Quick Answer
To test eye dominance, simply form a small hole with your hands or point at a distant object and identify which eye naturally takes over for aiming. Cross-dominance can be corrected through various techniques, including minor stock adjustments, canting the head, using an opaque patch over the dominant eye, or, in some cases, switching shooting shoulders.
## Quick Answer
Eye dominance determines which eye your brain prioritises for aiming, and it plays a critical role in shotgun accuracy. Roughly **one in three people** have some degree of cross-dominance, where their dominant eye is on the opposite side to their dominant hand. Testing takes less than a minute, and there are several proven corrections ranging from simple stock adjustments to using an eye patch or switching shoulders.
## What Is Eye Dominance and Why Does It Matter for Shotgun Shooting?
Eye dominance, also called ocular dominance, is your brain's preference for visual input from one eye over the other. When you mount a shotgun, your dominant eye controls where you perceive the barrel is pointing. If that dominant eye is on the same side as your shooting shoulder, you are in luck, as everything lines up naturally.
If your dominant eye is on the opposite side, known as cross-dominance, your brain receives conflicting information about where the gun is actually pointing. This typically causes you to shoot consistently to one side of the target, a frustrating pattern that no amount of practice will fix unless you address the root cause.
Cross-dominance is more common than most shooters realise. Studies suggest approximately **30 to 35 percent** of the population has some form of cross-eye dominance, though the degree varies from strong to mild.
## How Do I Test My Eye Dominance?
There are several reliable methods. Try more than one to confirm your result.
### The Miles Test (Pointing Test)
1. Extend both arms and create a small triangular gap between your overlapping thumbs and forefingers
2. With both eyes open, centre a distant object (a light switch or door handle works well) in the triangle
3. Close your left eye. If the object stays centred, you are **right-eye dominant**
4. Close your right eye. If the object stays centred, you are **left-eye dominant**
5. If the object jumps when you close either eye, you may have **central or mixed dominance**
### The Porta Test
1. Extend one arm and point your index finger at a distant object with both eyes open
2. Close each eye alternately
3. The eye that keeps your finger aligned with the object is your dominant eye
### The Shotgun Mount Test
This is the most practical test for shooters:
1. Mount your shotgun (unloaded) on a specific target point with both eyes open
2. Close your non-shooting eye
3. If the barrel is still aligned with the target, your shooting eye matches your shooting shoulder
4. If the barrel appears to jump sideways, you have cross-dominance
A qualified shooting coach can also assess your eye dominance during a lesson, often spotting the issue from your shot pattern before you even realise something is wrong.
## What Are the Signs of Cross-Dominance on the Range?
If you are cross-dominant and unaware of it, you will likely notice several telltale patterns:
- **Consistent misses to one side** - right-handed shooters with left-eye dominance tend to miss left of the target, and vice versa
- **Frustrating inconsistency** - some shots connect perfectly while others miss inexplicably, depending on how much your dominant eye takes over
- **Better results when closing one eye** - if your shooting improves dramatically when you close your non-shooting eye, cross-dominance is almost certainly the cause
- **Struggling with crossing targets** - birds or clays crossing from your dominant-eye side often prove especially difficult
Many shooters live with cross-dominance for years without realising it, blaming their technique or their gun rather than their eyes.
## How Can I Correct Cross-Dominance?
There are several established methods, each with advantages and drawbacks. The right choice depends on the severity of your cross-dominance and your shooting discipline.
### Method 1: Partially Obscuring the Dominant Eye
The most common and least disruptive solution. A small piece of translucent tape, sometimes called a **spot** or **blinder**, is placed on your shooting glasses over your dominant eye.
**How it works:**
- The tape does not block vision entirely, it simply blurs the sharp focus of your dominant eye
- This forces your shooting eye to take over as the primary aiming eye
- Both eyes remain open, preserving depth perception and peripheral vision
**Best for:** Clay shooters, game shooters, and anyone who prefers to keep both eyes open.
**Placement:** Position the tape so it covers the area where you see the bead or rib when the gun is mounted. Your coach can help you find the exact spot.
### Method 2: Closing or Squinting the Dominant Eye
Some shooters simply close their dominant eye when mounting the gun. This is simple and costs nothing, but it reduces your field of view and depth perception, which can affect your ability to read clay trajectories or pick up game birds early.
