How to Shoot With Both Eyes Open – Easy Tips for Beginners

Shooting with both eyes open can help you aim faster and stay more aware of what’s around you. It’s a great skill to learn, especially in real-world or close-range situations. At first, it might feel strange — but with practice, it gets easier.

Here are a few easy ways to get started.

Start by Closing One Eye



Begin the way you usually shoot, with your weaker (non-dominant) eye closed. Then, as you get more comfortable, slowly try opening both eyes while aiming.



Shoot a few rounds with one eye closed



Then try a few rounds with both eyes open



Switch back and forth until using both eyes feels more natural.



Focus on the Target First



Instead of focusing on your sights right away, try this:



Keep both eyes open



Focus on your target first



Then raise your firearm and let your optic or sight line up naturally



This keeps your vision relaxed and helps reduce eye strain or confusion.



Use the Squint Method



If both eyes open feels too hard at first, try squinting your non-dominant eye instead of fully closing it.

Start by squinting, then gradually open it more with each round of practice. Over time, your brain will adjust and it’ll become easier.



Try Covering One Eye With Your Hand



If you’re cross-eye dominant (for example, left-eye dominant but shoot right-handed), this method may help:



Hold your firearm with your strong hand



Cover your dominant eye with your other hand



This forces your brain to rely on your weaker eye. As you improve, you’ll need the hand cover less and less.



Use an Eye Patch or Blurred Glasses



Another helpful option is using an eye patch during training. Some shooters also rub a little Chapstick on one side of their clear shooting glasses to blur that eye.



Practice with the blur or patch



Reduce it over time as your non-dominant eye gets stronger



This helps you build confidence in shooting with both eyes open.



Practice Without Live Ammo (Dry Fire)



Dry fire training means practicing without bullets. It’s safe and great for building***d ha***s.



Make sure your firearm is unloaded or use snap caps



Pick a target on the wall



Aim with both eyes open



Pull the trigger slowly and repeat



Practice like this often, and you’ll feel more comfortable when using live rounds.



Use an Optic Like a Red Dot or LPVO



Using a red dot sight or LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) makes it much easier to keep both eyes open. You don’t need to line up front and rear sights — just focus on your target.



A great option is the Odin 1-8×24 FFP LPVO Rifle Scope. It allows fast target acquisition and works well at both close and medium ranges. It's a smart upgrade for beginners and experienced shooters alike.



Why It’s Worth Learning



There are several reasons why shooting with both eyes open is a***d idea:



You see more of your surroundings



It improves your depth perception



You get quicker reaction times



It helps if you ever need to switch shooting hands or angles



It may feel odd at first, but it really improves your overall shooting skills.



How to Find Your Dominant Eye



Here’s a simple way to figure it out:



Make a triangle shape with your hands



Look at a distant object through the triangle



Slowly bring your hands back to your face



The eye you naturally center the object with is your dominant eye.



Final Thoughts



Learning to shoot with both eyes open is a skill that takes time — but once you get the hang of it, it’s a big advantage. Try these tips, stay consistent, and keep practicing.



And when you're ready to improve your setup, consider using a quality optic like the Odin 1-8×24 FFP LPVO Rifle Scope for easier, faster target aiming.

If you're serious about improving your shooting with both eyes open, using the right optic makes a big difference. The Odin 1-8×24 FFP LPVO Rifle Scope is a perfect choice for beginners and experienced shooters alike. At 1x magnification, it works like a red dot for fast, close-range target acquisition, and at 8x, it's ready for longer shots. Its clear glass, first focal plane reticle, and durable build help you stay on target with both eyes open — giving you better awareness, faster reaction time, and greater confidence at the range or in the field.