Re(1): Question of the week #317 (REDUX) - What's wrong with playing lefty? Posted on January 17, 2024 at 03:07:30 PM by TommyT
On a court with 3 walls, the general strategy involves utilizing the side wall to make it difficult for the opposing player/team to catch/return the ball. A right-side forehand can be controlled to allow for a wide variety of throws. A few examples...a cortada close to side wall; a high front to side wall to place the ball in the outer back of the court which then spins to the cage making it unreturnable; a forehand throw that starts toward the middle of the court and curves into the side wall making it difficult to catch.
A cesta on the left hand would not allow for some of the examples above. A lefty should be able to keep the ball very close to the side wall with a forehand overhand throw, however the main issues are as follows. Quite often a ball is thrown towards the side wall, and while it should in theory be easier for a lefty to catch, the issue is when returning the ball. The primary return would need to be an overhand throw as there would not generally be enough room to throw a side arm throw without the cesta hitting the side wall. Even if the player is catching in the middle of the court, a side arm throwing angle (which will get the ball deeper to the back) will not utilize the side wall the same as a right-side thrower and most likely allow for an easier catch for the opponent.
If the court only has a front wall (as a number of outdoor Basque courts have), then the playing should theoretically be the same for a left-handed or right-handed player without either having an advantage (assuming the players are of equal abilities). Replies:
