Ambidextrous shooters

amazonjim · May 09, 2014, 05:09:00 PM

I am left eye dominant and don't have a problem shooting left handed, but when switching to the right hand it seems I always shoot to the left of the target unless I concentrate on looking at the arrow and the direction it's pointing, anybody else have this problem.

STEVE R. · May 09, 2014, 05:14:00 PM

Might have to get a left hand bow and try .

moebow · May 09, 2014, 06:17:00 PM

With your left dominate eye, that would be an expected result when shooting right handed. that's why we try to recommend shooting on the dominate eye side.

You CAN overcome this as you mention but it does add another thing to do during the shot.

Arne

Bladepeek · May 09, 2014, 07:25:00 PM

I've read posts by guys who say they do not have to close the dominant eye when shooting from the other side, but it sure doesn't work for me.

I'm saving up for a Holm Made River Runner with dual shelves and plan to alternating shooting 1/2 doz arrows from each side. I know right now from shooting my right handed bow I WILL have to close my left eye when shooting right handed. If I don't, I can get the same size groups from either side, but those shot right handed will be 6 - 8" off from the other group and from the spot.

No big deal, but that's just what I have to do to hit anything. Left handed both eyes stay open.

amazonjim · May 10, 2014, 02:36:00 PM

Bladepeek,

That's exactly what happens to me, I have made me a double shelf for my A&H and have heard it doesn't make any difference when shooting instinctive but not so with me

ironmike · May 11, 2014, 10:53:00 AM

line the arrow up under your eye, look at the target with your other eye, that'll get you there.

mike g · May 20, 2014, 11:05:00 AM

At first if ya don't shut the eye, and keep both open ya get dizzy, after awhile it goe's away.
I can shoot both sides with both eyes open now....

May 23, 2014, 02:53:00 PM

When I am jumping to the other hand, sometimes I catch myself splitting the difference between my over the arrow eye and the other. When this happens, I blink the off arrow eye while drawing. I draw with a Hill style spread/ swing draw, I need to get a feel from the beginning of the motion that the arrow is heading to where I want, so the last 6" of draw is like pulling the arrow backwards on its flight line to my anchor.
For me, it is better if I do not mix left to right all the time. While I have always done practice draws both sides to help keep balanced, shooting back and forth during a shooting session gives the brain a lot to do. If I spend a long session getting use to shooting right handed, I hunt right handed for a while. Then when I go back to being a lefty, I do some concentrated target work and then remain a lefty for a while when I hunt.
I am and have always been ambidextrous, I have no dominant eye, but hand eye coordination is still something that I need to groove in.

amazonjim · May 24, 2014, 02:54:00 AM

Pavan, how do you know you have no dominant eye?

May 24, 2014, 07:09:00 PM

With the test of looking through a hole at the right eye of my old eye doctor, that was also bow hunter, either eye would come in his view. If I think about it, I can make either eye line up on purpose.

Tim · June 02, 2014, 11:14:00 AM

Jim,

I shoot both sides and "prefer" right handed, even though I am left eye dominant. I agree with Moebow and we've talked about this in the past. The issue of shooting to the left has plagued be continuously. I can over come it somewhat by shooting a bow that is cut well past center but it still happens and is very frustrating. I'm only talking about 3-5 inches left at 25 yards. Not a huge amount but enough that I've shot several deer through the liver when their facing right and a few threw the front shoulder when facing left. Again....very frustrating.

I recently went back to shooting left handed and my left and right issues have been resolved.

overbo · June 11, 2014, 07:19:00 AM

I'm very much what Tim describes and recently resolved it w/ the help from some coaching. I tell myself to aim w/ my head straight at the target. My issues came at full draw. My brain wanted my left eye (I shoot RH) to take over, which would make me turn my head ever so slightly and a left point of impact was definite! By keeping my head straight towards the target throughout the shot process, I've eliminated all that impact left stuff.

P.S. Thanks Mike Fedora