Left, Right, Wrong: The Science Behind Holding a Hockey Stick

Do you shoot left or right in hockey? Most people assume it aligns with their dominant hand, but in this episode, we uncover the surprising truth behind the “cross-lateral” preference that dominates the sport.
● We explore a study that found a majority of right-handed people actually prefer to shoot left in hockey and vice-versa for lefties.
● Why does this happen? We examine the unique demands of hockey that require both power and control, and how these influence hand placement on the stick.
● The discussion extends beyond hockey to other sports and activities. Are you a golfer who plays "backwards"? We look at how learning one sport can impact how you perform in another, especially when it comes to hand positioning.
● The episode also challenges the common assumption that our dominant eye dictates our athletic performance. The connection between eye dominance and hand placement in hockey turns out to be surprisingly weak.
● Finally, we consider the implications for coaches and athletes. How can understanding lateral preference improve training and talent identification? Could switching a player to the "off-wing" actually unlock their full potential?
This episode is a fascinating exploration of the often-overlooked role of laterality in sports, revealing the complex interplay between our brains and our bodies.
Main source: Linking the preference in a bilateral asymmetric task with handedness, footedness, and eyedness: The case of ice-hockey
Simon Grondin, Daniel Fortin-Guichard, Charles-Anthony Dubeau, Émie Tétreault
PLoS One. 2024; 19(5): e0294125. Published online 2024 May 23. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294125
PMCID: PMC11115253