Right-handed vs. Left-Handed Shooters

[cjhallman]

One big advantage of playing on the opposite side of your shooting hand, which supports Teak's earlier statement, is knocking in one-timers coming across the ice from the opposite side. It would seem much harder to convert a one-timer, especially a slap shot, if it was done the other way.

[mghockey18]

You should have your dominant hand be your top hand on your stick.

[Teak]

You should have your dominant hand be your top hand on your stick.

Agreed. But after that, then what? Left wing or right wing? Left D or right D?

I could see using defenders playing on the same side as their shooting side. You have to be strong in playing the puck along the boards when keeping it inside the zone. But for forwards, it seems better to me now, after years of wondering, to have wingers playing on the 'off' side. Left-sided shooter on the right wing; right-sided shooter on the left wing. This puts the stick to the inside of the rink, which gives better shots on goal. Harder to score when shooting across your body, and at a more acute angle.

Of course, in my day -as it was pointed out above- there were more left-sided shooters since most people are right-handed. Now there may be more right-sided shooters since ignorant parents start their kids out thinking 'baseball swing'. This makes sense.

Great topic. It is good to review the basic assumptions sometimes.

[Indians forever]

One big advantage of playing on the opposite side of your shooting hand, which supports Teak's earlier statement, is knocking in one-timers coming across the ice from the opposite side. It would seem much harder to convert a one-timer, especially a slap shot, if it was done the other way.

Good point!!!!!

[mainefan]

The "value" of being a right or left handed shooter is probably outwieghed by the ability of the player. Statistically, all else being equal, if 70% of players are left handed then you would expect 70% of the premier players would be left handed. There is a disadvantage to playing the "off" side as a defenseman - the premise of left wing lock forcheck. The "one timer" advantage is obvious when you see the set-up on the power play - the D will trade sides and the weak side forward is postioned low on the "off" side. There may be some advantage in making the roster if you are a R shot on a team dominated by L handed shooters.

[cjhallman]

I remember watching the first game of a weekend series on Fox North between Denver and the Gophers earlier this year. When Denver had a powerplay opportunity, they would send out their first unit with 4 righties and 1 lefty. They just looked horrible out there, and very clumsy in their puck movement. And they just couldn't execute very well with getting any good shots on Kangas. Woog made a very good comment by saying "Denver has too many right-handed shooters on the ice." There are obvious advantages of playing on each side regardless of which hand you shoot with, as many of us have already pointed, but when your lines have too many one-sided shooters (including your defensemen), then it becomes problematic, especially when it comes to executing offensively. This has been the problem with U of M hockey the last few years. With all that talent, and so little offensive production, its embarassing watching them get shut out from time to time, or being limited to one or two goals a game. When Wisconsin won the NCAA not long ago with a majority of righties on the team, they did so with a very stingy defense. But who really wants to watch a hockey game with 1-0, 2-1, or 2-0 scores? To me, when a team can average 4 or 5 goals a game, that's exciting. It's usually the only time during a game when I'm most likely to jump up out of my chair to clap, whistle or even scream.

[scoreboard33]

In the all-star events, Marc Savard was talking about how he believes that righties have the advantage shooting . I think what he said is true, however if you should play left-handed and play right right-handed, you are losing the advantage. Playing with the wrong hand really will hurt you, no matter how many years you practice with the wrong hand, see my Johnny Damon example earlier. Don't switch once you done it for so long, but you should start with righties shooting lefty and vice-versa.

[jBlaze3000]

In the all-star events, Marc Savard was talking about how he believes that righties have the advantage shooting . I think what he said is true.

What reasons did he give? Also, there has never been a clear concensus that if you are right handed you should always shoot left and vice versa. If there was then only about 8% of NHL players would shoot right handed (being that only 8% of the population is left handed). As it is, about 36% of NHL players shoot right handed. I think the most important thing is that a player shoots the way that feels comfortable and natural to him, regardless of what hand he writes with. Give a kid a flat blade stick when they start and let them figure out their own dominant hand.

[halla]

In the all-star events, Marc Savard was talking about how he believes that righties have the advantage shooting . I think what he said is true.

What reasons did he give? Also, there has never been a clear concensus that if you are right handed you should always shoot left and vice versa. If there was then only about 8% of NHL players would shoot right handed (being that only 8% of the population is left handed). As it is, about 36% of NHL players shoot right handed. I think the most important thing is that a player shoots the way that feels comfortable and natural to him, regardless of what hand he writes with. Give a kid a flat blade stick when they start and let them figure out their own dominant hand.

