Educate Me Please....

[Grizzly Johnson]

I have read on here and other archery places about Back Tension.

An example is with a release I was looking at in the description it said this: Uses back tension to fire - pull the trigger to open, let up to close.

I grew up just shooting a bow...ie put the T-handle release on the string, draw it back, aim, and hit the button with my thunb to shoot an arrow. There wasn't all these fancy terms.... so would someone please educate me on exactly what does it mean...

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Re: Educate Me....

My definition of back tension is this. Again this not out of a text book just my interpratation.

You can use a trigger release or a "Back tension release" to achieve a "surprise" release. The purpose is to avoid anticipation of the shot which may cause a flinch at the shot. Said flinch can cause the shot to go rouge. Also by using back tension the shooter becomes less concerned with pulling the trigger and it allows the shooter to conentrate on settling the pin and aiming.

Sounds simple right just squezze the trigger off like you would a rifle. For some it is simple, but for some archers it is a constant battle to keep from punching the trigger or hunt and punch(which is waiting for your pin to cross your intended target and suddenly pulling the trigger)

When I shoot back tension I am basicly pulling on the "back wall" (using my back muscles not my release arm) until the realease goes off. The back wall is basicly when the bow is at the end of it's draw and can be pulled no further. When I use a trigger i just rest my finger on the trigger and pull (again not moving finger or arm, but my back muscles.)until the bow goes of. There are many kinds of back tension releases, but most of them are designed to achieve the same goal of surprise.

Like I said this might not be a spot on description, but my interperatation.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Re: Educate Me....

So am I to understand that when you draw back so far (to the bows stopping point), the release automatically lets go of the string?

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Re: Educate Me....

So am I to understand that when you draw back so far (to the bows stopping point), the release automatically lets go of the string?

you got it. some releases have a clicker to alert you before it goes off. some have a safety that has to be released before the process starts. but yes the basic hinged back tension release will go off without any other shooter action other than presure being applied as the shooter pulls against the back wall. It's a scary concept, but once you learn how to use one it can help worlds when it comes to shooting.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Re: Educate Me....

Thanks BTBH... I'm just wondering now if I should stick with the regular type of thumb release or try a BT release....

 

[JayMc]

Re: Educate Me....

BT is a style, not a release. I shoot a trigger release for hunting by using BT. I shoot target with a hinge release, often referred to as a BT release.

I come to full draw, anchor then transfer the holding weight from my arm/shoulder to my back muscles. If you were to see it you would see a settling of my right shoulder. Then after I get on target I continue to pull with my back muscles which rotate my shoulder and releases the hinge.

A good book that describes BT is Core Archery by Larry Wise.

The release doesn't go off just by coming to full draw, but goes off by applying increasing pressure (pulling) through the shot.

 

[Bowdacious]

Re: Educate Me....

You can shoot back tension with your T handle.Just takes practice.I can do it but I can't describe it in a way that you would have a clue what I was talking about.

 

[POSSUM HUNTER]

Re: Educate Me....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnHfU3-hUw


THIS MAY OR MAY NOT HELP YOU

JUST CORNFUSED ME EVEN WORSE
:GRIN:

I AINT GOT NARRY A CLUE

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Re: Educate Me....

Thanks BTBH... I'm just wondering now if I should stick with the regular type of thumb release or try a BT release....

As jay said bt is a style. My personal opinion is that it is a style that is better for target or competition shooting. I would not use back tension to hunt. If you are happy with your shooting ability then just stick to what works. Unless you are like me and you just like experimenting for fun.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Re: Educate Me....

Well I was looking at it like since I'm going to be shooting a new bow, if I needed to learn to shoot a different release style.... it would be a good time....

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Re: Educate Me....

You might give it a try and see what you think. If you end up with a release that you don't like you can always sell it. Like I always say...never know till you try..... Good luck! keep us posted on the new bow.

