Cross eye dominance

[Deermanagement]

Coincidently, I am just editing some images that show the vision available for a right handed shooter in relation to a mounted trap gun, trap not really that important but the worst case with a pre-mounted gun. I'm putting together a course for coaches as part of the European Federations coaching improvements. It's a bit tricky but I'm getting there. Already done the gun down skeet images as part of a presentation showing various techniques and visual control required. I may post a photo later, but the main reason for viewing the side of your gun from the non-dominant eye is having it there for too long, giving yourself an opportunity to do it.

In Olympic skeet, you've around 0.6 seconds to mount the gun from a low position, contact and create the necessary lead before triggering the shot. OS shooters rarely have a non-shooting eye taking over because of the limited time the gun spends placed in their face. It is true that just about all of your focus need to be on the target, with the barrels only visible in the sub-conscious. You cannot focus at 2 distances at the same time, i.e. 2 or 3 foot in front of your eyes or 20, 30, 40 yds distance. If you are seeing the barrels clearly you should know where you are going wrong

 

[Andrewslater]

I've just listened to part of it. Quickly, I got up to coming from below or behind a rising or driven target, with both eyes open "you'll never loose sight of it". Rubbish.....That depends on the amount of lead it requires as at some point, the gun and your hand placed on the forend will block view from both eyes. I've just generated images showing at what stage a trap shooter will loose view of the apron and target release point when holding a distance above the trench. This is effected by the way in which your hand is placed on the forend, the size of the forend, the distance from your eyes to the same component, the distance between an individuals eyes. This can all be easily demonstrated and proven. It is the same effect as seen on springing teal or straight overhead driven targets that require more lead that vision from the non-aligned eye will allow.

"If you pull the trigger when it feels righ, you'll never miss another clay"..... ....... don't believe that, there are many other contributing factiors to success, but I like the positiveness

You say that "you'd not like to shoot off your weak side"? It's only your weak side because you've not trained it. Someone with a dominant left eye should shoot from the same shoulder, but if not pracical, too late in life, have a RH gun with a palm swell you like etc etc. continue to shoot with both eyes open, but train to dim the cross dominant eye just before the point where you contact the target. It's not perfect, but it will improve things. Ensure there's no head tilting, allowing full vision of the target from your "shooting eye", and learn how to rely on the best part of your vision, and trasition from peripheral to central vision at the appropriate time, hence making best use of the part of vision that is best at tracking movement, speed and direction. Once you fixate with central vision on a target, you will loose these attributes. Your central vision is designed for detail, colour and distance judgement.

Yes get a coach or even an instructor, but ensure its a good one that is fully up to speed on the vision side of "eye"- hand coordination sports A good one will be able to teach and bring to your attention all the important aspects of vision in moving target sports that involve pointing rather than aiming. Had someone say today that he does not believe anyone that "never" or "do not see their barrels". Of course he is right, it's just the degree of consciousness that goes into seeing or not seeing what is directly infront of your eyes (both if it's both eyes open). Like most sports, it very much comes down to common sense and not overcomplicating what in essence, is a relatively simple sporting action

I may listen to the rest tomorrow

Dont shoot the messenger

 

[cjs66]

Same problem here.
I've gone left handed.

Me too, years ago, second nature now.

cjs

 

[Deermanagement]

Dont shoot the messenger

Wouldn't think of it. It's just amazing how some well meaning people can believe in something, very often without evidence and contrary to common sense if it's analysed without pre-ideas. A good instructor or coach never assumes that their version of what may be a subjective discussion or subject is right, even if they are very confident of their facts, and a good 'un will be able to prove by demonstration, explanation, photographs or video feedback etc., that there is merit in what they are saying. I have heard a number of world class shooters, and it only ever happens with sporting shooters or game shooters, say some ridiculous things that are not even close to being subjective. I'm not sure if these guys actually believe what they are saying sometimes, or if they find it difficult to relay information.

 

[Deermanagement]

Coincidently, I am just editing some images that show the vision available for a right handed shoote.............................

Just for illustration.......... the two images are the type of visual issues that will be found when focus is too close to the barrels instead of closer to target range. More of an issue for trap than any other discipline unless its a sporting target where you have the gun mounted for a significant time before triggering. First is holding focus close and the second when held out nearer target distance.