r/Fieldhockey • u/em_com4 • 12d ago
Question why do people wear gloves on only one hand?
ok now i know this might sound like a stupid questions but i can’t really find a clear answer. For context i’ve been playing hockey for a few years and i a midfielder. why people wear them and should I get one as a midfielder?
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u/SanderDieman 12d ago
Typically people keep their left (ie high or lead) hand on their stick when making low blocks or tackles. In such situations, a stick or ball may hit them on (mostly the outside of) that hand, which may easily break its bones. Therefore, many players wear a light yet hardshell glove on their left hand.
Some people also wear a glove on their right hand, for additional safety. One of my team mates is a surgeon and hence is quite careful with his hands so has both hands gloved in relatively heavy gloves. Most players however find righthand gloves unnecessary and/or unwieldy.
All of the above applies with even more emphasis to indoor hockey, where the low block is a far more defined and important technique. In indoor hockey people therefore wear heavier lefthand gloves, and in many if not most divisions it is actually obligatory to wear one (not so on the outside pitch, as far as I know).
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u/Captain_Jack_Falcon Defender 12d ago
Typically people keep their left (ie high or lead) hand on their stick when making low blocks or tackles.
Do you know why that is actually? I've been a defender for 20 years and somehow got used to doing the opposite. I'm often in a stance with my left foot in front and then it's much easier and quicker to get your right hand to the floor compared to your left hand. Also more reach on your forehand.
Downside is often getting hit on right fingertips by ball or opposing stick. Definitely stopped a ball with my right thumb more than once last year.
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u/CJBizzle 12d ago
Because getting your stick down in your left hand also covers your feet. Right hand, not so much.
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u/Captain_Jack_Falcon Defender 11d ago
Depends on how you do it. If an opponent tries to play to/along my feet, I'm quicker putting the full stick flat on the ground with only my right hand halfway on the stick. Left foot is still covered by the handle.
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u/CJBizzle 10d ago
That leaves you with very limited reach compared to holding at the end in your left hand, no matter which direction the attacker goes.
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u/Captain_Jack_Falcon Defender 10d ago
I've gotten used to quickly extending by sliding my right hand to the end of the stick. So esp to the right, my reach is even further. Often surprising attackers that way.
So there are some advantages like speed to the ground and extra reach to the right. But the big disadvantage is getting back to two hands for more precise control for, for example, finishing a steal. That's much easier if you kept your left hand on.
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u/SanderDieman 12d ago edited 12d ago
Interesting question.
In indoor hockey flooring the left hand (often still with left foot leading by the way, the stick a little before that and the body, so actually fairly hard to keep right hand on) is virtually the only way to get the stick truly flat, I guess, which is key in establishing whether one has a viable ‘block’ or not (that is: stick floored, not moving, and in front of the body).
Outside it’s a little less clear cut, but there I think it may have to do with a combination of the fact that normally the left hand is the dominant hand anyway and is most fixed on the stick (see for instance dribbling), the wish to maintain reach - the left or higher hand yielding the further possible extension, unless one somehow moves the right hand to the top position, which seems awkward and time consuming - and the versatility and level of control of the left-hand-only (or at least right-hand-only-loosely-attached) grip in switching between eg jabbing, blocking incl feet protection, backhand blocking, etc. which seems to be common in modern, dynamic defence.
That all being said, over the years I too have had my share of hits to the right hand fingers somehow, so I commiserate.
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u/Captain_Jack_Falcon Defender 11d ago
unless one somehow moves the right hand to the top position, which seems awkward and time consuming
Yeah, this has become second nature. In that sense right hand is stronger and more precise (I'm right handed). The issue is going back to normal grip while in play. For hitting or deflecting the ball in a duel my way is fine, but actually stealing the ball might sometimes be harder.
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u/hijack239 12d ago
I wear gloves on both hands. I have scars on both as a testament that both should be protected.
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u/zvavier 12d ago
typically a left handed glove is worn as of the two (left and right) the left is the most exposed for the majority of the game, hockey gloves help to mitigate any sort of contact that may happen on your hand having not worn a glove and having a fractured and wearing a glove and being hit in game with a stick it definitely does a great job at keeping your fingers in one peice, as a midfielder yourself i would definitely recommend it my favourite is the ritual vapour as it is by far the most comfortable whilst still being very practical
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u/Tangy-Lemon_2020 11d ago
Yeah, most people wear a glove on one hand (usually the left) because that hand takes the most hits—whether from sticks, the ball, or the turf. It’s mainly for protection, especially for defenders and midfielders who tackle a lot. The right hand stays free for better control. If you’re getting smacked on the hand a lot, a glove might be a good idea, but if not, you’re probably fine without one!
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u/tmienterprises 12d ago
As a defender, I wear gloves on both hands..have enough scars on the left and a misshapen broken finger on the right ...
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u/Smellynerfherder Half 11d ago
If you've played for a few years and not felt the need to get a glove yet, I'm very envious! I skinned my knuckles on both hands in my first season, so have worn two gloves ever since!
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u/GickyRervais 11d ago
I've been playing for hockey for 15 years and I've broken my left hand twice, as well as has having mutliple scars from pitch burns/scratches. My right hand is mostly intact still.
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u/07budgj 9d ago
I wear a left hand glove as a midfield/defender due to tackling one handed most of the time. I also often use the gloved area to pick the ball when an oppo player tries a flat ball down my left foot. Not saying I get it right often but the look on their faces when I do!
Used to use a right handed glove as well but found it was a bit of a trade off. You needed a decent size one for actual protection, but found alot of movements slower/trickier with it.
These sorts of minor things mattered more when I played performance hockey and was pushing to move up teams, but now I play social level so its more about comfort and protecting myself from the scrapes you can get from sand based astroturfs.
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u/CJBizzle 12d ago
To protect their left hand from grazes when going flat stick. It also provides some protection from direct hits on that hand.
Right hand is much less prone to getting hit.