Release aids help you achieve a much more consistent release when compared to holding and releasing with your fingers. There are many different types of release aids to choose from and choosing the right one comes down to personal preference.

Caliper-style release aids are the most common type of release archers choose to use. If this is your release of choice, it’s important to learn how to use it correctly. Understanding how to shoot this release correctly from the start means you don’t have to unlearn bad habits in the future.

What Is A Caliper Release?

A caliper release is one that uses jaws to hold and release the bowstring. These jaws can attach directly to the bowstring or more preferably, a “D-loop”. A D-loop is simply a small piece of rope attached to the bowstring that reduces string torque and damage to string serving. This release aid style includes a cushioned strap which wraps around your wrist, removing the need to pull with your hand. To activate the release, all you need to do is pull the trigger, similar to that of shooting a gun. Since the strap is holding most of the draw weight, all you need to do is focus on relaxing and squeezing the trigger.

When purchasing a caliper release, there are two design options to choose from, a single or double caliper release. Each design has its pros and cons, which we’ll cover next.

Single Caliper Release Advantages

Single caliper releases have only one moving jaw. Moving a single jaw makes it so there is only one point of motion. This means they offer great consistency and are easy to maintain. This one point ensures that you are releasing your bowstring the same way, every single time.

Double Caliper Release Advantages

Double caliper releases have two moving jaws. This provides more even distribution when released. This reduces torque and in turn, provides you with a cleaner release. The downside is that double caliper releases have two arms that move together so you can expect your bowstring to release a little differently every time you shoot.

How Does A Caliper Release Work?

Mechanical caliper release aids use mechanical trigger systems to release the bowstring. To use a mechanical caliper release you must attach the release to the bowstring or D-loop, draw back your bow, aim, and squeeze using your index finger. The release fires once you have applied a certain amount of pressure to the trigger. The pressure necessary to fire is generally adjustable, but a heavier trigger pull is better to reduce the odds of developing target panic.

Both wrist strap and handheld caliper releases are available, but wrist strap designs are most common. Handheld caliper releases require you to use your middle, ring, and pinky finger to firmly grasp the release. Wrist strap designs are preferred because all you need to do is aim, keep your hand relaxed, and squeeze off the shot.

How To Use A Caliper Release Correctly

The fit of your release is important, so do not rush through the process of properly fitting it to your hand. The first thing you want to do is strap it securely to your wrist. You’ll secure it through the use of a buckle or Velcro design. Second, you’ll want to adjust the length of the release in your hand (assuming adjustment is available). If the release feels too short or long, simply make the adjustment. At full draw, you want the trigger to rest inside the second knuckle of your index finger. The second knuckle is less sensitive than the tip of your finger, so you’re less likely to develop target panic.

Now that your release is fitted correctly to your hand, let’s go through the steps of taking your first shot.

1. Pull Correctly

When pulling your bow, be sure to pull with your finger behind the trigger. This is a safety concern and just a good habit to instill. When using a wrist strap, there’s no need to grip the release tightly, so keep your hand relaxed. It’s also important to keep your wrist straight and pull with your elbow up. This is just proper mechanics and will help you avoid any injuries down the road.

2. Anchor & Aim

Now that you’re at full draw, find your anchor point. Many archers place their thumb on their jaw or have their first knuckle near their ear. While you settle in and anchor, you can start to acquire the target within your sight-frame. At this point, you’re still settling in with your finger behind the trigger.

3. Place Finger Around Trigger

Once you’re on target, you can place your index finger on the trigger. You want the trigger to rest firmly inside your second knuckle as I mentioned before. It’s important to understand that you’re wrapping your finger around the trigger firmly, but not actively pulling the trigger! We’ll get to that in a moment.

4. Aim While Increasing Back Tension

Now, it’s time to focus on aiming. Focus on the bullseye with secondary focus on your pins (this happens naturally). At this point, you’re starting the process of shot execution. With your finger firmly around the trigger, start increasing your back tension. Take note, you don’t want to actively pull the trigger with your finger, you want to use back tension. This helps reduce anticipation and the potential for target panic.

5. Surprise Release

When you use back tension to release vs pulling with your finger, the release is more of a surprise. You want the exact time of your release to happen unexpectedly. This makes it so the arrow has cleared the riser before you can react, leaving less room for user error to affect your shot. This is a very important concept to understand and will help prevent you from falling into the path of target panic.

Common Caliper Release Mistakes

As an archer, you’re always learning. This means you’re bound to make mistakes. What is important is for you to learn how to identify your mistakes so you can correct and overcome them. As there is a right way and a wrong way to use a caliper release, you should learn some of the more common mistakes archers make when using this type of release. You’ll save yourself a lot of time by first understanding and avoiding some of the most common mistakes.

Bad Trigger Placement

Do not place the trigger near the tip of your finger or the first knuckle. You have many more nerve endings near the tip of your finger, which makes it much more sensitive. This sensitivity allows your brain to anticipate when the release will fire. Anticipation is something you’re trying to avoid, so place the trigger near your second knuckle where your index finger is less sensitive.

Pulling The Trigger

Do not actively pull the trigger using the muscles in your finger like a gun. This doesn’t help you develop back tension and will lead to shot anticipation. Firing the shot through back tension will help with form, shot execution, and reduce the odds of developing target panic.

No Back Tension

As I mentioned previously, you need back tension for great shot execution. Firing without back tension is static and leads to poor follow through. Good back tension uses your release-hand rhomboid (muscle in the middle of your upper back) to gently pull against the back wall of the cam. With your finger firmly wrapped around the trigger, this will fire the release. Don’t try and time the shot. Simply start the process of back tension and the bow will go off when it does.

Punching

Punching, also known as slapping or grabbing, the trigger is something you need to completely avoid. This leads to a whole host of problems and will ruin your accuracy. If you’re struggling with this, you need to first overcome target panic before you do anything else.

Thumb Behind Neck

Do not place your thumb behind your neck as this introduces unwanted torque into your shot. Placing your thumb this way strains your wrist, in turn causing the torque that can cause poor and/or inconsistent arrow flight.

Hair Trigger Release

Do not shoot a hair-trigger release as this can lead to target panic/shot anticipation. When you shoot a hair trigger, you become very jumpy with anticipation. The slightest touch can easily set it off and you’ll start making jerky movements before the shot even goes off! This will introduce errors into your shot and you’ll lose consistency. Stick with a heavier trigger pull and use back tension to fire it off.

Conclusion

While a caliper release is not the only release aid option available, it is a good one! That said, the design does have its drawbacks if not used correctly. Archery is all about shooting with consistency and using a caliper release incorrectly will lead to inconsistencies.

The information we’ve covered will help you shoot a caliper release correctly and avoid developing bad habits. Caliper releases allow for a lot of control, but letting go of that control will ultimately help you shoot better. It’s ironic, but let go of trying to control the shot and simply focus on aiming and executing the shot with good form… you’ll improve drastically.