locate the muscle activity associated with release of the arrow during shooting in archery. Digital computer analysis of the electromyograms from thirty shots for two archers facilitated an examination of the relationship between the measured activity of the muscles and their function during release. Changes present in the direct and integrated electromyograms of muscles acting at the wrist and elbow joints of the bow arm and the shoulder of the draw arm tended to anticipate the moment of arrow release. These changes would produce muscular force to reduce unwanted movement at this critical phase of the shot in the bow arm and initiate release of the bow string by the fingers. This study provides a detailed quantitative analysis of the muscular action of the technique and identifies possibilities for prevention of injury by improving the understanding of muscle action in shooting.

Electromyographic analysis of bow string release in highly skilled archers : Philip E. Martin , William L. Siler & Dean Hoffman

Journal of Sports Sciences Volume 8, 1990 - Issue 3

Abstract

A predominant archery coaching tenet holds that the most effective means of releasing the bow string is by relaxation of the finger flexor muscles without activation of finger extensors. To evaluate the validity of this view, EMG patterns of the flexor digitorum superficial and extensor digitorum muscles of the draw arm were examined using surface EMG electrodes in 15 highly skilled archers as each performed six shots. Each archer displayed consistent EMG patterns from shot?to?shot and two distinct flexor?extensor patterns were exhibited by the sample. The first, characterized by eight of the archers, supported the relaxation principle. For these archers, both flexor and extensor digitorum activity decreased markedly immediately prior to or at arrow release. The second pattern, characteristic of the remaining seven archers, contradicted the coaching tenet. While the flexor digitorum pattern was essentially the same as that described for the first pattern, the extensor digitorum displayed a marked increase in activity just prior to release, indicating that string release was facilitated by an active extension of the fingers. It was concluded that highly skilled archers do not predominantly reflect a release consistent with the coaching canon and that factors other than the string release mechanism discriminate the performances of skilled archers.

Ah, maybe more mysterious than the mystic muscle back tension itself.

Human Movement Science :Volume 22, Issue 1, February 2003, Pages 37-45

Activation patterns in forearm muscles during archery shooting : H Ertan B Kentel.ST Tümer F Korkusuza

Abstract

A contraction and relaxation strategy with regard to forearm muscles during the release of the bowstring has often been observed during archery, but has not well been described. The purpose of this study was to analyze this strategy in archers with different levels of expertise; elite, beginner and non-archers. Electromyography (EMG) activity of the M. flexor digitorum superficialis and the M. extensor digitorum were recorded at a sampling frequency of 500 Hz, together with a pulse synchronized with the clicker snap, for twelve shots by each subject. Raw EMG records, 1-s before and after the clicker pulse, were rectified, integrated and normalized. The data was then averaged for successive shots of each subject and later for each group. All subjects including non-archers developed an active contraction of the M. extensor digitorum and a gradual relaxation of the M. flexor digitorum superficialis with the fall of the clicker. In elite archers release started about 100 ms after the fall of the clicker, whereas in beginners and non-archers release started after about 200 and 300 ms, respectively. Non-archers displayed a preparation phase involving extensive extensor activity before the release of the bowstring, which was not observed in elite and beginner archers. In conclusion, archers released the bowstring by active contraction of the forearm extensors, whereas a clear relaxation of the forearm flexors affecting the release movement was not observed.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport :Volume 12, Issue 3, May 2009, Pages 357-360

Muscular activation patterns of the bow arm in recurve archery Author links open overlay panel : HayriErtan

