advantages/disadvantages of playing offwing

[shanman 0]

I'm sure this has been addressed but can't seem to find it. I seem naturally drawn to the offside/wing. I play D predominantly and even when I play up, yes I can quickly pick up a puck off the boards and put it on net/center it/pass on my regular wing side (the right) etc., but shooting a one timer or a shot from the point feels more natural on my off side: the left side, I shoot right. However holding the line can be a little more difficult/pulling the puck from my backhand into shooting position in a fluid move.

My question is should I not play on the offside if I haven't learned to play on my regular wing/D side first?

Receiving a pass coming across from the left side of the crease and putting it on net from say, the right circle, always feels way more difficult than being set up on the offwing side as you have to kind of turn into it, adjust your body.

Am I being too offensive minded as a Defenseman and doing myself and teamates a disservice by not playing on the right?

[NextBobbyOrr 0]

I don't think it'll be a disservice, your team should understand. Sometimes though, they may just have you playing on-wing if they need it. I play off wing because I'm more of a two-way D or Power forward if I go up. As well as One timers, I even find it easier to hit when I'm off wing. Don't really think of it as "on-wing, off-wing" you should play what's comfortable and what works. My coach just generally put me on my off-side when I'm doing forward and defense, I stayed there, it's natural for me now.

[adam14 182]

some people play towards comforts. I'm right handed, and play on the LW because i like having the "inside shot" because I have more to shoot at when I get into the zone, however others in my position may find a disadvantage to playing this way, for example against the boards, or getting cross ice passes onto your backhand.

Play where you're comfortable. If you're playing out of position and you can't adapt, that's when you'll be hurting the team most.

[Chadd 916]

My preference has changed a couple times over the years, lately I've been playing a lot of RD (RH shot). Offensively, I always prefer being on my off side for the reasons you mentioned. Especially for faceoffs in the offensive zone. Nothing like ripping a shot off a clean faceoff win.

The one thing I will say is that you should work on your backhand, both passing with it and stopping the puck. You would be surprised how often a nice little chip off the boards will create something down low. You're going to benefit your team more by playing where you feel comfortable, but you need to work hard on shoring up the areas where you are weaker.

[gxc999 7]

My preference has changed a couple times over the years, lately I've been playing a lot of RD (RH shot). Offensively, I always prefer being on my off side for the reasons you mentioned. Especially for faceoffs in the offensive zone. Nothing like ripping a shot off a clean faceoff win.

The one thing I will say is that you should work on your backhand, both passing with it and stopping the puck. You would be surprised how often a nice little chip off the boards will create something down low. You're going to benefit your team more by playing where you feel comfortable, but you need to work hard on shoring up the areas where you are weaker.

Good advice about the backhand. I also naturally prefer my off-wing, both for the enhanced shooting angles and easier passing lanes. I'm also naturally pretty decent on my backhand, so it doesn't hurt me as a winger except in rare cases.

[markstmartin89 0]

the biggest advantage is coming into the zone and being able to cut to the middle and shoot on your forehand

[phunky_monkey 6]

I play on my off wing (RH Shot, LD) too, and feel much more comfortable. My slapshot is one of my biggest strengths, so being on that side to open up for a one timer or faceoff win is of real benefit.

I also feel more comfortable hitting on my left, and trapping the puck with my butt to the boards. I will play either side my defensive partner does not want, but will always take the off side if I have the choice.

[sickwilly 37]

I also prefer playing the off wing (when I'm not at center) or the off-point if I'm on the PP.... mainly for the shooting angle.

The only real disadvantage that I feel is receiving poor passes (or really hard, cross ice/outlet passes) on the backhand is a little tougher.

[Jarick 5]

For whatever reason, people pass to me a lot more on my off wing than natural wing. It definitely makes for better shooting in the offensive zone as well.

On D, I'm not sure which side I prefer. I guess if my team cycled and passed the puck more I'd rather be on my off point for one-timers, but they get tunnel vision up front and would rather try to make a pass through six bodies in the slot than move the puck to the wide open point man.

