Post by YankeeRebel on Jan 26, 2009 21:59:20 GMT -5
I borrowed this from another site. It's a good read on back tension. 
Back Tension Explained:
The word back tension is used often when describing shot execution.
Many shooters are mystified with the notion of “back tension.” The
general explanation of back tension often feels like it requires a
medical degree and a body chart to locate ambiguous muscle groups
that must be flexed and pinched at just the right interval while poking
at your release trigger. Ultimately, it is a confusing distraction
that takes our mind off aiming, and aiming is the most important
task that must be completed without distraction to complete the perfect
shot. Without perfect aim, perfect form alone will not produce
perfect scores. “Back tension” can be simplified to a basic feel.
We refer to it as dynamic tension. Dynamic Tension is set up at the
beginning of the draw and it continues through the release of the
arrow. We feel that it is second only to aiming as the key fundamental
part of shooting form that generates accuracy and consistency.
The feel that you get with Dynamic Tension is the constant rearward
pressure against the bow while you aim.
"What is Dynamic Tension"?
Dynamic Tension is a simple technique. You need to feel a balance
between the solid bow arm and the pulling pressure of the release
hand. The feeling should be like stretching a band between your
bow hand and your release hand. This stretch increases as you commit
to the shot. Most pro shooters set up their dynamic tension when
they raise the bow to the target. The muscles that you use to draw
the bow are the very same muscles that you use to aim the bow, and
the back muscles will give you the most stability. As you reach full
draw you should pull the bow into the stops and continue to apply
mild pressure as you align your peep with the scope and the dot with
the X. Once everything is centered and anchored in the center of the
target, you will then commit to the shot. Slightly increase the tension
against the bow. Begin relaxing the hand through the shot (we will
explain relaxing through the shot a little later.) Dynamic Tension
reduces the amount of muscle groups involved in the shot. This will
diminish muscle tremors that can cause sudden misses, quick shots,
and general unsteadiness.
"Activating the Release by Relaxing Through the Shot"
Whether you are using a triggerless release or a model that
is trigger activated, the technique is the same with only minor adjustments.
The art of activating the release is pretty basic. Essentially
what should happen is as you pull against the bow and build dynamic
tension between you and the bow, you will allow your index
and middle finger to yield or soften against your pulling pressure. If
you are shooting a Triggerless release, that yield of pressure causes the
release to rotate just enough to cause it to fire giving you a complete
surprise release. If you are shooting a Thumb button the you will
start with a heavier than normal trigger tension. Wrap your thumb or
finger over the trigger and apply a tiny amount of pressure to it. As
you pull and allow your index finger to yield to the pressure, the
tension transfers to the button or trigger. This slight transfer of pressure
as you relax your hand through the shot will cause a nice
smooth surprise release. Ultimately you are striving for a surprise
release. You do not want to be concerned when it is going to fire.
A perfect shot would seem something like this: You draw the bow
and squeeze into the stops. You align the peep and scope and bring
the target into view. You will give it a half a beat to begin its normal
motion in the center of the target (depending on experience this will
be a little wobbly or very steady. Practice and conditioning will improve
your hold over time.) Your sight is as steady as it ever gets
and you commit to the shot. Allow your Dynamic tension to build on
your release fingers through pulling into the stops. The tip of your
elbow is in perfect line with the dot in your scope and it is pulling
straight away. To activate the shot your index finger softens on the
release and allows the handle to pivot slightly (there is very little
perceivable motion here, but you can feel it) and POOF! The shot is
released. You hold the form for about 3 beats for follow through and
you are ready to reset. You have just shot a perfect arrow. You can
adjust the speed of your release to get the proper feel and timing.
"Transferring the Feel to Your Bow"
As you get used to the feel of Dynamic Tension and you get used to
yielding through the release to activate the shot, your exercise with
the shooting loop will be important. It will help you memorize the
feel and commit it to muscle memory. The more automatic these
motions are before you go to the bow, the more consistent your shot
sequence will be. An easy way to transfer the feel to your bow is to
shoot at a very close range without a target. When shooting the
blank bale, it is important that you do not aim at anything, and resist
the temptation to aim at your previous arrow. The point of this exercise is to acquaint yourself with the feel of shooting with your release without the extra distraction of aiming. Remember, these
exercises can be boring and it is tempting to skip forward and begin
shooting as normal, but the more time you spend here developing a
broad foundation through these exercises; the more accurate you will be in the long run. Spend enough time at this stage to get your shot execution as normal and comfortable as you can. Compare the feel to the shooting string to be sure that you have it down.
"Incorporating the Feel Into Your Full Shot Routine"
The final step is to learn to aim and commit shot execution to muscle
memory and allow it to happen naturally. For many shooters, sight
movement and release problems are correlated, so learning to accept sight movement and continue with great shot execution is important.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is to start off shooting targets at a very close range. Set up a target and shoot a few well aimed shots at 5 yards. Be mindful of the release and be sure that the feel and speed feels the same as it does with your string and the bow on the blank bale. Once you are comfortable with this, you can step back to ten yards. If you really want to get the full use of this exercise you can shoot full games on your favorite target to build confidence and get used to the feel of the automatic release while your sight moves in the center of the target. When you feel like you have it down and your shot execution feels great, you can step back to 15 yards and repeat. Slowly stepping back and gradually getting used to accepting sight movement will help your shot execution remain consistent.
As you get better and become a stronger archer, your sight
movement will get smaller and smaller and your average will rise
along with your improvements. Following these simple steps to acquaint yourself with your new release and its function will take
you a long way towards higher scores and overall consistency. Happy shooting Ultimate Bowhunters
Back Tension Explained:
The word back tension is used often when describing shot execution.
