So you’re familiar with what being cross dominant is, or maybe you’re not, but you’re still not sure if it should be somehow fixed or just worked with. While there are a few different schools of thought regarding how to handle cross dominance, there’s also not one perfect solution. Every shooter is different, and it’s smart to be willing to try different solutions. Shooting stances and grips aren’t one size fits all and neither are the tips and tricks needed to cope with our differences. Check out our selection of the best ways to deal with cross dominance (because we understand everyone is different).
What is Cross Dominance?
First, let’s run through a quick refresher on what cross dominance is. At its simplest, cross dominance is when your right eye is strongest, and so is your left hand. The reverse is also true (left eye, right hand). The term means your strong side hand and strongest eye are on opposing sides rather than the same side, and that can lead to some issues with point of aim and point of impact. And while many people tend to think of cross dominance as being a handgun issue, it applies to long guns as well.
There are a few things you might not know about cross dominance, such as:
- Women tend to be cross dominant more often than men.
- Some seasoned firearms instructors say they’ve noticed cross dominant shooters switch sides, meaning they have mixed dominance traits rather than strictly right eye, left hand or left eye, right hand.
- Cross dominance can change based on a specific task, which can apply to handgun use versus long guns.
- There’s nothing wrong with being cross dominant, it’s not a flaw.
- Approximately 18% of people are cross dominant (according to eye doctors).
- Eye doctors also say at least 17% of people don’t have a dominant eye at all.
- Only 1% of people are truly ambidextrous, meaning they’re equally capable of using/writing with both hands.
- Most people experience some level of mixed-handedness, meaning they might favor a different hand for certain tasks.
Bottom line? Being cross dominant probably isn’t as predictable or consistent as you might believe. It’s smart to pay attention to how your cross dominance while shooting handguns is affected by switching to long guns.
What is Cross Dominant Eye Pro?
Although not a specific “fix” to cross dominance, despite some marketing claims, there is cross dominant specific eye pro available that can help the issue. These sets of eye pro work by putting a darker, smoke-colored, or opaque lens in front of the shooter’s dominant eye. The idea is that the use of different colored lenses can trick the non-dominant eye into taking on more work. This works for some people. Pros of using eye pro made to equalize the use of the shooter’s eyes include:
- The solution built into the eye pro negates the need to close or somehow cover one eye.
- Makes it easier to shoot with both eyes open.
- Keeps the shooter’s field of view completely open.
- Allows the shooter to maintain and utilize peripheral vision on both sides.
- Can be made according to a prescription from an eye doctor.
If you’re cross dominant, it can be worth trying out eye pro specifically made for that issue. As with any solution, this one works for some shooters and not others. It’s a definite case of YMMV (your mileage may vary).
Can you turn your head to “fix” cross dominance?
The short answer is that yes, it is possible to slightly turn your head to offset the effects of cross dominance. In the picture above, the shooter has turned their head to compensate for being left-eye dominant but right-handed. You will find there are instructors and shooters alike who feel this isn’t an ideal solution to being cross dominant. However, there are quite a lot of highly respected instructors who do, indeed, suggest trying this.
Turning your head when shooting a handgun as a method to overcome cross dominance issues can be effective. It can be done with both eyes open or by closing the dominant eye. Take care to pay attention to the angle of your head. You will find that if you tilt your head excessively rather than turning it, your point of aim versus point of impact is negatively affected. Although this method can be used with any shooting stance or grip, it can be easiest when shooting Weaver or Chapman.
Things to know about turning your head:
- Eyes can both be open, or one can be closed.
- Keep your head at the correct angle for proper aim (this might take some trial and error).
- Shooting Weaver or Chapman can allow you to put your cheek against your strong side shoulder, not as a headrest, but simply as another contact point for greater stability.
Does shooting mirror help cross dominance?
Shooting mirror, which is the practice of using your left hand as your strong side hand while shooting when you’re actually right-handed, and vice versa, can help. Some people find it easier to retrain themselves to use their other hand as the dominant side rather than trying to trick their eyes. This especially applies to long guns, because switching which shoulder you mount the gun to makes quite a difference when looking through a scope. That doesn’t mean it can’t work with handguns, too, because it certainly can. It’s just more effective with long guns.
When you decide to switch up the hand you use as the strong side hand during live fire, start slow. It’s going to take some time and practice to get to the point of what might be considered normal when using your actual dominant hand as the strong side hand. And when you’re using long guns, it tends to take some shifting and getting accustomed to the new head position and cheek weld. It can work well, so it’s worth considering.
Remember, if you decide to try shooting mirror to work with cross dominance issues, you need to take it slow.
Can you close one eye if you’re cross dominant?
Some shooters will close their dominant eye to force the weaker eye to take over during live fire. It really can work well, but if you consider closing one eye, there are things to consider:
- Loss of peripheral vision on the side where the eye is closed.
- Can cause squinting of the eye left open.
- Might negatively impact depth perception.
- Reduction of field of view.
The bottom line here is that yes, you can close the dominant eye if you prefer to do so. But if you’re going to take that approach, do so being fully aware of all the downsides. It isn’t typically considered an ideal method for handling cross dominance.
There are myriad methods for cross dominance issues. Some people put tape over the lens of the eye pro covering the dominant eye in an attempt to both train the weaker eye and maintain some peripheral vision. Others shift the handgun in front of the dominant eye while maintaining the dominant hand as the strong side hand for their firing grip. Still others insist both eyes absolutely must be open and that you should just deal with it, which also isn’t ideal because people who are cross dominant might be seeing two front sights or two targets doing that. In the end, you need to figure out which method is both safe and effective for your specific needs.
What are your tips for dealing with being cross dominant? Share your experiences in the comments.
