Aiming a Recurve Bow

[@Mr.M1STER]

Probably the most important lesson here is never to assume someone knows something without either asking them or telling them. Great video.

[@capt.slappyjackmorgan1467]

As someone who is a professional instructional designer (for 25 years or so), I can comment that this is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen. Brilliant use of the technology to achieve the desired outcomes. Perfect.

[@MitchTubeism]

"It shows the power of the mind to ignore what it doesn't want to deal with." This applies with SO much more than archery. Brilliant remark.

[@cajadaj]

That is the most succinct and informative instructional video I have ever seen on yt. Excellent instruction, no repetition or "um's" and "er's" , or waffling or showboating from a love of one's own voice. And the graphics are spot on also. All in all very professional.

[@peter.ptr939]

Please make a video about aiming without a pin sight! I loved everything about this one - the clear instructions, helpful animations, and proven approach.. Hoping you have vid just like this for instinctive aiming.

[@spiraltwistglasgow]

Can't believe I had been ignoring string alignment this whole time... Thank you.

[@1999GGO]

@@shootmcrunfast my anchor point from where I used to be was further back than my eyes if I recall correctly I wouldn't even see the string

[@marnielarocque9412]

Thankyou so much sir, I`m a disabled old Dad, and i bought a couple of bows a few years ago to have something affordable to spend my time. I had a guy come out to teach me said he knew how to shoot a bow, i quickly learned he was wrong so i tried in vain to find a video on archery, even went to sports stores and asked to no avail, so i gave up. Recently i learned how to work a computer a bit and this is so nice to see. I brought my bows out and in a bit im going to try again

[@yugandali]

I've been shooting for years and never noticed the string alignment. Great tip! Thanks!

[@yi-tzaistoyreview4576]

i shoot traditional without a sight. lol. but the concept still apples

[@annbrown871]

String knock setting

[@frankbalon813]

Thank you for this video! I am a retired mechanical engineer and have only started shooting the last two years. I was shooting, concentrating on the target and my set position, but ignoring the alignment of the bow string... just as you have pointed out! I saw your video last night and couldn't wait to get to the range this morning. After my first group of arrows, the results were striking and consistent! What a great tip! Thanks Again.

[@bryonleche3627]

I’ve been shooting a compound bow for 25 years and I think I just learned a couple things that will make me a better shot.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@1brianescobar]

I watched this when I first started shooting about 3 months ago. Didn't mean much to me. Now, however, with more experience and current trouble aiming and deciding where to align the string, this video is super helpful. Thank you!

[@059echo]

As a rifle shooter, i can appreciate the amount of variables an archer has to deal with : The daylight, the wind, not to mention the wear on the muscles after each shot.

[@starwarsisdead5731]

Was looking for tips on how to aim a recurve bow. I got a how to use a pin sight.

[@ladyYeniel]

Starwars is Dead Yea, I don't use sights so this was kinda useless

[@tweetdezweet]

I was sent a link to this video from a barebow FB group... If I understood it correctly, replace your tip of the arrow with the pin sight in this video and you should have an idea :)

[@ScottWConvid19]

Yeah, I thought this was going to be an instructional video on instinctive shooting. For hunting, If i'm gonna use sights, it'll be a compound, crossbow or rifle. For target shooting, unless the goal is to kill an animal or in battle, it's basically for vanity.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

How to properly aim a recurve bow, ditch the sight pins, aim like you're pointing your finger at the target and keep both eyes open. Half a second hesitation at anchor and release...

[@danielsimms4262]

@@ScottWConvid19 Wow listen to you! You must be such fun.

[@MC-lk8do]

I started archery a year ago and I always wondered: How do I aim? I searched for a guide that shows, what the archer sees, when he aims. And how to. Your guide shows exactly that and I love it! I tried that technique just after watching your video. A few adjustments to my scope and the result was amazing. I would like to say: 100 x Thank you for this guide!!! 🥰

[@rexxstone4320]

Just started learning about archery. Have seen many videos but this was the first video that talked about shooting with both eyes open and makes since! Excellent video!!

