LD vs. RD

[Illegal_Stick]

So stupid question:

All right, I play hockey. I'm a goalie so I'm pretty familiar with the game and I thought - the D position. I know it's preferable to have a left shot on LD and right shot on RD, but is it absolutely necessary? I just ask since I always thought it was doable, but all this talk of being stacked on RD and short on LD makes me think.... so switch someone? I guess I know the answer since obviously we wouldn't be searching for LD if it was a simple switch. Switching players from Center to wing is doable, but I really always thought that you could make the D switch work? OR is it switchable and we just don't have a massive talent like Chycrun, hence the need to make a move for him. I thought I understood hockey... cleary I don't. I also let in seven goals last night so...

 

[Kurisu]

I'd be curious to see more dialog on this conversation too. It was explained to me recently that the stick-handedness was preferential on the side protecting the boards and not the middle of the ice. Seemed to me that the opposite of that would be more conducive to shooting angles and generating offense, so I'd like to hear perspectives from people that actually play.

 

[JWR]

I don't play but from what I can gather it is more to with when you are on the boards as to if you are on your forehand or backhand.

 

[jt]

So stupid question:

All right, I play hockey. I'm a goalie so I'm pretty familiar with the game and I thought - the D position. I know it's preferable to have a left shot on LD and right shot on RD, but is it absolutely necessary? I just ask since I always thought it was doable, but all this talk of being stacked on RD and short on LD makes me think.... so switch someone? I guess I know the answer since obviously we wouldn't be searching for LD if it was a simple switch. Switching players from Center to wing is doable, but I really always thought that you could make the D switch work? OR is it switchable and we just don't have a massive talent like Chycrun, hence the need to make a move for him. I thought I understood hockey... cleary I don't. I also let in seven goals last night so...

That's a great question. I've never played at a high level so my opinions are just from watching. But it has to do with give and receiving passes. On the Kings, Martinez, Walker, and Anderson have played their off side, but it's hard. You have to receive and make passes either on your backhand or skating on your opposite foot. Players can do it for sure but it's not easy and it's not optimal. I read something a month or so ago that Doughty has never played a game at LD and there's a reason for that: it's not maximizing his game. Can he do it? Sure. But why have him at 70% on LD when you can have him at 100% on RD?

 

[Illegal_Stick]

That's a great question. I've never played at a high level so my opinions are just from watching. But it has to do with give and receiving passes. On the Kings, Martinez, Walker, and Anderson have played their off side, but it's hard. You have to receive and make passes either on your backhand or skating on your opposite foot. Players can do it for sure but it's not easy and it's not optimal. I read something a month or so ago that Doughty has never played a game at LD and there's a reason for that: it's not maximizing his game. Can he do it? Sure. But why have him at 70% on LD when you can have him at 100% on RD?

Makes sense - I'm definitely playing at a level where there isn't much difference between us playing at 80 or 100 lol.

 

[jt]

Makes sense - I'm definitely playing at a level where there isn't much difference between us playing at 80 or 100 lol.

I actually played with a guy in San Diego who was 76. It was awesome. I was playing with roller champ Denis Amyot and later a couple ex ice pros from Quebec's system. They had so much fun playing with him even though we'd lose 14-1.

 

[santiclaws]

So stupid question:

I'm a goalie so

So STFU and stop the puck, OK?

I also let in seven goals last night so...

My team scored 7 last night apparently against your doppelganger.

Anyway, I play D mostly these days after being LW for most of my life, although I've played lots of C and RW as well. I'm weird because I like to play RD even though I'm a left shot, because in the offensive zone my stick is at a better angle for a shot. That said, I'm ****. I imagine for a pro it is hard to switch because a little bit of a difference makes a big difference in their play; and this is not a little difference.

It's all about receiving passes and picking up the puck against the boards in the offensive zone. Moving forward you're receiving passes on your forehand from your defensive partner and it's also much easier to stop pucks the other team is trying to clear out of their zone along the boards when you're on offense. We only had 3 D yesterday so I was switching between RD and LD all night long. It really makes a big difference.

 

[DryKing]

So stupid question:

All right, I play hockey. I'm a goalie so I'm pretty familiar with the game and I thought - the D position. I know it's preferable to have a left shot on LD and right shot on RD, but is it absolutely necessary? I just ask since I always thought it was doable, but all this talk of being stacked on RD and short on LD makes me think.... so switch someone? I guess I know the answer since obviously we wouldn't be searching for LD if it was a simple switch. Switching players from Center to wing is doable, but I really always thought that you could make the D switch work? OR is it switchable and we just don't have a massive talent like Chycrun, hence the need to make a move for him. I thought I understood hockey... cleary I don't. I also let in seven goals last night so...

