Should I Choose A RIGHT- OR LEFT-HANDED BOW?
Archery is an exciting and challenging sport that has been around for centuries.
It involves using a bow and arrow to hit a target, and it requires a great deal of skill, patience, and accuracy.
However, to be successful in archery, one must choose the right equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment in archery is the bow. A bow is the primary tool that an archer uses to shoot arrows.
When it comes to choosing a bow, there are several factors to consider, including the type of bow, the draw weight, and the length of the bow.
Another crucial factor to consider is whether to select a right- or left-handed bow.
Importance of choosing the correct bow
Choosing the correct bow is crucial to your success in archery. A bow that is not suited to your shooting style can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even injury.
Shooting a bow that is not the correct size for your body or draw length can also affect your accuracy and overall performance. Therefore, it is essential to take the time to choose the right bow.
Overview
In this article, we will discuss whether you should shoot a right- or left-handed bow.
We will begin by explaining the concept of hand dominance and how it affects your archery performance.
Next, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of shooting a right- or left-handed bow. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right bow for your personal preferences and shooting style.
Finally, we will summarize the key points and emphasize the importance of choosing the correct bow for your success in archery.
Let’s first understand an important factor in choosing a left or right handed bow:-
Understanding Hand Dominance
Definition of hand dominance
A dominant hand is the hand that a person naturally prefers to use for most tasks that require manual dexterity and fine motor skills, such as writing, eating, throwing, or catching. It is the hand that a person feels most comfortable and confident using in most situations.
You may note with your dominant hand you usually:
- Write
- Eat: Hold utensils and bring food to your mouth,
- Brushing Teeth
- Holding a Phone
- Using a Computer Mouse
The dominant hand is typically stronger, more coordinated, and more dexterous than the non-dominant hand.
Most people are either right-handed or left-handed, although a small percentage of individuals are ambidextrous, meaning they can use both hands equally well.
How to determine hand dominance
Determining your hand dominance is relatively simple.
One way is to try writing your name with both hands and see which hand feels more comfortable.
Another way is to make a fist with both hands and see which hand naturally goes on top. You can also try throwing a ball or picking up an object with one hand and then the other to see which hand feels more natural.
The importance of hand dominance in archery
Hand dominance is essential in archery because it determines which hand will hold the bow and which hand will draw the string.
A right-handed archer will hold the bow in their left hand and draw the string with their right hand, while a left-handed archer will hold the bow in their right hand and draw the string with their left hand.
Using a bow that is not suited to your hand dominance can make it challenging to achieve good form and accuracy.
Importance Of Eye Dominance
In addition to hand dominance, archers must also consider eye dominance.
Eye dominance refers to the eye that is dominant when aiming down the bowstring.
It is ideal for archers to use their dominant eye for aiming since it provides the most accurate location information. In other words, The dominant eye should be aligned with the arrow and the target to ensure accuracy.
For those whose dominant eye aligns with their dominant hand, choosing a bow is straightforward.
For instance, if you are right-eye and right-hand dominant, you should purchase a right-handed bow. Similarly, if you are left-eye and left-hand dominant, a left-handed bow would be the best choice.
It is possible to be cross-dominant, meaning your dominant hand and dominant eye are on opposite sides. In this case, most archers prefer to shoot with a bow that is opposite to your hand dominance to align with your dominant eye.
Moreover, For individuals who are cross-dominant, it is usually easier to train their less dominant hand than their non-dominant eye. Therefore, if you plan on pursuing archery professionally or competitively, it is advisable to select a bow based on your dominant eye rather than your dominant hand.
I would also advise, Archers who have cross-dominance should consider visiting an archery store and test both right and left-handed setups to determine which one feels most comfortable.
Although it may take some time to train the nondominant eye or hand, with practice, you can get used to it. Certified instructors are available to help you improve your form and make the necessary adjustments.
Let me give you a suggestive table on how to choose left or right handed bow for different hand and eye dominance
| Dominant Hand | Dominant Eye | Dominance | Handedness of Bow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right | Right | Right | Right |
| Right | Left | Cross | Left (Normally) |
| Left | Left | Left | Left |
| Left | Right | Cross | Right (Normally) |
Let me give you some steps on how to determine your dominant eye:-
How to determine your dominant eye?
Here are some steps to determine your dominant eye:
- Extend your arms in front of you and form a small triangular opening with your thumbs and fingers.
- Choose a distant object around 10-12 feet awat to focus on and center it within the triangular opening.
- Close one eye and note whether the object remains centered in the triangular opening or not.
- Repeat step 3 with the other eye.
- The eye that allows you to see the object centered in the triangular opening is your dominant eye.
Another method is the Miles test:
- Extend your arms in front of you and form a small triangular opening with your thumbs and fingers.
- Choose a distant object to focus on and center it within the triangular opening.
- Bring your hands closer to your face while keeping your focus on the object.
- You will naturally align the triangular opening with one of your eyes as you bring your hands closer.
- The eye that you use to look through the opening is your dominant eye.
Understanding Hand & Eye Dominance
Hand and eye dominance are important factors to consider when shooting a bow.
If you are left-handed and your left eye is dominant, then you are left-dominant.
Similarly, if you are right-handed and your right eye is dominant, then you are right-dominant. If your dominant eye and dominant hand are on opposite sides, you are cross-dominant.
If you are right eye dominant but left-handed, or vice versa, you are also cross-dominant.
If you are ambidextrous, meaning you can use both hands equally well, and you also have ambidextrous vision, then you are pretty unique! In this case, you can choose which side you want to be dominant and which way you want to shoot.
Can You Train Your Other Eye To Be Dominant?
While it’s not possible to completely switch your dominant eye, it is possible to train your non-dominant eye to work more efficiently in combination with your dominant eye. This is known as eye dominance training.