[@johngilley3518]

I must confess, growing up in archery in the late 60’s and through the mid 70’s I have never heard of any of this. We shot in the TAA, Tennessee Archery Association, My mom won multiple State championship tournaments. Her and Dad won many State club tournaments. Competitor’s from across the state, different tournaments every weekend, lasting friendships. You guys remember to have fun and don’t be so serious, you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

[@manuelschmitt8626]

Thank you a lot!!! It took me about 20 videos on "aming topics" before you were the first, who startet from the really basics on aming.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you

[@northerneclipse9021]

I've started shooting with my recurve a little under two months ago. Before watching this video my grouping was twenty-five inches at twenty yards. After watching this video my grouping is at twelve inches at twenty yards consistently. Anyone watching this should use the information; I believe it'll improve grouping. Thank you very much ArcheryWinchester.

[@johnfretz1938]

Thank you thank you. As someone who is just getting into this sport, I found all of your advice extremely helpful.

[@Sangeychhonjin]

Thank you so much coach. This is by far the best tutorial among the tons of videos I have seen until now

[@TheAegisClaw]

When I was shooting Portsmouth's and scoring around 520 I started to have eye dominance issues, my left eye started to take over. So about six months ago I started closing the left eye. Slowly I improved, a point or two at a time, still with that eye closed, last week shooting a PB of 543. Went shooting today and someone showed me this video. Immediately shot a 555 Portsmouth with both eyes open and added 12 onto my PB, this biggest jump since I started scoring over 500. Thanks!

[@SuperBartet]

I'm watching this video because last week I was at a local country fare and a archery group was there and I had a go at archery for the first time. Liked it so much thinking of joining the group. Photography has been my main hobby all of my life (67 now) and what people have said to me in the past is why have you got both eyes open when you look in the viewfinder? They just don't understand how I can do it and why, but I always do it and if taking a shot of a moving target it's a great advantage. So you telling me this is the why to do archery is nice to know, thanks for such an informative video.

[@95aubie]

Had the bow set up at a pro shop. It performed just fine kzbin.infoUgkxQEKUoxLWwayEDZR0NKB-5limn4MBU-2L . And I would say this is a good starting now that I could pass down to my son when he is older.But the package was missing the release and a nock was missing from one arrow.Dealing with customer support was terrible. They suggested I buy a new release rather than correct their own quality control issue because it’s to expensive for the. to ship it out from China.Update: manufacturer got back to me and resolved the issue. I retract the above statement.

[@kevingray8616]

Thank You. I’m an absolute beginner and just bought my first bow and arrows from a reputable dealer. I definitely think they gave me some fine instruction with my purchase, but this is very helpful for me as I’m left eye dominate, yet right handed. I’ll simply start with both of my eyes open and learn from there how to target.

[@XenFPV]

I'm left handed and right eye dominant. I just shoot right handed. Left was immediately more comfortable for me but I learnt to shoot right handed instead and I improved.

[@yll1334]

So far, this is the best instructional video I have ever found. Thank yo sir

[@michaelwalling8281]

I have no intention of either competing or hunting yet I found this video extremely helpful. For what you might ask? To increase my pleasure when striving to make smaller and smaller groups. Thank-you John@Winchester.

[@jomo1410]

This explains so much that no one has ever told me about. Thank you so much.

[@noobiangr2635]

Maybe the best aiming tutorial up to date!

[@DZSabre]

I shoot barebow and am glad you talked about string alignment. This is something to which I will have to pay attention to improve my consistency.

[@koansoftware]

This is a great, wonderful tutorial! All the steps my instructor missed and nobody tell you. THANK YOU!

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad you liked the video. This is exactly why I made the video, because people often neglect certain things and we just assume everyone 'picks it up'. Unfortunately, some things just get missed. Than you again.

