Why Are There No Left-Handed Field Hockey Sticks? (2024)

FAQs

Why are there no left-handed sticks in field hockey? ›

Left handed sticks cause a high risk to injury in the game of field hockey. If a right handed player came in for a block tackle against a left handed stick they would most likely get hit on the follow through swing. This would be the same if a left handed player came in for a block tackle against a right handed stick.

A player with a left-handed field hockey stick is very likely to be hit from a follow-through swing while tackling against a player with a right-handed stick, who has ideally much more dominance on the field. Also read: Indian Hockey – If only we could play normally when leading!

By playing left handed the player would be dropping the right shoulder and the stick would be shielding the ball and not permitting a tackle from on oncoming player.

In short, no: everyone has to use a stick that faces the same way. All hockey sticks are the same for left-handed and right-handed players.

Polo is the game in which it is illegal to play left-handed. The rules of polo specify that the mallet must be held in right-hand only. It is for safety reason as left-handed and the right-handed player coming towards each other could result in a collision.

Despite the fact that more high-level players are shooting left-handed, and the evidence suggests a left-handed shot can help talented players advance in their careers, the ability to get the puck past the goalie seems to favor right-handers to a slight degree.

Yet, in the NHL, more than 60 percent of the players have a left-handed shot — i.e., with their right hand on the top of the stick's grip and the toe of the blade curving to the right as you look down on it. Manufacturers generally sell two left-handed hockey sticks for every right-handed hockey stick.

However, right-handed players typically play with left handedness. This can be explained by the fact that the right hand is always the body part holding the top of the stick shaft and provides both power and control with and without the puck.

The widened portion of the goalkeeper 's stick extending up the shaft from the blade shall not extend more than 26 inches from the heel and shall not exceed 3 ½ inches in width. The blade of the player 's stick shall not exceed 12 ½ inches in length and 3 inches in width.

Yes. The offended team has a penalty shot/optional minor penalty option. Rule Reference 637(a). When a defending player throws their stick in the direction of the puck that is in their Defending Zone, a penalty shot must be awarded.

Can I fly with a field hockey stick? ›

Hockey equipment is charged as a standard checked bag when securely packed inside the bag/case. Hockey sticks that are not packed securely inside a bag are subject to a separate bag charge as the bag and the sticks are two separate pieces. Unsecured items may not be attached to a bag.

Field hockey

A green card indicates an official warning when a minor offence has occurred resulting in a 2 minute suspension. A second green card for the same player will result in a yellow card (5 minute suspension). In this case, the umpire will show a green card, followed by a yellow card.

Double V Grip

The left and right hands are at the top of the stick, with the V between the thumb and forefinger of both hands resting on the edge of the stick (hence the name), and holding the stick firmly in place. Both hands must coordinate to accompany each other in the movement.

Studies show that in comparison to the 10 percent of the people who are left-handed in the general population, lefties make up one-third of Major League Baseball players, 20 percent of the top-ranked boxers, and 20-25 percent of the top-ranked fencers.

Another reason is on certain shots, for example a wrist shot, you have like a flick of the wrist motion typically that is done with the dominant hand at the (top) of the stick. Now that's more of a technical point, but for those two reasons you end up with the majority of right-handed people shooting on the left.”