Bottom hand bruising

doughmadore · 03-05-2012, 03:51 PM

I've been lurking on these boards for quite a while now. I'm thinking someone might be able to answer this one for me.

I've been playing for just over a year and I've recently noticed that after stick practices where I'm taking a lot of shots I'm continually getting a bruise on the bottom shooting hand right below my index finger (in the fleshy palm area) I thought my technique was relatively sound but it seems that I'm obviously doing something wrong either with holding the stick or how I'm coming down on the puck. Any ideas?

bigbadbruins1 · 03-05-2012, 03:55 PM

How often are these shooting practices? Generally if your technique is sound it could just be a matter of the practices are too infrequent and your muscles don't grow stronger to tolerate the added stress. If you are playing on a serious team and want to test it out, try going outside and shooting pucks at some ply wood. start with something like 50 shots and slowly work up to 200+. it will give you a great, accurate shot and strengthen your muscles where they shouldn't bruise anymore.

doughmadore · 03-05-2012, 03:59 PM

I play twice a week, one stick practice with lots of shooting and the other a game with shooting limited to a quick warmup and what ever happens during the game. It goes away but keeps cropping back up. I want to think that I know how to properly hold a stick but who knows, maybe that's it.

sanityplease · 03-05-2012, 04:09 PM

I've had pain in my hand before from the vibration using cheap comps.

shawn1331 · 03-05-2012, 04:46 PM

Happens to me on faceoffs if I turn my bottom hand over to many times, not during shooting. This season I started winning face offs forehand anyways.

neksys · 03-05-2012, 06:37 PM

Is it possible its a glove issue? Perhaps you are getting some kind of pinching or something that is bruising you.

In any event, I get soreness in my hands sometimes but I can't recall ever seeing bruising.

doughmadore · 03-05-2012, 06:44 PM

I can't see how it could be my gloves. It's weird, I've asked other players I know and nobody seems to have an answer.

vapor11 · 03-05-2012, 07:10 PM

What gloves do you have? what stick do you use?

I have played since childhood but don't recall this issue...if it is your technique it would be easier to ask somebody in person with some knowledge unless you can give us video

neksys · 03-05-2012, 07:35 PM

Are you sure its a bruise? I had a pair of gloves that left dye from the leather on my hands, looked like a bruise.

Anyways, this is truly bizarre to me if its actually a bruise. The only way I can imagine you getting extra pressure there is if your palm isn't resting fully on the stick shaft - that is, you are rotating your wrist/arm so that most of the pressure is on your index finger and thumb. Maybe think hard about your hand position next time you are out and see if you are getting a gap at the outside edge of your hand?

doughmadore · 03-05-2012, 08:23 PM

I'm using Bauer vapor 30's and rotate between an s19 and a Reebook lower end model. It's def a bruise that goes away but comes back after taking shots. I think I must be doing something with that hand like you said where I'm rolling the stick off the palm somehow.

Jarick · 03-06-2012, 07:24 AM

I used to get bruises when I was using a stick that was way too stiff. I had an 87 flex cut down to 110-120.

What flex are you using and what's your height?

doughmadore · 03-07-2012, 02:05 PM

I'm 6 ft (175 lbs) and use a 75 flex. I cut it down a little bit so it should be just under 80. I'm fairly strong for my size and have no issue flexing the stick. I'm thinking maybe I'm not wrapping my index finger around my stick completely and instead placing it on the side somehow. Next time I skate I need to look at exactly how my finger is placed on the stick.

Droid6 · 03-07-2012, 02:51 PM

Your stick may be too long so you're getting too much ice on your shot.

michaelshu · 03-11-2012, 09:37 PM

small or large hands?
i have small hands and had bruises when i was using senior sticks, that problem went away immediately after i switched to intermediate.

Playerwinner · 03-11-2012, 11:16 PM

To me it sounds like it could be a glove issue, or your stick is hitting to much ice. Maybe ask someone if you could try there gloves for a few shots when your hands are feeling ok, you should be able to notice a difference right away if this is the issue, but make sure there gloves are relatively new and in good shape/ your size.

CornKicker · 03-12-2012, 08:59 AM

hold your stick tighter with your bottom hand, squeeze the shaft, and space in there and the stick will rattle and force energy through your hand instead of the shot (bruising).

It has nothing to do with your gloves because you could take 100 shots with no gloves and it shouldnt bruise