Helena Frye
Playing basketball involves a lot of hand-eye coordination, and it is important to know which is your dominant arm. While most people are right-handed, some are left-handed, and a rare few are ambidextrous. Determining your dominant arm can be done by observing which arm you use for everyday tasks such as eating, writing, or throwing a ball. In basketball, your dominant arm is important for executing necessary moves, and it can also influence your shooting style. Some players shoot with their dominant hand, while others use their non-dominant hand, and some are even able to shoot with both.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Determining dominant hand | Ask the subject if they are right-handed, left-handed, or mixed (ask for examples of what they do with each hand). |
| Determining dominant eye | Have the subject extend both hands to arm's length in front of them, putting their hands together to make a small triangle between their thumbs and the first knuckle on each hand. The eye that aligns with the triangle is the dominant eye. |
| Hand and eye dominance in basketball | When shooting free throws, players often hold the ball up at face level, partially blocking the eye on the same side as the shooting hand. Some hypothesize that crossed hand and eye dominance may give players an advantage for free throws. |
| Determining dominant leg | Observe the leg used to propel the body forward in activities such as sprinting or jumping. In basketball, observe the leg used for "running dunks". |
| Bone mineral density | Studies have found greater bone mineral density in the right arms of male and female basketball players compared to their left arms. |
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What You'll Learn
Most people are right-handed
It is true that most people are right-handed. Across the world, the majority of humans (between 70 and 95%) are right-handed, while only 5 to 30% are left-handed, and a small number are ambidextrous. In Western countries, the percentage of right-handed people is even higher, with estimates ranging from 85 to 90%. A study of 7,688 children in US grades 1-6 found that 9.6% were left-handed, with slightly more left-handed boys (10.5%) than girls (8.7%).
There are several theories as to why most people are right-handed. One common theory is that it is related to brain hemisphere division of labour. In most people, the left side of the brain controls speaking, and it is thought that it is more efficient for the brain to divide major tasks between the hemispheres. So, as the right hand is controlled by the left hemisphere, most people are right-handed. However, this theory does not account for the fact that the majority of left-handers also have left-hemisphere language dominance.
Another theory is that handedness is influenced by a combination of genetics, biology and the environment. There is evidence of a genetic influence on handedness, but it is non-Mendelian and the exact process is not known. For example, children of left-handed parents are more likely to be left-handed themselves, but because the overall chance of being left-handed is low, most children of left-handed parents are still right-handed. Environmental factors can also play a role, with handedness potentially being influenced by social and cultural mechanisms. For instance, in some cultures, the use of the left hand is considered disrespectful, and teachers have been known to force left-handed children to write with their right hands.
Being right-handed can have advantages in certain situations. For example, many devices are designed for right-handed people, making their use more difficult for left-handed individuals. Right-handedness is also advantageous in sports where it is beneficial to be less predictable to an opponent, such as baseball, tennis, fencing, cricket, boxing and mixed martial arts.
However, being right-handed does not necessarily confer superior athletic ability. For example, in basketball, while the dominant arm is important for executing moves, there is very little arm involvement overall. Similarly, in sports such as soccer and track, dominant arm involvement is minimal.
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Some are left-handed
While right-handedness is more common, with around 90% of people being right-handed, there are still plenty of left-handers out there. In fact, studies suggest that about 10% of the population is left-handed. So, if you're a leftie, you're in good company!
Left-handedness is thought to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Twin studies indicate that genetic factors account for about 25% of the variation in handedness, while environmental factors account for the other 75%. One theory suggests that in-utero exposure to certain medications or ultrasound screenings may increase the likelihood of left-handedness.
Left-handers often face inconveniences in everyday life, as most tools and objects are designed for right-handed use. However, they may have an advantage when it comes to sports, especially when competing against mostly right-handed opponents. In basketball, for example, the majority of players will perform running dunks off their left foot, which is controlled by the right side of the brain. This suggests that the right side of the body may play a crucial role in generating power for this specific movement.
In basketball, as in many other sports, players rely on their dominant arm to execute necessary moves. This can lead to continuous increases in exercise stress on the dominant limbs. As a result, bone mineral density (BMD) can be greater in the dominant arm compared to the non-dominant arm. This has been observed in female squash players and senior tennis players, who exhibit higher BMD and bone mineral content in their dominant arms.
So, if you're a left-handed basketball player, your left arm may develop greater BMD over time due to the increased stress and usage during practice and games. This knowledge can be useful for coaches and trainers when designing training programs that take into account the unique needs of left-handed players. By focusing on strengthening the left arm and improving its flexibility, left-handed players can enhance their performance and reduce the risk of injuries related to muscle imbalances.
