Archery Lefties: What's The Advantage?

Being a lefty in archery means that you are a left-handed archer. This means that you hold the bow in your right hand and draw the string with your left hand. Most people have a dominant eye that matches their dominant hand, but this is not always the case. It is important for archers to determine their dominant eye and choose a bow that suits it, as this will impact their accuracy. Some archers may be cross-dominant, meaning their dominant eye differs from their dominant hand, and they will need to choose which one to prioritise when selecting a bow.

Choosing the right bow

Being a lefty in archery means that you are a left-handed archer, and you hold the bow in your right hand. The choice of bow is an important decision in archery, and it is essential to know the differences between a left-handed and right-handed bow.

Eye Dominance

Eye dominance plays a crucial role in bow selection. Your dominant eye provides more input to your brain's visual cortex and relays information like the target's location more accurately. To determine your dominant eye, choose a distant object, make a thumbs-up sign, and place your thumb over the object with both eyes open. Close one eye at a time; the eye that keeps your thumb covering the object is your dominant eye. Ideally, archers aim with their dominant eye, as it helps in better relaying the target's location.

Hand Dominance

While hand dominance or "handedness" is a factor in bow selection, eye dominance takes precedence. Your dominant hand is the one you use for writing. If you are left-handed, or have left-hand dominance, you will usually use a left-hand bow, and vice versa. However, some people are "cross-dominant," meaning their dominant eye and hand do not match.

Individual Preference

If you are cross-dominant, you will need to choose between aiming with your dominant eye or shooting with your dominant hand. Some archers find it easier to aim with their dominant eye and train their non-dominant hand to draw the bow. Others prefer shooting with their dominant hand and train their non-dominant eye to focus on the target. Cross-dominant archers should experiment with both setups to determine what feels most comfortable for them.

Bow Type

The type of archery you wish to pursue will also influence your bow selection. For target shooting, compound and traditional bows are commonly used. Instinctive shooting, on the other hand, is an ancient technique reserved for experienced archers, and it involves using a longbow without any sighting system.

Availability and Trial

The availability of left-handed bows and accessories may vary depending on your location and the archery shop you visit. Some shops may have limited options for left-handed archers, while others may allow you to test both right and left-handed bows. If you are new to archery, it is recommended to try out different bows to see which one works best for you.

In conclusion, choosing the right bow involves considering your eye dominance, hand dominance, individual preferences, and the type of archery you wish to pursue. It is important to take your time, experiment with different setups, and seek guidance from certified instructors to make an informed decision.

Dominant eye vs. dominant hand

When it comes to archery, it is essential to understand the concept of eye dominance and how it relates to hand dominance. Eye dominance refers to the tendency to favour visual input from either the left or right eye, also known as ocular dominance. While both eyes work together, one eye typically plays a more prominent role in forming images and providing accurate information about our surroundings.

Determining eye dominance is crucial for archers as it influences their ability to aim accurately. A simple test to identify your dominant eye involves extending your arms and creating a triangle-shaped viewfinder with your hands, focusing on an object 10 feet or more away. Without thinking, slowly bring your hands towards your face while maintaining focus. Your hands will naturally move towards your dominant eye.

Now, let's discuss the relationship between dominant eye and dominant hand. In general, most people exhibit a correlation between the two, meaning if you're right-handed, you're likely right-eye dominant, and vice versa. However, it's important to note that this isn't always the case, and some individuals experience cross-dominance, where their dominant eye is on the opposite side of their dominant hand.

When it comes to archery, eye dominance takes precedence over hand dominance. Archers who shoot with a bow that matches their eye dominance tend to have a competitive advantage. This is because, in archery, you want your dominant eye to be as close as possible to the bowstring and arrow shaft for optimal accuracy.

If you're cross-dominant, you have a few options. You can choose to shoot with a bow that matches your dominant hand and learn to compensate for the parallax effect, which refers to the apparent displacement of an object when viewed with two different lines of sight. This may involve adjusting your horizontal point of aim, a technique known as windage. Alternatively, you can retrain yourself to shoot with the opposite hand, which some archers find challenging but achievable with determination and patience.

Ultimately, the decision to shoot with your dominant hand or dominant eye depends on your personal preference and goals as an archer. If you're a competitive archer seeking maximum precision, matching your equipment to your dominant eye is ideal. However, if you're a recreational archer who prioritises comfort and enjoyment, shooting with your dominant hand, even if it's not your dominant eye, can still be a viable option.

In conclusion, understanding the interplay between dominant eye and dominant hand is crucial for archers. While they are often aligned, cross-dominance can create unique challenges that require careful consideration and, in some cases, adjustments to technique or equipment.

How to determine your dominant eye

Your dominant eye is the eye that provides a slightly greater degree of input to the visual part of your brain. It also more accurately relays information about the location of objects. While eye dominance and handedness are significantly associated, they are not directly related. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately predict eye dominance based on handedness alone.

The Pointing Test

With both eyes open, point your finger at a distant object. Close one eye, then switch and close the other eye. Your finger should appear to move off or away from the object when one eye is closed. If the finger does not appear to move, then the eye you closed is your non-dominant eye.

The Distance-Hole-In-The-Card Test

This test examines which eye you use to focus on objects that are 10 feet away. Cut a hole in a piece of paper that is about an inch and a half in diameter. On a second piece of paper, write a single letter so that it is roughly one inch high. Tape or tack the paper with the letter onto a wall at eye level. Measure a distance of exactly 10 feet away and stand at that distance. Hold the paper with the hole in it at arm's length with both hands. Your arms should be parallel to the floor. Look through the hole in the paper at the letter in the wall. When you can see the letter, have a friend cover first one eye, then the other. Don't move or adjust your position. The eye that can see the letter is your dominant eye. If you can see it with both eyes, then neither eye is dominant in this task.

