I am working on getting a more consistent release. I shoot split finger. Trying to pull as hard as I can into the corner of my mouth is part of my typical shot sequence but once I loose the string its just kinda random from there. I have recorded myself on video shooting and realize my release hand is all over the place. Does anybody have any suggestions for consistency with that? Second anchor after the shot behind the ear maybe? Thanks!

Hard to work on 'the release' and follow through (second anchor) as they are reactions to what's done (actions) just before they occur.

According to Rick McKinney there are two ways to get your fingers off the string. One is continual movement. That's the draw starts and it doesn't stop until the arrow is gone.

The other is stopping at transfer/alignment and then starting again. Think of aiming at aligment and then squeezing the trigger - back tension.

In either case you have to know what alignment is. Your elbow needs to be inline with the nock and the tip of the arrow. It's actually a comfortable place to be, you're not holding the poundage of the bow, you're only holding it in place. Called bone on bone contact. It's very dificult for you to tell when your at alignment. Much easier to have someone tell you.

I good drill is to reach alignment and then continue to draw with no intention of shooting. There is a point that you'll find that if I release now I'd hurt myself. You have to release AFTER alignment and BEFORE you hurt yourself, duh. But if you know that alignment and draw too far the release becomes much easier.

If you'd like to send me your video, PM me.

Bowmania

You've hear of the 'J'? That's the elbow coming straight back to alignment and then kind of switching directions and going towards the back, 90 degrees to the arrow.

I use a second anchor with the joint of my thumb behind my jaw bone. Lance

Wait 'til you see Rick Welch do the whirly bird.

I agree with Bowmania. My only point of contention in these discussions is the fact that "follow through" isn't in the string hand. Follow through is in the bow arm.

As mentioned above, the release is a reaction. As long as you let go of the string the same way every time, it makes -0- difference where your string hand ends up.

But, if you have a bow arm that waves all over the place on every shot, you are doomed.

Heat, I'm no coach, but I find that alignment and back tension are critical to keeping my arrows on line. Easton has a PDF file on shooting form that includes discussions on alignment and release. Pages 6,7 show alignment and page 31 mentions that the release is just your fingers relaxing. Best of luck.

Try this link, it is free. https://d36m266ykvepgv.cloudfront.net/uploads/media/zWUjFEiT6I/o/bestbeginningsinarchery.pdf

Everything sounds much smoother in French; La Tensión Dorsal.

I like what Bowmania talks about and try to do that.

I also re read and practice what Rod Jenkins writes.

He talks about "never stop pulling" if you want to become a better shot.

Pulling in an archery shot is a 3 phase affair.

(1) Excessive pulling to anchor.

(2) Balanced pulling at anchor.

(3) Increased pulling (expansion) to shot conclusion.

Biwguy thats how Vic Berger taught me to get and use back tension. Relax the bow string arm an hand n "push" your elbo back , which will automatically align your string arm and arrow. If done right you will have a reaction of your hand flying back in response to the action of relaxing your fingers. Without a relaxed hand and forearm good back tensions next to impossible.

Viper's book is an excellent reference source.

Viper's book???

Look up how to make a string bow and practice your anchor with that.

The book is called "Shooting the Stickbow".

Thank you Frank!

I sen a video where when you release (not a dead release) for a right hand shooter, think of having a pin pong ball or golf ball on you right shoulder.

As you release you want to slide your hand back along your face and grab at the ball.

Are you trying to win the Olympics,,,, be a great target shooter or kill animals.... If you want to kill animals. put 3 fingers under the noc. anchor at the cheek. look down the arrow and shoot the arrow,,,,

I killed 3 deer like that last year, out to 35 yards,,, not that hard

Most trad archers have the wrong arrow, set up for their bow

Rick Welch can do the whirly bird because his arrow is already gone.

What others say about pulling through with back tension is essential. Go to Kisik Lee's website, sign up and read all he has to say about the draw being continuous.

But if you really want to perfect your release, shoot a 25# bow. If you think your arrows fly all over now, wait till you try that. You might even wind up shooting behind you!

