Right Handed Hockey Players Shoot Left
As a novice hockey fan or someone who is just starting to learn about hockey, you might wonder why some right-handed hockey players shoot left. This could be a perplexing thing to understand, as most people might expect a player to shoot with the same hand as their dominant one. To shed some light on the topic, we will explore the science behind it, the advantages of this practice, and some famous NHL players who use this technique.
The Science Behind Shooting Left
The reason for the right-handed players shooting left is due to the physics of the hockey stick. In hockey, players hold the stick with two hands, and the bottom hand controls the stick's direction. When a right-handed player shoots on their strong side, the stick blade is facing towards their body, making it difficult to shoot accurately. In contrast, while shooting left, the stick blade is facing away from the body, which allows the player to have better control of the puck and shoot more accurately.
Moreover, in hockey, players need to develop a sturdy wrist shot technique to get accurate shots on net. Since the top hand controls the stick's flex, shooting left lets the player use their stronger hand (right) as the top hand, resulting in a stronger and more precise wrist shot.
Advantages of Shooting Left
Shooting Left offers many advantages to players in hockey, apart from the physics of the hockey stick. One of the benefits of shooting left as a right-handed player is that they can switch their shooting hand if they need to take a backhand shot or go behind the net. Most defensemen who shoot right and play on the left side of the rink (left defense) need to switch to their left hand to make a backhand shot. But if you shoot left, you can take a backhand shot without changing your grip on the stick.
Another advantage of shooting left could be that it can create confusion for the opposing team. Knowing that an opponent is right-handed, the defense might assume that the right-handed player will shoot on their strong side, which is the opposite of what happens. This can make it more challenging for the opposing goaltender to predict which direction the puck will come from and where it will be placed.
Famous NHL Players Who Shoot Left
There are many NHL players who shoot left as right-handed players. Here are some of the famous ones:
- Jack Eichel: The current captain of The Buffalo Sabres shoots left as a right-handed player.
- Patrik Laine: The Finnish winger, who is known for his extraordinary scoring ability, also shoots left as a right-handed player.
- Bobby Orr: One of the most legendary NHL players of all time, Orr, who played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, was a righty who shot left.
- Mark Messier: The former Oilers and Rangers center, one of the greatest NHL players of all time, was also a righty who shot left.
- Wayne Gretzky: Gretzky, one of the most recognizable names in hockey history, was a left-handed player who shot left, but his son, Trevor Gretzky, is a right-handed player who shoots left.
Conclusion
In conclusion, players who are right-handed who shoot left in hockey have an advantage in terms of accuracy and flexibility. Understanding the physics of the hockey stick and the use of the dominant hand in shooting play a vital role in shooting left. Famous NHL players who shoot left as right-handed players also prove the effectiveness of this practice.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, knowing why some right-handed hockey players shoot left can be a valuable piece of information that will make you appreciate the intricate details of this sport.
