Hockey Positions Tips
Read these 12 Hockey Positions Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Hockey tips and hundreds of other topics.
Faceoffs
A good centerman needs to be effective on faceoffs because a faceoff can often result in a good scoring chance. Although it is helpful to be aggressive, NEVER let the opposing center throw you off the draw. A center that can get through cleanly will be able to attack a defense that is flat-footed and set up a good scoring chance.
Right Wing
Any winger should take pride in their own zone. The winger is absolutely responsible for the defenseman on their side and that defenseman should never be allowed to get a shot. Often wingers suck down to help out their own defensemen and leave their mark open for a threatening scoring chance.
Leaving a Man Open
As a right winger you need to make sure you don't leave your man open off the draw. There is nothing wrong with being aggressive, but leaving your man open could lead to a quick, unexpected counterattack.
Offensive AND Defensive
The center position is extremely important and a coach needs to be careful who he allows to fill this role. A center needs to be both offensive- and defensive-minded, as well as have superior playmaking skills to move the puck to wingers. A center also needs to have good foot speed because they have to cover the most ground.
Committing in the Offensive Zone
In general, depending on the system your team is playing, the right wing needs to know that if both his centerman and left wing are forechecking deep, they cannot commit. If all three players are forechecking deep and the opposing defenseman makes a nice play, the right wing is leaving their team vulnerable for an odd man rush.
Faceoff Positioning
Balance and a quick stick are vital off the draw. Establish good position that will make you strong on your skates and work on a technique that takes out your opponent's stick. There is nothing wrong with using your body to eliminate your opponent's position and kick the puck with your feet.
Angles
Every goalie needs work on their angles. Make three lines - one on the right boards, one on the left, and a line in middle. Rotate through the lines and make sure your players are shooting from the outside and from the angle. It is a natural tendency for a player to drift toward the middle to get a better scoring chance but remember this drill is for the goalies.
Playing Right Wing
Playing right wing is not as complicated as it sounds. Basically, you are like any other forward, trying to score goals and helping out the centerman. Always remember hard work in the corners.
Keith Tkachuk
In the past few NHL seasons, Keith Tkachuk has proven to the hockey world that he is the league's best power forward. The point here is, that as a Left Winger you have to be rugged and tough as well as have desire to score goals and put the puck in the net.
The Right Equipment
The basic equipment every goalie should have includes: blocker, catch glove, helmet and leg pads.
