Dominant Eye

[MikeD]

I am about to start shooting again after a 5 year break.

I was orginally taught to shoot right handed at school (30 some years ago) because the school had only right hand bows. However I am left eye dominant. I also wear glasses and my right eye is the weaker.

Should I take this opportunity to switch to left handed shooting?

Thanks

Mike

[English Bowman]

Yes. In most cases it is better to shoot "eyed" rather than "handed" as this will put your strongest eye in line with the arrow which will make aiming much easier

Daniel

[Furface]

Mainly "yes", but only if you can. You don't say whether you are left-handed or right-handed. While it is possible to compensate for using the less-dominant eye (close the dominant one!), it is less easy to use the "wrong" hand comfortably and safely.

[Barry C]

Ki Sik Lee suggests that shooting handed rather than eyed gives an archer more benefits.

[MikeD]

Barry C - 17/8/2005 11:43 AM

Ki Sik Lee suggests that shooting handed rather than eyed gives an archer more benefits.

I am right handed, what are the additional benefits, or where can I read Ki Sik Lee's suggestions. I didn't think that archery was handed as such...

I believe that over the years I will have built muscle memory that can be dredged from what remains of the grey matter. Changing now would be like beginning again. All I've heard suggests that shooting with the dominant eye has more benefits, but I'd like to be persuaded otherwise.

If I were to continue right handed, I could use an eye patch so I could keep both eyes open.

[Barry C]

Many English and other more traditional#coaches say shoot eye dominant. Korean and some other#coaches say shoot hand dominant because the feel the right hand is more able to control the string and the other hold the bow.#Their research#also applied to pistol shooting.#The section is p124 of Total Archery by Ki Sik Lee.</p>

&quot;Biomechanically this is better, as the dominant hand side is the more coordinated side&quot; </p>

He also said that its been added to the new FITA coaching manual, saying along the lines of good results have been achieved both ways but shooting to hand gives a better manual release, control and strength. A opaque eye patch is worn for a few months#to retrain eye dominace for aiming.</p>

But if its going to make your right eye worse then definitly put health first.</p>

[Barry C]

&quot;I believe that over the years I will have built muscle memory that can be dredged from what remains of the grey matter. Changing now would be like beginning again&quot;</p>

Thats where we all are after reading Total Archery Back to the beginning...</p>

[MikeD]

Barry C - 17/8/2005 12:47 PM



The section is p124 of Total Archery by Ki Sik Lee.</p>


But if its going to make your right eye worse then definitly put health first.</p>

I see a book order about to be placed.

Is suspect that wearing a patch would improve my right eye. I was told by the optician that it was 'lazy' because of the dominance of the left eye. Forcing myself to use the right would help.

I may well just shoot with my old bow tonight (if I am allowed to join and shoot straight away.)

[English Bowman]

All I have heard and been taught says that you should not use an opaque patch. This can cause damage to your eyesight. I would still recommend shooting eyed, rather than handed, but if you must shoot eyed, then either close your right eye, or wear a translucent patch. Your eyelids let through some light so a translucent patch will be similar and not cause the eye strain that an opaque patch can.

Daniel

[joetapley]

Like English Bowman this is hearsay but shooting with one eye shut or a patch is said to create problems as with different eye light levels the pupil contraction gets confused and your depth of field gets fouled up. Both eyes open or a patch that lets the light through but just scrambles any image is the usually recommended option.