Frustrated with thumb release

[rhendrix]

I switched to a thumb release and started working with a hinge around the beginning of January. I decided to learn how to shoot a henge and a thumb release because I was under the impression that having a surprise shot would increase my accuracy. Thankfully, I now understand how to fire a release with back tension and shoot very well with the hinge. I'm struggling with the thumb release though. I picked up a TRU ball fang 4 thumb release to shoot after mastering the hinge, but it seems like I'm shooting worse now than I ever was with a trigger release. I don't know what the deal is but it's really frustrating me. It doesn't matter how much trigger tension I have or don't have, and it doesn't matter which spring I use. I just shoot like garbage, is this just part of the learning curve? And if so, how do I gain my confidence in my shot back? Blind bailing works well for a little while, but then I can't get the dang thumb trigger to fire like the hinge and start getting frustrated again. Just looking to figure all this out.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[NJDiverDan]

You should be able to fire the thumb release with the same back tension you do with your hinge. The actual benefit is if you need to release the shot sooner you can sort of force things by squeezing. Form really should not change. Maybe try blank bailing with the thumb for 100 shots to get the muscle memory before trying to aim?

 

[TylerW]

Maybe try a couple of different releases, I've got 5-6 different thumb releases and some I just shoot better then others. Archery is a big mind game even more so when you are trying to master back tension and not just hitting the trigger. I will say this when you are shooting and find yourself getting frustrated just stop! I will do the same thing almost every time, i'll say I'm going to shoot 2 arrows at 60 and then 2 hours later I'm still shooting cause one arrow was tall or that last shot did not feel right. If something just is not feeling right put every thing down and come back tomorrow. hope this helps

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I have only found one thumb release that i can shoot as good as my henge but i sold it for some reason. I can't stand my carter thumb release.. I decided to just hunt with my henge from now on.. A lot of it depends on the release and how it fits your hand and how well you can shoot it with back tension. In my opinion you have to find the right thumb trigger that fits you.

 

[rhendrix]

I'll keep blind bailing and maybe try a different release. I might try to just hunt with the hinge like you are doing though jtelarkin08. I'm confident with it and have a turkey hunt coming up I've the next couple of days.

 

[RosinBag]

If you can shoot a hinge well, the thumb button can be shot exactly the same way.

I would suggest though you get both made from same company. TruBall has both that are physically identical so your anchor point doesn't change nor does your point of impact. I shoot Stan, the 4 finger Shoot Off and the the Black Pearl. The ergonomics are the same. This helps to go back and forth and just work on executing and breaking clean shots.

 

[Slim Jim]

I had the same problem about 2 years ago. When I went from a trigger to thumb release I liked it at first but then developed trigger panic and punched A LOT of my shots. Very frustrating then I decided to go back to a trigger and glad I did. I use a tru fire hard core max and never punch the shot. Everyone is different but that worked for me. Another thing that I do that's completely different than most archers is command the shot. I've learned to keep my bow arm completely still and relaxed when I release (never flex, grab or lower hand and arm after the shot). It's kind of like learning to blink one eye without squinting. I practiced back tension for quite a while and started developing serious torque.
You'll figure it out but I know how frustrating it can be

 

[rhendrix]

Just realized I have it set up for max travel, would that affect anything?

 

[Screamrider]

I switched to hinge/thumb releases last year and had a bit of difficulty alternating between the two at first. What I did to make the thumb trigger (Stan shoot off) more like my hinge is to have ZERO trigger travel. I also bury the thumb trigger deep in the "v" between my thumb and index finger, to eliminate any punching on behalf of my thumb. I then use essentially the same firing engine as my hinge, but slightly squeeze my fist in the process (this was from reading Padgett's articles), and it works great.

Like a previous post said, having the same manufacturer helps. I have a Stan Jet Black that is near identical to my shoot off, but I don't like how lightweight it is. When I use my tru ball brass honey badger claw it gives me a slightly different anchor and POI than the shoot off.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I do not want to be a nay-sayer... But few, if any, have ever "mastered" a hinge release in less than 3 months. It takes hundreds of thousands of shots to get that shot ingrained into your motor memory. Yes, you can shoot a hinge well after a short period of time, but until you have it "mastered" you will never be completely satisfied. If you have a tendency to punch and a tendency toward target panic, it will take thousands and thousands of shots to get that completely out of your system.

I bet you have a punching problem, you can hide it when you shoot your hinge... but you haven't shot it long enough to rid yourself of it. A punched thunb trigger, ESPECIALLY WITH LONG TRAVEL, will shoot worse than punched wrist release with no travel.

Keep blind bailing, keep shooting the hinge, put the trigger away... for months... and work on it later. Yes, POI may change from release to release... but that is NOT the problem. It will still group you may just need to re-sight your bow. If you are shooting crappy groups... buying brand x/y/or z wont change that.

Joe

 

[rhendrix]

I know I haven't mastered the hinge, but I shoot much more confident with it. It's kinda shocking how much better I shoot with it honestly.

I do have a problem with punching, which is another reason why I choose to explore using a hung and thumb release. When will I know when it's ok to go back to the thumb trigger?

 

[squeekieslayer]

Hinge releases are great for what you are looking to achieve. The progression often goes like this...

Punching trigger... Groups suck
get hinge.... groups get worse
Keep working at hinge... groups get better
Think you have it all fixed... go back to trigger... groups suck
Keep working on hinge

Sooner or later, you will be able to just know that your hinge is perfect. there is something zen like when a shot breaks clean and hits the middle with a hinge. How will you know when you can go back??? When you try it and you are not punching it and your groups are consistent.

If not, keep trying.

You also need to make sure that you are not using your hinge like a big trigger. I have seem many that think they are shooting a hinge well, and they are shooting it very consistently, but when you watch, they are just getting to the edge of the moon and pulling the handle like a trigger. Yes, the release has to rotate, but it should NOT be something that is conscious.

Joe

 

[rhendrix]

Guess I'll keep shooting with the hinge and working with it. Thanks, buddy.

 

[TylerW]

Just realized I have it set up for max travel, would that affect anything?

I can't stand travel on my thumb releases, one of my releases is a Stan shootoff black out and I like how you can set the trigger weight and travel independently from each other.

 

[RosinBag]

Yes, get rid of any travel.

 

[wapitibob]

A hinge will always be a cleaner shot than the thumb release. Looking at the top 20 guys at Vegas, indoor nats, or outdoor and you can count the thumb release users on one hand. If your mastering the hinge your where most are trying to get to. Leave the thumb release on the shelf.