Back tension

[swampy]

Do you guys start right out drawing with your back?? I find that if I keep my shoulders down and start drawing(squeezing) with my back early on it seems to help with a steadier sight picture. There does seem to be a point where it,s easier to hold evrything on position ,I think thats what you guys are talkin about with proper alignment (skeletal)(sp LOL).

By shoulders down I,m refering to where they would be with your hands relaxed at your side as apposed to a shrug type position.Does that sound right??

It,s kinda funny when ya get better ya really gotta pay attention to he little things if ya expect to improve Thanks guys

[BLACK WOLF]

Absolutely...IMHO

But in the beginning my arms are doing most of the work. If you were to watch the joints and muscles at work, certain muscles come into play either isometrically (static) or concentric (dynamic) at different points during the drawing process.

Ray

[Viper]

swampy -

Sometimes I'm conscious of it from the get go, usually when working on form. BW is right, in the first few inches the arm muscles do come into play. Remember, back tension only counts after the shot, what you do before the loose, is your business.

Viper out.

[Stagmitis]

Great debate over a set arm draw or a push pull draw! :)

I use a push pull because I can get my back muscles to engage quicker taking the load off my shoulders sooner.

Either way both methods end up in the same spot right?

[Viper]

Stag -

You can get there anyway you like, the back tension has to be there when the string leaves the fingers, and after (the followe through).

Viper out.

[Esquire]

I could use a good basic tutorial on back tension. I have picked up a few things here and there, but I'm not sure I have my head completely around the subject and it keeps cropping up. I'm starting to get the impression it might be important.

I have an understanding, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

[Viper]

Esquire -

The only test for back tension is what happens after the release. If the string hand moves straight back, even slightly, then back tension was correct.

I don't use the word back tension when teaching, as I see most folks get too bogged down with it. I teach a generic follow-through position. Once the guy has that, he's got the back tension thing going, doesn't even know it.

Viper out.

[Esquire]

Viper,

Thanks. You and I have discussed what a good release ought to look like in the past, in a way that was helpful to me. So I think I understand what we're discussing. It isn't the mechanics as much as the terminology that gets me sometimes. I like to make sure that what I'm picturing is the same thing the speaker is picturing.

I have been shooting, more or less by myself, for years. But I have not had that much exposure to the terminology, as used by guys who understand and use the terms in everyday speech.

Mike

[Viper]

Eaquire -

The terminology is great, but you're right, it can get cumbersom, like most things if folk can't see each other! Still the biggest problem with the internet. Things get get misinterpreted, or be less clear than when doing it face to face.

Viper out.

[swampy]

Actually the way Viper explained how your hand should end up over your shoulder helped me out quite abit as far as moveing my group over to center.

What I was refering to is how early in the draw do you make a consious effort to draw with your back.

I,ve been haveing decent luck trying to do it as soon as possible.Now if I can just remember EVERY TIME where my hand should end up LOL

I haven,t reached the unconsious level as of yet :lol:

Yea I know my spelin suks

[Stagmitis]

Viper has it right!


Good back tension 'RELAXES" me! :shooting:

The strain of the draw should significantly diminish when anchored and back tension is achieved. I can equate it to the let-off of a compound to a lesser degree.