Understanding Eye Dominance
What is Eye Dominance?
The snap of the breech, the familiar weight of the shotgun nestled against your shoulder, the sun glinting off the clay pigeon hurtling across the sky – these are the moments that define the thrill of shotgun shooting. Yet, for some, the pursuit of hitting that elusive target is a constant struggle, a frustrating dance with inconsistency. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of skill or practice, but a hidden hurdle: cross eye dominance. This article delves into the complexities of cross eye dominance and its impact on shotgun shooting, providing practical solutions to help you overcome this challenge and achieve your shooting goals.
The human eye, a marvel of biological engineering, is the primary instrument for sight. It provides the brain with information to understand the world. In many activities that require precise aiming, like shotgun shooting, our vision plays a crucial role. The brain favors input from one eye over the other, a phenomenon known as eye dominance. This dominant eye takes the lead, guiding our visual focus and dictating the angle at which we perceive the world. But what happens when the dominant eye doesn’t align with your dominant hand? That’s where cross eye dominance enters the picture, complicating the seemingly simple act of pointing and shooting.
Testing for Eye Dominance
Understanding the concept of eye dominance is the first step toward resolving the issues it can present. The brain is wired to prioritize information from one eye, the dominant eye. This is the eye that you primarily use for tasks requiring precision, such as threading a needle, looking through a camera lens, or aiming a gun. This doesn’t mean the other eye is useless; it simply means that the dominant eye takes precedence.
There are several ways to determine which eye is dominant. One common method involves creating a small “hole” with your hands. Extend both arms, interlock your fingers, and create a small triangular opening. With both eyes open, focus on a distant object through the opening. Then, close one eye at a time. The eye that keeps the object in view through the opening is your dominant eye. Alternatively, you can use the “dot on the wall” test. Hold your finger out and focus your gaze on the tip, aligning it with a distant object. Close one eye at a time; the eye that keeps your finger and the object aligned is your dominant eye. These simple tests can provide valuable insights.
Identifying Cross Eye Dominance
Cross eye dominance arises when the dominant eye is on the opposite side of the body from the dominant hand. For example, a right-handed shooter with a left dominant eye experiences cross eye dominance. This seemingly minor misalignment can lead to significant difficulties in shotgun shooting. While not inherently a debilitating condition, it introduces a layer of complexity that requires awareness and adaptation.
The Problems Cross Eye Dominance Causes in Shotgun Shooting
Misalignment of the Gun
Cross eye dominance creates a visual conflict. When you mount your shotgun, the non-dominant eye, the eye aligned with the gun, is the one attempting to sight the target. However, the brain is prioritizing information from the opposite, dominant eye. This can lead to several problems.
One of the primary issues is misalignment. The dominant eye, located on the opposite side of the body, is “seeing” the target from a slightly different angle than the non-dominant eye aligned with the barrel. This discrepancy causes the shooter to perceive the target’s position inaccurately, often resulting in a miss. The barrel might appear to be perfectly aligned with the target, but the brain, guided by the dominant eye, perceives a different alignment, causing the shot to deviate. The problem is particularly evident with moving targets like clay pigeons where the shooter has only a brief window for the shot.
Delayed Target Acquisition
Cross eye dominance also impacts target acquisition. The brain must reconcile the conflicting visual information, slowing down the process of acquiring and focusing on the target. The shooter may hesitate, attempting to process conflicting visual cues before pulling the trigger. This delay can be the difference between a hit and a miss, especially in fast-paced shooting sports like skeet or sporting clays.
Reduced Accuracy
Reduced accuracy is a natural consequence of the misalignment and focus issues. The combination of the dominant eye’s influence and the challenge of aligning the gun can lead to inconsistencies in shot placement. The shooter may experience frustrating streaks of misses, even with consistent practice.
Challenges in Different Shooting Disciplines
Different shotgun shooting disciplines present unique challenges. In trap shooting, where targets are launched away from the shooter, cross eye dominance can lead to shooting behind the target. In skeet, where targets fly across the shooter’s path, the effect of being offset can lead to missing targets. In sporting clays, with varying target presentations, the difficulty can be even more pronounced as the shooter must adjust for the angle and speed of each target.