[@m2gjam139]

Great video I'm left eye dominant. I write and eat and other things lefty. But I shoot throw a ball righty. My Drill sergeant pick up on it when he saw me leaning over the rifle. He saved my career. I spent 30 years 20 years in the Ranger regiment. That's how I learned how to shoot with both eyes open.. Thanks.and when not deployed I always found time for archery.

[@cameronalexander359]

Those graphics are clever. Still the best on youtube to date. Thanks for the effort in producing this.

[@equinoxsprayart6505]

Iv always aimed with my left eye closed I'm definitely doing this Saturday when I go to practice! Thanks for the tips!

[@morgantraynor2444]

What a difference! In one day I improved my cluster at 20 meters hugely. I had no idea until this video.

[@zttzwamdable]

Best beginner guide that most other video didn’t cover. Many thanks

[@CaptainVillanueva1]

My goodness this was a gem! I just started archery yesterday and been watching a lot of videos. This one helped the most 👏🏽

[@maxpelletier2237]

Where was this video before! It just popped up first in my suggestions, and I didn't check archery videos for weeks. Precious info! Thanks! ...and kudos to the Algorithm.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad you liked the video. Please subscribe and you will see when my new videos come up.

[@Albireo8]

Brilliant. We are starting our tuition course Saturday and I shall use all the tips here; very well explained.

[@henrydunthorn7813]

thar was the most useful teaching iv ever had in archery!!!!! thank you

[@StéphaneAmezianeOussedik73]

thanks for your video. I started last september (twice a week with coach) and practice at home. now I played with both eyes and I know why my arrow were all time on right (I'm left handed) I didn 't know about the alignment of the bow string... just as you have pointed out! thanks a lot Master

[@matteorepossi5991]

WOW What a clear explanation! Great images, helped me realize a lot of things about aiming!

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad you found my video helpful.

[@nadasalamaadam6247]

Thank you Mr ,, I don't have a coach beside me to correct my mistakes and shooting , I got a lot of information with videos on KZbin Your channel is very helpful

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad you find the videos useful. keep your eye on this channel, more videos are coming soon. Also, visit my website at ArcheryWinchester.com. You will find much more information in Manuels.

[@nickotto4539]

Just picked up a longbow, far different than my compound. These tips helped greatly in learning my trad bow, and I’m sure useful with compound. Thanks

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thanks for the encouraging comment. Good luck with the longbow. It's a lot of fun shooting traditional and barebow.

[@unidecimo]

Thank you for making this video! I used to aim with only my right eye, because I thought it was logical. But your video really cleared things up!

[@writerinafoxhole]

I've been having issues with my aiming since I got my new bow and sight, hopefully, with a clear head and those points, I'll get some on my struggles fixed. Thank you !

[@bravofoxtrotllc6817]

I have been shooting my Compound bow for a while and bought a Recurve to use as a more traditional bow, and this helps me a ton, thank you.

[@AlexNiceX3]

Thank you for this. No one at my club has pointed out that one of my eyes is always closed and therefore hindering me (to be fair, people don't stand in front of me when I shoot). I always just found it less confusing and more comfortable with the one eye, but now I see I obviously need to get a little uncomfortable and let my second eye join the fun! I'm genuinely a bit mind blown that human eyes have evolved to be such a great tool for aiming. (and sad I haven't used it to my advantage)

[@michaelpthompson]

What an excellent, well-made video. I have always shot right handed, and only recently discovered I am left eye dominant, as is my dad. We both close one eye when aiming a shotgun, for instance; just couldn't manage without it. An instructor recently advised me to learn to shoot a bow left-handed, and the use of the dominant eye with both eyes open will eventually improve my shooting beyond what is possible with only one eye open. They say "Practice makes Perfect." Not true, practice makes permanent, correct practice makes perfect.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I agree about practice. Only perfect practice makes perfect. wrong practice makes you more solidly wrong. As for your eye choice, remember, this video presents the rule that works best for the most people. I am working on a video series for cross dominant archers, as you are... and sometimes me. The first video is already uploaded, and more are on the way. These will give you lots of ideas of how to handle your situation.

