What is Stephen Curry’s Dominant Hand?

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Did you know that only 10 to 12% of the world’s population is left-handed? That means roughly 1 in 10 people you know are lefties. Left-handed people are known to be excellent athletes that possess several advantages over their orthodox counterparts. Southpaw pitchers and boxers are known to be difficult opponents; the same is true in basketball. Him being considered one of the best NBA players right now, what is Stephen Curry’s dominant hand? Is he left-handed or right-handed?

Is Stephen Curry Left Handed or Right HandedIs Stephen Curry Left Handed or Right Handed?

Curry is a right-hand dominant basketball player. That means he shoots and often finishes with his right hand. While you may not see him shoot a three or a free-throw a la James Harden in an NBA, Curry is a great layup finisher with his left hand. On top of that, he can also pass and dribble accurately using his off hand.

If you have wondered if Steph Curry’s good enough to hit left-handed shots, then wonder no more. Here is a clip of him on Ramona Shelbourne’s IG account hitting left-handed free throws and a left-handed And-1 three versus the Celtics. On top of that, there is also footage of Curry drilling consecutive left-handed threes during All-Star game warmups. His left-handed shooting form leaves much to be desired, but you can’t argue with the results.

 

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As a master of his craft, it’s no surprise that someone like Steph Curry can consistently hit shots whichever hand he’s using.

Which Hand Does Curry Use to ShootWhich Hand Does Curry Use to Shoot?

Is Steph curry left-handed or right-handed when shooting? Well, Curry is a right-handed shooter. Thus he moves his feet slightly to the left for perfect alignment. His stance is also mostly wide when shooting, and he uses a slight dip of the ball to create upward momentum for his shot.

What is Stephen Curry's Shooting PercentageWhat is Stephen Curry’s Shooting Percentage?

Stephen Curry is a career 47.4% field goal shooter, but it deserves a little context. His field goal percentage fluctuated depending on his health. For instance, playing only five games in 2019-20 because of wrist and leg injuries, Curry shot only 40% on roughly 16 attempts. Surprisingly, the championship season in 2021-22 saw Curry shooting 43.7% from the floor on 19 shots. That’s the lowest mark of his career besides the 2019-20 season.

Thirteen games into the 2022-23 season, Curry’s shooting performances have been nothing less than impressive. He shoots over 52% from the field, tying his field goal attempts per game at 20.2. Curry is once again automatic from the line at 92.1% and a deadly 43.3% clip from deep. It’s impossible to predict if Curry can sustain this type of shooting, but it’s also not a good idea to bet against basketball’s best shooter ever.

For his career, Stephen Curry is a 90.9% free throw shooter and a 42.8% shooter beyond the three-point line.

Stephen Curry’s Best Shooting PerformancesStephen Curry’s Best Shooting Performances

Curry is unsurprisingly known for his shooting. Still with a lot left in the tank, Steph is unanimously considered the best shooter basketball has ever seen. If you have any doubts, take a look at these performances:

1. 50 points vs. Phoenix (Nov. 16, 2022)

Curry has put on an absolute masterclass this season in terms of his shooting. Too bad nobody from his team is keeping up with him. In a loss to Western Conference rival Phoenix, Steph put up 50 points, the 11th 50-point game of his career. He hit 17-for-28 from the field, including 7-for-11 from three while hitting all nine free throws.

2. Career-high 62 vs Portland (Jan. 3, 2021)

Steph’s 2020-21 season wasn’t spectacular by his standards, but in a game against Portland, the two-time MVP went absolutely bonkers. He finished with a career-high 62 on 18-for-31 shooting, including 8-for-16 from deep. As icing on the cake, Curry made 18 of his 19 free throw attempts.

3. 54 at the Garden

Before the Portland game in 2021, Steph’s previous career-high was the smoke show at Madison Square Garden in 2013. Curry hit 11 for 13 from the rainbow territory and 18 for 28 overall. It came in a losing effort, but it’s Steph’s way of announcing that he means business.

4. Coming off the bench vs. Nuggets in the playoffs

Steph was actually ailing in the early rounds of the 2022 playoffs and even came off the bench in a couple of games against the Nuggets. It didn’t really matter. In Game 2 of the first-round showdown with Denver, Curry shot a perfect 7-for-7 from three and shot 70.6% overall. He scored 34 points in only 23 minutes and registered a +32.

5. 43 points vs Celtics, 2022 NBA Finals Game 4

If not for this performance by Curry, fans would have witnessed the Larry O’Brien Trophy being taken to Boston. Steph hit timely shots, 14-for-26 overall with seven treys (on 14 attempts) and 8-for-9 on free throws. This is probably the best playoff performance of Steph Curry’s career.

How to Shoot Like Stephen Curry_ Curry's Shooting FormHow to Shoot Like Stephen Curry: Curry’s Shooting Form

Curry’s shooting form is one of the most broken-down in basketball, and it’s easy to see why. He is the most prolific shooter the sport has ever seen. He has unlimited range, a quick release, and, most important of all, deadly accuracy. 

Here is how you can shoot like Steph Curry:

1. Shooting Stance

Steph himself said that you must catch the ball from a shoot-ready position. That means your knees must already be bent as soon as you catch the rock, and the ball is already in the shooting pocket. That makes the release quicker and the shot stronger as the force from the legs transfers all the way to the body and fingertips.

2. Alignment

As the video pointed out at 1:26, Curry’s right shoulder, elbow, and hip are aligned. His shoulder is squarely behind his elbow, parallel to his hip. His forearm is slightly angled away from the line, allowing the ball to remain above his shooting eye.

3. Dip

The secret to Curry’s unlimited range and effortless logo 3s is the dip. The “dip” means Steph brings the ball down to his hip level to create a surge of energy. This is why he can pull up from half-court with ease.

4. One-Motion Shot

Aside from the dip, Curry’s shot is one motion. It’s predicated on the idea that your shot should be one smooth motion from start to finish. There will be no hitches and wasted movements.

5. Shooting and Release

Many coaches preach setting the ball on your fingertips before the release. Steph Curry doesn’t do that. In fact, the ball touches his palm right before he releases it. He then snaps his wrist forward, transferring the ball from the palm to his finger pads and off his fingertips. As for the release, it seems like Curry shoots the ball off four fingers with the middle finger touching it last. You can also notice that he keeps his wrist super relaxed and snappy.

Wrapping Things Up: What is Stephen Curry’s Dominant Hand?

Is Steph Curry right-handed or is Steph Curry left-handed? Many fans probably wonder about that. After all, southpaws are known shooters. But really, what is Stephen Curry’s dominant hand? Steph is actually right-handed, as 91% in the NBA are. But make no mistake about it, Curry is almost just as proficient with his left hand, especially when finishing in traffic. Every now and then, you’ll see him mess around and hit lefty shots in practice. It’s not really surprising since Steph is unanimously considered the best shooter basketball has ever seen.

If you’re interested in learning Stephen Curry’s story, check out this basketball biography book.

Check out some NBA players who are left-handed here.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.

Check out other interesting articles about Stephen Curry below:

> Has Stephen Curry Won the MVP Award?

> What Does Steph Curry’s Logo Mean?

> How Long Has Steph Curry Been in the NBA?

> How Many Times Has Curry Made the Finals?

> How Many Rings Does Stephen Curry Have?

> What Mouthguard Does Stephen Curry Use?

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Hoops Addict

Hoops Addict was created to help basketball fans of all ages learn more about the sport and find the best basketball gear to improve their ability to hoop. He has been a huge basketball fan for decades, watching thousands of basketball games through the years to learn the ins and outs of the game.

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