How Should a Beginner Hold a Hockey Stick? Part 2
Before I get going, this could have easily been rename as “A New Poll (or three) – About How You Hold a Hockey Stick“.
Up front, you wouldn’t believe how many people arrive here at CoachChic.com having searched Google and elsewhere for help on how to hold a hockey stick! So, before I ultimately provide a serious answer to this question, I thought I’d initially host a few polls on how experienced hockey players HOLD and CONTROL their sticks.
I’ll need a lot of help on this, but here’s some background to these polls.
What I’ve done below is to create three separate polls — one asking where an experienced skater (either you or a family member) place the dominant hand on a hockey stick; after that I’ll ask if the stick is held in the same way we would another tool (like a shovel); and finally, I’ll ask whether the dominant or non-dominant hand is actually used to control or steer the stick’s actions.
Oh, by the way… Anyone can vote (either as members or non-members).
WE ONLY GET TO SEE CURRENT POLL RESULTS
AFTER ANSWERING A QUESTION
Here we go in reference to your stick grip…
[cbxpoll id=”5619″]Next, it might help us to know whether you tend to hold a hockey stick like at least one other hand tool…
[cbxpoll id=”5621″]Lastly, although many of us might sense that everyone controls their hockey stick in the same way, the following could tell us something quite different.
[cbxpoll id=”5624″]Okay, that done, I’ll point folks to a post I did some time ago, that one filling in a lot of the blanks on this one. So here, have a read: “How Should A Beginner Hold A Hockey Stick Part 1“
PS: The more opinions we get in these polls the better. So, please don’t be shy about telling a friend.
Very tough question, and I don’t think there is an incorrect answer. I’m right handed, and play right handed, can play left handed, just not as strong.
Both my boys (7/15) are right handed, but play lefty, as that is more comfortable for them both.
Thanks so much for your response, Matt. And, as the stats should prove over time, you are absolutely correct, in that there is no right or wrong answer.
One thing you and many others might get wrong, however, has to do with the way playing left or right handed is defined. What I mean, is that — as the stats should eventually affirm, most (but not all) players will hold their dominant hand at the top of a stick, thus having the blade fall to the opposite side. In other words, it’s common for a righty to have his or her stick-blade fall to the left, thereby defining him or her as a lefty shooter; and, a left handed person would hold the stick so as to be referred to as a righty shooter.
Still, I hope no one thinks any of this is law; no, it only suggests tendencies. (I’ve heard it told that Hall of Fame pitcher Denny McLain had a motorcycle fall on his right arm when he was very young. Ultimately he started throwing lefty, and the rest is MLB history.)
So, with all that, your boys hold their sticks pretty much the way others do (in reference to their dominant hand).
Thanks so much again, Matt, and please engage more on this site if you enjoy talking the game.
That’s a tough question for alot of people with alot of debate. Ive heard both ways, and like you have also heard to let it just happen. I myself am not ambidextrous but I hold a rife right handed, a pool que lefty and write lefty. I play hockey right handed. My right hand is my dominant but my left is was better at fine motor skills…….. so , at the top of my stick is my left hand. Im not sure about right or wrong but has always been a thought. Good read Chic.
Regards
Bryan LaManna
True, Bryan, that it is a tough question. And, while I must agree — that there might be a lot of debate on this topic, I’ll suggest that’s a good reason the CoachChic.com website exists. (Just imagine not being able to find a place where such topics are addressed.)
Should we “let it just happen”? Hmmmmmmm… I think a lot of parents are frustrated at the costs of experimenting with left and right sticks until it happens, or having their youngster play with a straight blade — again, until it happens. Of course, a lot of parents with beginner hockey players remove themselves from the equation, at which time that “let it just happen” approach might work. (Honestly, I think the sister article to this one (Part 1) will help any new parent, coach or pro shop owner get right to the correct answer.)
Now, as for the way/s you hold some other tools… Only you would know, I guess, but because there doesn’t seem to be total consistency in where you place your dominant hand on various tools, I might wonder if in some instances a more experienced user showed you how to hold the given tool, and you just stuck with it, no matter. (Am I right on that? I know someone started me as a lefty with a computer mouse — because she was, and as a righty myself, I have been frustrated ever since.)
Thanks so much for your feedback, Bryan, and please feel free to comment further.