The Near-Hole-In-The-Card Test

This test is similar to the distance test, but it examines which eye you use when focusing up close. You can also do it with quickly and easily with household objects. This test can be done using a thimble, shot glass, or similar household object. Write a single letter on a piece of paper so that it is about 1/16th of an inch tall and wide. Tape this letter to the bottom of the inside of the thimble or shot glass. Cover the thimble or shot glass with paper or aluminium foil. Fix it in place with a rubber band or tape. Make a small hole that is about 1/16th of an inch in the paper or foil. The hole should be over the letter so that you can see the letter when looking through the hole. Put the thimble or shot glass on a table and lean over so that you can read the letter. Do not touch the thimble/shot glass or press your eye to the opening. Your head should be about 1 to 2 feet away. Don't move your head while you look at the letter. Have a friend cover one eye, then the other. The eye that can see the letter is your dominant eye. If you can see the letter with both eyes when the other is covered, you don’t have a dominant eye for this test.

The Convergence Test

This test examines which eye is dominant at extremely close distances. The results may differ from the results on the other tests. Get a ruler. Write a single letter on a piece of paper. The letter should be about 1/16th of an inch high and wide. Tape the letter to the ruler so that it doesn’t move. Hold the ruler out in front of you with both hands. The letter should be at eye level. Focus on the letter. Slowly, with both hands, move the ruler straight towards your nose. Stop moving when one eye is no longer able to focus on the letter. That is the non-dominant eye in this task. If both eyes remain focused until the ruler touches your nose, then neither eye is dominant in this task.

The Porta Test

Extend one arm in front of you. With both eyes open, align your thumb or index finger with a distant object. Alternate closing one eye to determine which eye is viewing the object. That is your dominant eye.

The Dolman Test

This test uses a card with a hole in it. Hold the card in both hands and look at an object in the distance. Then alternate closing both eyes. The eye that sees the object is the dominant eye.

The Miles Test

Extend your arms in front of you with your palms facing away. Bring your hands together, forming a small hole by crossing the thumbs and forefingers. Choose a small object about 15 to 20 feet away from you. With both eyes open, focus on the object as you look through the small hole. Close one eye and then the other. When you close one eye, the object will be stationary. When you close the other eye, the object should disappear from the hole or jump to one side. If the object does not move when you cover one eye, then that eye is dominant. The eye that sees the object and does not move is the dominant eye.

Cross-dominance

When it comes to archery, being a lefty can refer to either left-handedness or left-eye dominance. While most people's dominant eye matches their dominant hand, this isn't always the case, and cross-dominance can present a challenge for archers.

Archers who are cross-dominant must choose whether to aim with their dominant eye or their dominant hand when shooting. Some archers find it easier to aim with their dominant eye while training their non-dominant hand to draw the bow. Others prefer to shoot with their dominant hand and train their non-dominant eye to focus on the target.

There are various methods to manage cross-dominance in archery. One common approach is to use an eye patch or a sticker over the non-dominant eye to prevent it from interfering with the aim. Alternatively, some archers try to retrain their eye dominance by suppressing the dominant eye with an eye patch or even opting for laser eye surgery.

Ultimately, the choice between prioritising hand or eye dominance is an individual preference learned through trial and error. Cross-dominant archers should experiment with different setups and seek guidance from certified instructors to improve their form and make the necessary adjustments.

Lefty equipment availability

Being left-handed in archery means that you are a left-handed archer, or a "lefty". This means that you draw the bowstring with your left hand and aim with your left eye.

While all bow manufacturers make right- and left-handed bows, the availability of left-handed archery equipment is a common issue for left-handed archers. Here are some considerations when it comes to sourcing lefty equipment:

• Retailers and Pro Shops: Local retailers and pro shops may have limited stock of left-handed bows and accessories. They may have to special order left-handed equipment, particularly for high-end or high-dollar gear. It is a good idea to call ahead to check availability and whether they can order specific items.
• Online Shopping: Online retailers often have a wider selection of left-handed equipment, and this may be a more convenient option for left-handed archers.
• Sight Configuration: Some sights are designed specifically for right- or left-handed archers, while others are ambidextrous. Ambidextrous sights can be set up for left-handed use but may have amenities "upside down", such as the level and light placements.
• Release Aids: Release aids for compound bows can be used by both right- and left-handed shooters. Some are adjustable, while others swivel into position for either hand.
• Bowhunters' Gear: Left-handed bowhunters may find that some gear, such as tree stands and stick ladders, is set up for right-handed archers by the manufacturer. However, these can often be adjusted for left-handed use.
• Eye Dominance: When choosing archery equipment, it is important to consider eye dominance, which refers to the eye that provides more input to the brain's visual cortex. Most people have a dominant eye, and it is recommended that archers aim with their dominant eye. This may not always match their dominant hand, and some archers may be cross-dominant.
• Trial and Error: Cross-dominant archers should try out different setups to determine what feels best for them. They may need to train their nondominant eye or hand through practice and exercises to improve their dexterity.
• Used Market: The used market may offer more options for left-handed equipment, as lefties can often find deals on items that shops want to move.

Overall, while left-handed archery equipment is available, lefties may need to be diligent in their search and may have to special order or adjust some gear to suit their needs.

Frequently asked questions