Many shooters are mystified with the notion of “back tension.” The
general explanation of back tension often feels like it requires a
medical degree and a body chart to locate ambiguous muscle groups
that must be flexed and pinched at just the right interval while poking
at your release trigger. Ultimately, it is a confusing distraction
that takes our mind off aiming, and aiming is the most important
task that must be completed without distraction to complete the perfect
shot. Without perfect aim, perfect form alone will not produce
perfect scores. “Back tension” can be simplified to a basic feel.
We refer to it as dynamic tension. Dynamic Tension is set up at the
beginning of the draw and it continues through the release of the
arrow. We feel that it is second only to aiming as the key fundamental
part of shooting form that generates accuracy and consistency.
The feel that you get with Dynamic Tension is the constant rearward
pressure against the bow while you aim.
"What is Dynamic Tension"?
Dynamic Tension is a simple technique. You need to feel a balance
between the solid bow arm and the pulling pressure of the release
hand. The feeling should be like stretching a band between your
bow hand and your release hand. This stretch increases as you commit
to the shot. Most pro shooters set up their dynamic tension when
they raise the bow to the target. The muscles that you use to draw
the bow are the very same muscles that you use to aim the bow, and
the back muscles will give you the most stability. As you reach full
draw you should pull the bow into the stops and continue to apply
mild pressure as you align your peep with the scope and the dot with
the X. Once everything is centered and anchored in the center of the
target, you will then commit to the shot. Slightly increase the tension
against the bow. Begin relaxing the hand through the shot (we will
explain relaxing through the shot a little later.) Dynamic Tension
reduces the amount of muscle groups involved in the shot. This will
diminish muscle tremors that can cause sudden misses, quick shots,
and general unsteadiness.
"Activating the Release by Relaxing Through the Shot"
Whether you are using a triggerless release or a model that
is trigger activated, the technique is the same with only minor adjustments.
The art of activating the release is pretty basic. Essentially
what should happen is as you pull against the bow and build dynamic
tension between you and the bow, you will allow your index
and middle finger to yield or soften against your pulling pressure. If
you are shooting a Triggerless release, that yield of pressure causes the
release to rotate just enough to cause it to fire giving you a complete
surprise release. If you are shooting a Thumb button the you will
start with a heavier than normal trigger tension. Wrap your thumb or
finger over the trigger and apply a tiny amount of pressure to it. As
you pull and allow your index finger to yield to the pressure, the
tension transfers to the button or trigger. This slight transfer of pressure
as you relax your hand through the shot will cause a nice
smooth surprise release. Ultimately you are striving for a surprise
release. You do not want to be concerned when it is going to fire.
A perfect shot would seem something like this: You draw the bow
and squeeze into the stops. You align the peep and scope and bring
the target into view. You will give it a half a beat to begin its normal
motion in the center of the target (depending on experience this will
be a little wobbly or very steady. Practice and conditioning will improve
your hold over time.) Your sight is as steady as it ever gets
and you commit to the shot. Allow your Dynamic tension to build on
your release fingers through pulling into the stops. The tip of your
elbow is in perfect line with the dot in your scope and it is pulling
straight away. To activate the shot your index finger softens on the
release and allows the handle to pivot slightly (there is very little
perceivable motion here, but you can feel it) and POOF! The shot is
released. You hold the form for about 3 beats for follow through and
you are ready to reset. You have just shot a perfect arrow. You can
adjust the speed of your release to get the proper feel and timing.
"Transferring the Feel to Your Bow"
As you get used to the feel of Dynamic Tension and you get used to
yielding through the release to activate the shot, your exercise with
the shooting loop will be important. It will help you memorize the
feel and commit it to muscle memory. The more automatic these
motions are before you go to the bow, the more consistent your shot
sequence will be. An easy way to transfer the feel to your bow is to
shoot at a very close range without a target. When shooting the
blank bale, it is important that you do not aim at anything, and resist
the temptation to aim at your previous arrow. The point of this exercise is to acquaint yourself with the feel of shooting with your release without the extra distraction of aiming. Remember, these
exercises can be boring and it is tempting to skip forward and begin
shooting as normal, but the more time you spend here developing a
broad foundation through these exercises; the more accurate you will be in the long run. Spend enough time at this stage to get your shot execution as normal and comfortable as you can. Compare the feel to the shooting string to be sure that you have it down.
"Incorporating the Feel Into Your Full Shot Routine"
The final step is to learn to aim and commit shot execution to muscle
memory and allow it to happen naturally. For many shooters, sight
movement and release problems are correlated, so learning to accept sight movement and continue with great shot execution is important.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is to start off shooting targets at a very close range. Set up a target and shoot a few well aimed shots at 5 yards. Be mindful of the release and be sure that the feel and speed feels the same as it does with your string and the bow on the blank bale. Once you are comfortable with this, you can step back to ten yards. If you really want to get the full use of this exercise you can shoot full games on your favorite target to build confidence and get used to the feel of the automatic release while your sight moves in the center of the target. When you feel like you have it down and your shot execution feels great, you can step back to 15 yards and repeat. Slowly stepping back and gradually getting used to accepting sight movement will help your shot execution remain consistent.
As you get better and become a stronger archer, your sight
movement will get smaller and smaller and your average will rise
along with your improvements. Following these simple steps to acquaint yourself with your new release and its function will take
you a long way towards higher scores and overall consistency. Happy shooting Ultimate Bowhunters
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