Have to say I'm more with jBlaze. While I do think the dominant hand on top makes a lot of sense, I just don't see that it's by any means conclusive that that will make a hockey player better in the long run. There have been claims in this discussion about so many of the top players being left-handed shooters, but really, has anyone actually done a rigorous analysis of actual data? Now it's totally fine if you want to say, "my impression, considering several great players, is such-and-such." But to hold that up as conclusive proof doesn't cut it. My impression remains that, start early, and you can learn to play great whichever way you shoot and that your top-end potential will not be significantly affected by this issue.

[halla]

In the all-star events, Marc Savard was talking about how he believes that righties have the advantage shooting . I think what he said is true.

What reasons did he give? Also, there has never been a clear concensus that if you are right handed you should always shoot left and vice versa. If there was then only about 8% of NHL players would shoot right handed (being that only 8% of the population is left handed). As it is, about 36% of NHL players shoot right handed. I think the most important thing is that a player shoots the way that feels comfortable and natural to him, regardless of what hand he writes with. Give a kid a flat blade stick when they start and let them figure out their own dominant hand.

Have to say I'm more with jBlaze. While I do think the dominant hand on top makes a lot of sense, I just don't see that it's by any means conclusive that that will make a hockey player better in the long run. There have been claims in this discussion about so many of the top players being left-handed shooters, but really, has anyone actually done a rigorous analysis of actual data? Now it's totally fine if you want to say, "my impression, considering several great players, is such-and-such." But to hold that up as conclusive proof doesn't cut it. My impression remains that, start early, and you can learn to play great whichever way you shoot and that your top-end potential will not be significantly affected by this issue.

And I do realize that I am kind of arguing against the conventional wisdom here, but conventional wisdom can be wrong.

[cjhallman]

More recent studies have shown that between 10-12% of the population write with their left hand, but this figure is misleading because many cultures force their naturally left-handed children to write with their right hand. In China, which has about 1/6 of the worlds population, everybody writes with their right hand, even those who would naturally want to write with their left. However, as left-handedness becomes more and more accepted among different cultures who strongly oppose or discourage it, this 10-12% will eventually rise to about 25-30%, which is probably where it should be.

[jBlaze3000]

More recent studies have shown that between 10-12% of the population write with their left hand, but this figure is misleading because many cultures force their naturally left-handed children to write with their right hand. In China, which has about 1/6 of the worlds population, everybody writes with their right hand, even those who would naturally want to write with their left. However, as left-handedness becomes more and more accepted among different cultures who strongly oppose or discourage it, this 10-12% will eventually rise to about 25-30%, which is probably where it should be.

If that were the case wouldn't you already see 25-30% of people write left handed in countries that didn't discourage it (such as the US and Canada)? I don't have the stats in front of me but I would venture to guess that far less than 30% of Americans are left handed.

Although maybe you're on to something. My oldest son has pretty sloppy hand writing (right handed) and shoots right. My middle son has neat hand writing (right handed) and shoots left. Maybe deep down my oldest should have been left handed and I sub-consiously discouraged it?...My head hurts.

[AimHigh]

In the all-star events, Marc Savard was talking about how he believes that righties have the advantage shooting . I think what he said is true.

What reasons did he give? Also, there has never been a clear concensus that if you are right handed you should always shoot left and vice versa. If there was then only about 8% of NHL players would shoot right handed (being that only 8% of the population is left handed). As it is, about 36% of NHL players shoot right handed. I think the most important thing is that a player shoots the way that feels comfortable and natural to him, regardless of what hand he writes with. Give a kid a flat blade stick when they start and let them figure out their own dominant hand.

I also heard Marc Savard talking about righties having a shooting advantage during the shoot out competition. His theory is that righties are advantaged by a quicker shot to goalies weaker glove side. He then cited the current NHL top goal scorers that are righties. This was in the context of feeling sorry for one of the goalies (maybe Thomas) in the competition that had to face the majority of shots from righties.

I remember reading an article in USA Hockey magazine a few years back on this debate when my third kid started playing. I had learned enough to wonder if my two older kids were shooting wrong. The article had a nice analysis of the pros and cons of shooting with the dominant hand on top or on bottom, and even broke it down between genders. Bottom line advice: give the kid a straight blade and let them figure out what's most comfortable.