[@mdavis7143]

Great video!! Thank you!! I really appreciate how classy you are when you reply to others who have contrary views.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you. I try to be respectful, but still get my point across. I recognize that it any one technique won't always work for everyone, but I try to give a well founded point that others can consider and learn from, even if they don't use it.

[@skysurferboy]

Great video. I have a watched a few of your videos and they always seem to have little nuggets of information that are either missed or assumed in the instructional books i read or by some coaches. The bit about the changing of lighting both artificial and natural causing apparent movement in the string picture. Even if you figure out what is happening it causes a delay in your shot process which inevitably leads to poor shots. The fact I can now be prepared for that is great. The tip of moving the string picture to counter left or rights on the barebow is something that is actually obvious when you think about it but i ve never seen being taught anywhere. Keep up the good work! And thanks.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you. I'm glad my videos have been helpful. let me know if you have any ideas for future videos.

[@leandrodinizcarvalho]

This is the most useful video I found about archery after many hours looking for, thank you! Extremely well guided and commented, thank you for the amazing work!

[@mohitgadhok8]

Excellent explanation, thank you. A very good reminder, after not shooting competitively for a few years. I was forgetting to alight the bow string

[@Brett.Williams365]

Thank you. I start my archery journey today aged 50!

[@arenasviscatanius]

44

[@timrushworth8276]

So....I watched this and I thought “oh yes, everyone knows that you have to keep both eyes open. That’s obvious.” Then I went out and did some archery and started to aim. This was when I realised that I was closing one eye to aim! Once I learned to keep both eyes open....tada!.....I started getting the middle of the target consistently. Thank you.

[@theamazinggoldfish8713]

I saw an Olympic team (U.S.A) recurve competition where a eye blind (like on horses) was used for one eye. He shot great without squinting the non dominant eye.

[@MK-mix]

@ Toja Ellison shoots compound, she is not allowed to use this in a recurve competition ;-)

[@TaínoN8iv]

I m Deaf myself, I m not very good with aims until i found one i actually shoot by using my both eyes looking at targets assuming its an instinctively shooting but never knew and learned something with this video i ll try it with this one thank you for sharing👌!

[@andrewbond4353]

Thank you so much for this video, you have helped me understand what I, am doing wrong, you explained it in such a way that it was simple to understand completely what your explaining. I, am so glad I found your advice thank you again

[@charlesdang2557]

What a well produced and insightful video. I don't even do archery and yet I've learned so much in under 7 minutes haha

[@realverse]

Excellent, been watching lots of tuto and this may be the very best one. Especially the string alignement, which my bow sensei mentioned yesterday and haven't seen mentioned on other vids

[@chookstar0260]

Thank you very much for making & posting this video. I am not a club archer, just a backyard hack with a sports store recurve bow(Geologic Intech if you know it). It has sights & a plunger button but I wouldn't dare walk into a serious archery club with it. After weeks & months of no improvement, randomly landing arrows anywhere within the blue ring I was getting frustrated & about to give it up as a bad joke. However, doing everything you said in your video, within a couple of hours, I now consistently land them into the gold. I now am enjoying the challenge of improving further, maybe landing them all in the 10 ring, who knows? I just wanted you to know you made a difference to someone with your video. Thanks again - Andrew

[@joshuaotero8794]

Extremely helpful. I hit four bullseye's in a row for the first time

[@stibbs11]

40 years ago we used a string pinhole so the string always setup in the same position. Thanks for the video.

