Cleaning up the finger release

Since June, a steady number of archers have come into the shop wanting to switch from compound to traditional or recurve. I’ve also had a wave of NASP students scheduling private lessons to pick up more points. No matter the situation, the very first thing we work on is learning how to execute a clean finger release.

Following is a guideline for archers beginning to shoot with fingers or looking to avoid the pitfalls of a poor finger release:

1. Focus on Follow-Through rather than trying to consciously micromanage the Release

   • Many archers get stuck trying to force a “perfect release” and instead should concentrate on maintaining tension & direction through the shot and beyond the moment of release.

   • When you let go of the string, what happens after the release matters — “follow through” is the continuation of motion, not just the moment of letting go.

   • If you maintain proper follow-through, the release tends to take care of itself.

2. Tension & Direction are critical at Full Draw and Through Release

   • At full draw you should have established good tension (back-shoulder, bow-hand/arm etc) and a clear direction of motion (string hand pulling, bow hand pushing).

   • That tension + direction should continue through and after the release, so that the shot remains clean, and your follow-through is stable and consistent.

3. Simplify the Moment of Release by letting mechanics of follow-through support it

   • If your main focus at full draw is the follow-through motion (bow forward, back shoulder around), then you reduce the mental load on the exact “finger/hand” release moment.

   • The idea: train the body motion so the release becomes a natural outcome.

4. Use internal cues or short phrases to drive the motion

   • You can use “continue motion” or “finish the shot” as internal prompts at anchor/hold to drive the follow-through rather than thinking “release now” or “let go”.

   • This simple, consistent cue helps guide the body motion instead of overthinking.

5. Coaching & Observing follow-through reveals what the release looked like

   • By watching how the bow hand moves, how the string hand moves, how the archer’s head/torso move after string exit, a coach can infer what tension was like at full draw and whether the release was mechanically clean.

   • This means follow-through isn’t just a consequence, it’s diagnostic.

6. Beginners should build the habit of a clean follow-through early

   • Instead of trying to “fix” the release finger/hand first, beginners benefit from practicing the body motion (tension + direction + follow-through) so the release fits into that motion pattern.

   • Over time, the release feels more automatic, and the follow-through anchors the shot pattern.

·         Follow through is what happens after the motion… if you maintain and execute a good proper follow through, the release will take care of itself.

·         Tension and direction means when you draw back the bow, it’s wanting to collapse you.  You have to build tension - back with the string hand and forward with the bow hand.

·         If you follow through, and your main primary focus when you are at full draw is to follow through correctly, the release will take care of itself.

·         Focus on the continuing motion … continue the back-shoulder moving around and behind and the bow moving forward.

·         Coaches/Parents: By watching what happens after the string comes off the archer’s fingers … that motion … tells you the tension they have at full draw.

To schedule a private lesson with me at Fort Grard Guns and Archery click on "Book a Lesson". See you there!