Why do right-handed players shoot left handed, and left-handed players shoot right-handed?

Question

I can play with either. As a player, how do you decide?

Answer 1

You decide by starting out with a straight stick, and when you play you involuntary play with the stronger one. That is how we figured out which way my brother should play with. Which turns out he is the first lefty in the family, but he writes right handed.

I played with a right-handed stick from the beginning because it was more comfortable. But then I became a goalie, and that just messes everything up. Right now, I catch lefty because I just figured my right hand was stronger on the stick. But now I am not so sure.

I can play out with both types of sticks, and with both I am pretty evenly strength. (Just thought I would tell you that I can play with both hands too! I think it is kind of cool.)

Answer 2

It is because most people hold the stick in there dominant(strongest) hand when they first start playing hockey.

Not everyone does this but I read many years ago that 2 out of 3 right handed people will shoot left and I would imagine it would be like that for left handers shooting right.

Answer 3

Michael Redd Kenny Anderson Toni Kukoc Lamar Odom David Robinson Chris Bosh Damon Stoudamire Chris Mullin Jalen Rose Michael Admas

Answer 4

The answer is because when you shoot a puck, the hand that's doing the most work is your top hand (it's pulling the stick back to create flex). Your bottom hand is just sliding the stick forward, which is why you keep that hand so loose on the stick. So players will use their strongest (most dominant) hand to pull the stick and create more flex, and use their weaker hand to just guide the stick.

Answer 5

The real reason is because of which eye is dominant. Just like hands and feet everyone has a dominant eye. In most cases people who have a right eye dominance shoot left handed because it puts your best eye towards what you are shooting at. Although, you can do it backwards just like they used to make left handed kids write with their right hands.

Answer 6

It is mostly comfort level. There are a lot of right handed players that shoot right handed also.

Answer 7

thats all crap.The stick you use is the one your dad first bought you as a kid.if it was right well thats the way your gonna shoot if it was a left then you will shoot that way.I am right handed and shoot left so does one of my buddies but two of my other buddies a right handed and shoot right so all the theories are a bunch of crap its whatever your dad picked up in the store that day he came home with your first stick

Answer 8

You want the stronger hand at the top of the stick. Allows for good poke-checking and you're usually a little faster with your strong hand, meaning your snap-snots and back-hands will have a little more spin/curve to them. The slap shot speeds comes out of your waist and legs, not your arms.

Answer 9

They don't. I play, I'm right handed, and I shoot right.

Answer 10

I shoot right handed because it's my strong hand.