{"id":29,"date":"2019-09-13T18:05:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-13T18:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/box5480.temp.domains\/~archesb4\/?p=29"},"modified":"2022-05-13T15:40:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T12:40:54","slug":"archery-release-aids-the-definitive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archerymind.com\/archery-release-aids-the-definitive-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Complete Beginner’s Guide To Archery Release Aids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
One of the most important aspects of achieving a proper accurate shot is having a clean release of the bowstring<\/strong>. A bad release might deflect the arrow from the direction you were aiming to, and lose a lot of the energy that you used for the shot. This is why most compound archers use release aids, which help them achieve this kind of clean shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A release aid is basically a small device archers use to hold and cleanly release the bowstring with. They are mainly used by compound archers and come in many different forms. They really help with having a more precise and consistent shot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking for specific release aid recommendations, check my detailed review of a few release aids on my recommendations page<\/a>. I reviewed my favorite release aids and explained the main things you should think about when considering which release aid to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this short article, we\u2019re going to go over the different types of release aids, discuss whether or not you should consider using one as a compound, recurve or traditional archer, go over the proper technique of using a bow release and consider the pro and cons of using one. I believe that any archer, especially a beginner, will find this resource helpful, so stick around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of different release aids out there, each is used differently and has its own pros and cons. The main types of bow releases for compound archers are index finger release, thumb release, hinge release, resistance activated release. These releases are mostly used by compound archers, but can technically be used by traditional and recurve archers as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We are going to discuss each of the major types of bow releases, how to use them, and what to consider if you think about using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An index finger release aid is a mechanical trigger, connected to your bowstring, which is triggered by your index finger. It\u2019s usually mounted on a wrist wrap, which supports your movement. It\u2019s very easy and intuitive to use, and is useful mainly for bowhunters, since it\u2019s connected to your hand and will not be dropped.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This release aid is also useful for people who have a weaker grip since it allows the inclusion of more muscles into the bow string-pulling movement. It eliminates a lot of the usage of your forearms and joins your arm and hand muscles together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You shouldn\u2019t use your index finger release like you would use a gun trigger – if you just use your finger to pull the trigger, you will most definitely have a hard time shooting and hurt your arrow grouping. Instead, when you have aimed and are ready to shoot, wrap your index finger around the trigger, and use your back to pull your arm back by pulling your shoulder blades together. This will release the bowstring much easier and in a more precise fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also very common among bowhunter since it provides full control over the shot timing. All you have to do is place your sights pin on the target and pull the trigger. It\u2019s also really similar in shape and size to the trigger of a rifle, so it feels intuitive to use (even if the technique is a bit different). Proper technique will eliminate the target panic that some people seem to encounter when using the index finger release aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thumb release is a handheld device, built to be held by the archer and pulled with the thumb. It\u2019s fairly easy to use and is very similar to the tension activated release, only that the bowstring is released immediately when the trigger is pulled. It\u2019s mainly used by target archers, 3D archery competitors, but recently commonly used by bowhunters as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To use the thumb release aid, attach it to your bow and pull the string back to the correct position. Aim using your sight, and hover on the target. When you want to release the arrow, simply pull the trigger with your thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thumb releases are really great since they are comfortable to use, especially for beginners. With proper technique (which we\u2019re going to discuss later) they allow for consistent shots that result in good arrow groupings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hinge releases are designed to surprise the archer and avoid flinches that make their shots less accurate<\/strong>. It\u2019s a handheld device, and looks very similar to the thumb release, only that it has no trigger. It\u2019s triggered by a backward rotation of the release in the archer\u2019s hand. Target archers will find it useful, but it’s not really a good choice for bowhunters since they need to control the timing of the shot.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The best technique to use a hinge release aid is to connect it to your bowstring and then to come to full draw. After aiming to the target, pull the string further using your shoulder blades. At some point, this motion will cause the release you rotate in your hand and it will let go of the string. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another useful technique is to relax your trigger hand instead of pulling further. It will cause a stretch in your hand, and similarly a rotation of the release that will cause the arrow to be shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you don\u2019t know when the trigger will go off, you have to keep your sight locked on the target throughout the whole motion until the shot is fired. This is why most bowhunters avoid the hinge release – moving targets make it hard to shot accurately since you can\u2019t time the shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re still confused, don’t worry, because I wrote a complete guide to how hinge releases work<\/a>. It details how to set them up, use them, their mechanics, and more. I highly recommend reading it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the different types of bow releases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/td> Index finger release<\/strong><\/td> Thumb release<\/strong><\/td> Hinge release<\/strong><\/td> resistance activated release<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Trigger?<\/strong><\/td> +<\/td> +<\/td> –<\/td> + (for safety only)<\/td><\/tr> Handheld?<\/strong><\/td> –<\/td> +<\/td> +<\/td> +<\/td><\/tr> Recommended for<\/strong><\/td> Bowhunters<\/td> No specification<\/td> Target\/3D archers<\/td> Target\/3D archers <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Index finger release<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thumb release<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hinge release<\/h3>\n\n\n\n