It's greatly (usually very very greatly) preferred but not deemed essential in many cases. As others have said, it comes down to holding your stick towards the board side when facing the offensive zone in order to better protect the boards, better control the offensive forward by staying between him and the goal (pushing him to the outside) and receive and make passes.

Not quite as essential for forwards who actually can gain better shot opportunities on the off wing but again have to accept, and make, passes on the backhand which is not favorable.


Check out the 2022 Canadian World Junior Hockey Team for instance:

Weaknesses

On defence, Canada has no right shots. All eight defenders shoot left. It can be something that some teams can exploit in the forecheck or when attacking the Canadian team.

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/...onship-preview-strength-weakness-xfactor-team

 

[MiketheKing]

It's a fairly easy answer. On offense, you can immediately take a one-timer from a pass if you're opposite-handed from your position.

Example: if you are a LD (left point), right-handed, you easily accept a one-time pass from the right side right onto your stick. Same thing in Reverse, it's easy to take a one-timer as a right d left handed. Otherwise you'd be handcuffing yourself and have to wait for the puck to go all the way across stop it before you can release the shot.

In other words you want your stick open to the middle of the ice not across your body Far Side for easier puck release.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

Thanks for all the answers. All confirms the obvious answers I suppose. Just seems like it can work (totally forgot about Martinez - he was on the proper LD side for the two goals we will never forget). I guess what I'm wondering is there are all these articles about how we are going to have an RD problem, we desperately need an LD - so shouldn't we be trying to make an LD out of someone - the way we're making wingers out of centers? I assume we are. It's not like Blake would read this and go - "hey, why didn't we think of that?"

 

[Illegal_Stick]

It's greatly (usually very very greatly) preferred but not deemed essential in many cases. As others have said, it comes down to holding your stick towards the board side when facing the offensive zone in order to better protect the boards, better control the offensive forward by staying between him and the goal (pushing him to the outside) and receive and make passes.

Not quite as essential for forwards who actually can gain better shot opportunities on the off wing but again have to accept, and make, passes on the backhand which is not favorable.


Check out the 2022 Canadian World Junior Hockey Team for instance:

Weaknesses

On defence, Canada has no right shots. All eight defenders shoot left. It can be something that some teams can exploit in the forecheck or when attacking the Canadian team.

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/...onship-preview-strength-weakness-xfactor-team

Interesting, that's what I was going to say about Doughty - wouldn't he have to move over at some point in the Olympics, but then in memory - he was with Niedermayer (I think) in 2010 and any play I remember, he was on that right side.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I actually played with a guy in San Diego who was 76. It was awesome. I was playing with roller champ Denis Amyot and later a couple ex ice pros from Quebec's system. They had so much fun playing with him even though we'd lose 14-1.

I played against a guy in his sixties last year and I had that moment of - "ah, that's nice" then he ripped one past me and I was in my head thinking, "Well that's what you get, you age-ist prick."

 

[Illegal_Stick]

So STFU and stop the puck, OK?

Believe me, I'm trying. Next game is tonight. We've lost 5-2 and 7-3. We wear Habs jerseys so I'm blaming it on that for now.

My team scored 7 last night apparently against your doppelganger.

Sounds like we could both use a change of scenery. Time for a trade. I assume he'll be cool coming to Ottawa because I'm totally good with coming there.

Anyway, I play D mostly these days after being LW for most of my life, although I've played lots of C and RW as well. I'm weird because I like to play RD even though I'm a left shot, because in the offensive zone my stick is at a better angle for a shot. That said, I'm ****. I imagine for a pro it is hard to switch because a little bit of a difference makes a big difference in their play; and this is not a little difference.

I rarely play out, but when I do I always prefer the "wrong" side, for that offensive opportunity. That being said, I suck receiving on my backhand and of course, it rarely matters. Of course, it's not just that our own skill levels are so much lower, but the quality of opponent. I can stop most guys backhand and forehand (and they can beat me backhand and forehand) but I imagine when Crosby is coming in on you, that slight difference may matter a whole hell of a lot.

 

[jammer06]

Beer leaguer for life but..

I think you guys that are focusing on the off wing shot at the point vs holding pucks in are missing it. Having the left shot D on the left side and the right shot D on the right is much more important in the D zone. Not that defenders don't switch when cycles get going or anything but it's a lot easier in your corner to pull the puck out for the breakout, or come around the net on your forehand side. That tap pass up the board to the winger or to a swinging center/off wing is just easier/faster to get off on your forehand. I know for sure when i'm on my off side I'm much more likely to reverse the puck down around if I'm on the backhand facing up ice and I see even a hint of overload on the boards by the attacking team. Last thing in the world I want to do there is float a backhand no matter how open that offside winger looks. On my forehand it's a different calculation.

