Back tension!!!

[lancecpl247]

Hi all,

Hope the new year is treating you all well.

Right down to this post, I am trying to learn more about back tension and how to achieve it. I shoot a compound bow with a release aid and I find myself punching the trigger too much. I might be trying too much to pre-empt the release I do not know. Also how do you know when you are using the right muscles as opposed to the wrong ones.

Looking forward to all your ideas.

[TJ Mason]

Personally, I can only tell whether the back tension was right or not AFTER the shot. I used to be able to feel it during the shot, but not any more.

The follow-through that I get from good back tension (both recurve and compound) is:

• drawing hand stays close to the head and moves a few inches back
• drawing arm stays in the same shape as before release
• bow arm moves back and down

It's then a matter of trying to replicate the shape and dynamics that produced that result. Took me ages.

[geoffretired]

lancecpl247, Back tension and punching the trigger may not be connected in your case. However, punching the trigger sounds like something you want to get rid of. Back tension sounds like something you want to improve.
If you have learnt how to punch the trigger, you need to start using the release aid in a very different way. If a new method is very similar to your current method, it is very difficult to make any real change as the tendency is to slip back. I found that when I had a light trigger, the best way to develop a new technique with it was to set the trigger very stiff so a gentle press didn't work any longer. I then had to press hard and by building the pressure gradually it would activate all of a sudden as a surprise. That is just about the opposite of a punched release. Being very different made it easier to learn the new technique. The keyword is Patience. Do not try to make the trigger go off; just add pressure gradually and be patient. It will go and you will be unable to anticipate it.
As for back tension, if the draw elbow is moving back round almost horizontally, and you keep pulling until after the release has activated, what you feel is what you should try to repeat. The bow arm has its part to play too. It has to resist a tendency to soften and move right(righthanded archer) at the point of release (or just before in some cases) The bow arm should not move right, slightly left is a more natural move in the follow through.

[exziit]

back tension...its like chasing the holy grail for an amateur like me...

[buzz lite beer]

B.T. it's so easy to get back tension at least reasonably right, yet every one tries to suppress it. If you were pulling on a rope and it snapped unexpectedly your arms would follow the path of the tension of the used muscle groups, because you come to expect the reaction you counter it using other muscle groups.

[Macbow]

You might find something useful here http://www.texasarchery.org/Document...rsApproach.htm

[lancecpl247]

Can I first of all thank you for your input it, I am sure will be of help to me. I have not yet looked at the link but I will do. I think part of my problem is as was stated already, its hard to unlearn something. But with only just starting to truly learn about back tension I will be able to break the habit. Although we did a frostbite today and it was very windy, whilst trying back tension all I could think was "get the shot off before the next gust of wind". Not ideal!!

[Marcus26]

I find myself punching the trigger too much

Don't. Back tension won't stop you punching, nothing will stop you except you. The key is to make sure you never punch in practise and then follow that through to competition. Give yourself time and concentrate hard on it.
If the shot won't fire then let down and relax your hands before trying again. No magic fixes, just your own determination and self control.

Although we did a frostbite today and it was very windy, whilst trying back tension all I could think was "get the shot off before the next gust of wind". Not ideal!!

Shooting well in the wind requires 3 things.
1) Good release aid usage. Punching is not teh answer here. Yesyou will hit some shots, but you will not score higher, likely worse.
2) Timing. So many people draw and shoot at the peak of the wind. Listen to the wind, it will come up and down and pick your moments so you are shooting in the lulls.
By doing this I can score near to what I score in calm weather at 70m.
3) Accept you will miss. It is simply a fact that you will score less in wind. Accept it. The key is minimalising your errors. Got a shot that won't fire and you are being bvlown from white to white let down, rest and try again.

[currie1014]

Originally Posted by lancecpl247

Hi all,

Hope the new year is treating you all well.

Right down to this post, I am trying to learn more about back tension and how to achieve it. I shoot a compound bow with a release aid and I find myself punching the trigger too much. I might be trying too much to pre-empt the release I do not know. Also how do you know when you are using the right muscles as opposed to the wrong ones.

Looking forward to all your ideas.

it is a long winded process to explain in one email. it all starts with your whole set up, stance posture, predraw....
you need to get one of your club coaches to have a look at you and help really.
But try using a stretchy band first and see if your final position is different to when you actually shoot that is a good starting point..

[lancecpl247]

Oh, I know there is no easy fix to this. I know that it is all down to me and I will do it, I know I will. Its going to take time but sometimes don't you just wish it was easy!!! lol

Thanks again