Lead with the ELBOW: Back Tension | Archery Tips

Attain correct alignment and back tension with this simple motion.
Bow: Bear Takedown 45#
Arrows: Gold Tip Traditionals
Shirt: South Leeds Archers
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Twitter: / nu_sensei
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[@FactsFirst-yo8gc]

I don't usually respond to videos, but your explanation of back tension paired with the example of the band is the best video I've seen on the subject. Not just the subject matter but it was delivered in a clean and concise way, crisp and to the point. So many youtubers dribble endless BS. Great video!

[@maxm00d]

It is indeed!!!

[@FadedN8v91]

You sir, are the greatest teacher I've come across on here. Thank you! I can understand you very well, and you explain the grey areas no one else does. After watching a few of your videos tonight, you have answered several of my inconsistencies i was concerned about, and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can improve on.

[@sebastienraymond3648]

I'm glad you mentioned the importance of using exercise rubber bands. I commented on this yesterday in your previous video. Jake Kaminski talks about it quite regularly like you. 👉The "huge" advantage is that you can train anywhere and correct many inconsistencies in your shooting cycle, while increasing the strength of your muscles also. Another important factor is that we don't need to focus on hitting the target, we can focus on getting the muscles involved, drawing, anchoring and releasing correctly. I highly recommend any archer to get a exercise rubber band, you won't regret it. Have a nice week everyone and take care of yourself!! 🥰

[@ThirdLawPair]

One problem I experience with the elastic band is that it allows me to get unrealistically deep into alignment after rotation and loading. If I do the same exercise with a light bow, the string will come in contact with a side of my jaw which limits how close my hand come to my neck while loading. Whereas with the elastic band, my fingers will naturally come underneath my jaw which is physically impossible while holding a bow string.

[@sebastienraymond3648]

@@ThirdLawPair I don't have this problem personally, but indeed, there are some limitations with exercise bands, as they can "mimic" and correct problems in our shooting cycle, but not 100%. Have a nice day and take care. 🙂

[@garymickus6412]

@@sebastienraymond3648I use elastic bands (Theraband) regularly particularly when warming up. The problem Is that they are too easy to draw back making good alignment effortless. When one switches to a bow the difference in strength and shoulder flexibility required for good alignment is remarkable. In an alignment coaching Utube video, Archery GB recommends learning with a very light practice bow and later after several months transitioning to higher draw weights. I believe this is good advice.

[@sebastienraymond3648]

@@garymickus6412 The rubber bands I have, if held at the correct length, easily stimulate my 55# bows. There are several types of rubber bands, usually in different colors to indicate their strength with completely different weight resistances. Shop around a bit, and you'll find it pretty easily. Have a nice day and be well. 🙂

[@SimonBracken]

I will definitely be thinking about this the next time I shoot. I don't have a band... I have no kit at all... Yet. Great video. Thank you.

[@JERRYR708]

8:15 great demonstration excercise. I included dumbell bent rows to strengthen my bow draw.

[@cavetroll]

I actually have stretch bands all over the house. If I have a moment like waiting for the kettle or similar, grab the band and practice the movement and motion. It gets it ingrained quickly that way

[@William.N]

Brilliant series. Love the focus on the little things. Need to put a stretching band in my kit.

[@dylanharrell503]

All you had to say was elbow someone behind you. Now I know what I’ve been doing wrong. Thank you 🙏

[@piangfuann]

South leeds archers! Interesting shirt choice :)

[@allanplant8756]

An excellent tip with the rubber stretcher to the elbow. So obvious, yet I'd never thought it out.

[@andycrowther6039]

Nice shirt mate, that's my club!

[@imdablader123]

this is exactly what i need! thanks NU sensei ^^

[@motow3031]

My go to archery coach, easy peasy

[@frumiesilver7957]

Excellent. So helpful

[@carcharhinus_555]

Thank you!

[@carcharhinus_555]

@NUSensei thanks again for the tip! While I still have kind of a hard time keeping my wrist straight (focussing on leading with the elbow), I'm improving and while ofc there's a long way to go (when isn't there 🙂) I do notice a much better grouping especially on repeated sets. Thanks a lot!