[@grahamjappe5601]

Hi, thanks for the prompt reply, very impressed. I’m very strongly left eye dominate. The problem is I can shoot left handed. It doesn’t feel intuitive though. My coach from my old club advised me to buy right handed gear and close the left eye or use a patch. Definitely, closing the eye is hit and miss, often I forget. Also, I find I’m Concentrating on remembering to keep the eye closed, and not on the shot. With both eyes open I shoot consistently a foot to the left on the target.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

It sounds like you are strongly biased with both your hand and your eye, and they conflict. That's a tricky situation. My general approach is to start a student with hand dominance, and only in the case of a strongly biased eye dominance, do I switch them to the alternate hand and let eye dominance be the decider. You have tried this and, apparently, it feels very unnatural. This indicates that you are strongly biased to your dominant hand also. I have two suggestions. One follows your eye dominance and the other follows your hand dominance. EYE DOINANCE - Cross eye dominant shooters using dominant eye end up pulling the bow back with the less dominant hand. There is an advantage, however. These archers end up holding their bow out front with their strongest and most coordinated hand. That can be a powerful advantage... if you base your mental process around that thought. It will require that you develop a thought process that is different. I have used this technique before with archers and it has worked very well. I suggest a sport like air pistol as a training aid. With air pistol, you will hold the pistol out with just your right hand, and, by turning it ever so slightly, you can use your left eye just as easily. If you ever shot rubber bands, as a kid, with your hand as a finger pistol, I trust this is what you did. These are one handed activities but they get you used to the idea. Focus upon the advantage, not the disadvantage. Then, using this concept, develop a mental procedure that builds upon this idea. For instance, rather than thinking - bring bow up - draw hand back - anchor - etc... think - bring bow up , and set my strongest arm solid - draw back, while keeping my arm solid and firm - etc. This becomes, what we would call in the engineering world, a software modification. It will take some thought to change your mental game, but you will benefit in two ways. First, you will solve your cross-dominance problem, and second, you will develop a rock solid mental procedure. HAND DOMINANCE - I have an idea here which saw a cross-dominant archer use once, and he shot very well with it. This technique works best if you are only shooting at 1 or 2 distances. Thus it can be used by an archer who shoots only indoor, or who shoots indoor and a 70 meters outdoor, but it would be very tricky for an archer who shoots 3D, or other multiple distance events. You'll have to make your own pin, with a very long threaded rod - 2-3 inches longer than the normal., or you will have to attach an additional length of threaded rod to your existing sight pin. All of the parts to do this can be found at Ace Hardware. With your long sight pin, you set it into your sight with the sight pin about 1-2 inches farther out than normal. Now you have a sight pin that, while holding the bow as a right hander, you can aim with your left eye. The shooter I saw using this technique only shot at indoor distances (18 m) and he was quite good. It is a bit unconventional, but it works. However, I'm sure you can see how, at varying distances, it requires lateral as well as vertical adjustments, and is therefor, less than optimal. Hopefully, I have given you some ideas to work with. If I had you here in front of me we could probably come up with more and would be able to tailor it specifically to you. But these general ideas can give you a good direction. Think them over and give them a try. Let me know which one you settle upon. If you want to take this to my website email so we can discuss it in even more detail, contact me at: [e-mail]

[@williamdavis9225]

Best description I've heard so far. I can do these things. Thanx

[@Alan_Edwards]

I have always shot with both eyes open, but never really thought about the string being in the sight picture. I have always shot compound so it's never been an issue. I am giving recurve a go so trying to get as much information as I can before I take my first shots. Going to save this video.

[@peterney2402]

I have not shot an arrow yet but that video was a great lesson, clear and precise. Thank you.

[@cw4karlschulte661]

All so true. Fine instruction. Much same in bullseye 1 hand pistol target competition. But i lost most vision in left eye, not my dominent eye- especially now. Central gone. So back to one eye for me in all shooting by pistol or bow. Karl

[@courtneydeines-jones4626]

I am a beginner shooting trad/instinctive and even so your tips give me insights on how to see the target. Thanks very much!

