Exploring the Archery World of Back Tension and Unanticipated Releases
This offseason I went down the rabbit hole on how to improve my overall accuracy and consistency with the bow. For years I’ve tried to not “punch the trigger” with your standard index release. It was a constant thought going through my head as I was pulling through the shot, but ultimately given the mechanics it felt like there was always some form of punching the trigger going on. And the results down range always seemed to point to that. My groups were decent, but I knew they could be tighter.
I had been curious for the last couple of years about back tension releases, listening to different podcasts and reading articles, but this off-season I took the plunge deeper into the subject and ultimately decided to try and make the transition.
Below is a list of the various resources and training that I used or explored as part of my research. There’s no one right answer, it’s what’s best for you, but ultimately I was in search of how to improve my consistency with the bow for hunting so that when the time comes, I’d be 100% confident in where I could put the arrow - no matter the scenario.
Types of Releases
I had no idea there were so many different types of archery releases out there. I had always stuck to the index finger release, it’s the only thing I’ve known, but quickly got overwhelmed once I started to dive into the different types of releases. I had always heard the term back tension release, and had a faint idea of what it meant, but had no clue there were so many different release types to consider. Below are some of the resources I used for choosing a release. At the end of the day, I went into the local bow shop here once I had narrowed down my list a bit to see which ones felt the best in my hand as well as shooting with, and that’s how I decided. Choosing a release and style is ultimately a personal choice and preference, but after my research and trying a few out, I went with the Carter Wise Choice.
Here’s a great article from GoHunt breaking down the various types of releases
Index finger release
Handheld thumb trigger or button release
Tension Release
Hinge release
Here’s another great article from MeatEater that I referenced as well, and then some great YouTube videos as well below.
Unanticipated Releases and Curing Target Panic
I was really curious to try out an unanticipated release shot sequence, which is what sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place. I wouldn’t say I had a bad case of target panic, but again, I was trying to get away from punching the trigger to tighten my groups - especially at distance. My old shot execution was one where my pin would float around the bullseye, and I’d try timing the trigger pull as the pin crossed the bullseye. This is problematic for many reasons and as John Dudley says, everyone punches the trigger. With an unanticipated release, the shot execution is much different. You let the pin float in and out of the bullseye with your subconscious naturally bringing that pin back to the center. As you continue to pull and pull and pull through the shot, it goes off in an unanticipated manner, and because your subconscious is naturally moving the pin back to zero, that’s where your arrow goes.
I was terrified to take my first couple of shots this way, but to ease into it I also got a shot trainer to practice the shot routine and execution without my bow. However, I was pretty amazed at the initial results the first time I stepped back to 20 yards with my bow and this new release process. Every time the shot went off, I was sure my arrow had missed the center, but it was eye-opening to see how tight my first group was at 20 yards. I kinda stepped back and was amazed at the result, and a lot of my initial doubts faded away about this shooting methodology that I had been reading, listening and watching so much about.
I’m still a bit nervous heading into this hunting season with a totally new routine. What if I need to get the shot off as my lane is rapidly closing? Will I be able to execute this process under pressure? This summer it’s been all practice with this new style of shooting to build that confidence and consistency into my shot routine so that come fall, I’m ready.
Here’s a great set of podcasts I listened to on Shot Execution, Target Panic and Unanticipated Shooting
WiredToHunt EP 206 Taking Control of Your Archery Future and Target Panic with Joel Turner
WiredToHunt EP 535 Tackling Target Panic and Rebuilding My Shooting Proces
Archery Preparation and Practice
An unintended helpful surprise through this whole process was that it took me back to the basics and building blocks of the shot routine. Something I hadn’t thought about in years. I went back to the beginning on my stance, keeping that front shoulder down and just the fundamentals. My Dad had taught me how to shoot a bow way back in the beginning, but I had just grooved my own routine over time - not really being intentional on each step of the process. Now I systematically work through each step of the routine as I work through the sequence.
Going through John Dudley’s School of Nock was an awesome refresher on the basics and fundamentals. I highly recommend going through these short YouTube videos, even for seasoned archers, just to brush up on the basic building blocks of archery and the shot sequence.
I also learned and started to approach my sessions at the range much differently. I now had a purpose for each session. Historically, I’d just go fling arrows at various distances without really thinking through what I was trying to improve or being intentional about what I wanted to train for. Now I take a much more systematic approach to it. I focus on a part of my routine, a particular distance, and I pay much closer attention to my groups and the arrows that are flying to further improve my consistency. All things I picked up from Dudley’s School of Nock as well as an Alpha Bowhunting Training Session I joined back in the spring of 2021.
I haven’t yet taken Joel Turner’s ShotIQ course yet, but it’s definitely something I’m curious to check out and to try and go to a live session if he ever rolls through town.
Wrapping Things Up
What I love about archery and shooting my bow is that there is no finish line. We can always get better, and you’re constantly just building layers of knowledge and experience on top of each other. This whole journey took me down a rabbit hole, but I learned a ton through the process and there’s this whole other side of archery to explore now and master. I was texting and sharing a lot of these resources with buddies as I was finding them, but I thought it’d be helpful to just try and capture everything I found along the way for anyone is curious to learn more and explore this type of shot technique. Good luck out there, and please feel free to reach out with any questions.