Solutions and Techniques to Overcome Cross Eye Dominance
Eyewear Adjustments
Blinders/Occluders
Fortunately, cross eye dominance is not an insurmountable obstacle. With the right approach, shooters can overcome these challenges and improve their accuracy. Several techniques and tools can help mitigate the effects of cross eye dominance.
One of the most common solutions involves eyewear adjustments.
Blinders or occluders can be attached to shooting glasses. These devices block the dominant eye’s view of the target, forcing the shooter to rely on the non-dominant eye to aim. These devices come in various forms, from simple tape to more sophisticated lens attachments. By blocking the dominant eye’s view, the shooter forces the visual system to align the gun with the target using the non-dominant eye. It is important to experiment with blinder placement to find the most effective position, often starting by completely covering the dominant eye and gradually adjusting. The key is to find the minimum coverage needed to maintain accuracy while still maintaining as much peripheral vision as possible. While effective, some shooters find that using a blinder can restrict their field of view.
Corrective Lenses
In some instances, corrective lenses, such as those with a slight prism, can address the misalignment issue. By correcting the visual angle, the lenses can help realign the perceived position of the target with the gun barrel. This method can work for those with a mild degree of misalignment.
Head Positioning and Technique
Mount Adjustment
Beyond eyewear, proper head positioning and technique are crucial. Consistent practices that reinforces the correct body position can greatly improve accuracy.
One important aspect is proper gun mounting. This ensures the gun fits comfortably in the shoulder and aligns with the shooter’s eye. The shooter should consistently mount the gun in the same position. Ensure the stock fits the shooter’s body correctly to avoid straining or twisting the head.
Head Position/Tilt
A subtle head tilt toward the gun can help shift the dominant eye’s focus toward the barrel. This minor adjustment can help reduce the misalignment caused by cross eye dominance.
Consistent Cheek Weld
A consistent cheek weld is another critical element. The cheek should consistently contact the stock in the same spot with each mount. This provides a stable and predictable platform for aiming.
Gun Fit and Adjustment
Custom Fitting
Gun fit and adjustment also play a key role.
When a shotgun is properly fitted, it provides greater consistency. Having a gun professionally fitted is a worthwhile investment. An improperly fitted gun can exacerbate the problems associated with cross eye dominance.
Comb and Stock Adjustments
Adjusting the comb or stock of the shotgun can help improve alignment. This may involve raising or lowering the comb to align the shooter’s eye with the barrel.
Training and Practice
Drills
Training and practice are fundamental to overcoming cross eye dominance.
Practice drills should be specific. These drills should focus on proper gun mounting, alignment, and target tracking. Repeating these steps helps cement correct form and build muscle memory.
Practice Routines
Regular practice sessions are essential. Consistent practice reinforces proper techniques and helps the shooter build the necessary skills to compensate for cross eye dominance.
Patience and Consistency
Patience and consistency are essential to success. Overcoming cross eye dominance takes time and commitment. Avoid discouragement if results are not immediate. Celebrate small victories and focus on making consistent improvements.
Case Studies and Examples
Even the most experienced shooters have struggled with cross eye dominance. Consider a right-handed shooter, a former competitive trap shooter, who experienced difficulty breaking targets consistently. After years of frustration, they discovered they had a left dominant eye. Through the use of a blinder, adjusting their head position, and dedicated practice, they dramatically improved their scores. Another example is a skeet shooter who initially struggled with their ability to accurately hit targets flying towards them. Once they realized they were cross-dominant, and learned to apply the correct adjustments, their scores started going up quickly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while cross eye dominance presents a challenge in shotgun shooting, it is not an insurmountable obstacle. By understanding the underlying causes and adopting appropriate solutions, shooters can significantly improve their accuracy and enjoy greater success in their chosen discipline. Through proper training, the right equipment, and a commitment to consistency, you can overcome cross eye dominance and become a more confident and effective shooter.
Remember to test your eye dominance and experiment with the techniques discussed. Embrace the journey of learning and adapting, and you will find that cross eye dominance no longer holds you back from achieving your shooting goals. Enjoy the challenge and happy shooting!
Resources
There are many resources available to further improve your knowledge of the techniques. You can search for shooting coaches or trainers in your area to get personalized advice and guidance. These people can give you insight in person, and provide immediate correction to your form.
