Trap shooting

[Jeff Hemund]

I coach high school trap shooting and I have a student that is struggling he says he sees 3 barrels I’ve tried the basics but don’t seem to help anyone have any ideas

 

[Walt Krafft]

Find a good eye Doctor for him. Something is messed up and he needs it fixed for life not just shooting.

 

[jds holler]

He may be cross-eyed. Might need to cover one eye. jd

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Central vision, no dominate eye? May need to shoot with only one eye.

 

[cavedweller60]

I agree with the other comment about seeing a good doctor because it sounds like something is wrong. I have a little personal insight as well. I received a TBI in 2017 and it disturbed the pathways between my eyes, my ears and the portion of the brain that controls eye movement. For several years I was in neurological PT and one of the things they did was have me use a "brock string" several times a day. You can do a google search for it and see the technique. I made my own but I'm sure you can buy one. It trains the eyes to work together or, as in my case, work together again.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My suggestion was "best case scenario", a fairly common issue. Worse case, possible serious health issues that need immediate medical attention.

 

[mongo chicago]

Central vision, no dominate eye? May need to shoot with only one eye.

I agree. I had the same problem trying to shoot with both eyes open. One eye shooting cured the problem. Scores were always AA and sometimes AAA. Even when shooting trap with an 1897 Winchester pump. If he can't close one eye, then put scotch tape over one lens of his shooting glasses. You can place the tape in the right spot to be able to see the bird launch but still block out the eye when shooting. A video available called Trap Shooting for the One Eye Shooter.

 

[cavedweller60]

My suggestion was "best case scenario", a fairly common issue. Worse case, possible serious health issues that need immediate medical attention.

I understand that, I should have been more clear. I meant to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong. My suggestion about using a brock string is still valid though. It is a very common technique to train your eyes to converge amongst other things. It isn't only used for situations like mine. It is nearly free and can help shooters who have dominant eye issues.

 

[Doug Casner]

I am left eye dominate and shoot right handed. If I shot right handed all I saw was the left side of the gun. Wore powerful lense in the right and closed the left eye. Still dont see good. Shoot rifles left handed or anything I dont have to swing the gun on. Its been a deal trying to get a sight picture. Doug

 

[demarpaint1]

He should see an eye doctor, and rule out a possible medical issue. Hopefully there's nothing wrong and he might have to shoot with one eye closed.

 

[gdbleb]

You may have tried this already but the David Tubb cheap trick is to cover one side of his shooting glasses with a piece of Scotch Magic Tape. Forces dominance, no squinting, no inequality of light reaching both eyes. Try each side.
Regarding multiple image vision issues, have him go out at night and look at a bright star or planet with one eye covered. How many images does he see? That was the first indication I had developed astigmatism.
Both quick cheap tests.
Good luck. You are a good man to help him.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

cavedweller, Brock string exercise videos(idoc2008) has a good video on YouTube. Demonstrates and explains what/why the exercise is needed. I'm going to try it, see if helps with open sight shooting.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I am right handed and right eye. I also wear glasses. I sometimes see 2 if I focus on the gun instead of the target or targets at the tip of the barrel. It happens on skeet station 8 just as the target is about over my head for example. Maybe try focusing on a distant object.

 

[cavedweller60]

cavedweller, Brock string exercise videos(idoc2008) has a good video on YouTube. Demonstrates and explains what/why the exercise is needed. I'm going to try it, see if helps with open sight shooting.

It can work miracles. After my brain injury, I saw doubles and triples of everything whether I was trying to shoot or not. After a few months of using the brock string multiple times a day (I would carry it in my pocket and pull it out any time I had a few minutes), the vision issues went away. I haven't used it for shooting specifically but, knowing what it does, I suspect it will work well for that too.

 

[6BRA]

Peripheral vision allows you to see the bird leaving the trap house faster. Ideally both eyes are open.
One eye open focusing on sighting plane doesn't give much peripheral view. Not the optimal situation in my opinion. Shot both Trap and Skeet over 10,000 targets a year for 20 years. Can it be done...yes.