RH or LH question

[Doug Treat]

I am right eye dominant, right handed, and have shot a right handed bow for 25 years.  My problem is that when I shoot too much (I like to shoot a lot of arrows) my left shoulder tells me that archery is not kind to it.  I have dropped my weight down to about 40# and it still hurts after I shoot.  I have been kicking around the idea of switching to a LH bow.  I played around with it the other day shooting my son's bow that will shoot off the Right side of the riser.  It looks like I would have to really shoot a lot to get the hang of it.  It was really awkward at first but after 100 shots or so, it was a bit better.  I think I would have to shoot with my right eye closed, but after shooting, nothing hurt.  What do you guys think?

[dragon rider]

Well, for what it's worth, what I think is that if you want to shoot left handed you undoubtedly can.  I am left eye dominant and switched from RH to LH, but have discovered in the process that Jay Kidwell is very probably right that if you truly shoot instinctively it really doesn't matter which eye is dominant.  It's a little awkward, just because you're not used to holding the bow in your right hand, or nocking an arrow with your left, but you can certainly learn it if you want to.  

I don't recommend closing your right eye; just let your subconscious learn what the sight picture looks like from the left side.  It'll probably take a couple of months to reprogram, but once you get it set, you'll be fine.

[BobCo 1965]

What I might recommend is since we are nearing the end of bowseason (I'm assuming) that you lay off shooting a little while and see a sports specialist. Then maybe try a routine of stretching and targeted strenth training.

[easyup]

Doug,
I deal with shoulder tendinitis & bursitis and the above recommendations are excellent.  To my surprise the doctor's specific exercises helped greatly.  It does remain easier to draw with my bad shoulder than to be the bow arm.  I now shoot left and right and as said almost equally well (or poorly) from each, just slightly better from the dominant eye.  I did have to start by closing an eye which I had understood to be bad, however after a couple of months was able to stop.

[Don Stokes]

I tried to teach myself to shoot lefty, but found that it confused me at crunch time, when I tend to go on autopilot and try to revert to many years of doing it "right". I don't think that's a good solution anyhow, because you undoubtedly shot too heavy and/or too much, which created the problem. You have to change your habits, unfortunately.

I have had no shoulder problems at all this year, but it took several months of rest to get here. It's hard, but for me it's necessary. I just can't shoot as much now as I did in the past, the result of overdoing it with a heavy bow. I almost never shoot groups at a target anymore, because that aggravates the problem. For practice, I shoot one judo arrow while roving, and it keeps me from hurting myself. I'm fortunate to live in the country, with plenty of room for roving, but you can get by if you have a yard big enough. Sometimes I just circle my house, one shot at a time.

There's a benefit, too. Roving and taking single shots at random distances is the best hunting practice you can get!

[Doug Treat]

Thanks guys.  I think I will just stick with my RH bow for now.  I have been doing some targeted strength training and that seems to be helping.  I also have to limit my practice, which I've found to be helpful to my accuracy.  It makes me think about each shot more since I only allow myself 10 shots.  Aweful tough to stop @ 10 since I have been known to shoot 100 shots or more at a time.  Archery is just too fun!

[lost in the woods]

i'm right handed but was taught to shoot by my father who is a lefty ,, this became confusing in my teens and had to learn to shoot all over again ,, took me several yoers but now i miss just as much with my right as i do with my left.

[moebow]

Doug,  I would think that you could find an instructor that is familiar with the "B.E.S.T." System.  Bow arm shoulder problems are almost always (NOTE ALMOST) caused by a high bow arm shoulder that is putting extreem pressure on your rotator cuff.  Without seeing you shoot, it is impossible to tell.  I'm just tossing this idea out as a possible remedy to stop the shoulder pain and ensure longevity of your shoulder.