How does being a LEFTY affect hockey players?

Question

Like figure skating, I'm sure there are less lefties than there are righties.

Are doing all drills and moves both directions a must (of course there's always a stronger side)?
Are there any puck passing issues from a lefty to a righty and vice versa?
Does a righty feel any different dealing with a lefty on their team or if they're on the other team?
Lefty/righty hockey sticks?

Some lefties just end up more ambidextrous just because they live in a right-hand dominated world (sport) . . . I wondered if it were the same with hockey.

Answer 1

i think it makes us better overall because we have to get used to using our right hand more. we (and righties) don't really have a problem with taking a pass from forehand or backhand, but we still have a compettitive advantage because goalies are used to right-handed players.
We do have sticks that curve the other way, if that was what you were trying to ask.
And like you said, we do end up more ambidextrous due to most everything being righty-oriented.
Otherwise its pretty much the same, with no noticeable differences during drills and games.

Answer 2

The team I coached last season had 13 skaters, 11 lefties and 2 righties. Left handed shots are way more common than right handed shots in hockey. It does not really matter if you are left or right handed, basically whatever stick is put in your hands when you are young is the way you shoot. The reason you need a balance of left and right handed players is for defensive zone play. Breakouts become 10X easier if you have a right wing passing to a left wing and vice versa. If you try and breakout of your zone using backhand passes it can be very difficult. It also helps when guarding the passing lanes to have your stick in the proper hand on the proper side. As for drills and moves, it does not make any difference.

Answer 3

The lefty righty hockey sticks don't matter. most right handed players use left handed shot sticks, with the dominant hand on top. However, many players now shoot the other way- dominant hand on bottom. It does make a difference, but it's a personal choice and there's no way to tell by looking at the player. Stopping and such will change some- there's the stronger side issue. But all players have to be able o stop and shoot forehand and backhand, but depending on the person and less on handedness.

Answer 4

Hmm.. Left handers usually shoot right. They are kown as right-shots. It's a clear benefit to have right-shots on the team, especially on the right hand side of the ice, right-wing & right defense.

On the power play you can also throw them over to the left side of the ice to open up for direct shots off the cross ice passes, which are more difficult for the keeper to take as he/she usually has to move sideways to save the puck.

Hockey players aren't nearly as good skaters as figure skaters, and for whatever reason, left handers tend to have more issues with their skating, especially cross-overs to the left going backwards, which cause defensive concerns on the break. This is not a definite statement, but a common observation among left handers.

In other words, yes, left hand vs. right hand does matter. You want a good balance if possible, which sometimes mean that a right-shot may get on a team even though he/she is maybe a little bit less skilled than a regular left-shot. Hockey is still a team game and you're not always concerned about the "best player" but rather "the best fit for the team on any given position."

Answer 5

Well Im a lefty myself and i dont think it affects me. Im better at power turns and cross overs towards my back hand side, and im sure the righties are probably the same way. As you said before, we do have our stronger sides, but we work on both of them for an equal amount of time at hockey practice. For example, if we do left cross overs for 15 minutes, we'll also have to do right cross overs for the same amount of time. Now you asked are there any puck passing issues? Well, you know the positions in hockey?: left wing, right wing, left defense, right defense? Well, if you play left wing and you stay in position on your side, most of your shots and passes will be on your fore hand side. It would be harder for a lefty to be a right wing though, because most of the shots and passes would be off the back hand side. But none the less, a hockey player makes sure that theyre just about as good on their back hand as they are on their fore-hand, so there really arent any problems at all unless if its just a bad pass.

Answer 6

really doesnt affect hockey players too much at all actually, but there are definately less lefties than righties, but is kinda different. Im naturally right handed but have shot lefty since i startes playing hockey for some reason???I have no clue, it's just different than being lefty at anything else

Answer 7

When I played hockey as a defenseman, our forward was a lefty, and it worked out well because of the fact that he was able to catch the goalies off guard--they weren't used to pucks coming in from that angle. You get good at the slap shot, and you'll have the gift to really f**k with the goalies.

Answer 8

the gang I coached very final season had 13 skaters, 11 lefties and a pair of righties. Left exceeded photos are lots greater hardship-loose than precise exceeded photos in hockey. It does not probable count on a similar time as you're left or precise exceeded, actual inspite of stick is put in your palms as quickly as you're youthful is the form you shoot. the clarification you pick for a stability of left and precise exceeded game enthusiasts is for conserving zone play. Breakouts replace into 10X much less complicated in case you have an actual wing passing to a left wing and vice versa. in case you attempt and breakout of your zone utilising backhand passes it is truly complicated. It additionally helps on a similar time as guarding the passing lanes to have your stick contained interior the excellent hand on the excellent area. As for drills and strikes, it does not make any distinction.

Answer 9

It wouldn't have much effect, as the split between players who shoot left or right is about even. It doesn't really correlate with being left or right handed.

I think the one exception would be that if you were a left handed Goaltender it would throw players off somewhat, having your Glove and Blocker switched...

Answer 10

I know some right handed guys who play left handed to have an advantage against the other team. they play well with their right hand playing counterparts though. so I don't think being left handed is in any way a drawback. It is an equal opportuinty sport.