**Best for:** Occasional shooters or as a temporary fix while deciding on a permanent solution.
### Method 3: Switching Shoulders
Learning to shoot from the opposite shoulder, matching your dominant eye, is considered the gold-standard correction by many coaches. A right-handed person with left-eye dominance would learn to shoot left-handed.
**Advantages:**
- No artificial aids needed
- Full use of both eyes
- Once mastered, everything aligns naturally
**Drawbacks:**
- Requires significant retraining
- Can feel extremely awkward initially
- Most shooters need 500 to 1,000 rounds to feel comfortable
- Not practical if you also shoot rifles from your natural side
**Best for:** Young or new shooters, or experienced shooters willing to invest time in retraining.
### Method 4: Cross-Over Stocks
A cross-over stock is a specially designed stock that allows you to mount the gun on your dominant-hand shoulder while aligning the barrel with your dominant eye on the opposite side. The stock bends across your face.
**Advantages:**
- Shoot from your natural shoulder
- Both eyes remain open
- No artificial aids needed
**Drawbacks:**
- Expensive, as custom fitting is essential
- Limited availability
- Not suitable for all shotgun types
**Best for:** Committed shooters with strong cross-dominance who do not want to switch shoulders.
### Method 5: Adjusting Gun Fit (Cast)
A gunsmith or stock fitter can adjust the **cast** of your stock, the lateral offset at the butt, to compensate for mild cross-dominance. This is often combined with a slight head position adjustment.
**Best for:** Shooters with mild cross-dominance who are otherwise comfortable with their current setup.
## Does Eye Dominance Change Over Time?
Yes, it can. Research suggests that eye dominance can shift due to:
- **Ageing** - changes in visual acuity can alter dominance
- **Eye conditions** - cataracts, macular degeneration, or injury affecting one eye
- **Fatigue** - extended shooting sessions can cause temporary shifts
- **Surgery** - laser eye surgery or cataract removal may change dominance
If your shooting suddenly deteriorates after years of consistent performance, it is worth retesting your eye dominance. An annual check during your regular eye examination is good practice.
## What Do the Experts Recommend?
Shooting coaches in the UK generally follow a hierarchy of recommendations:
1. **For beginners:** Test eye dominance before any instruction begins. If cross-dominant, start by learning to shoot from the dominant-eye side
2. **For experienced shooters:** Use the obscuring tape method first, as it requires minimal adjustment to your existing technique
3. **For competitive shooters:** Consider switching shoulders if you are serious about long-term improvement, or invest in a custom cross-over stock
4. **For game shooters:** The tape method works well in the field where speed of acquisition matters most
The CPSA (Clay Pigeon Shooting Association) recommends that all new members are tested for eye dominance during their introductory sessions. Many shooting grounds now include this as standard.
## Key Takeaways
- Roughly **one in three** people have some degree of cross-eye dominance
- Testing takes under a minute using the Miles test or Porta test
- The most popular correction is **translucent tape** on shooting glasses, preserving depth perception
- **Switching shoulders** is the gold-standard fix but requires significant retraining
- Eye dominance **can change** over time, so periodic retesting is advisable
- A qualified shooting coach is the best resource for diagnosing and correcting dominance issues
- **Vectis Shooting Log** can help you track patterns in your shooting performance that might indicate a dominance issue
## Frequently Asked Questions
### How common is cross-eye dominance among shotgun shooters?
Cross-eye dominance affects approximately 30 to 35 percent of the general population. Among shotgun shooters specifically, many people are unaware they have it until tested, which is why shooting coaches recommend testing before any formal instruction begins.
### Can children be tested for eye dominance?
Yes, and it is highly recommended. Children can be reliably tested for eye dominance from about age six or seven. Testing early allows young shooters to learn from the correct shoulder from the start, avoiding the need for retraining later.
### Will closing one eye solve my cross-dominance problem?
Closing your dominant eye is a quick fix that works for some shooters, particularly in target rifle disciplines. However, for shotgun shooting it significantly reduces your field of view and depth perception, making it harder to track moving targets. Most coaches recommend the translucent tape method as a better long-term solution.
