Left Wing Vs. Right Wing Hockey

To the average hockey viewer, a left winger and right winger might seem to play the same position, but just on opposite sides of the center. This is often true in youth levels of the game. But as players gain more skill and advance to higher levels of competition, the criteria and roles of the positions can be different.

  1. Criteria

    • In most cases, players play the wing that suits their shooting style. A player with a right-handed shot is most apt to play the right wing, while a left-shooting forward will often play on the left wing. This positioning is done because of either player's stick position; when skating down the ice, the winger's stick blade should be close to the boards for optimal shooting and puck protection. For a left-handed shot, this means playing the left wing.

    Offensive Roles

    • In the most basic form of a hockey team's offensive scheme, the wingers are tasked with patrolling the sides of the ice surface and attacking opponents in their respective corners. The player playing the center position is often free to roam the offensive zone, while the wingers are typically tasked with keeping to their respective side of the ice. In a set shooting play, a winger may attempt to get free around his face-off circle to receive a pass and fire a "one-timer" shot.

    Defensive Roles

    • When the puck is in the defensive zone, the left and right wingers have several responsibilities, including approaching the opposing defensemen and attempting to block the shooting lanes. The wingers also may pursue pucks into the corners or behind the net so that their defense teammates can remain in position in front of the goalie. When the team gains possession of the puck, the wingers will often move to the side boards to receive a breakout pass.

    Variations

    • A team might have several set plays that involve either the left or right winger doing something unorthodox as an attempt to confuse the opposition. When a team tries to protect a lead, one winger might remain "high" in the offensive zone, or around the blue line, instead of approaching the net. In this sense, he acts as an extra defender. While centers typically take face-offs, a winger might take the face-off if the center is waved out by the linesman.