Abstract

In archery shooting, the archer should hold the bow in place using only the pressure produced through drawing back the bowstring. Most coaches discourage the archer from gripping the bow as this is believed to produce a sideways deflecting torque on the bow and arrow during the release. The purpose of this study was to compare the bow hand forearm muscular activation patterns of elite archers with beginners to define the muscular contraction–relaxation strategies in the bow hand forearm muscles during archery shooting and investigate the effects of performance level on these strategies. Electromyographic activity of the M. flexor digitorum superficialis and the M. extensor digitorum of 10 elite and 10 beginner archers were recorded together with a pulse synchronized with the clicker snap. Raw electromyographic records as 1 s before and after the clicker pulse were rectified, integrated, and normalized. The data was then averaged for successive shots of each subject and later for both groups of archers. The main difference between the elite and beginner archers was that the elite archers had a greater activation of the M. extensor digitorum, which indicates that they avoid gripping the bow-handle not only relaxing the flexor muscles, but also contracting the extensor muscle groups. This muscular contraction strategy secures the archer to not interfere with the forward movement of the bow, which is the forward acceleration of the bow caused by the pushing power of the bowstring.

Okay, this just went teal deep; good but deep. Very interesting.

Human Kinetics Journals: Volume 27 Issue 2, May 2011 A Three-Dimensional Analysis of Finger and Bow String Movements During the Release in Archery

Brian Horsak , Mario Heller

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to examine finger and bow string movements during archery by investigating a top Austrian athlete (FITA score = 1233) under laboratory conditions. Maximum lateral bow string deflection and angular displacements for index, third, and ring fingers between the full draw position and the end of the release were quantified using a motion tracking system. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to determine whether bow string deflection and finger movements are predictive for scoring. Joint ranges of motion during the shot itself were large in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, and much smaller in the metacarpophalangeal joints. Contrary to our expectations, greater deflection leads to higher scores (R2 = .18, p < .001) and the distal interphalangeal joint of the third finger weakly predicts the deflection (R2 = .11, p < .014). More variability in the joint angles of the third finger was found in bad shots than in good shots. Findings in this study let presume that maximum lateral bow string deflection does not adversely affect the archer’s performance.

I actually attended this conference back in 87 .... if you read really really carefully you'll discover the cause of target panic.

International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports (1987) : Nishizono

Analysis of Archery Shooting Techniques by Means of Electromyography

Abstract

The interaction between the processes of excitation and inhibition plays a major role in the mechanisms of motor coordination. In the inhibitory phenomenon, from Hoffmann (1920) cited in Hoff et al. (1934) to Abraham et al. (1987), it has been shown that an electromyographic silent period is evident just before the voluntary movement following the preparatory phase, The present authors (Nishizono et al. 1984, Nishizono et al. 1987) demonstrated the inhibition prior to skilled voluntary movement. In the movement of shooting an arrow, there is a large amount of neuromuscular involvement in the «simple act». Neurophysiologically, the movement of shooting an arrow is the stable posture in a typical tonic neck reflex. To get a good record in an archery competition, one requires a well-balanced and highly reproducible release during the shooting. The stages for archery shooting, such as Bow Hold, Drawing, Full Draw, Aiming, Release and Follow-Through, are the stable sequence of movements and are suitable for studying the motor control and skill-aquiring processes of the voluntary movement. In the present study, first, the shooting techniques of world class archers were analysed compared with middle-class and beginner archers by means of EMGs, and second, archers of three shill levels were employed to measure the EMGs during archery shooting, to clarify the differences of the releasing movement.

A can of worms you have opened...

"A Three-Dimensional Analysis of Finger and Bow String Movements During the Release in Archery"

A pdf of the above paper available here...

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3c86/ef42f487271c98e8e27797306652df2138ef.pdf

You can scroll down to Discussion and read what may be heresy to some. They did not find that the maximum lateral displacement of the bowstring during release in a sample of 56 shots gave the worst scores. They did find a slight but statistically positive correlation between the amount of lateral displacement and scores.

I've been using a 3-finger split tab for 3-under. Just discovered that a) one overlaps the other a little b) I'm more accurate when the lower overlaps the upper. Theory: Maybe that has to do with the overlap itself. Maybe a tab with a fore-aft ridge would be less likely to torque the string than a tab without a ridge.

Very good information as always.

I think the reason there are so few posts is because there are so few people who pay any attention to, or understand how the release works.

