Eye dominance is a crucial aspect of shotgun shooting, as it determines which eye is used to aim down the barrel. For those who are cross-dominant, meaning their dominant eye is opposite their dominant hand, correcting eye dominance can be a challenge. One common suggestion for fixing eye dominance in shotgun shooting is blinking. the non-dominant eye right before the shot is triggered. But does this method actually work? Let’s delve deeper into the relationship between blinking and eye dominance in shotgun shooting.

In shotgun sports, eye dominance dictates which eye leads aiming; it’s crucial because you shoot with both eyes open, and if your non-dominant eye takes over (cross-dominance) your gun misaligns, causing misses, especially on moving targets. Managing this involves training, gun fit adjustments, using patches/tape, or specialized glasses to align your dominant eye with the barrel, ensuring the gun follows your eye’s focus on the target for accuracy. 

Understanding Eye Dominance in Shotgun Shooting

Eye dominance refers to the eye that your brain prefers to use when focusing on an object. In shotgun shooting, having the dominant eye aligned with the barrel of the gun is essential for accuracy. If a shooter is cross-dominant, where their dominant eye is opposite their dominant hand, it can lead to missed shots and frustration. Some shooters may try to force their non-dominant eye to take over through various methods, including blinking. However, understanding the root cause of eye dominance and how it affects one’s shooting technique is crucial in finding effective solutions.

The Role of Blinking in Correcting Eye Dominance

Blinking is a natural reflex that helps to keep the eyes moist and protects them from debris. Some shooters believe that blinking can help to shift eye dominance from one eye to the other, ultimately improving their accuracy in shotgun shooting. The theory behind this is that by momentarily closing the dominant eye through blinking, the non-dominant eye can take over and align with the gun barrel. While blinking can temporarily change which eye is dominant in certain situations, experts suggest that it may not be a long-term solution for correcting eye dominance in shotgun shooting.

Debunking the Myth: Can Blinking Fix Eye Dominance?

Despite the belief that blinking can fix eye dominance in shotgun shooting, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim. Eye dominance is a complex trait that is influenced by various factors, including brain dominance and visual processing. While blinking may temporarily shift dominance from one eye to the other, it is unlikely to provide a permanent solution for cross-dominant shooters. Instead, shooters are encouraged to work with a qualified instructor to identify their dominant eye and develop techniques to overcome any challenges associated with cross-dominance. By understanding the root cause of eye dominance and implementing proper training, shooters can improve their accuracy and performance in shotgun shooting.

While blinking may have some temporary effects on eye dominance in shotgun shooting, it is not a reliable or long-term solution. Understanding the complex nature of eye dominance and working with experienced instructors to develop appropriate techniques is key to improving accuracy and performance on the shooting range. By debunking the myth that blinking can fix eye dominance, shooters can focus on implementing practical strategies to overcome any challenges associated with cross-dominance.

Blinking doesn’t fix eye dominance—it masks it briefly and inconsistently. For reliable results, use optical suppression (dot), gun fit, or proper dominance training, especially if you shoot sporting clays or live birds.

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