Why the Left Hand Matters

If there is one concept any field hockey coach should always remember – and actively coach – from this masterclass, it’s the critical importance of the left hand grip and its rotation on the stick. For experienced hockey coaches, technical details can sometimes get lost amidst tactical priorities, conditioning, and match-day logistics. Yet, Simon Letchford makes a compelling case that the left hand’s grip and its adjustment through various skills might just be the foundational detail that decides whether your players execute their skills efficiently, achieve optimal outcomes, and adapt at speed under pressure.

Why focus so much on the left hand? Because, as Simon Letchford argues, “If we grip the stick correctly in our left hand, then I think we can execute all of our skills far better and more easily than if we hold the stick the wrong way.” This runs deeper than just comfort or convention. The left hand dictates control, range of motion, and (most importantly in modern hockey) the ability to switch skills fluidly as game conditions change.

Let’s unpack why this matters in day-to-day coaching. Too often, especially with young players or even at the university level, we take for granted that the left hand knows where to be. We coach the height of the hands, the “strength” and “speed” zones, but neglect the grip’s rotation. Yet, every skill – receiving, carrying, passing, hitting, 3D manipulation, aerials – demands an intentional grip change, with the “V” created between thumb and index finger becoming the player’s tactical language.

Here’s how you should apply this insight during training:

• Start Every Technical Session with Grip Awareness: Whether it’s receiving, carrying, or passing, begin with slow, isolated skill work where players are asked to consciously rotate the left hand’s “V” for the specific task ahead. Use visual cues and feedback, even filming players for immediate review if possible (“when you can to take something on the field where you can film people and have them watch it back immediately after the incident or the exercise, then that learning can take place far more quickly”).

• Integrate Grip Changes into Linked Skills and Game Scenarios: Don’t keep it isolated. Build drills that require transitioning between grip positions: receive into pass, carry into hit, or fast changes when a defender approaches. Make the grip change as seamless and instinctive as possible.

• Coach Awareness Rather Than Prescription: Let players discover what works best for them.

  Simon Letchford

  is clear: “I think absolutely they must discover that we don’t prescribe exactly how things must take place, but we see what they have, what the raw material is, and then we can ask them to investigate what changes if you do this differently…” The grip’s nuance is personal – but intentional coaching helps players understand what control, speed, and manipulation feels like in their own hands.

Above all, remember grip changes are not just for beginners. The masterclass reveals even top international players benefit from ongoing grip refinement. As coach, make the left hand grip a talking point every week, and challenge players to reflect on it after every technical or tactical session.

Why watch the full video and read on?

For coaches who want to sharpen their technical eye and empower players of every age group, the full video offers rich visual examples and dynamic breakdowns of grip adjustments in real high-level match clips. It’s not just about teaching a textbook skill; it’s about understanding when and why to rotate that left hand and how this drives quick, effective play – from unopposed skill development to chaotic in-game decision making. If you’re a coach looking to help your squads build technical confidence that translates into on-field intelligence, this masterclass will challenge you to rethink how you coach grip, what drills you design, and how you bring the hidden details of top-level hockey to life in each practice.