Pesonally, I'm not a fan of the 2nd anchor that is si popular these days. In most instances, the action that moves the draw hand to the 2nd anchor is an exaggerated movement, that really accomplishes nothing. In my opinion, the most effective release is what Jim Ploen calls the "drop" release. You simply drop the string after the distribution of the load and the expansion through the shot.

The anchor isn't really where you touch your gace with your hand, that's your sighting reference. The anchor is actually the movement of the draw side shoulder blade toward the spine. That's what actually anchors the shot.

One way that you can get a very clear idea of the feeling is shoot a few shots anchoring belwo your chin, and actually pulling the string into your chin, nose, or cheek. You can easily feel the back muscles engage. Many people can't ever feel their back muscles engage because they don't draw the bow far enough.

This is a very interesting study and it makes me appreciate the archery discipline even more (if that was possible). After applying all of the technology and crunching the data, the truth remains:

Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 2011, 27, 151-160 © 2011, Human Kinetics, Inc. Brian Horsak, Mario Heller

Findings in this study do not support the common tenet in archery that maximum lateral bowstring deflection adversely affects archer’s performance.

Rather, it is suggested that the archer’s ability to reproduce the same movement pattern each time increases the likelihood of performing higher scores.

If I could just do that – lol!

Fdp as always you follow Jim Ploen’s teachings and if someone is doing as he/you said the bow can be as lightweight as #10 and the release will be clean. The fingers just need to slide on the cheek toward the ear. How much is not important, the direction it is though. From outside will look like a “dead” release but accuracy is increased if is done this way.

you have to find that same spot on your face, the close shooting works best for me app 10 yds then every shot I have to talk to myself, hold it still - hold it still for me, hold the bow and hand still lot of people do not like to talk about the release, saw many people over the years, could not even pull their bow back before they let the arrow go --- close and talk to my self, try to build the habit good shooting dr

Thank you for those, Phil. My self-serving interpretation of all these reports is that as long as you grip it and rip it the same each time, you'll be fine!

Interesting way of describing fit: between alignment and too far. Just last night I was shooting and really concentrating on that point just before "too far." Not quite as easy to do when shooting a feather light short longbow that's right on the verge of being overbowed. On the other hand, maybe it's even more important in that circumstance. Either way, I was probably taking a good 4-5 seconds to get from alignment to release. I don't think I even felt the release and the shots were pretty darn good! Thanks for posting this stuff, Jim

"Findings in this study do not support the common tenet in archery that maximum lateral bowstring deflection adversely affects archer’s performance.

Rather, it is suggested that the archer’s ability to reproduce the same movement pattern each time increases the likelihood of performing higher scores."

No wonder I'm bedeviled by that third finger!

Thanks, Phil, for unearthing those articles... Excellent info and Actual Data on phenomena not visible to the human eye... Whaddya know? Maybe the earth ain't flat after all???

"My self-serving interpretation of all these reports is that as long as you grip it and rip it the same each time, you'll be fine!"

Nope! (I know you're speaking with tongue firmly in cheek, but just the same....)

"The main difference between the elite and beginner archers was that the elite archers had a greater activation of the M. extensor digitorum, which indicates that they avoid gripping the bow-handle not only relaxing the flexor muscles, but also contracting the extensor muscle groups. This muscular contraction strategy secures the archer to not interfere with the forward movement of the bow, which is the forward acceleration of the bow caused by the pushing power of the bowstring."

IOW, DON'T Grip it, just RIP it!!

But you can't split arrahs without splitting a few hairs, so I'll debate that last bit about the "pushing power of the bowstring", which doesn't move the bow, only the arrow.