In the offensive zone getting to the center of the ice is hard, I know a lot of guys at my level hope that by having their stick on that side it's going to give them that advantage they need to get the puck off but the reality is its pretty rare for a D to D swing 1 time shot. Good teams press the points and don't usually allow that. I know I'm probably taking a 5-1 ratio of one timers where shots were generated coming up the boards or towards the blue line vs nice and horizontal or me dipping into the zone. We usually have an odd number of D-men so we play both sides more than we'd like. In any case it's easier to work a high give and go for that shot with forehand strong to the boards side than off wing. Believe it or not walking the puck along the blueline is equally hard to get a good strong shot off if you're skating forwards or backwards.

Anyway my two cents are it's not impossible to play the off hand, but there's definitely style advantages that are more prevalent these days to having that handedness.

 

[VCRW]

I played against a guy in his sixties last year and I had that moment of - "ah, that's nice" then he ripped one past me and I was in my head thinking, "Well that's what you get, you age-ist prick."

I played in a bunch of LGK games (with jt, santiclaws and nyssa42 among others here) in my 60s as well as playing more competitively in Las Vegas at that age.

Now in my 70s, I am still hoping to get back out and play a little at Ice-O-Plex before I hang up the skates for good.

Skating is far easier on the body than running.

I played on the wing most of my life and felt most natural at LW as a right shot player. I think playing on the off side works well for forwards, but for defensemen not so much.

 

[beedee]

So stupid question:

All right, I play hockey. I'm a goalie so I'm pretty familiar with the game and I thought - the D position. I know it's preferable to have a left shot on LD and right shot on RD, but is it absolutely necessary? I just ask since I always thought it was doable, but all this talk of being stacked on RD and short on LD makes me think.... so switch someone? I guess I know the answer since obviously we wouldn't be searching for LD if it was a simple switch. Switching players from Center to wing is doable, but I really always thought that you could make the D switch work? OR is it switchable and we just don't have a massive talent like Chycrun, hence the need to make a move for him. I thought I understood hockey... cleary I don't. I also let in seven goals last night so...

So STFU and stop the puck, OK?



My team scored 7 last night apparently against your doppelganger.

Anyway, I play D mostly these days after being LW for most of my life, although I've played lots of C and RW as well. I'm weird because I like to play RD even though I'm a left shot, because in the offensive zone my stick is at a better angle for a shot. That said, I'm ****. I imagine for a pro it is hard to switch because a little bit of a difference makes a big difference in their play; and this is not a little difference.

It's all about receiving passes and picking up the puck against the boards in the offensive zone. Moving forward you're receiving passes on your forehand from your defensive partner and it's also much easier to stop pucks the other team is trying to clear out of their zone along the boards when you're on offense. We only had 3 D yesterday so I was switching between RD and LD all night long. It really makes a big difference.

You guys need to post in the Tales From the Beer League thread!!!

Btw, I'm left handed and play left D. Both of my goals this season so far have come on clappers from the right point, go figure.

 

[cokingsfan]

That's a great question. I've never played at a high level so my opinions are just from watching. But it has to do with give and receiving passes. On the Kings, Martinez, Walker, and Anderson have played their off side, but it's hard. You have to receive and make passes either on your backhand or skating on your opposite foot. Players can do it for sure but it's not easy and it's not optimal. I read something a month or so ago that Doughty has never played a game at LD and there's a reason for that: it's not maximizing his game. Can he do it? Sure. But why have him at 70% on LD when you can have him at 100% on RD?

I think you nailed it, at that high of a level of play it maximises the efficiency of the players talent. But we've all seen the different defensemen playing on their off side, except I guess Drew, interesting fact!

 

[MBX5]

I played in a bunch of LGK games (with jt, santiclaws and nyssa42 among others here) in my 60s as well as playing more competitively in Las Vegas at that age.

Now in my 70s, I am still hoping to get back out and play a little at Ice-O-Plex before I hang up the skates for good.

Skating is far easier on the body than running.

I played on the wing most of my life and felt most natural at LW as a right shot player. I think playing on the off side works well for forwards, but for defensemen not so much.

This was exactly my situation too. I was a right shot player who was moved to the left side as a kid when we had too many RH forwards and I really grew to prefer it. As others have said, I found it beneficial in the offensive zone to have my stick on the inside rather than along the boards - more shooting options at the net. I also found it easier in our own end when our D would ring the puck around the boards, to see the other team's right D trying to come in to take my head off as I was receiving the pass and also to head man the puck if the center or other wing was taking off out of our zone. I do agree that these advantages really don't exist on D, and the challanges that others have said trying to handle the passes in the defensive zone probably outweigh any advantages that may exist.

 

[beedee]

So much easier to one-time a shot when receiving a pass across the blue line when playing the opposite side!

 

[Kurisu]

This is a great thread by the way. Great middle of the season All Star break conversation.

I've never skated a shift in my life and grew up playing baseball, so player specific insights to the nuances are really interesting as a fan.

I knew a lot of LGK'ers played, so this is great stuff.