Left hand dominant, but right eye dominant...

[shreffler]

I came across an old photo of me shooting a compound at a 3D shoot when I was about 4 years old (about 20 years ago - so not a crazy long time), and I was shooting lefty. I never even knew I shot lefty.

I do all writing with my left hand, and I only chew my food on the left side of my mouth as well - but I'm right eye dominant.

All signs point that I should be shooting righty being right eye dominant, but should I try to shoot lefty?? I have a feeling that now it would feel so awkward after shooting right handed all of my teenage/adult life.

Any input is appreciated    

Alex

[mangonboat]

Alex, I've been left handed for 58 years but discovered last summer I have become RED, probably  related to LASIK . I re-trained myself to shoot righty, starting with a 25# target bow and working my way up very quickly. I was encouraged by other Trad posters who shoot RH and LH instinctive, so I've kept up shooting lefty as well as righty, which is now more accurate point and shoot. It helps give shooting  muscles a break and keeps form up. Its now remarkably natural to shoot either way..sometimes I take RH and LH bows and switch back and forth between groups of 5 arrows.

[moebow]

Alex,

This is an ongoing question that really only you can answer.  

First, how is your current shooting? If it is acceptable to you then no change is required.

We generally say that most folks will do better shooting on their eye dominate side since archery really isn't a "dexterity" sport.  But as a coach, I would not recommend switching to left IF you are right eye dominant and already shooting right handed. That is really the ideal situation.

There are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule, but...

frankly, I'd recommend no change.

Arne

[shreffler]

Arne, I was hoping you'd see this. Thanks for responding. That's kinda what my thought was...but in response to mango's post, do you think it could do damage to my form trying to shoot lefty?

I shoot fine righty (by fine I mean there's definitely lots of room for improvement, but I'm average) so like you said, if it ain't broke don't fix it...but curiosity kinda has me now.

I don't want to harm my current form though if you think trying to shoot lefty will only hamper me when I shoot right handed.

[David Mitchell]

Same deal for me too but the other way--always been right handed but very strongly left eye dominant.  I struggled with that for years until Mike Fedora convinced me I should be shooting left handed.  He sent me a lefty riser to try with my TD limbs and one time around the range I was absolutely convinced I had to make the switch.  Everything felt totally awkward at first--had to stop and think how to put my arm guard on.  But it came together quicker than I ever expected. Best thing I could have done for my shooting and enjoyment of archery. Fred Bear always taught people to shoot on the dominant eye side.  He knew a thing or two about shooting bows.    :D

[Florida lime]

Similar situation as David.

I fooled around with bows as a teenager, but when I picked archery back up as an adult, I did some reading up first.

It still felt strange for a while.   :D

[KyStickbow]

I am right handed...but left eye dominant. Made the switch to shooting lefty last year...and it is the best thing I ever did for my shooting. It feels more natural to me than shooting with my strong hand.

I say if u r already shooting on ur dominant eye side...stay there. Just my opinion.

[ChuckC]

You would be surprised how easy it is to switch from right to left, but it does take some time and effort.  I think (I have done it myself) that switching shooting was easier than switching the rest of the story (learning to walk and sneak and set up for a shot left handed).

On switching, you will notice how uncoordinated you feel with simple things like, anchoring.  After just a very short time you will, all of a sudden, remember that you had trouble and wonder when that went away.  

You can do it, don't be afraid.

That said. . . .I agree with Moe. .  don't switch for no good reason.
ChuckC

[Danny Rowan]

David,

Believe it or not Fred Bear was right eye dominant and shot left handed due to a problem with his right drawing hand. Glenn St Charles was right eye dominant and switched to shooting left handed due to a bad case of TP. You can shoot cross dominant and do rather well. It depends on the person. I am left eye and shoot right handed and have since 1965. If you do not use a sight or the arrow for a point of reference and just stare a hole in where you want to hit, works just fine. The brain is an amazing thing.

[shreffler]

Thanks for the input guys. After reading your comments I agree, no real need to change it if I'm already shooting with my dominant eye.

[Tim]

Hi Alex,

My son started shooting right handed (right eye dominant) at a very young age and developed target panic. He switched over to left handed in an effort to regain control over his shot process. Some folks on here have shot with him and will agree his form is flawless and his accuracy is extremely good.  

I too cross shoot and focus "more on form" than eye dominance.  I'm not saying I recommend cross shooting, "you should definitely follow your dominant eye whenever possible", however cross shooting can be done and done very well.

[Longbow58]

Have a Bear Alaskan I shoot lefty now and then just to mix things up. I am left eye dominant but shoot pretty good right handed. I really don't do to bad lefty.

[Safari Scott]

Hi There,

I'm right handed but left eye dominant. I started shooting right handed, but ended up swapping over. I'm much happier now, go with the eye!

[Matt D.]

I'm the same as you. I do everything lefty (right eye dominant) except shoot a bow. I went through a period a while back where my shooting regressed badly, so I started shooting lefty thinking that may help. All it did was feel awkward for 6 months. I think shooting a bow doesn't really lend itself to a dominant hand. My bow arm is my dominant side, and I can see advantages to having your bow arm the dominant arm.