The Eyes Have It

Posted On: 12-24-2023

The idea that somehow, we walk, talk to people, drive and operate our bodies unconsciously because of our eyes sometimes is understated.  Obviously if we close our eyes we would all struggle to even walk much less drive (don’t do it!).  In shooting the eyes control it all with our argument. 

One thing I try to do with shooters is get them to understand their eyes will guide their gun.  If they are looking at the target, they will shoot behind it on a crossing target but if their eyes are looking ahead of the target then they will likely hit the target.  Again, unconsciously the body muscles are moving a relaxed body to the target solely because of the eyes. 

Strengthen your eyes by looking into the distance then drawing your eyes back to something close.  Reverse this process over and over and while this is not lifting weights it is working the muscles of your eyes.  Even moving the eyes right and left to their extremes will also help in stretching and building muscles in the eyes. 

Often, I notice shooters with glasses.  They need these to see either close in, at a distance or both.  I can shoot without my glasses and often do when hunting or clay target shooting because I can see well at a distance.  Do your glasses wearing shooters know why they wear glasses?  I ask this because if you ever watch a shooter wearing glasses while they shoot you will notice they are really not looking through the glasses but rather over the top of the frame.  Getting their head down on the stock to a raised gun often separates the eyes from the glasses.  The obvious question then is why are you wearing the glasses to shoot?  Try shooting with just clear safety glasses sometime and see how your shooter performs. 

Another exercise you can try is have them hold point their guns to the bottom of the trap house but have their eyes into the field where the clays will occur.  Let them exercise the movement as their eyes pick up the target and then their body moves the gun to the lead.  Great exercise for both hitting targets and understanding that a relaxed body will move to the eyes ahead of the target if you let them. 

Finally, if one cannot see without glasses consider shooting glasses that rise on the bridge of your nose and allow the eyes to actually see through the lens.  There is a product called prop-eyes designed for people using their computer that allows them to see the screen without tipping their head upwards.  These are a potential way to move your existing glasses upward on the bridge of your nose so you can see the target through the lens.

Overall, your shooting will improve if you exercise your eyes and stop fighting glasses that do not allow one to see through the lens while shooting.  Try these couple of exercises and practice routines to see if you cannot improve your shooters scores.

David R. Vaught

Executive Director