Eye dominance training involves a series of exercises designed to strengthen the connections between the brain and the non-dominant eye. Some of these exercises include covering the dominant eye while performing tasks, using specific visual stimuli to activate the non-dominant eye, and practicing visual tracking exercises.
It’s important to note that eye dominance training can take time and consistency to produce results, and it may not work for everyone.
While it is not practical for an archer to change their eye dominance, it is still possible to shoot accurately with their non-dominant eye. However, it requires some adjustments to the shooting technique.
One way to shoot with the non-dominant eye is to close or cover the dominant eye while aiming. This will allow the archer to use their non-dominant eye to aim the bow. To be successful with this technique, the archer will need to train their non-dominant eye to be more accurate by practicing eye dominance training exercises.
Take the time to determine your hand dominance and align it with your eye dominance to achieve the best results in archery.
A useful video On Choosing a left or right handed bow
Right-handed Bows
A. Explanation of right-handed bows
A right-handed bow is a type of bow designed for archers who hold the bow in their left hand and draw the string with their right hand.
The grip of the bow is contoured to fit the right hand comfortably, while the riser is designed to accommodate the left hand. Most bows on the market are right-handed bows, as the majority of people are right-handed.
C. Factors to consider when choosing a right-handed bow
When shooting a right-handed bow, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Draw length: The draw length of the bow should be suited to the archer’s arm length and shooting style.
- Draw weight: The draw weight of the bow should be appropriate for the archer’s strength and skill level.
- Arrow length and weight: The arrows used with the bow should be of the appropriate length and weight for the archer’s draw length and draw weight.
- Grip and riser: The grip and riser of the bow should be comfortable and suited to the archer’s preferences.
Left-handed Bows
A. Explanation of left-handed bows
A left-handed bow is a type of bow designed for archers who hold the bow in their right hand and draw the string with their left hand.
The grip of the bow is contoured to fit the left hand comfortably, while the riser is designed to accommodate the right hand. Left-handed bows are less common than right-handed bows, as the majority of people are right-handed.
C. Factors to consider when shooting a left-handed bow
When shooting a left-handed bow, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Draw length: The draw length of the bow should be suited to the archer’s arm length and shooting style.
- Draw weight: The draw weight of the bow should be appropriate for the archer’s strength and skill level.
- Arrow length and weight: The arrows used with the bow should be of the appropriate length and weight for the archer’s draw length and draw weight.
- Grip and riser: The grip and riser of the bow should be comfortable and suited to the archer’s preferences.
How to Tell If A Bow Is Right-Handed Or Left-Handed?
To determine if a bow is right-handed or left-handed, follow these steps:
- Hold the bow in front of you with the grip facing away from your body.
- Look at the position of the arrow rest. If the arrow rest is on the left side of the bow, it is a right-handed bow. If it is on the right side of the bow, it is a left-handed bow.
- Another way to check is to hold the bow with the grip facing toward your body and the limbs facing outward. The limb that has more curve is the bottom limb, and the opposite is the top limb. If the top limb curves away from you to the left, it is a right-handed bow. If the top limb curves away from you to the right, it is a left-handed bow.
Some bows can be used by both right and left-handed archers if they have an ambidextrous riser. An ambidextrous riser is designed to accommodate both right and left-handed archers by allowing the limbs to be attached in either direction.
How to Choose the Right Bow
A. Understanding personal preferences and shooting style
Choosing the right bow can make a significant difference in an archer’s performance and enjoyment of the sport.
To select the right bow, it’s essential to understand one’s personal preferences and shooting style. For example, some archers prefer bows with longer or shorter risers, while others prefer those with a specific grip style.
Additionally, some archers may prefer compound bows, while others may prefer recurve bows. By understanding one’s personal preferences and shooting style, it becomes easier to choose the right bow.
B. Seeking advice from experienced archers
Seeking advice from experienced archers can be helpful when choosing the right bow.
Experienced archers can provide insight into what to look for when selecting a bow and can offer recommendations based on their own experiences.
They may also be able to provide tips on proper bow maintenance and shooting form, which can help new archers get started on the right foot.
C. Experimenting with different bows before making a final decision
Experimenting with different bows before making a final decision is an essential step in choosing the right bow.
Archers should try out various bows to determine which ones feel most comfortable and natural. This can involve testing out different draw weights, lengths, and styles.
Additionally, archers should take the time to experiment with different arrows to determine which ones work best with their chosen bow.
Can I Shoot a Left Handed Bow Right Handed?
Yes, it is possible to shoot a left-handed bow right-handed. However, it may not be as comfortable or natural for the shooter, and accuracy may be affected.
It is important to note that if a left-handed bow is used by a right-handed shooter, the bow hand will be on the wrong side of the body, and the arrow rest will be on the wrong side of the bow, which can make it more difficult to shoot accurately.
Additionally, the shooter will need to learn to draw the bow with their non-dominant hand. It is generally recommended for right-handed shooters to use right-handed bows and for left-handed shooters to use left-handed bows for the best shooting experience and accuracy.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bow is essential for several reasons. A poorly fitting bow can affect an archer’s accuracy and consistency, which can lead to frustration and a lack of enjoyment in the sport.
In contrast, the right bow can enhance an archer’s performance and increase their enjoyment of the sport. Therefore, it’s crucial to take the time to select a bow that suits one’s needs and preferences.
When selecting a right- or left-handed bow, archers should consider their hand dominance, personal preferences, and shooting style. It’s also essential to seek advice from experienced archers and experiment with different bows before making a final decision.
Check: A comprehensive Bow Riser Guide
Finally, it’s worth investing in a high-quality bow that fits well and feels comfortable to use. By following these recommendations, archers can choose the right bow and enjoy the sport of archery to the fullest.
