Left or Right: Which Hockey Stick Does My Child Need?

“Left” and “right” on a hockey stick do not mean left-handed or right-handed in the way most parents expect. Get this wrong with a curved stick and your child will be shooting with the curve facing the wrong way.

What left and right mean

A stick is named for the hand that goes at the bottom of the shaft.

• Left stick: left hand low, right hand on top. The blade curves for a left shot.
• Right stick: right hand low, left hand on top.

Bauer’s buying guide puts it simply. If holding the stick with your right hand at the bottom feels more natural, you use a right-handed stick. John Shorey’s equipment notes, published by Hockey Calgary, say the same: the side depends on which hand is lower when you shoot.

Why writing hand is not the answer

A right-handed child may well shoot left. A parents’ guide on USA Hockey’s ADM Kids site explains why: ideally, the top hand is the dominant hand. For a natural righty, that means the right hand goes on top, which makes them a left shot.

HockeyMonkey’s sizing guide agrees that writing hand does not always decide it. Its FAQ says a player who writes left-handed usually plays right.

Neither is a hard rule. The ADM guide notes that some kids swing a bat or golf club the other way. If your child is already comfortable that way, buy the stick that matches.

How to test it

Try these with your child, without telling them which answer you expect.

1. Hand them a stick. Any stick, even a straight one. Ask them to hold it as if to shoot. Note which hand slides to the bottom.
2. The bat swing. HockeyMonkey suggests a baseball bat motion. Watch which hand your child puts on top.
3. Stickhandle. HockeyMonkey also suggests moving a puck or tennis ball around. Watch which grip they settle into after a minute or two.
4. Repeat on another day. If the answer changes between tries, see below.

If you cannot tell

Straight-blade youth sticks exist for this stage. A 2022 ADM Kids guide says a straight blade is best for the youngest beginners. Minnesota Hockey notes that straight blades are usually found on beginner sticks. Selection is small and mostly wood. See flat vs curved blades for kids.

Once your child settles on a side, buy a curved stick for that side.

Does it change the tape job?

The steps are the same for both sides. A few things to watch:

• Direction. Taping heel to toe or toe to heel works on either side. The heel to toe vs toe to heel article explains the difference.
• Mirror the tutorial. The forward tutorial works for both. If your child’s stick is the opposite hand to the one shown, mirror it.
• The knob. The knob goes under the top hand, which the ADM guide says should ideally be the dominant hand. Size it to that glove. See knob size for small hands.

Buying tips

• Check the label. Retailers usually list the curve, hand and flex together, for example “P28 / L-20” for a P28 curve, left hand, 20 flex.
• Hand-me-downs. A sibling’s old stick may be the wrong side. Check before you tape it.

Safety: when you test with a real stick indoors, clear the space and keep younger siblings back from the swing.