[Lotto StudParticipant]

I am ambidextrous, but when it comes to sports I use my left hand more. I would like to know what makes left handed players the most difficult to guard in basketball. They say when a left handed player guards a right handed player, it is easier to block his shot, but it goes both ways IMO when a right handed player guards a left handed player.

[M-DYMESParticipant]

Ugh, anticipated this being a Beno thread.

 

 

[M-DYMESParticipant]

In response to this thread though, I really don’t notice a big difference in the difficulty of covering a lefty v. righty player.  The only real difference is, if u notice they prefer to go to one side or the other, then you can force them the opposite direction.  I always liked to evaluate players in pregame to see what their preference was and then play them from there.  The other difference is contesting a shot can vary slightly but all in all if u playing off the ball, then it really doesn’t make a monumental difference in that facet. 

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I think the main reason is because as a defender, it’s harder to anticipate which direction a left-handed player is going because most defenders are used to guarding right-handed players.

But one odd case is John Wall. He claims he’a right-handed but usually drives to the left and always tries to dunk with his left hand.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Yah i thought this thread was another bad offtopic joke. Lefties are very deceptive, or players with a capable left hand. Players are so used to gaurding the right hand it becomes common sense, when you gaurd a lefty he can catch u by surprise.

[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

 IMO, lefties are harder to guard simply because we’re not used to shifting towards that side, and the left side of our body tends to be less coordinated if one is a righty. However, lefties tend to have a weaker right hand than righties with a weak left.

[delfamParticipant]

 probably more important for post players

[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

On a side note, if you want to make your off-hand stronger, all you have to do is use it. It’s “weak” because, as a kid, you spent years and years using your dominant hand for everything — from everyday tasks to lay-ups.

[HotSnotParticipant]

Personally, I’m a lefty who learned how to make his right functional.  I can go right all day but its not the same as my left which just feels more natural. On defence, I guard everyone the same way regardless if they are a lefty or not.  I overplay the denial to the their right knowing that they can only go in one direction (or backwards).  If they tripple threat me I get close in and literally block their right step with my left leg and I hold my arm out to that side.  Almost like a wall.  When I know where the player is going to go it prevents me from having to react quickly in both directions to a player who might be just as fast as me and you chance getting shook and looking stupid.  I might let them get even with me as they head towards the basket but by this time they’re angle is pretty bad so its either a fadeaway or a change of direction 90% of the time.  Either way, I know whats coming next.  It doesn’t matter if they’re a lefty or not when you eliminate some of their options and know what they are going to do. I also rarely reach (different then a quick swipe).  Reaching typically puts me in a bad spot if I don’t get the steal.  I want the offensive player to just want to give up the ball everytime he has it, no need to attempt the steal it if its not to my advantage.  As far as blocks go… I patiently wait untill that split second the ball leaves the players hand, and then I just go get it.  There’s no need to bite (or guess) on pump fakes.  If your fast enough you’ll always catch up to the shot because you tend to be moving alot faster then the ball is traveling (when released) and the ball ALWAYS has to be above the players shoulders to shoot.  Let him bring it up and see how things unfold.  Catch a couple guys and everyone is shooting rainbows after (which I can’t get lol) and it helps out your team.  Worse case you’ll start seeing guys hoist very quick, off balance, running jumpers in an effort to avoid your D and if he’s making them now… he won’t be for long.  Those shots tend to run out real quick.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I  was able to improve my left hand because of and injury to my right hand.  The improvement is still there because my brain got used to having to do things with my left and even now I will do things with my left and not feel that akwards but some stuff still feels weird but i can have success using my left if I concentrate a lil more.

[SteroidParticipant]

Is it weird that I’m right handed, but my primary hand is the left hand? I never could shoot or dribble with my right as well as I could with the left.

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