teaching left eye dominant youngster to shoot
Perhaps this isn't the best place to ask this question.
A friend has a 12 year old grandson he is trying to teach to shoot. The boy likes shooting but he is left eye dominant; but right handed. What would be the best approach? Shoot lefty? Righty? Right, wiht both eyes open? Does the military currently permit lefties to shoot left handed? Any experienced shooting coaches out there who could give some advice? Thank you!
A friend has a 12 year old grandson he is trying to teach to shoot. The boy likes shooting but he is left eye dominant; but right handed. What would be the best approach? Shoot lefty? Righty? Right, wiht both eyes open? Does the military currently permit lefties to shoot left handed? Any experienced shooting coaches out there who could give some advice? Thank you!
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I have the same "problem", and learned to close my left eye. Pistol and rifle are no problem (esp with a scope) keeping both eyes open, but shotgun is a little more of a issue with a dom left. A small piece of scotch tape on the shooting glasses (between the left eye and the front bead) will allow both eyes to be open for target shotgun, but isn't real convient for field work. 
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
If he is left eye dominant then have him shoot left handed. I run into this often with new shooters and it is by far the best way to go.
I have no idea of how the military works. However, I have a photo of my left handed friend who is in Iraq and he is operating in the left hand mode and was trained as a sniper in the army. Interestingly enough he can shoot both long guns and handguns equally well from either side.
If the new shooter will shoot with both eyes open it is best way to go regardless of which side he chooses to shoot from.0 -
Suggest that your friend let the boy try shooting from left and right hand positions w/ both eyes open (adjust sights accordingly) and see how he does as well as which position he is more comfortable with. Then give the boy as much practice time as possible and that will improve his skill/confidence.
In teaching, certain elements of style/technique need to be adapted to the shooter, regardless of eye dominance, etc.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I'm right handed but have had a "lazy" right eye since childhood. I have always shot a rifle or shotgun from left shoulder but shoot a handgun right handed using left eye, and have done quite well with all for 60-odd years, including military service. 0 -
My son is also right handed, but left eye dominant. He has been shooting left handed with right handed rifles since he was 6 years old. Luckily he has no interest, yet, in shooting semi-autos. I'll deal with that safety issue when the time comes. Browning makes a bottom eject pump shotgun, so I have that end covered. 0 -
I am left eye dominant and right handed. Early on I learned to close my left eye when aiming. I understand it is generally considered that shooting with both eyes open is preferrable. I fired in both bullseye pistol and National Match Rifle competition in the military. I was able to get my Distinguished Rifleman Badge shooting with one eye closed. I think closing the left eye when aiming is a viable option. 0 -
Thanks for everyone's input. I've directed my friend to this site so he can read the options and experiences of you gentlemen. He's determined this young man will learn to shoot and shoot well. Thank you all for helping. 0 -
I coach two left eye dominanant right handed shooters. I use shooting glasses with the left lens blacked out. They can only see with the right eye and eventually the right eye strengthens enough to compensate and they then shoot well with minimal difficulty. Beach 0 -
When shotguning, have him track the target with both eyes , gun stock off of the shoulder ( ever teach a kid to premount, those days are over). Then as he makes his move with the gun to shoot he can close his left eye as the gun stock hits his cheek. Then just push through the target and smash it. Repeat as often as possible for the rest of his life. 0 -
i agree with the right lens patched approach; or, have him kiss his bicep, close his right eye, and shoot with his right hand.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
btw...lefty's can shoot lefty in the military. 0 -
Just another humble opinion! I am a right eye dominant, left hand shooter with a rifle or shotgun, and a right hand right eye dominant pistol shooter! I have done very well with both scenario's and have done so for over fifty years. I can still remember my father trying to get me to switch to my right, shooting a rifle, and I could never pull it off, but eventually got the hang of shooting with my dominant eye closed, when shooting a rifle or shotgun. Seems to me that whatever you learn, if you stick with it, it makes no difference which eye you use, as long as the dominant eye is closed, if shooting with the non dominant side.
Practice is the answer! Never enough, and always fun! just make sure you spend all the time you can possibly spend with him, in the field, or on the target range, and sooner or later, he will turn into a great marksman!
Good luck!
BigBarn[:o)]
"Respect the land, and it will respect you"0 -
My 17 year old is left eye dominant yet mostly right handed. I am also a 4-H shooting sports coach. As many have stated, try the child shooting left handed but if he cannot then let him shoot right handed but close the left eye. It is what my 17 year old does. It is better if they can learn to shoot left handed but if not have him close the left eye or even use an eye patch over it.
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown0 -
just my 2 cents...to all that say he should just learn to shoot righty...take your handgun gun out next time and shoot it in your other hand. or, switch shoulders with your shotgun! its not easy. im a strange breed...i am left eye dominant, i shoulder long guns to my left shoulder and pull the trigger with my left hand. on pistols, i shoot right hand and cross over my eye with the kiss the bicep method since most guns are built for right handers. hope this helps.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
Tell him to let the kid shoot left handed! I'm left eye dominant, shoot long guns left handed and pistols right handed.
The only problems I ever had shooting a semi-auto rifle was with a M1 Carbine and an AR15A1. The carbine brass hit me in the head and the AR15 ammo came out right in front of my face. I didn't buy an AR15 till the A2's came out, with the brass deflector.
I had never even tried to shoot a long gun right handed till I got into Civil War reenacting. Back then, soldiers HAD to shoot right handed because of the tactics and the fact they stood shoulder to shoulder. I don't know when the military changed, but I do know they don't force leftys to shoot right handed anymore.
A positive to my shooting long guns left handed and pistols right handed is I've learned trigger control with both hands. I'm better than most at shooting either one 'weak handed.'
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
I have the same right handed, left eyed dominant issue. The only time I notice it causing problems is shooting a shotgun. When I was in high school, I started shooting left handed, and it definitely improved my shooting (shooting trap), but I never could get used to shouldering the gun lefty in a hunting scenario when it has to be done quickly. I kept trying to switch back to right handed. I finally gave up shooting left handed (except to embarrass friends on occasion by outshooting them left handed) and have since started closing my left eye, and that has helped. If you want the kid to try to shoot left handed, my advice would be to start him young, because old habits die hard. 0 -
I know a Il State Championship Bullseye Pistol Shooter who is right handed left eye dominant. He holds the gun in his right hand and uses his left eye to aim.
I'm a lefty for shooting, writing, and eating. Everything else I do right handed. I shoot with both eyes open.
Regards,0 -
shooting semi autos off the left shoulder left eye dominant has advantages...you can tell if the gun cycled or not, since you can see the shell or brass fly out. 1995 it saved me the state championship when during the 12ga doubles match, my gun jammed for the second time (which is a lost bird if you miss,) while shooting station 6. i saw the hull in the ejection port, kept my cool, pulled it out with my right hand while keeping my left hand on the grip and shouldered, the gun cycled, and i made the shot. i won the virginia state championship that day.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0
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