In the sprawling world of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, character details often carry deep significance, and none more so than Arya Stark’s dominant hand. In the novels, Arya is explicitly written as left-handed—a small but crucial detail that symbolizes her non-conformity and provides a tactical advantage in combat. However, when it came to bringing the character to life in HBO’s Game of Thrones, actress Maisie Williams faced a unique and daunting challenge: she is naturally right-handed. To honor the source material and the distinct fighting style of the character, Williams made the demanding commitment to learn how to fight entirely with her non-dominant hand.
The Commitment to Canon: Left-Handed Training
From her very first sword lesson, Williams insisted on training as a southpaw. The decision reflected a profound dedication to her craft and to the expectations of the massive book fanbase. The Weapon: Arya’s weapon of choice is Needle, a slim, lightweight sword gifted to her by her half-brother, Jon Snow. The thin blade is designed for thrusting and quick, agile movements—a style known as “Water Dancing,” taught to her by Syrio Forel, the Braavosi master swordsman. The Advantage: As explained by Syrio Forel to Arya in A Game of Thrones, fighting left-handed offers a tactical advantage: “The left is good. All is reversed, it will make your enemies more awkward.” In a world where most opponents are right-handed, a left-handed fighter disrupts familiar reflexes and footwork.
The Physical Data: A Decade of Mastery
Williams’ commitment was not a one-off performance; it required years of rigorous physical training that spanned the entire run of the series, starting when she was just 12 years old. Fact: Over the course of the show, Maisie Williams trained in multiple disciplines, including classical fencing for the “Water Dance” style, and later, the Filipino martial art of Eskrima (or Kali), which utilizes fast-paced, dual-wielding stick work. The Result: Ambidextrous Mastery: Through consistent practice, Williams developed a formidable level of ambidexterity, particularly in stage combat. This paid off spectacularly in iconic scenes, such as her sparring match with Brienne of Tarth in Season 7 and, most notably, in the epic “Battle of Winterfell” (Season 8, Episode 3).
The Notable Event: The Kill That Shocked Westeros
Williams’ ambidextrous skill provided the technical foundation for the character’s most pivotal moment: defeating the Night King. In the climactic moment of “The Long Night,” Arya appears to be disarmed by the Night King. However, she executes a famous “switch-a-roo” maneuver, dropping the Valyrian steel dagger from her right hand, catching it with her free left hand, and delivering the killing blow. The fluidity and speed required for this move—using her non-dominant hand for the critical action—underscored the total physical transformation and dedication that Maisie Williams brought to the role of Arya Stark, turning a simple book detail into one of the most celebrated moments of the entire series.