What is the main reason a winger would play on his "off-wing"?

[redbull]

Nevertheless, Messier played left wing for much of his early career. He could probably have scored more goals as a RW, but he was a better all-round player on the left side. Mainly because he was so effective at digging in the corners on his strong side, and delivering the puck to the net from there.



It's true that off-wing play was heavily favored in Europe -- where, notably, there was a LOT less board play than in North American hockey.

The one big exception to the North American standard was Maurice Richard, a lefty who played RW. Other than him, off-wing shooters tended not to thrive in the NHL.

whoa - totally forgot about the Rocket (mind you, he was before my time). Wonder if he was the first prominant/star north american player to play the off-wing? I should maybe ask on the History of Hockey board - lotsa old-timers there

Good point about the board play.

And on Mess - he would have success playing any position. The guy had all strengths and no weaknesses. He was the Phil Kessel of his era.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

The negatives:

- Cutting to the opponent's net also requires the puck to be on the backhand.

but you also have the advantage of being able to protect the puck better, including holding off the defender with your shooting arm, when you drive to the net from the off-wing.

you ever try leaning your shoulder into the defender while trying to cut in on your forehand? very hard to maintain control of the puck.

 

[InglewoodJack]

For me personally, I'd rather play RW or RD (I'm a lefty) because of that access to one timers. Also, I feel like you have more shooting and passing space if your stick is facing the centre of the ice rather than the boards.

 

[DekeLikeYouMeanIt]

Not sure I unde how playing off wing helps your one timer.
I'm a righty, if somebody feeds me the puck as I'm on the right side I can get a clean one timer, right?

Shorter distance if your body is open to the passer.

 

[rkhum]

Shorter distance if your body is open to the passer.

Diagram? Having trouble visualizing.

 

[Joedaman55]

Not sure I unde how playing off wing helps your one timer.
I'm a righty, if somebody feeds me the puck as I'm on the right side I can get a clean one timer, right?

If you get a pass on your off wing and aim it at the back foot a person can put a lot more accuracy and torque on their shot. Watch how people set themselves up on the powerplay (specifically Ovechkin).

 

[Joedaman55]

but you also have the advantage of being able to protect the puck better, including holding off the defender with your shooting arm, when you drive to the net from the off-wing.

you ever try leaning your shoulder into the defender while trying to cut in on your forehand? very hard to maintain control of the puck.

Not a pro hockey player but I found it easier to defend on the backhand side when driving past defenders at the AAA level.

 

[Nynja*]

Diagram? Having trouble visualizing.

If you're a righty, and you're on the right side of the ice, your stick is facing the boards instead of the net. If you're on the left side, your stick is facing the net. Just visualize yourself with a stick in your hand and imagine you're on both faceoff dots facing the net.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

I believe Tarasenko stated he likes playing his off-wing because it's easier for him to cut into the middle of the slot to take a shot.

 

[Dr Quincy]

1)One-timer and 2) ability to come in off the wing and cut to the middle with a forehand shot on goal.

 

[Boy Hedican]

Being a guy who plays both sides, I find that coming up the wall on the off-wing allows for better vision across the ice because you can get tunnel vision trying to protect the puck through the neutral zone as the only move you really have is to try to keep the puck to close to the boards. When you're on the off-wing, you're a more dangerous threat to cut to the middle and throw a pass across the ice or make another move since you're more likely to be on your forehand when you make your move towards the middle. And of course, once you're in the zone, it opens up the option for a one-timer. It does make things a little more difficult in the defensive zone but if you keep it simple, it shouldn't affect the winger all that much.

I play both sides (lefty), and I tend to agree with most of what you posted except that I don't think the only option on the on-wing is to stick to the boards. I often curl into the middle when I gain the blue line and let the other winger or center crash the net or just get to some open space. My backhand passing and shooting is pretty decent for a player of my experience level, so I still make plays.

That all said, once I'm in the o-zone I rarely "play my side". It just becomes a game of F1, F2, F3 and puck support. But this is all adult hockey stuff here. Its a bit chaotic

 

[Devil Dancer]

I believe Tarasenko stated he likes playing his off-wing because it's easier for him to cut into the middle of the slot to take a shot.

This is true, but the downside is you have to cut in or at least turn your body before getting off a good forehand shot on the rush. If you're playing the on wing you're already on your forehand even if you're on the boards.

 

[Patmac40]

I play both sides (lefty), and I tend to agree with most of what you posted except that I don't think the only option on the on-wing is to stick to the boards. I often curl into the middle when I gain the blue line and let the other winger or center crash the net or just get to some open space. My backhand passing and shooting is pretty decent for a player of my experience level, so I still make plays.

I was more so talking about the neutral zone in that case where there's not always a ton of room in a clogged neutral zone and the easiest play to make is to keep going up the wall. Once you get into the o-zone then space frees up if you've back the defense off enough and there are more one-on-one battles with the defenders trying to pick up their assignments. I like cutting to the middle a lot once I get in the zone too if there's room.

That all said, once I'm in the o-zone I rarely "play my side". It just becomes a game of F1, F2, F3 and puck support. But this is all adult hockey stuff here. Its a bit chaotic

Same here. That's been the same system I've used since I was in PeeWee until now. It can be chaotic at times in my Senior games nowadays but it's a league full of guys who played high-level junior at some point so we like to think there's a tiny bit of structure in there too.

 

[MikeModano9]

Back door passes are much easier to receive on your off wing too. Especially powerplay situation.

 

[rkhum]

If you're a righty, and you're on the right side of the ice, your stick is facing the boards instead of the net. If you're on the left side, your stick is facing the net. Just visualize yourself with a stick in your hand and imagine you're on both faceoff dots facing the net.

Gotcha, excellent post.
In fact, great thread in general.
I wish the hockey announcers would talk more about X/Os and techniques like this; we rarely get this info.