OK that was a joke but shooting an ultra light bow is not. JUST KEEP YOUR HAND RIGHT WHERE IT IS WHEN YOU RELEASE. Let the fingers open while still using back tension, but don't let your hand move. With such a light bow you can do this b/c there is so little kick back. After a little while you'll find that your arrows go straight. Once you get the hang of it try this with your regular bow. Just don't let your hand move away from the anchor point! If you can't do that your bow is too heavy for you.

Couple of things to remember ...

1. There are no muscles in your fingers

2. The origin of the muscles that control the flexion (closing) and extension (opening) of the fingers is located in the forearm.

The problem with the description of releasing with back tension and so on when given on here is it all conflicts.

Here we gave at least 2 different descriptions of how to release with back tension. One description states that after reaching your aiming reference the elbow should move toward the back. The other says it should move straight back. Completely different motions.

Then people emphasize the movement of the string hand after release which is essentially meaningless. That one particular movement has more people exaggerating back tension than anything. In most folks the string hand movement is ab after thought.

If you want to feel back tension hold your bow up in front of you with your bow arm elbow bent. Place your string hand on your anchor/sighting reference, then push the bow to full draw with your bow arm. That feeling is what you should be striving for.

The absolute easiest release to execute and duplicate is the simple "drop" release. Just keep applying tension to the string and turn I loose. Your hand goes where it goes.

If you are not using blank bale drills, start now. Get a target to absorb arrows (compressed bales of hay work great). You do NOT aim at anything, or try to hit a mark. It is NOT about accuracy.

You want to get close to the bales/target, point the drawn arrow into the bale ( no aiming point, which why it's called "blank" (or non-marked, empty) bale. " shooting. Close your eyes, go through your shot sequence,develop back tension, anchor point, and start your release.

It allows you to focus just on release and follow through, not on trying to hit your desired mark. With closed eyes, you develop a real feel how a release feels. Then include release and follow through. Very important. If you have any regimented training session ( and you should), at least 20% of your shots should be on this blank bale drill-and done early (after stretching, and before "aiming" /hitting the mark shloting, to solidify your release foundation.

I believe I read a stat that 60+% of total trigger time for USMC ( Marine Corps) bullseye pistol shooting is "dry firjng". This is empty gun trigger pull shooting at a white sheet of paper at very close range (2-6 feet). It focuses on how the trigger break ( so the shooter knows exactly how the sear feels at release). It also is great training for sight alignment and follow through,...and "ammo" is free and unlimited. Blank bale shooting is a similar approach. Use your worst arrows if you like. Doesn't matter what you use for arrows.light bows are great to use, as well as your "normal"( hunting ?) weight bows.

Repetition, muscle memory and "feel" of release are all developed.

I found the YouTube archery series called, "The Wedge" Series (6- 7? Videos). Excellent. Pay attention to the term "natural release". The series really helped me improve form and technique.

Wedge Series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pCejcb6DAI

I didn't know anyone worried about their release! Then I read where Howard Hill said "with both hands do nothing". That sounded good to me since I already did that.

"Rick Welch can do the whirly bird because his arrow is already gone."

So is everyone else's arrow.

If we are to hold in our minds the many aspects of traditional and instinctive archery every time we launch an arrow, we will fail to focus on the spot we intend to hit and thereby miss.

Me, if I'm not well focused on that spot because my mind is cluttered with anything else I will indeed miss.

Your release is nothing complicated. Just let go of the string when you know you are most certainly going to strike your target dead center. It's a thing not to be overly concerned about. If you can grasp the string you for sure can let it go.

Working on my release, any pointers? YES, Remember you have to let go of the string! ??

I don't let go, I stop holding. There's a difference.

"Letting go" requires a purposeful action of the holding fingers.

"Stop holding" is just letting the string hand go limp. The hand goes where it goes.

Practice, practice, practice until the release just happens without consciencely thinking about. Thinking "I'm on target, I should open my fingers now" is not going to end well.

Regardless of what terminology is used, releasing the string is very hard to describe.

Phil is going to love that science.