 

[Toxophilite Phil]

You will not be able to just pick up a new release and say I am going to shoot back tension. Like was said you can use your T handle release now to shoot back tension. You use back tension for a couple of reasons (1) your back muscles,the rhomboids to be exact, are not as likely to react by your subconscious mind. This allows you to get the motor(pulling) started and then get back to aiming. Once you start the motor you will need to finish the shot. Only after alot of practice can you actually let down once the motor has started and not mess up your conscious mind and the shot process. (2) your back muscles are bigger than your arm and shoulder muscles and won't tire as quickly. Thus allowing you to shoot a good shot,given your focus is still spot on, even when your tired.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Good stuff guys, maybe I have been using the BT method and just never knew it. Going to research it some more, thanks again guys!!

 

[BowGuy84]

Re: Educate Me....

BT is a style, not a release. I shoot a trigger release for hunting by using BT. I shoot target with a hinge release, often referred to as a BT release.

I come to full draw, anchor then transfer the holding weight from my arm/shoulder to my back muscles. If you were to see it you would see a settling of my right shoulder. Then after I get on target I continue to pull with my back muscles which rotate my shoulder and releases the hinge.

A good book that describes BT is Core Archery by Larry Wise.

The release doesn't go off just by coming to full draw, but goes off by applying increasing pressure (pulling) through the shot.

great explinations. Olypic shooters use back tention to ease through their clicker.

There are two common ways for teaching this.
-push/pull: push with the bow hand and pull with the release. Here it is easier to cheat and very important to have a bow with a good wall.
-transfer of tention and contraction of back muscles. Very tiring at first, but truer form of back tention.

you can tell if someone is shooting with back tention, bc at release their form will always seem to "fall apart" to varying degrees. This is a jerk out and down with bow and backwards with release hand.

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Re: Educate Me....

BT is a style, not a release. I shoot a trigger release for hunting by using BT. I shoot target with a hinge release, often referred to as a BT release.

I come to full draw, anchor then transfer the holding weight from my arm/shoulder to my back muscles. If you were to see it you would see a settling of my right shoulder. Then after I get on target I continue to pull with my back muscles which rotate my shoulder and releases the hinge.

A good book that describes BT is Core Archery by Larry Wise.

The release doesn't go off just by coming to full draw, but goes off by applying increasing pressure (pulling) through the shot.

great explinations. Olypic shooters use back tention to ease through their clicker.

There are two common ways for teaching this.
-push/pull: push with the bow hand and pull with the release. Here it is easier to cheat and very important to have a bow with a good wall.
-transfer of tention and contraction of back muscles. Very tiring at first, but truer form of back tention.

you can tell if someone is shooting with back tention, bc at release their form will always seem to "fall apart" to varying degrees. This is a jerk out and down with bow and backwards with release hand.

I have a question then. I shoot bt. When i "fall apart" the bow arm falls down and to the left. Do i need to correct this and try to drop the bow staight forward or is this just how my form is. I have v-bars and stab. the v-bars are weight alittle heavy on the right side. (opposite from weighting to offset sight.)

 

[JayMc]

Re: Educate Me....

You will be best served if your bow arm stays in position and bow rocks straight forward in your hand...at least that's what USA Archery recommends.

 

[Toxophilite Phil]

Re: Educate Me....

If your bow arm is flying to the left and down your draw is a little to long. I bet if you miss it is low and left. You also have tension in your shoulder and back on the left side. Now it is tough to shoot push/pull method because it is so hard to get every thing together. Most shooters nowdays use a pull only method where the bow arm is stationary and the draw arm is the one moving. When your draw length is correct you will not see a flying apart motion. This flying apart motion is most of the time exgagerated. You can be surprised of the release and not look like you are having a spasm and a fit. Ther Larry Wise book is a good one but for me the best book is Bernie Pellerite...Idiotproof Archery. He goes into everything we have talked about here and then more. You can get it at Robinhoodvideo.com