Archery | What is Back Tension? 

Best explanation of back tension for archery that I have seen on RU-vid. You are an excellent teacher!

Indeed, proper back-tension is one of the -- if not the -- most important foundation stones of proper archery form; and you did a great job explaining it IMO. Thank you.

I just started getting into traditional archery. This is an great video! Most people just say, "Squeeze your shoulder blades together." Clay Hayes also had an excellent video using paint mixing sticks to demonstrate back tension and alignment.

You are an excellent teacher! I am just getting started in archery and have been watching u tubes until my first lesson. Glad to have found you! Cindy

I knew something had been off with my archery lately. I applied what you said in this video and it cleaned it up nicely.

Thank you for doing this video. I am a Basic Archery Instructor Trainer (BAIT) for NASP and the "Shot Set Up" step in the "11 Steps to Archery Success" that you mention in your video, which is setting up proper back tension for shot execution, is the hardest concept to teach new archers. You did a great job explaining it!

I love your release and follow through, it seems so flawless!

Great explanation. I've been getting back into shooting my recurve after a few years away and this was hugely helpful. I was having a hell of a time getting to my normal draw length and couldn't figure it out. Turns out I was using my arms and collapsing in and tilting my head forward, which was also ruining my aim. I grabbed a weight band after watching this and immediately remembered that back feel I was missing. Thanks again for the great video.

You deserved my like. Came from Google search to RU-vid only to give you a thumbs up. Carry on

Been waiting to see this dude’s back muscles. Not disappointed lmao

Absolutely first class teaching. You got the back tension across perfectly.

This is the absolute very best video I've seen on back tension! Thanks for posting.

Best explanation ever , thank you for this priceless information. Merry Christmas. to you and your family.

You're a good teacher buddy. You explain things really well. I'm looking to progress my archery after 18 months of shooting and I'm sure your videos will help. Many thanks.

Good detail and very well explained. The bit about going from Recurve to Compound was spot on as well. Another informative video.

Thank you NUSensei. You helped me to determine my first bow with this video. I was thinking of getting a classic recurve bow, but the brand I was looking at only comes in 40lbs. and up. Now I'm looking at an ILF riser, and 20lbs. limbs. It might cost a little more, but in the long run, I think it'll be worth it. I can't tell you how much I enjoy your channel. You have a dry wit, and are of tremendous help to beginners like me. Top stuff, and thanks again.

This really helped me visualize back tension. I did a few bow pulls while watching this video and the difference is immediately evident.

Domo Arigato, Sensei! I have taught Chinese Internal Martial Arts for decades. So, when I started Archery about 2 months ago, many things came natural. A good, stable stance, breathing with my movement, good posture, the need for daily practice, a relaxed grip (what I call a T'ai Chi grip), elbow/forearm alignment, even the hook is used in one "Draw the Bow" Chi Kung exercise. One thing I did not focus on was Back Tension. Partly because at first I couldn't pull my 40# recurve to full draw, partly the word "Tension" is something we avoid like the plague in IMA... After watching this video I went out and practiced Back Tension. Wow! The size of my shot group was reduced by more than half Instantly. Not over time, Instantly! Personally, I don't think of it as Back "Tension." It feels more like Back Relaxation. When the shoulder blades come together and back muscles line up, it feels like a sudden relaxation. My recurve bow almost feels like it has a 50% let-off. Amazing what that last 1/2" can do!

Thank you very much for a well explained and demonstrated lesson, as usual. As a novice archer your advice is wonderful and helps me to progress quite quickly through the range of bows at my club.

Great video NUSesei. A brilliant illustration and explanation of back tension. Well done.

Thank you!!! I struggle with high fatigue after archery sessions Now i realize why I should try following these tips!!!

That is so important to know and I will remember it when I get my first bow and begin using it. I thank you for sharing this information with us and I find this information very useful.

As beginner archer i wish to thank you for this very clear explanation that helps me to gain the correct form and better shooting.

