Mechanical releases do two things: They open and they close. They’re not terribly complicated, but misadjusted releases lead to inconsistent groups.

There are two ways that a release can be adjusted incorrectly. First, the trigger can be set too light. Archers have been led to believe that a light trigger cures target panic, because you won’t be fighting a stubborn release at the moment of truth. That’s false. An overly light trigger leads to punching, which is similar to jerking a rifle’s trigger.