[@williamrentner6584]

Great Video. Thanks for the information. I am cross dominant. I shoot with my dominant hand and aim with my non dominant eye, but I still keep both eyes open. It was a little tricky when I started but my coach assured me that it would be worth it. It has worked well for me.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Your situation is not uncommon. Unfortunately, everyone is not as fortunate - or, as patient, as you. Let me know how long it took to make the adaption successfully.

[@angiejenner5896]

Thank you. Just started using sight and will use your tips. Never knew which eye to close xx

[@spelldemention]

Amazing tutorial. I wish I had such explanations few years back when I was doing archery.

[@LucifersTear]

Great video, love the animations and how concise this was put together, massive help to any budding archer!

[@glhfetc]

I was at my 3rd practice when I realized I missed string alingment step. One session all arrows went to where I aimed, but next one I suddenly start to shoot to the right, while keeping same anchor point. At first session I tilted my head so that arrow was aligning with the target, while tuning my sight pin. Then at second practice I thought arrow aligning wasn't necessary, since I've already tuned the sights. Aaand missed all shots terribly. XD So I realized I still needed arrow aligning but didn't undestand why, because in videos that I watched people just did anchoring and shoot. Only after watching this video I understand what to do exactly. Even with the same anchoring point, string can move drastically, that's why my shots was inconsistent, 'cause I didn't even noticed the string, like was said in the video. Anyway testing and learning nuances like this is what makes archery fun, so I'll keep practice. Thanks for the video.👍

[@dennisnicholson952]

I'm not an expert, Sir, but I fully agree about using both eyes. I am also into astronomy and the presumption of most newcomers to that hobby is to close one eye. That causes muscle strain on the open eye. Also, with both eyes, the brain gets more visual input and therefore sees more detail; plus, I would guess that using only one eye would result in poor depth perception. I'm a rank beginner to the point that I have yet to buy a bow (I am going to get a takedown recurve.) Thanks for sharing your knowledge. You're teaching me and I am learning .

[@rbrojas2040]

@06:20 omgosh in-built transparency filter! This video is the best 😂

[@petrokemikal]

That's madness... After all these years I never knew that you keep both eyes open.. I used to use my dominant eye just like on a rifle.. I'm a left handed shooter and always my shots would go way right off the target if I actually aimed at it... So much so that I had to develop a technique that has me aiming about 2 feet off the target to the left into thin air.. Needless to say I couldn't make a grouping to save my life.. Today is the first day I've actually realized I was doing it very wrong... I feel very stupid now honestly ..... Thanks for the info...

[@raydanahmadfarghany5983]

your video really helped me solve my string alignment problem❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@joseherrera708]

Awesome video. Help me improve my shooting. Thank you. Hope you make more.

[@zeroed4x]

Can we use the term " Magnificent " in terms of coaching ? Yes, I believe we can. Thank you for the best video on this subject matter. I appreciate your approach and execution in terms of not taking any aspect for granted that the new shooter knows or is doing what is correct. Everyone else does not teach from this prospective. Extremely informative, thank you.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you. I am glad you appreciate the video.

[@bigaussieprepper4289]

Awesome. You put In a lot of effort making this video. Appreciate it

[@markburban9573]

i was watching a championship comp the other day & there was one of the shooters having one eye closed. personally i have to have one eye closed as i'm cross eye dominant & it's the only way i can use a bow, but after watching this video i'm keen to try to see if i can train myself shoot with both eyes open.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Beautifully presented and explained. Superb, thank you.

[@Degga911]

I'm just getting into Archery and that was an excellent lesson. I too have been aiming with one eye closed. I'll get out of the habit now 😀

[@kirkwest6654]

This is why compound is so nice..but agree more skill is needed for the recurve/longbow

[@9mmisahighcaliberround546]

At a tournament I was at there were many using some glasses with a piece of some sort of tape or black square. I asked alot if them and they said it totally depends on if you’re shooting known distances or random.