Great video! :D Explains it way better than I've ever been able to

I injured my back a few months ago and it's devastating, I've had to temporarily give up archery and when I am able to shoot again it will be with a training bow for hell knows how long. Look after your backs, people! My injury seemed to come out of nowhere but it must have been building for weeks or even months before one sloppy shoot pushed it over the edge :(

Nicely said I use do archery as a kid into early adulthood as a junior I was one the best in western australia and I can say the back is so important besides I have scoliosis so proper form in archery actually helped with pain from the curve in my spine

BOY! Best One Yet!

As a recurve archery (using 18lb, 28 and 38), I was able to draw a friend's new 60lb compound which he couldn't draw. I'm not a big person.

So helpful, feeling more confident already!

Very good video. Clair explanation! Thanks you.

Recalling the times of being newbie archer, I haven't drew a bow with my arm muscles only. Haha, maybe it's just intutive way of training. Thanks for those videos, I've managed to purge some other archery problems I had during a first season, hope that I'll buy a new bow quite soon. Keep at it!

Thank you for the explanation Nusensei

you know you drew the correct way when you feel the relief of tentios from your back

Your videos are amazing !

Note that the String Trainer can be ordered through direct contact with Crow Caddy. Contact them via their website: crowcaddy.com/crowcaddy-products.html

Watched this and worked on my back following your advice - noticeable improvement. So thanks. I’ve worked out that at my current rate of progress I only need to live to 132 to get to the same level as the worst archer in Korea.

Very good video ! Full of informations.

I learnt about this a few months ago, and after some advice from my coach, I've been training using a resistant band to feel my 'back tension'. However, I've been unable to get rid of that aching pain on my 'shoulder' instead of my back. (I'm right handed, and holding my bow using my left hand. The hurting shoulder is right shoulder). I wonder if I've been doing it wrongly, or that I got a weak shoulder muscle (and thus require to train it)? I did make sure my elbow is higher than arrow but my posture can't last long (because of the shoulder)

Dude I like your videos and you have helped my archery a lot, you may however want to think about improving your knowledge on anatomy and physiology

Thanks to this video, i know this is may an old one, but as a new comer in archery we really need it. I watched two Sjef Van den Berg's videos, saw his back side while shooting.. An unique scapulae movement i saw, would you like give some explanation.. Best & Regards

good lesson , very important , thankyou

amazing video, thank you so much

This is probably, IMO, the thing you need a coach/trainer for most in archery. Proper form and proper use of muscles. The other stuff like how to aim, how to release, a good follow-through, how to care for the equipment properly, most everything else, can be learned through research online and back yard practice. Back muscles aren't a muscle group often used by most people day-to-day so it requires conditioning and time to do it correctly. I will freely admit this is my biggest problem and wish I had some kind of coach, but there really aren't target archery clubs around here, just hunting lodges basically :/

I think there would be a lot of interest in getting a link to the velcro string trainer you mention in the video. Can't find it online for the life of me

My bow ar jumps forward on releas i dont feel it and feels like i have a solid bow arm. but on slow mo i can see it . is this a sine of por form or is it nothing to worry about?

holy crap, i have been doing it wrong for so many years! thanks sensei!

Cảm ơn anh David Nguyễn

Thank you!!! I needed this so much. I've had an injury before with my right shoulder (drawing arm). I've been trying very hard to do the back tension draw movement, but I feel like my injury has been limiting to how much I can do it. Is there anything I can do or practice to make it better? Stretching? Strength Exercises?

Do you have a link to the velcor training aid featured?

You've done videos about pretty much everything a beginner, such as I, would need to know. Except maybe just one. Are there any performance advantages between finger slings and wrist slings? Any form advantages between them?

Hello , I know this might seem stupid but How do the sights work on a recurve bow ?? Just started 1 week ago...

I was having performance issues this and last week and i thought it was my release that was the main issue, focused on making a clean release and follow through but the more i focused on it the worse it got, so i thought to myself 'maybe im thinking too hard on it and should just trust my body', so i relaxed but had only a slight improvement. Then to my suprise i realize that it WASNT my draw arm that was the issue, but my bow arm! I was collapsing inwards slightly during release wich was what made my arrows go where they felt like. So i shifted focus on making sure i didnt move my bow arm until the arrow was in the wall, and i had a significant improvement! However now im a bit confused, because i thought i really was 'putting my back into it' so to speak, i tried to focus on using back muscles but.. after what you said here (as in if you collapse inwards when shooting you arnt using back tension properly) im now wondering how to sort that out..

