I'm new to the forums... and advice I seek...

[Ethius_SH]

Hello... I'm a new recurve archer (as you should know by reading the title)... and I seek advice (also in the title... XD )

I have problems releasing. Occasionally my release fingers seem to "claw" at the point of release, letting go of the string split seconds later than it should. Anyone got advice?

[reversehaven]

Hello... I'm a new recurve archer (as you should know by reading the title)... and I seek advice (also in the title... XD )

I have problems releasing. Occasionally my release fingers seem to "claw" at the point of release, letting go of the string split seconds later than it should. Anyone got advice?

hmm. quite simple really. use your back tension, keep it there. now all you really need to do now is relax your fingers. let your back tension pull your arm back.(newton's first law of motion at work, with the back tension.)

[c0rbuu]

I had the same problem for quite a while and still do occasionally when I get tired. What worked for me was to focus on my drawing shoulder instead of consciously thinking about my release. I guess this goes in line with reversehaven's comment. Really try to get your scapulas (your shoulder blades) as close as possible and keep squeezing them through the release. Try to relax your (drawing) forearm before you realx the your fingers. The load of the drawn bow should completely in your back, not in your arms.
Somebody please correct me if I'm totally wrong here.

[Purple Hats]

It seems to me that you are using arm and hand tension to shoot the bow, which is not the conventional "correct" technique, as it is biomechanically unsound.

Do a search on back tension on any archery forum (this one is good) to find out more about it and how to implement it, as it has certainly been covered before. Reading Kisik Lee's book "Total Archery" would be a good idea, especially for a recurve archer. James Park's books (I can't remember what they're called) are also helpful. It is difficult, and will take a fair bit of work, however with perseverence you will get there.

Good luck

[Ethius_SH]

Thanks everyone... I'll try implementing more back tension into my shots the moment I get back to the archery range. Now I know more about my "clawing" problem.

[shannonhearse]

Really try to get your scapulas (your shoulder blades) as close as possible and keep squeezing them through the release.

Sorry, but you are wrong, on the right path, but wrong :)

Loosely explained,
drawing scapula should be lower then bow arm scapula. bow arm scapula should be raised and out of the way allowing the drawing scapula room to move. If they where as close as possible (or touching) then there is no where to move during expansion through the clicker.

Better explained, read Ki-Sik Lee's Total Archery.

[Jazza]

Back tension was mentioned more than a few times, however if you are a beginner this will probably mean nothing to you:confused: . My advice is to search your archery club for a coach who can acess you on your technique and give you things to work on.

I agree that Ki-Sik Lee's book Total archery is excellent and is a worthy investment.
Good luck with your shooting.

[c0rbuu]

Sorry, but you are wrong, on the right path, but wrong :)


oops... well, thanks for correcting me. :) That's actually kinda what I was trying to say. But you put it in much more accurate words. Hope I didn't confuse anybody... :rolleyes: