explain. Right-handed sportsman
face right-handed opponents 90%
of the time. This brings a certain
amount of predictability to the play.
The left-handed sportsman on the
other side, faces righty’s all the
time. So facing a lefty brings that
element of surprise. It is the tricky
exception. Referring back to the brain
advantages of having more symmetry
between the 2 hemispheres, lefty’s
have rapid reactions, and good spacial
judgement. Some say the right
hemisphere in the lefty is enlarged,
giving them superior skills.
In baseball lefty pitchers are highly
sought after. Batters have trouble
seeing a ball thrown by a lefty. In the
1980’s the managers started bringing
in what they called a left-handed
specialist. This is a lefty pitcher who
would come in and face a lefty better
for just a few pitches.
In cricket the lefty bowler
challenges the batsman more, because
the angle of the bowlers delivery is
much more penetrating. They have the
benefit of unfamiliarity, and they can
bowl at a different angle, and move
the ball in the opposite direction.
In Fencing 7 out of the 16 top world
fencers are left-handed. Your strong
side faces their strong side.
Because of the beneficial brain wiring
of the lefty as mentioned, they also
have the advantage when playing
tennis and squash. Seeing and
hitting the ball are both dealt with
in the same hemisphere, so there
is a quicker response time. Martina
Navratilova once said that every player
has their pet shots that they hit to
the opponents weaker backhand, but
when they play that same shot to a
lefty, it goes to their strong forehand.
She also added that a lefty has an
awkward serve that swings away from
the backhand of the righty.
With hockey you play with the hook
down and not the hook up. The left
hand now controls the stick, which is
the stronger more accurate hand.
So from all of the above
information, you can see the answer
to the initial question is, YES lefty’s
are wired differently. So if you have
a lefty in your house, sit up and take
notice. They are unique with loads of
special gifts you have to help them
notice, help the teachers notice, and
help them too find their place in this
world.
If you would like more information,
or would like me to come and do
a workshop on left-handedness at
your school, please go to www.
lefthandlearning.co.za, or contact
Tracy on +27 834173316.