[@metalmick99]

Thank you! Yet another outstanding clip. I've already linked it to the junior development program members. It is a struggle at times, to convey the issue of string alignment, and I was on the verge of attempting to make my own images to demonstrate. Now you've (inadvertently) made that unnecessary. KiSik Lee in Total Archery recommends the inside edge of the sight tunnel/scope, which I've disagreed with for years - your teaching is in accord with my philosophy.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you for you nice comment. I'm glad the video helps. I made it so my own students could see what I am trying to say, and I;m glad it's helping others too. I have also disagreed with KSL's aligning the string beside the pin, for several reasons. No sense in going into the details, since we agree. :o)

[@grahamjappe5601]

Hi, thanks for the comprehensive advice. I was considering using a longer pin, but didn’t know if it was okay to try it. I’ll try the methods you’ve suggested and let you know how things go. I have just moved to Malta, so, sorting out a club here and the association license. Looks like a combination of indoor and outdoor at 50 & 70 metres. I’ve got multiple pins for my sights, have tried many types, except a longer one. Thank very much for the time you’ve taken to advise me. I really appreciate it. Regards Graham

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I'm glad to help. Let me know how things work out - And I would love to hear more about archery in Malta :)

[@alangreen2774]

wow best video I have seen on archery

[@sam805236]

Thanks for the great explanation. I just got done with my first day shooting a recurve. The instructor did a good job getting me started but these videos add the exact visuals that I needed.

[@christisthewaycommunitychu9364]

He is good yes he is good

[@catnip...]

My coach taught me something years ago when I started recurve. Arms length hold up both hands crossing to make a small triangle, look through the triangle at the sight then without moving close one eye to see which is your dominant eye! My dominant eye is my right! I am a left handed archer! It doesn't work together! So I have to close my right eye to sight with my left. So you need to keep that in mined. Just because the person that's in front of you says they're right handed doesn't mean it will text book. I'm right handed, I rifle shoot right handed, I'm a side drummer in a Scottish pipe band, I drum left handed, with the Sling it rest on my left right leg Not the left leg, I also play and teach tenor drumming, my tenor drum rests on my left leg. I mostly write right handed, I draw right handed, I paint watercolour pictures with a brush in both hands. You may ask if they're right or left handed but it's not always text book results. I started right handed archery I can't even lift the bow with my left arm, I can draw back the string with tab with my left arm shooting left handed but not right handed. Because of that and that I already do other stuff left handed I said can I try a left handed bow. The coach said sure but said close your right eye until you train your left eye to dominant. That simple little test with the hands crossed at start find out which eye but needs to backed up with asking a few other questions and the saying you don't have sick to the rules as to say, meaning like with me, I would've given up if I didn't know you could just chose which way and because of I do those things left handed too I thought why can't I do this too. But not every is like that and especially if you have a kid about to start, do the course but struggles but told keep practicing your get better, so then they move on and their parents buy them their equipment, months later they're still struggling, then hopefully by chance someone says maybe try left handed and within a month has brilliantly progressed but their parents may not buy another bow because they're not sure if the kid will carry on shooting as they've already spent out loads. It goes both way don't forget, regarding which hand eye etc, it maybe a left handed person having to swap to right handed. If you've not tried that crossed hands triangle test, Try it!!

[@Billi_crow]

1. Keep both eyes open 2. Focus on your body position before aim 3. Focus on the target rather than the pin 4. Keep the string position consistent 5. Consider the effect on sunlight on your string 6. Keep your draw constant, whether you start up and move down or vice versa. Personal: always follow through, helps you understand where to aim next time

[@synicktdorji4190]

This is the best and independent about aiming. Thank you.

