A dominant idea in motor control is that skill learning is supported by plasticity in sensory-motor regions of the hemisphere contralateral to the trained hand. In contrast, the role of the ipsilateral hemisphere is often considered to be that it provides inhibitory input to these regions. Hence, it has been suggested that it may be beneficial to suppress these regions for improving motor skill learning. Using evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies, I will argue that the ipsilateral hemisphere has a much more specific role in supporting motor skill acquisition, and that facilitatory intervention in these motor regions may provide beneficial effects for skill learning and stroke recovery.