[@ramoverde4133]

Very good, something very important explained easily. 🏹✔👍 Yes, I always have a band with me.

[@TheBigGSN5]

Time for an elbow attached release tool.

[@abacusgeek7903]

Great description Nu.

[@yvonvachon5357]

Nice to see you again,great content, thank you.

[@1ststater611]

Outstanding!

[@chasee1563]

subscribed. Really clear explanations, thank you!

[@ibnuyeusof4744]

Glad to found your channel sensei.

[@-fazik-3713]

Great video!

[@aveledo]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@lemagicbaguette1917]

Not even a minute in, and I got it. I copied your shots, and the one in which your elbow almost disappears behind you (the second one) ended up introducing a new tension in my upper and middle back. I can't not feel that tension so long as my elbow is copying yours. Bad news is is that my new draw renders my arrows too short. P.S.; at first, you might pull your bow arm towards you as you do this. This causes an uncomfortable scrunch, almost as if your shoulder blades are team attacking your spine. I find it more comfortable to push the bow forward whilst I pull the arrow back. Great video as always, NUSensei)

[@derrickstableford8152]

Good video, I’d not seen it demonstrated this way. Thank you.

[@knolltop314]

Good explanations, coach! Thank you.

[@Varnavyavastha]

I was having that croocked wrist issue captured in videos, I couldn't correct it since the anchor point was right but follow through felt wiered. After seeing this video I think you have pointed me to the right direct direction "coach" Nusensei.

[@allanjgray1]

This really is great advice ! thanks so much mate.

[@hutchieboy242]

Elton Wong of Barebow Basics has a session on back tension that is a good accompaniment to your presentation.

[@AL-iw3ox]

Thank you, well explained 👍🏾

[@user-ml7hd6yc2x]

Best explanation up to now.

[@martyngregory1282]

Thank You NU Sensei as a new archer I will have to re-think How I take my shots as I am sure I am guilty of some Lazy habits that Will have to be Corrected

[@staffordsanpei7804]

I am guilty of not using my back muscles. I need to change my alignment,Thank you Sensei

[@davidmahers4072]

🤦‍♂️ never thought of using a stretch band like this. Definitely going to from now on

[@jfbock7512]

Hi NUSensei, Following you from Belgium. Thanks for this very clear and so effective explanation. It’s amazing how the bow sounds happier when shot properly. It feels good simply listening to it. 🏹🎼

[@NUSensei]

Indeed. Comparing the crooked arm and straight tension shots, you can literally hear the difference. The proper shot has very little lateral movement, so the string makes far less vibration noise.

[@rfdsrd]

Linear alignment first, then anchor. Proper alignment will also determine the only available anchor possibilities.

[@tlam7397]

Sensei❤

[@lucpet95]

I own a theraband and our club sells it by the metre. I guess I should use it a bit more 🙂

[@uncleremus5046]

Al Henderson never mentioned Back Tension teaching he had all students focus on Back Elbow. Before long they all had proper alignment & back tension in their shots!

[@MrSalanter]

Underrated

[@rubenmolino1480]

excelente ¡¡

[@paweolszowy772]

Hi, great video, that is precisely what I needed to hear. I've heard that people don't keep the bow arm elbow straight when shooting "horse bow". Is it proper/ acceptable? It's supposed to help with Khatra, but IMO it lowers the accuracy significantly.

[@lupusverdi]

I can never find those yellow theraband tubes except buying them in meters. Where did you get yours?

[@shanedenro9931]

Cheers

[@christianbrienesse]

Hi NUSensei. Thank you for this video. I took up archery again in April so just learning still really but have bought my own bow. I’m having a problem with my new bow in terms of accuracy and I think this video will also help. I also wanted to ask, do you have any videos on which eye to use for sighted archery? I think it is also an issue (not the only one) for me and why all my arrows are currently going high and wide (basically at 2 on a clock) no matter what I do.