You can't let the string go without a purposeful action. You have to physucally disengage the muscles that keep the fingers in the "hook" position.

I understand the symbolism of the statement, but it still requires an action.

Similar to drawing a bow and keeping your bow hand "relaxed". If your bow hand is relaxed, your fingers can't hold the string, because your fingers won't hold the weight. Rather than use that analogy the analogy of keeping the wrist straight describes the psocess more correctly.

Runner ... I think fdp just answered it perfectly

"JUST KEEP YOUR HAND RIGHT WHERE IT IS WHEN YOU RELEASE. Let the fingers open while still using back tension, but don't let your hand move."

No expert here, but for me, this seems to give me the most consistency. John Schulz makes a point of it, which Howard Hill passed on to him (DISCLAIMER: I don't shoot a Hill style bow). He put it simple and straightforward: "Upon release, both hands do nothing."

Meaning, keep your bow hand steady and on target (follow thru); relax the fingers and the release just happens. Or something like that. For me, personally, thinking about where my hand should go after release is just more mind clutter, while that "Dead release" just happens naturally when I reach good expansion and sight picture.

Like fdp said, its not a purposeful action. I was told its not a thing you do, its a thing that happens.(when your ready)Sound crazy I know.

My favorite exercise (Not a state champion)is one that helped me improve in several ways.

First is the draw, I hold my bow with the arrow pointing left of bale somewhat sideways and begin to draw it that way. As you pull it will come on target like a swinging door and your draw elbow will also swing backwards. When you get to full draw you will feel the engagement and alignment and how it holds the bow with less effort. So then the excersise is simply to shoot several rounds close distance at a bale holding each arrow as long as you can. You won't have any trouble releasing because when you think you need to let go you do. This helps target panic, release issues and helps dominate any bow you are truly capable of. When you shoot at regular pace its effortless so to speak. Do the holding session but take a break before resuming normal shooting.

Then there is the advice Bowmania gave me. "why don't you take two weeks off and quit?"

Arny Moe on utube on form shooting.

I like Arny Moes release video also.

I find when I’m struggling with the release it’s usually me plucking out away from my face.

So with my split fingers, at anchor I put my thumb under my jaw also. And for some reason this makes me pull back straight instead of plucking outward.

That and anchoring the bow hand and I’m back to good groups. Not great groups, good groups :^)

X 2 with Arne Moe's Youtube videos ... excellent commentry and no BS

Don't pull the string back with your fingers/hand/forearm. Get the string back by pushing your elbow back, the fingers are simply hooked around the bow string and relaxed. Maintain that backwards push with your elbow until you release. This will give you back tension without really even thinking about it. Your release hand will automatically fall straight back upon letting go of the string in a great follow through position. Maintain the bow arm and bow on target while continuing to concentrate on your spot until the arrow impacts the target. It takes repetition to ingrain these dynamics into your subconscious. Don't concentrate on hitting the bullseye with every shot, concentrate on shooting a good arrow mechanically with every shot. Surprisingly the bullseyes will come like magic.

Work on sequence and visualization and practice opening your fingers and follow through with back pressure.

When you do the hook its an extension of your arm locked and loaded you then practice letting string roll off fingers.

Do a visualization over and over again till it feels automatic.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions everybody, well almost everybody. I'm doing my best not to go ballistic on the guy with the condescending bullshit.

Here's a good drill for refining your release: Get a pail or bucket. Put something in to add a couple pounds. Hook the bail as though it's a bow string. Stand tall and let it hang. Look straight ahead. If you want to see what's going on, stand in front of a mirror. Relax! All you are doing is letting the bucket hang. At some point (we all have some kind of phsyco trigger), quit holding it. If your hand or arm moves, there's too much muscle tension. That's part of what causes plucking. Don't open the fingers to release. Just quit holding it. Some people can't not open the fingers at first. Get over it. Relax! Once it's done right, it looks like nothing happened except the bucket hits the floor. I find this drill helps me get out of my own way. The hand and forearm should appear to do nothing. There's a lot of discussion about back tension and follow through. It's all good. Hugely important. This has been a fantastic thread.

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