[hamstercaster 2]

When asked what side D I want to play or what wing I want to play I usually reply: Either, I suck equally on both sides lol. But as a LH shooter I am more confortable playing right D or W as I can cut much more easily to my left and create some some open space.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I'm lefty. I prefer my off-side because I'm blind in my right eye. I can see more of the ice from the right than the left because my peripheral visions cuts. That's pretty much the only reason.

On power plays we'll usually play off-sides to set up for easy one-timers, etc.

[NextBobbyOrr 0]

I mentioned this in my post, I feel it's easier to hit "off side" too. Or in my case, to the left(righty). Any of you guys feel like this? I mean this just for hipchecks, or hitting when their on the boards. Like when your backing up and just skate into them..

[Chadd 916]

Ended up playing LW (I'm RH) tonight as I wasn't sure how my ankle was going to hold up and just about every time I got the puck it was down low and I was on my backhand. I made a bunch of pretty good passes to guys in the slot, but didn't have many chances of my own. It really reinforces my thoughts on being confident and competent on your backhand.

[shanman 0]

For whatever reason, people pass to me a lot more on my off wing than natural wing. It definitely makes for better shooting in the offensive zone as well.

On D, I'm not sure which side I prefer. I guess if my team cycled and passed the puck more I'd rather be on my off point for one-timers, but they get tunnel vision up front and would rather try to make a pass through six bodies in the slot than move the puck to the wide open point man.

Boy I sure hear you re: the tunnel vision and everyone collapsing/clustering around the net when two D men, weak and strongside, are wide open to put a low hard one on net. Don't understand it. Don't they watch any NHL or college/good hockey and see how often that is employed? or how often and quickly the puck can be moved from D to D? crazy. also I feel a lot of these players don't play enough D to really appreciate how difficult the position can be to play well! thanks!

[shanman 0]

Ended up playing LW (I'm RH) tonight as I wasn't sure how my ankle was going to hold up and just about every time I got the puck it was down low and I was on my backhand. I made a bunch of pretty good passes to guys in the slot, but didn't have many chances of my own. It really reinforces my thoughts on being confident and competent on your backhand.

Definetly. I actually love my backhand and my Kovalchuck curve for that matter (soon to be Heatley btw) and practice it a good amount. My backhander, when clocked, equals my forehand wrister probably b/c of a bad left shoulder(shoot R). I can pull hard with my bottom hand initially but also feel it bigtime on my top hand/palm as I snap my wrists over the puck as it's released. The thing I like to practice the most, but often can't for very long due to crowded ice during stick and puck sessions, is catching the puck on my backhand, quickly deflecting it inside to my forehand/slapshot for the hard shot from the point when a puck is ringed around hard the boards!

thanks for all the feedback everyone, looks like I'm stayin' on the offside b/c I'm still the most comfortable there

[Jarick 5]

The only time they ever used the points was after a drill we did which was 2-on-2 in the O zone but you had a guy at either point to pass to. For about a game or two they actually realized there were other hockey players back there, but right back to normal.

I actually played a pickup game and kept playing forward and one of my defenseman was at the point a lot, I was constantly working the puck deep and then making a pass to him, and he was surprised how often I looked for him. Well I know how frustrating it is being wide open at the point and never seeing the puck!

[troy 12]

Defensemen playing up will always utilize the points more. I never understood forwards' aversion to using the points, in all likelihood if they put themselves in the right position, the puck will end up back with them or at least in their general area.

[hamstercaster 2]

Defensemen playing up will always utilize the points more. I never understood forwards' aversion to using the points, in all likelihood if they put themselves in the right position, the puck will end up back with them or at least in their general area.

The problem is that too many players think that they can do it on their own. Also, some players only seem to like passing to their friends and will attempt impossible passes before even contemplating passing to a wide open D. Oh the joys of playing D in Shinny..

[IniNew 53]

I usually pay D in our little pick up group, however I'm usually on a team with at least 3 people that I actually play on a team with (and this is with sticks in the middle team decisions) and I actually get more passes to the point than I would had we been playing an actual game.

[adam14 182]

best play I like to make from the off wing, is when the far side D pinches back door, and either stops at about the faceoff circle because he's playing off side aswell and sets up a one timer, or is playing onside and you hit him on his forehand.