I'm not sure I quite understand this, maybe I'm doing It or maybe I'm not. Someone explain this to me please!!:d
Something about squeezing yoru shoulder blades together. I make no concious attempt to use "back tension" because any time that I did I couldn't shoot for crap, I really don't care if I am right or wrong.
Man, back tension can be a booger to explain. In simple terms its using the back muscles to hold the string at full draw and continuing to use the back to trigger the release and maintain follow thru. Basically your fingers are just hooks and the the back is doing all the work. It's almost impossible to do if you are over bowed. There are tons of videos on the web that show how it works and the one's related to olympic archery are the best. Once you have the back tension thing going, your alignment will be perfect, the release will be a surprise, and your follow through will be perfect. Of course it sounds mystical, its really not, its simple, just hard to figure out. Here is a video of Rod Jenkins, former IBO World Champ. He's good, very, very good as I've shot a round or two with him. Notice his alignment. The elbow perfectly inline with the arrow and and bow arm. He is maintaning the classic "T".. Notice how his hand jumps backwards at the shot, not out or off to the side, but straight back. That hand flying back is a dead giveaway that he is using back tension, and alot of it! http://www.tradgang.com/videos/rod.wmv
It was tough for me to learn it by reading about it. Once I figured it out, it made total sense! Like Rybo said, kinda squeezing your shoulder blades together! Also another way to explain it is to have broad shoulders, I hope that makes sense!
Grab an arrow, hands together. Bring the arrow to your nose keeping the arrow parallel to the ground and elbows up and parallel to the arrow. Try pulling the arrow apart.
For me, its a feel of pushing with your brace had towards the target, and a feeling of drawing and holding the string with your back muscles. Kind of like squeezing you shoulder blades together. Well, at least the shoulder blade attached to your draw hand.