The forward acceleration of the BOW is due to the inertia of the limbs as the Centers of Mass of the working/moving portion of the limbs have their forward motion restricted/decelerated by the string, and also due to the PULLING power of the ARROW at that point, if the nock is still gripping the string. I know I've seen references to videos which show that the arrow is off the string before the string gets back to BH, but that would depend heavily on the fit of nock to string. If you don't believe me, just super-glue the nock of a glass fishing arrow onto your string and let one rip.... LOL

Might explain/suggest an accuracy benefit of carbon-foam limbs, too, since their lower mass/inertia would have less effect on whatever amount of mass is in the riser. Longbows with long, stout limbs (and especially if combined with heavy arrows and tight-fitting nocks!!) probably DO have a lot of "hand shock" if you are unfortunate enough to have a shooting style which results in your attempting to decelerate all of that mass from peak velocity to zero with no Give in the system..... If you had a length of zero-stretch line running drum-tight from your nose to the grip of your bow, there's probably enough force there to snap your head off! Or at least give you a nasty case of whip-lash....

If you think about it, then end of the power stroke must be one helluva wreck, with the limb-tips - at top speed - suddenly getting clothes-lined by the bow-string, while the CM of the limbs keeps traveling forward, which of course requires the limbtips to come to a dead stop and then accelerate back toward each other again as the CMs of the limbs (and by now pretty much the whole bow) continue down-range until restrained by the shooter's grip or a wrist-loop.

Glad you brought that up LT, I think I mentioned it in "Alignemt" calling it a draw force line. It's a really important point. Without it your not getting a clean release or the most energy out of the bow.

Phil, I have to read those over again. I thank you for posting them. Quick comment is that those were all (maybe not because of the beginners) Oly shooters. Take that clicker away and would you have the same results??? I don't know.

I had a student that was interested in Olympic Archery. So I bought a Oly set up and ended up shooting it some. The first thing I notice was that it was much easier to get the back tension I was looking for with the lower anchor. Would that sway the results with our corner of the mouth?

"They did not find that the maximum lateral displacement of the bowstring during release in a sample of 56 shots gave the worst scores. They did find a slight but statistically positive correlation between the amount of lateral displacement and scores." I don't know if that's heresy. In reality consistency trumps inconsistency. I always say that you're better off with poor consistent form than perfect form 50% of the time. Which may or my not be true, if you have perfect form 50% and practice you're closer to 60% 70% perfect form.

Phil I tried to make sense of the TP portion and couldn't. I think the main reason for a sequence is shooting the same way each time. BUT maybe one of the side benefits or deep down inside the main benefit is keeping the sub-conscious occupied with one thing after another. You never do two things at the same time. I'll give you aiming is continued through expansion, BUT it's more set the gap (and hold it there) THEN expand. I believe that's a separation.

I think that the reason TP is so prominent in the Mr Asbel style of shooing is that he has possibibly 3 happening at the same time. Bow arm, string arm (swing draw) and/or anchor, aiming and release. Maybe 4 oor5 at the same time? Talk about pressure on you brain. I wonder what the odds are of them letting down if they think their shot is off. Is there a -0%.

Handle, That last paragraph relates to your 5 seconds to get to release. Just think about how relaxed your shot is compared to the Asbel form of all those things happening NOW. If something is off you have 5 seconds to let down. If you're shooting at an animal, you can time the shot to an opening better than an Asbel style because there's less pressure. You can be off 5 seconds and that' a LOT of time at crunch time.

Next time your shooting keep this in mind - the closer you get to 5 seconds to make the shot go off, the odds increase of making a poor shot. My blank bail shot (when I'm working on that aspect) is alignment, aim, 1 sec, 2 sec, 3 sec, 4. I really want to get off around 3 or 4. Two is good also.

Bowmania

This really should be another subject for another day , but Bowmania you asked about the TP portion ...

.. quote " it has been shown that an electromyographic silent period is evident just before the voluntary movement following the preparatory phase, The present authors (Nishizono et al. 1984, Nishizono et al. 1987) demonstrated the inhibition prior to skilled voluntary movement."

.. imagine if that silent / inhibition phase was absent or disrupted ... it is absent or disrupted in all the TP cohort group I've studied

Interesting Phil, but I don't think I understand. Could you put that in Leatherwall language?

In "electromyographic silent period" the word silent must mean lack of voluntary movement. Does this mean that just before release (volentary movement) in the non-TP group there is no electromyographic movement?

Conversely a TP group would have electromyographic movement.

Bowmania

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