Modern hockey emphasizes speed, precision, and efficiency. One critical but often overlooked aspect is the importance of defensemen playing on their natural sides. With curved blades now standard, this positioning significantly impacts a defenseman’s ability to execute key plays effectively. Here’s an analysis of why natural-side alignment matters across all zones of the ice:
General Advantages of the Forehand
- Control and Accuracy: On the forehand, the puck naturally rolls into the curved blade, making it easier to cradle and control, compared to the backhand, where the puck tends to roll off.
- Passing and Shooting: Forehand passes and shots are not only more accurate but also faster, giving players less time to react defensively.
Offensive Zone Advantages
Natural-side defensemen excel in key offensive scenarios:
- Board Play: When the puck is rimmed hard along the boards, having the stick on the boards’ side allows for quicker decisions:
- A forehand pass across the blue line.
- A quick, forceful shot on net.
- A hard shoot-in to maintain zone pressure.
- One-timers: Although one-timers are easier on the off-side, many teams adapt by switching defensemen on offensive zone faceoffs to take advantage of specific setups. They return to their natural sides for all-around playability afterward.
Neutral Zone Advantages
Defensemen on their natural sides thrive in transitioning through the neutral zone:
- Receiving Passes: Forehand receptions ensure smoother puck control and allow for faster transitions.
- Puck Protection: Skating along the boards, defensemen use their body to shield the puck from forecheckers while keeping it on their forehand for quick outlet passes.
Defensive Zone Advantages
The defensive zone is where natural-side positioning is most critical:
- Pass Receptions: Defensemen often receive passes from behind the net. Being on their forehand enables quicker, more accurate breakouts.
- Clearing the Zone: Rimming the puck around the boards on the forehand is more controlled and forceful.
- Stick Positioning: When skating backward, the stick naturally cuts passing lanes and guides attackers toward the boards. During pivots, the stick remains in a prime position to disrupt plays.
- D-to-D Passes: Natural-side alignment allows defense pairs to move the puck quickly across the ice, beating aggressive forechecks with precision.
Conclusion
While there are situational benefits to playing the off-side—such as one-timers in the offensive zone—most scenarios favour defensemen playing on their natural sides. From better puck control and passing to enhanced defensive positioning, the advantages of staying on their strong side are clear.
I took my Rep coaching certifications in West Kelowna with Byron Dafoe and Cory Cross and I was sitting with Cory for group exercises. He openly told me that when the Edmonton Oilers asked him to play on the right (he’s lefty), that was the end of his career. The pivots are different, angles, stick hand to cut the passes, etc.
Some Video References:
By optimizing player positioning, teams can maximize efficiency and reduce costly mistakes in all three zones.
