Step 10 - The Release

The string must be released by totally relaxing the drawing fingers and allowing the string to go. The string must be allowed to push the fingers out of the way. When watching some of the elite archers, their fingers on release and during the follow-through are virtually in the same position as when they were on the string.

The release must be initiated from the core muscles (Trapezius) and must not come from pushing the riser with the bow hand or pulling the string with the draw fingers. It is an internal movement of "opening" the chest and "snapping" the Scapulae together. This happens in the final moments of relaxation of the drawing hand, when you sense the clicker going off. The activation of the clicker is a phase in the shot that must be sensed or felt, not listened for. This may be a difficult concept to grasp. However, if the archer waits to hear the clicker go off to allow the release, conscious thought goes to the clicker and again the connection with the core muscles will be lost.

Archers who try to release the string by consciously opening their fingers have allowed their focus to go from their back to the fingers. By consciously focusing on the fingers to let go of the string, they stop the continuous motion. This will result in loss of back tension. It also creates tension in the digitorum muscles, located in the forearm, which control the opening and closing of the fingers. This is very unforgiving and biomechanically incorrect, as it utilizes small muscles rather than the large muscles.

In addition, there is a separate muscle which controls the little finger called the "extensor digiti minimi" muscle. The little finger of the draw hand must be relaxed and always be in the same position from shot to shot. Any change in position or tension in this little finger, will affect the level of tension in the actual drawing fingers.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-19