Release tips

A series of clips showing a proposed technique for drawing, releasing and follow through. This video was done for a NASP coaching class and refers to some( many) student errors we encounter as coaches. As in my other videos, it is meant as a "food for thought" video, not as a "Ya gotta do it this way!"

[@mikeneuburger3989]

Rest In Peace Arne. You will be sorely missed sir.

[@richardwolles6236]

As someone just getting into archery I find your instructional video's are some of the best I've watched. Thanks a lot.

[@richmerlo2769]

Hands down the best instructional video i've seen , this really helps my form , I just need to keep practicing . Good form = good shots.

[@TheMoebow1]

Start with a relaxed forearm and wrist. Then as you draw, the weight of the bow straightens your wrist and turns the fingers towards the bow. It is NOT something you do, it IS something that happens. That is where the consistency comes from.

[@4stringKO]

Best release lesson I have found to date. I'm pretty new to traditional archery and this lesson made an immediate improvement in my form. Thanks for making this video.

[@isaactyson4618]

I just went out and practiced this. It felt very weird but my groups tightened significantly. It also altered my anchor point which I did not expect, but I have all summer to keep practicing before deer season so its all good. Thanks for the help.

[@TheMoebow1]

All new things will probably feel weird for a while. Glad you feel you have improved!! Glad to help.

[@lesterdumm6477]

Super vid. The best release explanation I have seen. So important.

[@cliffbrown4217]

You are an archery God arne or pretty darn close , your videos are a very valuable resource

[@mandruch]

This made a world of difference. Especially right at 00:43. Thanks!

[@Requiems]

Thanks MoeBow! Your explanation and use of the term "lever" is the best I've heard so far. Now I can confirm that I know how to get into my back muscles, I just need to work on maintaining them throughout the release and follow through. I plan on making my own Formaster tonight, and will train with that as well as lots of blind bale shooting. I also frequently record my training sessions and I hope you might be able to critique me on my form? Thanks again for the tips!

[@SparkyHelper]

Thanks for the guidance. Awesome video!

[@kennethsmith1744]

thanks alot for sharing this knowledge

[@dennis1802]

thanks Mr good advices, gonna practise this too

[@Zentrility]

Wow, I'm going to try utilizing these tips tomorrow during target practice. :D

[@tahirpatan]

I'm new to this. Will try this relaxed wrist method. Hope it helps me.

[@TheMoebow1]

Yes, your string arm should be as relaxed as possible. There MIGHT be some biceps and triceps tension but it should be minimal. Have you tried a form master? That will give you the best "feel" for how relaxed your arm should and can be. It is an out to in motion and should not limit you as to draw length. You are using muscle (back tension) to "lever" your arm and shoulder bones into support of the bow weight but your draw length will be the same.

[@Requiems]

Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to make your videos. I have a few questions though... When I started practicing the rotational draw, I would find that engaging my back muscles alone (while trying to keep my string arm relaxed as possible) would only bring the string so far back... To reach anchor, I need to use my bicep and tricep muscles. Am I reading things too literally when people say that the string arm needs to be completely relaxed? Or have I not properly engaged the back muscles?

[@thecaptain6994]

Great videos Arne. Thank you. I’m having a little difficulty with the release. With the effort it takes to hold the string back, letting it slip away is a challenge. It seems like it is all or nothing. Slowly relaxing my fingers seems like an impossibility. Any suggestions on how to do it slowly? Thanks!!

[@TheMoebow1]

Thanks Captain. What I suggest is to NOT think about the string hand after reaching anchor. Just forget the hand and finish the shot. Too many times a shooter is thinking about getting off the string and any thought about the string hand is a recipe for a poor release. You can't open the fingers fast enough to get out of the way of the string, the string has to do the job. Best place for your "thinking" is to finish the shot -- FORGET THE HAND!!

[@cliffbrown4217]

If you have a shot process you will learn to stop holding the string without thinking about it , try this, tie releasing the string to your shot process, like when you expand you know it is time to stop holding the string when you expand, so expansion for you is pulling the trigger. getting the bones lined up is the key to learning archery, if you achieve skeletal alignment everything else comes much easier.

[@lunkprab]

In my experience how we "twist" the string clockwise to rotates the arrow against the bow, like you said in 4:48 is also affect the arrow flight. Do you have any advice to make that action become consistent? When Im not rotate/twist it, the arrow flight become sideways to the right like the arrow behave too limber, but in fact my arrow is so stiff. After Im using the technique like in your video my arrow went straight, but its hard for me to make the "twist" consistent.

[@draculazhou]

Thank you Sir!