### How much does a cross-over stock cost?
Custom cross-over stocks typically cost between **£500 and £2,000** depending on the manufacturer, the gun, and the level of fitting required. Companies like Sportsman Gun Centre, E.J. Churchill, and various independent stockmakers offer this service in the UK.
### Can laser eye surgery affect my eye dominance?
Yes. Laser eye surgery corrects refractive errors but can sometimes shift eye dominance, particularly if one eye is corrected more than the other. If you are considering laser eye surgery, discuss your shooting with your ophthalmologist beforehand and retest your dominance after recovery.
### Is cross-dominance the same as being ambidextrous?
No. Handedness and eye dominance are independent traits. You can be strongly right-handed but left-eye dominant, or vice versa. Roughly 60 to 65 percent of people have matching hand and eye dominance, while the remainder have some degree of cross-dominance.
### Should I get my eyes tested specifically for shooting?
A standard eye test checks visual acuity and eye health, but does not typically assess ocular dominance in a shooting context. Specialist shooting opticians, such as those working at major shooting grounds or shows, can provide a comprehensive assessment that includes dominance testing, prescription shooting glasses, and lens tinting recommendations.
### Does eye dominance affect rifle shooting differently from shotgun shooting?
Yes, significantly. Rifle shooters typically close their non-shooting eye or use a blinder on their rear sight, so cross-dominance is less of an issue. Shotgun shooting requires both eyes open for depth perception and target tracking, making correct eye dominance alignment far more critical.
### Can I fix cross-dominance without any equipment or modifications?
The simplest no-equipment fix is learning to shoot from your dominant-eye shoulder. For right-eye-dominant shooters who are left-handed (or vice versa), this means switching shoulders. While it takes practice, it is the most natural long-term solution and requires no ongoing aids or modifications.
### How do I know if my eye dominance is strong or weak?
During the Miles test, if the object stays perfectly centred when you close one eye, your dominance is strong. If it shifts only slightly, your dominance is mild or central. Shooters with strong cross-dominance typically need more aggressive correction (tape or shoulder switch), while those with mild cross-dominance may manage with minor stock adjustments alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is cross-eye dominance among shotgun shooters?
Cross-eye dominance affects approximately 30 to 35 percent of the general population. Among shotgun shooters, many are unaware they have it until tested, which is why coaches recommend testing before formal instruction begins.
Can children be tested for eye dominance?
Yes, and it is highly recommended. Children can be reliably tested from about age six or seven. Testing early allows young shooters to learn from the correct shoulder from the start.
Will closing one eye solve my cross-dominance problem?
Closing your dominant eye is a quick fix but significantly reduces field of view and depth perception for shotgun shooting. Most coaches recommend the translucent tape method as a better long-term solution.
How much does a cross-over stock cost?
Custom cross-over stocks typically cost between £500 and £2,000 depending on the manufacturer, the gun, and the level of fitting required.
Can laser eye surgery affect my eye dominance?
Yes. Laser eye surgery can sometimes shift eye dominance, particularly if one eye is corrected more than the other. Retest your dominance after recovery.
Is cross-dominance the same as being ambidextrous?
No. Handedness and eye dominance are independent traits. You can be strongly right-handed but left-eye dominant. Roughly 60 to 65 percent of people have matching hand and eye dominance.
Should I get my eyes tested specifically for shooting?
A standard eye test does not assess ocular dominance for shooting. Specialist shooting opticians can provide a comprehensive assessment including dominance testing and prescription shooting glasses.
Does eye dominance affect rifle shooting differently from shotgun shooting?
Yes. Rifle shooters typically close their non-shooting eye or use a blinder, so cross-dominance is less problematic. Shotgun shooting requires both eyes open, making correct alignment far more critical.
Can I fix cross-dominance without any equipment?
The simplest no-equipment fix is learning to shoot from your dominant-eye shoulder. While it takes practice, it is the most natural long-term solution requiring no ongoing aids.
How do I know if my eye dominance is strong or weak?
During the Miles test, if the object stays perfectly centred when you close one eye, your dominance is strong. If it shifts only slightly, your dominance is mild. Strong cross-dominance needs more aggressive correction.
