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It is well established that there is a tight coupling between covert attention and the eye movement system. It is not yet clear whether there is a functional relationship between the two systems. Recent studies using the Posner cueing paradigm have demonstrated that preventing participants from executing a saccade reduces the attentional benefits associated with allocation of covert attention. One such technique involves abducting the eye in the orbit and presenting the stimuli outside of the effective oculomotor range (Craighero et al., 2004). In the present study we used saccadic curvature to examine whether eye abduction also reduces the competition in the oculomotor system. Saccadic curvature arises from competition within the oculomotor map when a visual distractor competes with the target. Typically, this causes saccades to curve away from the distractor. We experimentally reduced the ability to execute …