[@dsdssdsd283]

I really enjoy the videos you produced. I do have one question, is that I seem to really have trouble getting my string hand relaxed even I bend my wrist outwards, as the string just seems to be very easy to slip through my fingers as I draw back which just makes me nervous and want to consciously hold and hook the string in place. This makes engaging my back really hard. There are good days when this doesn't seem to bother me and I instantly shoot better. Most of the days I struggle with holding the string vs engaging my back. Is there some type of exercise I can do to remove my awareness of holding the string? Also would switching to a tab help? I've tried tabs but it was kinda even worse.

[@TheMoebow1]

Dan, the deep string hook is very strong, just point your finger tips back at your chin -- there will be tension in the upper forearm to hold the hook. There should be no risk of the "string slipping through your fingers." Now, with the wrist out, and the rest of the forearm and upper arm relaxed, you have to open the bow with the back. It's all connected. Deep hook, wrist out, string arm relaxed, makes you draw with the back. With ALL new techniques, it takes a few WEEKS to "get" not just a practice or two. Whether it is this or a new tab instead of a glove, the change is in weeks not 1 or 2 practices. Be patient.

[@aramanx]

Great, excuse me I have a question, since I started to train (sadly by myself) I star to use only two fingers, how is this affecting my shooting? My biggest problem is the form,(working on it) but it seems to work for me. what would you recommend me?

[@Lrayevest]

Hi Arne, I use three fingers under. Do you aim down the arrow or to the left or right of the shaft? I have a 31'' draw. I am having problems finding the right anchor point. Any suggestion? Also thank you for your videos.

[@TheMoebow1]

+Lrayevest, If you are using the techniques shown in my videos, the arrow nock should end up directly under your eye. So you are looking directly down the length of the shaft, no left or right offset. You CAN use left and right offset but that just complicates the shot. Try drawing so you get your bones lined up and holding the weight of the bow then wherever your string hand hits on your face, that is your facial reference. IF, the arrow is to the side of your line of sight, I'd suggest that you are drawing too far back on the side of your face. Your "anchor" is a result of the draw, NOT a target OF the draw. It also sounds like you use a gap system of aiming ( really the only reason to use 3 under) so IF that is the case, arrow under the eye is pretty important. To say much more, I'd really have to see a video of you shooting a few shots to help more. If you'd like, link me to a video of your shooting and I'd be happy to try to help more. [e-mail] Arne

[@nathansmith5331]

Nice videos as always. I follow you on trad gang. I shoot similar but I don't move my arm to my shoulder. I know guys think it's important but to me keeping my hand on my face helps me to be n.more consistent. I find if I try and use a follow through method I think to much about it and it throws me off.

[@TheMoebow1]

Nathan, What works, works. I would say this though. The reason you MAY be having trouble with the follow through is MOST LIKELY that you are thinking about it and trying to do it. The follow through needs to be a reaction to the shot and NOT something YOU do on purpose.

[@nathansmith5331]

Good point thank you. I will give it a try again

[@TheMoebow1]

PS. Had to add spaces in my email so it would post. Gads, can't even send an email address here. Arne

[@TheMoebow1]

@aramanx Many are successful with 2 fingers. Depending on the weight of your bow, you may be putting more pressure on your fingers than you should. Using the third finger distributes pressure better ad helps with hand alignment if done correctly. If you'd like to talk more, contact me directly: much easier than the limited space we have here.

[@TheMoebow1]

"augi3 I've noticed on YT that some archers begin their grip of the bow with their fingers straight out and seem to "hold" the bow between their thumb and first finger why? Also I notice that it appears that" Augi3 This is all that showed up. So don't know what you are asking. Many have learned to shoot by themselves and have some misunderstood ideas. But I can't effectively reply without the entire question. If you want to pursue this, plese send your question by email to me. [e-mail]

[@TheMoebow1]

Just found how to reply to the last message. WAY too complicated (hard to find). I'd be happy to try to help you out! I would ask that you contact me by email though, it's just easier than this PM stuff. Ya, second message saying this, just making sure. Arne amoe @ paul bunyan.net

[@striple6752]

Hi Arne your videos are really great and helpful maybe you could answer my question. I have the problem that my groups are to the left with my Barebow I am Right handed and it’s because of the string blur (alignment). Now the only thing I can do is move my head to get it directly in line with the arrow and then my shots are centered do you know how I can get it without moving my head into the string ? Thx a lot

[@TheMoebow1]

Glad you get useful information from the videos! You must move the string hand to your "not moving Head." But to really answer your question I would have to see what you are doing. Can you send a video by email ([e-mail]) or post it some where and send a link??

[@striple6752]

Arne Moe thx I will make a video next weekend when I am at the range