Punching the release

[wints13]

 

[Camp David]

I practiced the "suprise release" until I got target panic so bad I couldn't even shoot. Be carefull this doesn't happen to you; took me 3 years to cure it. Practice a Hard focus on a very small point on the target and hold it for a few seconds while your slowly applying pressure to the release. Try to avoid the "NOW" command when the sight pin is where you want it or it moves to the point you want to hit. This is when "punching" is most prevalent. Focus on the point...let the pin float around and apply pressure to the release. If you want to learn how to shoot using back tension I'd buy a  back tension release  that target shooters use. Learn to shoot it than go to a finger release for hunting .

[Button Nubbs]

The "suprise release" is what you want. It shouldn't give you target panic.

[Camp David]

The "suprise release" is what you want. It shouldn't give you target panic.

Agree. I practiced with a Carter 2 shot release that is designed to be back tension release (using a trigger finger). Tried the blind release, and suprise release with back tension and i was successfull (at times) by achieving a suprise release. But trying to hold on the target and anticipating the bow to fire; slowly worked it's way into target panic. Possibly my technique was wrong, but this was after i read a lot of articles and books on the subject. 

[mtbiker]

Ok, so here's my  ...

The whole idea behind a back tension release is about aiming.  That is, getting your mind off of conscientiously executing the shot by pulling the trigger while 100% of your mind is on aiming before, during, and after the shot.  The "surprise" is a result of your mind not thinking about executing the shot through the trigger because it was completely focused on aiming.  You have to move the trigger to execute the shot.  This can be done indirectly (back tension) or directly by slowly applying pressure to the trigger (back tension does the same thing, but through a different muscle group).  You can do the later and still get a surprise release due to the very slow application of finger pressure to the trigger.  Think rifle shooting.  You don't snatch the trigger.  You slowly apply pressure until it breaks and there should be some level of surprise because there was no "NOW!" and expectation of a bang.  Your mind was on aiming.

So, to get to a subconscious shot execution you need to train yourself through perfect practice.  You know the correct saying, "Practice does not make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect".  Blind bail shooting has been mention here as one way to focus on perfect form over-and-over, again.  So, what I do is get to full draw with the pin in the target area.  Check my form (grip, anchors, relaxation).  Start floating the pin in a tight area over the target.  A smaller target is better.  For example, a 1" dot at 20 yards.  I want to get to where I'm floating the pin in a very small, but consistent area over the dot.  If I'm making erratic movements outside of a tight float area, then I'm not setup right (or just having a bad day).  I re-check my body relaxation.  If I can't get to a nice tight and consistent float, I let down.  Once I do get to that nice float I tell myself to start that shot, which begins the very slow pull on the trigger.  My mind immediately goes back to 100% focus on the target.  I no longer see the pin because my focus has completely shifted to the 1" dot.  I'm now relying on my mind to sub conscientiously make the necessary movements to get the pin on the dot.  Eventually, the shot goes off and I should be surprised.  If I'm not, then I know that I did not have 100% of my focus the dot.  Also, if I find myself not still staring down that dot and holding the exact same form I had prior to the shot I know that my mind was not where it was suppose to be.

If this is practiced enough you will find that you no longer have to tell yourself to start the shot/trigger pull.  You will naturally and sub conscientiously start it when you have found that sweet spot float and your focus moves from the pin to the target itself.

[Kain]

Thanks guys.  What you all have described is exactly what I keep falling back to.  If I concentrate really hard I get a proper release but just when I think I have it I find myself punching again.

[Instinct]

Ur not supposed to punch ur release, may hurt ur knuckle thay way 

[mtbiker]

Thanks guys.  What you all have described is exactly what I keep falling back to.  If I concentrate really hard I get a proper release but just when I think I have it I find myself punching again.

Both physical and mental relaxation is key.  Blind bail shooting will help with relaxation because you don't see anything that will cause you to panick.  Since you can't see anything you can visualize the perfect execution.

[Camp David]

MTbiker...good summary of everything I have learned....but still trying to perfect.

[mtbiker]

MTbiker...good summary of everything I have learned....but still trying to perfect.

Yep, me too.  I know what I need to do.  I just need to commit the time and practice to turn it into consistent muscle memory.  For me it's classic, "you get out of it, what you put into it".

[colockumelk]

Practice a Hard focus on a very small point on the target and hold it for a few seconds while your slowly applying pressure to the release. Try to avoid the "NOW" command when the sight pin is where you want it or it moves to the point you want to hit. This is when "punching" is most prevalent. Focus on the point...let the pin float around and apply pressure to the release. If you want to learn how to shoot using back tension I'd buy a  back tension release  that target shooters use. Learn to shoot it than go to a finger release for hunting .

That's exactly what I did.  The reason we "punch" the trigger is because we want to ensure the release is exactly at the moment that pin is exactly centered on the bullseye.  Unfortunatley when we do this we are actually hurting our shot and we often pull the shot to one side or the other.  When you concentrate on holding that pin as steady as possible on the bullseye (it will float around a bit) and having a nice steady release the shot will be withing a couple of inches every single time (depending on the range).  Since I started doing this my shot groups have been cut in half. 

[CoachNemo]

I have been practicing at home with a piece of cord tied to my draw length and then I attach my release to it.  Then I can "draw" and release for feel, without even using the bow.  This has helped me tremendously on my trigger punch issue.  I am much smoother now because of it.

It was a great tip I got from Michael at Next Step Archery at Nock Point.

[halflife65]

Can you give some more info about that CoachNemo?  Not sure that I understand what you mean but it sounds interesting (anything that might help shoot better is interesting)?

So, you have a piece of cord same as your draw length, (assuming right handed), hold one end in your left hand, make a loop or something on the end to attach your release, hold at full draw position and then just practice pulling the trigger (whatever method you use - trigger finger, back tension, etc.) and then just let the cord fall out of the release?  Is that correct?  Now that I wrote it out it seems pretty simple...

[Button Nubbs]

Halflife, exactly what you said. Keep in mind your rope should fly 6' or so out of your hand across the room. It does help

[Camp David]

I have been practicing at home with a piece of cord tied to my draw length and then I attach my release to it.  Then I can "draw" and release for feel, without even using the bow.  This has helped me tremendously on my trigger punch issue.  I am much smoother now because of it.

It was a great tip I got from Michael at Next Step Archery at Nock Point.

I tried that for a while, but the tension on the bow is so much heaver. I "shot" the string well, but didn't see a lot of difference when i shot the bow.