[cjhallman]

jBlaze3000 wrote:
If that were the case wouldn't you already see 25-30% of people write left handed in countries that didn't discourage it (such as the US and Canada)? I don't have the stats in front of me but I would venture to guess that far less than 30% of Americans are left handed.

I grew up in the US, but my mom still forced my youngest brother to write with his right hand even though he was a natural lefty. And I am sure there are many American parents who still cling on to these old beliefs. Plus, there is still a lot of discrimination against lefties even in Canada and the US. Think of all the things designed for right-handed people that lefties must learn how to adjust too. And think of all the lefties who have either died or have been seriously injuried because of using equipment that was only designed for right-handed people. As a survival instinct, many lefties have learned to adapt to a right-handed world by becoming more right-handed. So until these things change, it makes more sense for more naturally left-handed people to learn how to use their right for most activities.

[footwdg]

Here is an article from the USA Hockey magazine:

On any given fall day, dozens of parents will enter their local sporting-goods store in search of hockey equipment for their sons and daughters.

“Which hand does he write with?” the salesperson will ask. If the answer is “right,” the clerk unfortunately might produce a right-handed stick.

But according to some hockey experts, this logic could be all wrong.

Currently, 67 percent of the sticks sold by major manufacturers have right-handed curves — a statistic that appears to make sense, given that roughly 80 percent of players are right-handed. However, looking back into the annals of hockey history, this was not always the case. In the 1960s and early 70s, when many players still used an uncurved or “straight” stick blade, the vast majority of right-handers played with their right hands atop the stick (what we would today call lefty).

Some coaches call for a return to lefty sticks for right-handed players.

“In order to best use the stick to your advantage, the top hand should be your hand of dexterity. You have to be able to handle the stick, and there are times in the game when you have to play one-handed. To have control, you need your strong hand on top,” says U.S. Women’s National and Olympic Team Head Coach Ben Smith.

Others believe the trend toward same-hand sticks has been good for hockey.

“We need goal scoring in the game. For scoring, it’s all about the quick release. With the right hand down, you can use your wrist strength. You also see a better angle to the goal,” insists Paul Caufield, assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and all-time Div. III goal scorer.

There is science to support both sides. Based on biomechanics, the scientific study of how the body moves, a right-handed player who uses a lefty stick will have advantages when it comes to finesse and stick-handling. Because the dominant hand is more responsive, having it atop the stick will provide a player with better control. With their dominant eye away from the puck, these players will also gain better up-ice vision.

Righties who play with right-handed sticks will have better power and accuracy on their shots and passes as well as better vision in tight situations. The power comes from having their strong arm lower on the stick, as well as being able to push off their more powerful leg. The vision arrives by having the dominant eye directly over the puck.

When it comes to women’s hockey, the debate becomes even more complicated. According to studies published by the Institute of Hockey Research in Calgary, Alberta, male hockey players attain power from an even combination of leg and arm strength. Women, on the other hand, derive power almost exclusively from their legs. This means that women will gain substantially more power by using a strong-handed stick.

However, Smith argues that since the women’s arms are sometimes proportionally less strong, they lose a considerable amount of control when playing with their dominant hand.

Statistically, 61 percent of USA Hockey’s elite female players shoot left-handed, along with 53 percent of their male counterparts — a balance that speaks against going to either extreme.

Suddenly, the job of the sporting-goods salesperson seems impossibly complicated. Finesse or power? Control or accuracy? The question some hockey authorities are now asking is “Why are we letting salespeople, or coaches for that matter, determine how our children play?”

Before the age of curved sticks and biomechanical studies, every youth hockey player received the same straight-blade stick and the directive to Go Play. The young player would then hold the stick in whatever way felt natural. USA Hockey’s National Coach-in-Chief Bob O’Connor compares this process to baseball.

“I feel the batting motion is the same as what you need for hockey,” says O’Connor. “You’ve got some right-handed kids who bat left handed. Its not the hand that determines what side you use. Your stance —how much you bend and how far away you hold the puck — will determine how you should hold the stick.”


However, finding a straight stick for a young player can be a challenge. Kevin McLaughlin, USA Hockey’s director of Youth Hockey, is another advocate of straight sticks for youth players, both for skill development and for determining correct hand position. When his two young sons began playing last year, he searched half a dozen stores before finally locating a straight-blade stick. It was worth the effort, McLaughlin believes.

“I wasn’t going to buy a curved stick. I was going to get a straight stick, even if I had to get it when I was traveling…I am a big proponent of playing by feel. Let (the kids) play and let them figure it out for themselves,” he says.

