Dilemma

[HockeyIsLife 0]

When I go to the rink and play a casual game with friends I play defense and I like it because for some reason I like to skate backwards and I am good with my stick.

But on my team I play left wing.

I am not sure what position is better for me.

I am a good stick handler, I am fast when I want to be, and I am good at skating backwards.

Also I have a good slapshot. The best on my team and I have always had better slapshots even better than my coaches.

So should I play defense or left wing?

I am wondering this because I was watching a Nahsville Predators game and the commentator said that Shea Weber played forward until bantam and then swithed.

[HockeyIsLife 0]

anyone?

[Viking 1]

I have no idea what level of hockey you play, but maybe ask to try playing defense in a game (maybe for a third period if your team is up or down by ten goals or something), or in practice, and see how you do?... I played forward until I was 14, but due to illnesses and injuries, I was switched to defense. I played one game, and I loved it, and was a lot better at it, and never switched back. It was just natural - when I play forward once in a while now, and I feel completely lost, and like I don't know what I'm doing at all.

[HockeyIsLife 0]

also in tryouts it seems like bad defencemen make a higher tier

[hockeydoc 0]

also in tryouts it seems like bad defencemen make a higher tier

Yes, because it's all about which tier you play in. Not about improving, but about the bragging rights of playing AAA.

"I suck, and rarely get a shift, but I am on a AAA team." lol

What level, age bracket do you play at? This makes a difference. I usually put my best players on defence at peewee or below, and sometimes bantam in the A1 or A2 levels. My worst players at these levels I put on wing. If you are speaking of a travel team I would trust the coach to put you where you are most suited. If you are playing house league you should be able to play where ever you want if you ask.

Sometimes guys think they are good at something, or well suited for a position that they are not. A big mistake I see a lot is that people get all hung up on what position they play at young ages, rather than realizing that the best thing for your developement is to truly learn to play all positions proficiently, and later settling in to a specialty.

[Doctor Hook 0]

What do you think can help your team the most? You said you like to backwards skate, are a strong stickhandler, and have a slapper. Sounds to me like attributes for a defenseman.

[Jarick 5]

What do you think can help your team the most? You said you like to backwards skate, are a strong stickhandler, and have a slapper. Sounds to me like attributes for a defenseman.

Yeah that's what I'd say. Sounds like an offensive defenseman to me, which would probably be pretty valuable.