Thanks for the vid my coach said I need to work on back tension

What a beast back.

You can buy the String Bow Trainer from Crow Caddy. The site is a bit tricky. Once you click the below link and go to the website, 1. enter the quantity, then click Add to Quote. 2. Click the "Quote list" and fill out the information. Someone from Crowcaddy will contact you via email and you can take it from there. Not sure why it's so complicated. It costs $15 including shipping. Hope this helps. www.crowcaddy.com/product/string-bow-trainer/

I started using a clicker for the first time today, and found my form slipping towards the end of the session, making it harder and harder to get through the clicker. Watching this vid again provided me with the likely reason for the form slippage (and collapsing). Guess I know what I'll be focusing on next session... :-)

Just a quick question , i have an english longbow and i ve heard in one of your videos that archers are trained to shoot with both eyes open , i find my shots more accurate if i shoot with one eye closed . Is that a bad habit i should get rid of ?

Where can that "string trainer be purchased?

is there any chances of injury in muscle while using back tension rubber...???

I've been trying to develop my draw this week. Using an angular draw. But I'm not really feeling anything in my back. I can tell by looking in a mirror that my back is moving as it should, but I feel no tension in the muscles and it requires no effort to hold in this position. Is this just a sign I'm using a bow that is too low poundage? The only muscle I feel tension and fatigue in is my bow arm triceps.

Do u shoot compound?

What is that blue beginner bow called?

I am still having a hard time getting the Crow Caddy. Is there another option or can you explain or produce a video on how to make one similar to it? Thanks.

Nothing wrong with a good bowl of wet noodles!👊😋Great info BTW!

this question May sound stupid but whats is the correct position of the sight ( left to the string or right)

Been trying to find the rope/velcro trainer you had. Where could I buy one at, I think you said it was a- Mark Schultz rope trainer, is that correct?? Nice explanitory video..

Would back flies work the right muscles?

Thank you

Hi! Which one would you recommend to practise@home ? * Win&Win Stretch band * Crow Caddy String Trainer Thx

How could u practice back tension ??

May be a weird question, but you don't happen to live in Oregon do you?

hi Sensei, a personal question this time; i know that sensei means teacher, what does nu mean?

👍📽

Do a video on carbon vs aluminum risers and your opinion of them.

it is almost impossible to not use the back tension on a compound since you have your arm twisted in a way where your thumb is pointing downwards

How will be my back muscle work

What poundage do you shoot?

I know this is an older video but maybe someone reading this can help me. I know that back tension is important so how do I know for sure if I’m using my back muscles???

YOU CAN DO IT PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT

Have you ever trained in a gym with a cable for this???

Just casually flexing his back muscles on us

2:56 he looks so manly there! throwing a punch!

yep been soing the chicken wing but then again ive only been doing archery for like 2 months so i dont feel bad

Not trying to be bragging or anything but when I shoot, somehow I always use back tension and this was before I even know what back tension is. By the time I know what it is, it turns out I already have it xD

the arrows you use for examples are 20x the price of the bow used

No matter how many videos on back tension I watch, I still have no idea if I am using back tension, let alone doing it properly :(

NU, i have shot for a couple years now (not olympic style. more north american field archery) i can comfortably shoot a 50lb bow all day long. i do not chicken wing. i have tried raising my elbow to the point where it just feels terrible! how the hell do you actually achieve back tension. my natural release is a dead release. i have no problem with a dead release as i can consistantly hit my kill zones out to fourty yards. im just sick of reading about how i do it wrong. so how the hell do i actually do it right? elbow high and a pencil between my shoulder blades? is that all? this back tension stuff seems so mystical and i just dont get it. push and pull, elbow high, pencil between the shoulder blades... ive tried it all and i shoot better just doing it my way. what the hell am i physically trying to do with my body?

0:43 hmmm

I went spaghetti after 30 shots... so imma give it this a try. P/s: imma newbie :)

Not to be rude. But your muscles were not apparent in the example provided.