Archery release aids are an important part of archery that improves both accuracy and efficiency. If you are just getting started, this guide will help you learn all about the different types of release aids and how to use them.

So what is an archery release aid? An archery release aid is designed to help pull back and release a bowstring. They often replace the use of your fingers and make a shot much more accurate. This is because they help to take much of the human error out of a shot.

Release aids come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. In order to help you avoid making a mistake when buying a release aid, we’ll cover every type and which might best suit you.

Finger Release Aids

Finger Tab

A finger tab is simply a piece of leather or synthetic material that lies between your fingers and the bowstring. A tab covers your index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. This is a very simple shooting aid and easy to use. You can simply think of it as a layer of protection between your fingers and the bowstring.

How to Use a Finger Tab

In order to use a finger tab, place your middle finger through the opening and lay it flat against your fingers. When gripping the bowstring, be sure to have the finger tab between your fingers and the actual bowstring. Draw back and hold while you aim for your target. Once you’re ready to release, activate back tension and bring your elbow back as you slowly relax your fingers.

The finger tab will both protect and allow the string to cleanly slide off your fingers. This helps reduce human error and improve accuracy. Finger tabs are used by beginners and Olympic shooters alike, so it’s a great option to try.

Advantages

• Inexpensive
• Easy to Use

Disadvantages

• Inconsistencies in release
• Can cause finger and hand fatigue

Finger Gloves

Finger gloves are very similar to finger tabs. They function the same way but instead are a small glove that slips over your shooting fingers. Archery gloves are designed to provide padding and protection for your fingers. Like finger tabs, gloves generally cover your index finger, middle finger, and ring finger.

Personally, I see traditional shooters and beginners use finger gloves mostly. Gloves provide more finger independence, while a finger tab provides one large surface. This makes finger gloves a little more prone to human error.

How to Use Finger Gloves

The great thing about finger gloves is that they are extremely easy to use, even more so than a finger tab. You simply put your shooting glove on the hand that you use to draw the bowstring. Now you can use your fingers to draw the bowstring and have added protection and comfort. Be careful to only use the fingers that your glove protects. Using fingers that are not apart of the glove is incorrect and will cause inconsistencies while shooting.

Advantages

• Easiest shooting aid to use
• Inexpensive
• Natural shooting style

Disadvantages

• Inconsistencies in release
• Can cause finger and hand fatigue

Release Aids

Trigger Finger Release

Trigger finger release aids are mechanical aids that are often referred to as caliper releases. This is because of their shape and design. They generally are attached to your wrist using a buckle or Velcro. This helps when drawing the bowstring by reducing stress on your fingers and forearm. The jaws, hook, or loop (whichever method it uses to connect to the bowstring) is released via a trigger.

How to Use a Trigger Finger Release

Using a trigger release is extremely easy. But while they are very easy to use, they have led many to acquire what is called, “target panic”. This is simply a physiological condition that will negatively affect a person’s shooting ability. Archers with target panic typically experience it when anticipating the shot, similar to the experience of flinching before shooting a firearm.

Although target panic is more common with these types of releases, trigger finger releases continue to be one of the most popular release aids on the market. This is because they are so accurate and easy to use. In order to use one, first connect it to a loaded bow via its jaws, hook, or loop onto the bowstring or “D loop”.

Next, draw the bow back to full draw. After settling in and aiming, wrap your finger around the trigger (the trigger should be in the crease of your second knuckle). Pulling the trigger will release the arrow, but this is where some archers go wrong. Don’t think about pulling the trigger with your finger. Lock your finger in place around the trigger and set it off by using back tension and pulling through the shot.

This helps to make your shot come as a surprise. Doing this correctly drastically reduces human error during the shot, increasing your accuracy. I’ve seen many people quit archery because of target panic and even experienced it myself. So, practice and discipline yourself to make every shot come as a surprise.

Advantages

• Much more accurate than finger shooting
• Easy to use
• Very comfortable
• Very reliable

Disadvantages

• Must be sized correctly for best results
• Can be expensive
• Can lead to bad habits

Thumb Release

These releases are similar to trigger releases but are triggered by the thumb. Most of them are handheld, although some can be attached to wrist straps as well. They connect to the bowstring through enclosed jaws, a hook, or a rope loop. Because thumb releases are so similar to trigger releases, they share many of the same pros and cons.

Using a thumb release is a little more challenging than a trigger release, but offers the option of using a different finger for the trigger. After connecting it to your bowstring and pulling back the bow, apply pressure on the firing lever with your thumb to release the arrow. This provides a consistent shot and makes these very accurate.

