shooting problem, what should i do?

[Chew]

I'm left eye dominant and shoot right handed. Never had a problem. Not sure why. Shot some competition rifle in the Marines. Didn't even realize I was left eye dominant. Just close my left eye and shoot.

[Ricky T]

I'm left eye dominant also and shoot right handed. It just takes practice. Start off closing your left eye for a while. Then partially close it or squint. After a while you've trained your right eye to take over through the peep. Your left eye may want to take over early on but keep practicing. Won't take long. Good luck.

Target panic is a bigger problem, IMO. Lots of good info out there for it, though. I'd get a real low poundage bow and get right up close to the target and shoot 'till you don't jerk. Another practice thing. Good luck. I've been through both and you WILL overcome.

[Bill]

I think you have 2 schools of thought on the eye dominance, 'deal with it' or 'switch hands'. There is an interesting 3-part article on perfect practice starting in the Aug/Sept 08 issue of the NFAA magazine on the link above, there may be something of value to you in there as well. I've learned that 99% of what the target archers learn and do is transferable to bowhunters too.

[bowhuntingw]

thanks for the info. i've been shooting a bow for 20-25 years and it just stumps me why now i'm having difficulty. we'll see what happens.

[pigstikr]

Get the right equipment. You won't regret it. I shot for 7 years left handed, even though I am right eye dominate, I finally switched and have been shooting right handed for 25 years. Once you get over the initial awkwardness of the change, it will feel a lot more natural, more instinctive. You will not regret it!

[bowhuntingw]

well, stopped by wulf outdoors today and shot the only lefthanded bow they had, a hoyt alphamax or something like that(i'm a mathews guy). anyway. drawing back was the toughest part. instead of the equal push pull, i was pushing with my bow hand more than i was drawing with my left hand. anyway, once i got anchored it was a lot better than i expected. i was shooting golfball/racketball size groups pretty regularly. i think i'm going to go shoot some more this week before i make my final decision. i will note that this evening i shot my righthanded mathews and it didn't feel as good as it always has. maybe a lefthanded bow is in the near future.

[Brett C]

To bad i just sold my switchback XT LH you could have tryed it out.

[Aggiestad]

I'm right eye dominant but left handed and have found that it is really not that uncomfortable to shoot right handed. I too was worried about not being able to pull back as much, but as of right now it has not been a problem.

[shaft]

what if your cross eyed? ya know facein the target but your head is turned lookin across the street!

[Bweger]

Here is what I have learned from some world class shooters and coaches. If you are left eye dominate but right handed switch to shooting left handed. It will feel awkward for a little while but you will get used to it. I have seen men over the age of 40 go from shooting right handed to shooting left handed and it didnt take long for them to be shooting better than what they had been shooting right handed. As for the flinch all I can say is you need to figure out how to turn your brain off.

[Bill]

what if your cross eyed? ya know facein the target but your head is turned lookin across the street!

Use a small mirror