[@jonhyaku4581]

Sighted? As in using a sight? You're using a sight and still missing the target? There is definitely something wrong with that. I am a dediacted barebow archer, so no sight in sight. I recommend that you restart without anything to help you. But whether you use a sight or not, I believe that if you have use of both eyes you're supposed to use them both - not one. More important is eye dominance. There is a video somewhere about that... kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Ovq3uLqJuWfM0feature=shared Then I recommend you look up his videos on aiming as well as those about the right bow, draw weight, arrows and about correct drawing and anchoring. There is a *huge* amount more to getting your shots on target than just where you are looking. Stick with NUSensei at least to start with as I find that his videos complement one another. More recommendations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqa4cqFuiJmLh5Yfeature=shared kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipjEh6qFhZaKd7Mfeature=shared and for a bit of fun: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5mvf3awi5ppr80feature=shared then for sights: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIrLp2t8h6uqfJIfeature=shared But there are many more!! I hope that helps.

[@kevinmithnick9993]

Damn!

[@Australian_Made]

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@Quothnor]

Hey NUSensei! I have been watching your videos for a while, but only recently have started learning how to shoot with a coach. I have a question: my coach has taught me to anchor under the chin since they teach the KSL technique. Since you anchor on your mouth, what your thoughts about KSL, anchor under the chin and it being eventually applied to traditional bows such a longbow?

[@NUSensei]

The KSL method is more broadly the physical form and steps. You can apply the steps to any form of archery, and many systems and styles have similar or overlapping concepts. The anchor point, however, is not specific to KSL. The chin anchor was specifically adapted for long distance target shooting and is now ubiquitous with Olympic recurve. The original advantage was that it was more suitable to get the angle for 70-90m shooting, and now with sights it provides multiple facial reference points and clear string alignment with the sight. The higher anchor point is more suitable for close distance shooting because it brings the arrow closer to the eye, reducing the gap between the arrow and the target. I would not be applying the chin anchor to traditional and longbow because it greatly increases the gap and therefore increases the room for error when sighting the target. You can make it work, but it makes it unnecessarily more difficult for no gain.

[@Quothnor]

@@NUSensei Thank you very much for your reply! I specified traditional archery because I have a huge interest in it and found another club specifically for traditional (they even have tournaments in castles and whatnot) through someone who shoots a longbow and is also in my current club. His advice was for me to fist learn the basics in my current club and check out the traditonal one once I am confortable with the fundamentals. His reasoning is that if I have to correct one of the fundamentals, it would be what I am already doing anyway.

[@brydenquirk1176]

I really struggle with this when i do that i end up with my hand behind my ear with no anchor at all

[@garrymoore2186]

He's so funny, those who can do, those who can't teach.

[@labtrainer09]

Follwer "FactsFirst" (below) hit the nail on the head. Thank you, Sensei, for demystifying back tension, which is NOT rocket science, despite how some instructors present it. Clay Hayes also does an excellent job explaining and demonstrating back tension. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/foC2emh6apebpqc) Like you, he emphasizes the elbow and shows its importance via a homemade version of the Formaster training aid. Keep up the great work, Chris (Maine, USA)

[@notapplicable531]

I'd comment on matching the colours of a bands to appropriate bow weights, but unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any universal code indicating the strength of bands in increasely order. Getting the correct band is a matter of trial and error, or buying a strong one and cutting lengthwise strips off of it till reaching the correct strength you can handle.

[@MiniatureMasterClass]

What glove are you wearing?

[@MIFTACHULBAHRIone]

What is the name Hand gloves you use?

[@ThirdLawPair]

I noticed that you grip the bow with all of your fingers rather than letting the bow float on your pressure point. Is this the preferred way of holding the bow when it doesn't have any weights or stabilizers? Archers who use hill-style longbows say that you must grip the bow, which made me wonder if it has something to do with the mass of bow.

[@mortenjacobsen5673]

Nah, you could use a sling and let the bow jump

[@NUSensei]

I'm not using a finger sling. I don't grip the bow with the fingers, but they are there to retain the bow.

[@erieagustin1596]

USE YOUR TRAPS

[@bstulls5299]

unless your elbow is broken, then don't do it.

[@hutchieboy242]

Is that a beard?😂