How to Use a Thumb Release

In order to use a thumb release, you must first get one set up and adjusted to your preference. Some releases have more adjustments than others, but most will allow you to adjust the trigger position and pressure needed to fire the release. Once you have it set up to your liking, clip the release onto the bow and draw it back.

The next step is to find your anchor point. Thumb releases are generally held and pulled using hand strength and held with your palm facing away from you. I like to place my jaw line in-between my index finger and middle finger while at full draw. You may need to find different anchor points that work best for you.

Once this is done, you are ready to apply steady pressure to the thumb trigger and release the string by using back tension through the shot.

Advantages

• Very accurate
• Better control over the shot
• Precise trigger

Disadvantages

• Takes a little practice to master
• Can be expensive
• Pulling with hand strength (without wrist-strap)

Hinge Release

In archery, the most accurate shots are the ones that surprise you. If you don’t know when the release is going to fire, then you can’t anticipate the shot and throw it off target. Hinge releases were designed to take advantage of this concept. Also called back tension releases, these aids are fired on rotation rather than a trigger.

After an archer comes to full draw, they slowly increase back tension while aiming. Back tension naturally pivots the release around a hinge. This motion eventually hits a point where the release cannot hold the string any longer and fires the bow. Hinge releases encourage archers to apply plenty of back tension through the shot. They are a great way to help archers slow down, focus, and make a clean shot. They are incredibly accurate and very helpful in overcoming target panic.

How to Use a HINGE Release

Drawing with a hinge release takes practice. It’s quite possible to accidentally release the bowstring before coming to full draw. To avoid this when starting out, use something like a shot trainer or a simple string tied in a loop to practice with. You should also set your release aid so that it requires a lot of rotation to fire. Only after some practice should you move on to your bow. Start by simply drawing and letting back down. Once you are comfortable with that, you’re ready to start shooting a few arrows.

Archers will use a few different ways to rotate and set off a hinge release. The technique is personal preference and you should use whatever feels most comfortable to you.

Try rotating the release from your index finger towards your ring finger by manipulating the release with your hand. Once the release rotates enough, it should go off. You can also focus on increasing back tension, as the release will naturally rotate as you pull through the shot.

Make sure you get plenty of practice with this type of release. They are a little tricky, but incredibly accurate when used correctly.

Advantages

• Improved accuracy
• Forces you to focus and slow down
• Help reinforce good form habits

Disadvantages

• Takes a lot more practice to use
• Fear of an unintentional release

Tension Release / Resistance Release

Last but not least, we have tension or resistance releases. This style of release works on the same principles of hinge releases in that they don’t have a trigger. The actual shot should be a surprise. These releases require a shooter to come to full draw while holding a safety mechanism. Once at full draw, the shooter can let go of the safety and the release is ready to fire.

In order to use the release and fire the bow, the shooter will need to apply more and more pressure on the back wall of the cam. Eventually, the pressure will get to a certain point where the release will break and let the string go. The shot should be a surprise to the shooter and allow for the most accurate shot possible without flinching. These releases are the most popular amongst archers who want the most accurate shot possible.

How to Use a Tension/Resistance Release

The first thing you want to do is get your release adjusted properly. Most of these releases have a wide range of sensitivity. If you have never shot this style of release before, you will likely want to start at a pretty low sensitivity setting so that it takes more effort to break the shot. This will help to avoid accidental misfires when starting out.

After some practice with a string or bow trainer, go ahead and give it a try. First, use the release to draw back the bow and settle into your anchor position. Next, put your pin on the target and let it float. When ready, release the safety and start to apply back tension. Place more and more pressure on the back wall of the cam until it the shot is fired.

Much like a hinge release, this type of release requires much more practice than others. You will want to avoid accidental misfires and while the learning curve is much higher, this is one of the most accurate types of release aids on the market today.

Advantages

• Provides great accuracy
• Helps reinforce good form
• Generally very high quality

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• Hard to use when starting out
• Not ideal for hunting

Conclusion

Figuring out which bow release is right for you depends on personal preference. Every type of bow release has its own positives and negatives. If you are getting into target archery, something more accurate like a hinge or tension release might be a good choice.

If you are a hunter, you may opt for the popular trigger releases or thumb releases for more control of the shot. Finally, traditional archers may want to keep it traditional and use a finger tab or shooting glove to shoot their bow. Whatever you choose, make sure you take plenty of time to practice and achieve a consistent and clean release.