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A few are ambidextrous
While the majority of people are right-handed, a small percentage of the population is ambidextrous, meaning they can use both hands with equal ease and skill. This can be advantageous in basketball, as it allows players to dribble, shoot, and perform other skills with either hand, making them more versatile on the court.
In basketball, ambidextrous players can utilize their versatility to their advantage. They can dribble with either hand, making them less predictable to defenders and allowing for more effective ball-handling. Additionally, ambidextrous players can shoot with either hand, which can create scoring opportunities from different angles on the court. This ability to use both hands equally well can also apply to passing, layups, and other fundamental basketball skills.
The ability to use both hands equally well is not limited to humans, as some species exhibit 'handedness' or 'clawedness'. For example, in a species of fiddler crab, all males are right-claw dominant, while in the American lobster, about 50% are right-claw dominant and the other half are left-claw dominant.
While being ambidextrous can provide advantages in basketball, it is important to note that it is not a common trait. Most people have a dominant hand, and this dominance can be observed in various sports, including basketball. For instance, when making running dunks, basketball players typically push off with their left foot, indicating a right-side dominance.
In sports such as basketball, volleyball, and golf, unilateral loading is not profound, meaning players do not heavily rely on one side. However, continuous practice and game situations can still result in increased exercise stress on the dominant limbs. This can lead to side-to-side differences in bone mineral density (BMD), with the dominant arm or limb typically exhibiting higher BMD.
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Hand dominance may not be the same as foot dominance
Hand dominance, or handedness, is a well-known concept, but did you know that foot dominance is also a thing? Humans are naturally asymmetrical, with the right hand and foot typically being a little bigger than the left. However, just because someone is right-handed, it doesn't necessarily mean they are right-footed.
In basketball, for example, players often perform running 'dunks' off their left foot, and high jumpers tend to explode upwards off their left foot, propelling the right leg over the bar first. This may be because the left leg is more powerful, or it could be that the right leg is faster and better able to accelerate forward. So, while most people are right-handed, their left leg may be stronger. This is because when forced to make a choice of feet, most people will default to their right foot, as they sense intuitively that their right side is dominant. However, this may not be the case when it comes to push-off strength and power.
There are benefits to being ambidextrous in basketball. Scouts are often impressed by athletes who can dominate a sport ambidextrously. Being able to use both hands effectively improves passing, dribbling, and handling, resulting in increased ball control. It also makes it harder for defensive players to steal or block the ball. Athletes who are ambidextrous or have strong non-dominant hands tend to perform better than those who rely solely on their dominant hand, due to increased brain activity and motor control, leading to improved coordination, reaction time, and overall athleticism.
To improve your non-dominant hand, start with basic exercises like dribbling, passing, and shooting. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase the difficulty and incorporate these exercises into your regular drills.
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Dominant arms are stronger
The dominant arm is generally stronger and more resistant to fatigue. This is because the long-term preferred use of the dominant arm leads to changes in muscle fibre composition. Studies have reported more type 1, slow-twitch fibres in the muscles of the dominant arm. These changes have been linked to alterations at various levels of motor control, which can result in reduced firing rates to the muscles of the dominant side, impacting motor functions such as fatigability.
In basketball, the dominant arm is relied upon to execute necessary moves, resulting in continuous increases in exercise stress on the limbs. For example, basketball players tend to perform running 'dunks' off their left foot, with the dominant arm doing most of the work. This is because the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa. Therefore, a right-handed person will use their dominant right arm to perform the shot, while their left leg provides stability.
Research has also shown that the dominant arm demonstrates better speed-accuracy relations with experience. As task experience and sensory information increase, the dominant arm group shows substantial improvements in speed-accuracy relations, while the non-dominant arm group maintains but does not improve. This is consistent with complementary models of lateralization, which propose different proficiencies for each hemisphere regarding control.
Additionally, bone mineral density (BMD) is greater in the dominant arm compared to the non-dominant arm. This is especially true for athletes who rely on their dominant arm for their sport, such as tennis players. However, sports with little unilateral loading, like basketball, show less pronounced differences in BMD between arms.
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Frequently asked questions
The simplest way is to ask yourself: am I left-handed or right-handed? If you're right-handed, your right arm is your dominant arm, and vice versa.
Think about everyday tasks like writing, eating, or brushing your teeth. Most people naturally use their dominant hand for these activities. You could also try a 'sighting triangle' test: make a triangle with your thumbs and first knuckles, holding your hands at arm's length in front of you. The eye that's aligned with the triangle is your dominant eye, and your dominant hand will be on the same side.
It's totally up to you! Most people shoot with their dominant hand, but some find it more comfortable to use their non-dominant hand. Some players even switch between the two.
