How to Shoot a Left Handed Bow for a Righty

It is important that the arrow be drawn back to the shooter's dominant eye to ensure an accurate shot.

When shooting with a bow and arrow, it is important that the arrow be drawn back to the shooter's dominant eye to ensure an accurate shot. If a right-handed person is left-eye dominant, though, using a right-handed bow results in the arrow being drawn to the eye that is not dominant. If you are right-handed but have determined that you are left-eye dominant, using a left-handed bow may be a better option than trying to shoot with a right-handed bow.

Things You'll Need

• Left-handed bow
• Arrows
• Shooting line
• Target

Instructions

1. Straddle the shooting line with your right foot in front and your left foot behind. Your stance should be the same as when shooting right-handed, just reversed so that the right side of your body is toward the target. Your chest should be perpendicular to the shooting line, and your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the bow in your right hand, leaving your left hand free to nock arrows and draw the string.

2. Nock the arrow with the different colored fletching pointing away from the bow. The arrow should be positioned either between the two nocking points on the string, or under the one nocking point if there is only one. Ensure that the arrow is resting on the arrow rest. Place the index finger of your left hand above the arrow on the string, and your middle and ring fingers below, then "grip" the string by forming a hook with your fingers.

3. Lift your right arm parallel with the ground and pointed at the target. When you begin to draw the bowstring back with your left hand, you should be able to relax your grip on the bow with your right hand without losing control of the bow. Have an experienced archer help you determine whether you are lifting your shoulder too high as you pull back on the string, as well as check for other problems with form as you adjust to using a left-handed bow.

4. Pull the string and arrow to the left side of your face, taking care to keep your head up straight. Get your index finger under your chin and the bowstring touching your nose, or reach the equivalent of whatever anchor point you were using when shooting right-handed. Sight down the arrow, or use a sight if you have one. You should be able to close your right eye and clearly see a path for the arrow straight to the target, but keeping both eyes open will help you gauge distance and make more advanced shooting easier in the future. When ready, simply relax the fingers that are holding the bowstring, and let the string project the arrow forward and into the target.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are used to shooting right-handed, making a switch will feel awkward. Have an experienced archer help to check your form and offer encouragement.

• Keep in mind that you may not have as much strength in your left arm as your right, and thus may have a more difficult time drawing the bow or even need one that is easier to pull back until you condition your new drawing arm.

• Do not make it a habit to shoot a left-handed bow if you are right-handed and right-eye dominant; while it can be done, you will achieve better results more consistently if you shoot with a right-handed bow.

References

• Archery Gold: Basic Archery