Theories aside, many biomechanists agree with McLaughlin and O’Connor. Joseph Maher, Assistant Sports Physiologist at the USOC, concluded, “I think the bottom line is which feels more comfortable.”

[jBlaze3000]

^ Dind, ding, ding. We have a winner! Congrats on a solid first post footwdg (even if it was copied and pasted).

[footwdg]

I appreciate it jBlaze.

This has been a tough subject for me as I'm a righty that shoots left, (traditional) but have two sons that are righty's that shoot right, (non-traditional.)

One boy is 9, the other is 6. As early as I can remember, they both just naturally went to righty sticks. As early as I can remember means the mini Mylec indoor 12" sticks while they were still crawling.

They both skated with lefty and righty sticks as mini-Mites and chose righty over lefty.

Believe me, I've tried to break, (nicely) both of them of this, but they both maintain it just feels natural. The dread in the back of my mind whenever I get on this subject is that they won't make it to the next level because they don't have their dominant hands on top of the stick. I think this is just parental paranoia though.

One thing I will say is that my older son is an average sized kid but has either the hardest or nearly the hardest wristshot on his team. (He is a Mite playing Squirt minor.) But, is middle of the pack as far as stick handling skills. This goes back to what the USA Hockey article talks about.

Lastly, in my opinion, is that to make it to the next and higher levels of hockey, it has more to do with skating ability than shooting or stick handling. If you can skate above your competition, you will be able to create scoring chances no matter what. Maybe this is why some of the top level college and pro players who shoot non-traditionally don't score as much when they reach the upper levels because everyone is a top skater and they don't have the top notch stick-handling dexterity to match.

[jBlaze3000]

Lastly, in my opinion, is that to make it to the next and higher levels of hockey, it has more to do with skating ability than shooting or stick handling. If you can skate above your competition, you will be able to create scoring chances no matter what. Maybe this is why some of the top level college and pro players who shoot non-traditionally don't score as much when they reach the upper levels because everyone is a top skater and they don't have the top notch stick-handling dexterity to match.

I'd have to agree with that. Take a look at this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPie_ehsav4

He coaches stickhandling to NHLers but never made it above juniors himself. He is a natural lefty but said it was too hard to teach right handed players (shooting left) so he learned how to shoot right handed as well.

[cjhallman]

Thank you for all the posts on this blog. I appreciate everyone's input. It seems like we are itching closer to understanding this more recent phenomena of US players becoming more right-handed shooters. If it is really true that 67% of sticks sold by major manufactuers have right-handed curves and that salespersons are encouraging young players to buy sticks according to which hand they write with, then we have a major problem in the development of our youth hockey players. It sounds like the best solution for solving this problem is for stick companies to make more sticks without curves, and that all Might (and possibly some Squirt level) players should use them until they can establish which hand works best for them. But to leave it up to a hockey parent or a salesperson to decide which handed stick is appropriate for the player may very well explain why there are so many more right-handed players now. So to give our youth a fair opportunity to determine for themselves which hand is best for them, its up to us to pressure these companies to make more straight handed sticks as part of the hockey youth development plan. They'll have no choice but to supply our demands.

[Teak]

Great research on this topic and much appreciated.

There is another sport that would have the same issue: lacrosse. I have held a lacrosse stick and "messed around" with a lacrosse ball. It seemed easier to me to have my stronger hand -the right one- on the upper part of the shaft, with my weaker hand, the left one, on the top (bottom?) of the shaft. Thus, a right-hander, I would be a right-side shooter in lacrosse, but a left-side shooter in ice hockey.

It is interesting to note that John Tavares, Canada's #1 junior, plays lacrosse and his father played internationally for Canada. It seems like it would be a good sport for 'dry-land' training during ice hockey's off-season.

[cjhallman]

Lacrosse is different because it is easier to carry the stick with your strongest hand holding in the middle (instead of the end) for better control. Plus you can use your dominate hand to direct the shot better, which is more of a downward motion.

Another sport that hockey players play in the off season is golf. Most players play golf right-handed, even those who shoot left-handed in hockey. Again, its a much different feel. The hands are together (almost like holding a baseball bat) instead of apart. And they never try to manipulate the ball in any way with holding one hand on the club. However, some of the more well-known professional left-handed golfers, like Phil Mickelson, are from Canada, which has a a higher number of left-handed hockey players. So I assume they prefer to swing a golf club more like the would play hockey.