Revelation

[Petrichor]

So doing some late night shooting by porch light as many of my shooting are, maybe due to my changing work schedule. Anyway I have, since I started shooting been trying to overcome left eye dominance.  I have shot right handed all my life but known I was left eye dom for just about as long as I have been shooting.   I am getting really good groups shooting instinctively well really good for me.  Lets just go for decent... So tonight I decided to do some experimenting..

I get to the back yard and I decided to at ten yards put an additional finger below the arrow. Ever since I first had a bow in my hand I was taught and told split finger split finger split finger... And I had not challenged that wisdom but holy crud I shoot way better apache... I mean groups are about the same at the smallest but much more consistence no flyers all night.  Not sure why.  Maybe because I do have dominance issues (i mean I have worked them all out with a pistol =) ) but maybe the arrow closer to my right eye helps me overcome it.  I am still shooting both eyes open but I am having less right to left more center of the target shots over all.  I literally haven't changed much other than just putting three under..

What say you?  Anyone else with dominance issues find they shoot better 3 under?? Anyone else just find it easier for them? If so why do you?

Dave    

[mangonboat]

you answered your own question..getting shaft of arrow more in line with your line of sight.

[Petrichor]

Maybe I did

[ChuckC]

I am thinking that the closer the arrow is to an eye. . . either eye, the more likely THAT eye is to focus in on it and assume dominance.  Naturally, most folks have dominant sides, but you can overcome some of that by forcing the issue, in this case, by putting the arrow right under the other eye.
ChucK

[Petrichor]

Thanks Chuck all good points

[DanielB89]

just for fun, look up all of the top shooters in the world.. 90%+ shoot 3 under.. There is a reason for that.  It has a lot more to do than eye dominance.  I would say a flyer has more to do with release than eye dominance, but that's just my opinion.  

A lot of people(me) struggle with split because of them applying too much pressure on one finger or the other.  I have always shot split and loved it because it "feels" right.  I recently, due to a crazy callous, started shooting 2 under where i just keep my index finger off the string and I like it a lot!  smoother release, more consistent, etc.

[VA Elite]

I shoot 3 under but that was just how I started..

[Petrichor]

well what every the reason I am putting arrows on top of each other at 20 yards.  I have to draw slower to keep the arrow smoothly on the rest but I really haven't changed anything on my bow except my fingers.  Its kinda crazy.

[Longtoke]

I started out shooting split but my middle finger was doing 80% of the work while my index was maybe doing 5%.

Shooting 3 under helped me spread the load more evenly between my 3 fingers and had the added benefit of bringing the arrow closer under my eye and giving me a cleaner release.

IMO the only thing good about split is it helps you keep your arrow knocked if your serving is too small.

[Petrichor]

Cool never thought of it that way Longtoke.

[HuronArcher]

I believe you're good to go

[Petrichor]

Yes I started seeing that gap too like a cross between instinctive and gap shooting working really well. I decided right hand when I was a kid because my dad basically told me especially with right handed pistols and rifles that left was way more expensive. Doesn't seem to plague bows but that is why I'm right handed

[Danny Rowan]

lots of the old archers were cross dominant. Fred Bear shot left handed due to a problem with his right hand but was right eye dominant. Glenn St Charles switched to left due to target panic and was right eye dominant and later in life could shoot both ways. Read my signature line. I too am left eye dominant and shoot right hand, have for over 47 years.

[M60gunner]

I am considering going to 3 under in the future as well. I am hopeful I can find a successful archer who uses the gap system with 3under to coach me. Watching You Tube vids is a start but I liking talking to someone. My biggest concern is shots past 30 yards. Frankly, I do more shooting than hunting so the venues I shoot vary.

[VA Elite]

can someone explain the Gap shooting thing to me? I don't know if I am using that and just don't realize it.

[Petrichor]

I think it is when you look a the tip of the arrow and seeing the gap between the point of the tip and the gap between it and the target.  For example at 10 yards I have a fairly large gap where my point looks like it is simnifically lower than the bullseye.  What I want to know is do you who gap shoot cant your bow at 45 or more towards the olympic style.

[DennyK]

If you are satisfied with your results, don't mess with it. I shoot crosseye dominant, no problems. Good Luck!      

Denny

[Steve Kendrot]

As I recall this guys video was pretty good. There is another longer one.