[@mikhailfong6234]

Thanks fior the informative vid. I am cross- dominant and therefore, really have to close my left eye because I am using a right hand recurve. There are a few olympians who close an eye to shoot because of cross- dorminance, I believe it's whatever you are comfortable with and works best for you.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I agree, "it's whatever you are comfortable with and works best for you". But consider this, an experienced shooter has the maturity within the sport and the experience to make a qualified decision. The problem arises when working with beginners - particularly young beginners. Many want to see themselves as exceptions and start piecing together things that are not founded in anything but the feelings of a novice. It is important that a coach bring his experience to the beginner. A coach must have a well defined baseline - and then he must know when, after appropriate work with the archer, how to adjust that baseline to best suit the archer and the archer's goals for the long run True, there may be some shooters who close one eye, sometimes. A notable group is archers who shoot both recurve and compound. While many compound shooters use both eyes, many also use one eye because of the magnification lens. Some recurve shooters also close one eye when outside, because of glare, but indoors, they use both eyes. On occasions, I have even found it necessary to close one eye at an event because of unusual lighting conditions. An experienced archer knows the tradeoffs when he makes those decisions. But shooting with one eye is always a last resort and no coach makes it his baseline. I can guarantee you that the coaches of those top level archers who do close an eye have discussed the tradeoffs with those archers. I'm glad you liked the video, and thank you for your comments. I always like hearing other people's perspectives on these topics. My next video will be about archers with cross-dominance. That will be sure to generate a lot of discussion.

[@mikhailfong6234]

ArcheryWinchester Thanks again for your indepth reply. Really appreciate that. I will try the methods explained and can't wait for your next video on cross- dominance shooting. Have a good day.

[@RotorMedic7]

GREAT visuals and explanation. Thank you!!

[@jameschartrand7962]

In competitive rifle shooting, we cover our non dominant eye with a blind (without closing it) and we focus on the front sight because it helps to steady our shot because it’s subconsciously easier to hold something steady when we’re focusing on it somehow. This has been proven but I don’t remember it that well. Opinions?

[@wyliegibson319]

Focus on the sight pin, you're spot on with the reason. The Marine Corps has been teaching this for well over 60 years.

[@jameschartrand7962]

Wylie Gibson I shoot for the Canadian air cadets, it’s good to know we’re doing it right.

[@AdmiralCapybara]

As a beginner with no coach, hearing that I needed to have both eyes open hit me like a truck.

[@EYE50MM]

This is the most important video I’ve watched since I began archery. I wish I watched this video even before I ordered my Bow. Thank you!!!

[@Jazzman-bj9fq]

Wow, this video has amazing information!! Glad I checked it out now rather than later... Thanks for posting it!

[@ArcheryWinchester]

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@lockedfn]

I'm part time shooter for around 2 years. There are many valuable tips here for me that I was never aware of. Thank you for a very helpfull and clear video.

[@user-bo8yt4uc8b]

I had some hard time focusing on the target with almost all different types of sight pins. Then I tried scope style pin with black 2mm dot, and all my problems vanished. It is easy and relaxing to aim with that indoors, outdoors, and all different kinds of lighting. The only problem with the scope was that the threaded rod snapped after about 200 shots. I broke many of those, but couple of sight doinkers, a few mini limb savers and an offset block corrected that. That may have been a bit overkill, but I just didn't want to break anymore those rods and drop the scope to the ground.

[@ArcheryWinchester]

I know that the scope style pins, often with a short fiber optic dot, are becoming very popular. It does alleviate the problem of the sight pin obscuring the target, but sometimes comes with the equipment problems like you described. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and often have condensation problems in some climates. When working with an archer individually I may often arrive at specific answers that work for the individual. An experienced archer, like yourself, may also weigh the tradeoffs and find a personalized decision. However, when working with a new archer, or a beginner, I will usually start with the simple and deviate as the need arises. The baseline works best for the most archers, but it is never the only answer for all archers Personally, I use a thick walled circular pin with no center dot, and line up concentric rings. When I do 3-D shooting, I shoot barebow Thanks for your comments. I will keep it in mind when I encounter a student with a situation as you described.

[@moonlightshadowchase]

Thank you very much. Now I know why I can shoot good groupings while on form shooting and having trouble during target shooting. I change my focus from target to the pin then I can't see my target clearly and started to panic.