Left winger or right winger?

Question

i know next to nothing hockey, but i was wondering what makes a left winger better on the left side and a right winger better on the right side? what makes a coach decide what side to put a given player on?

do players every swap sides during the game? like, a player starts on the left, but on his next shift flips to the right?

Answer 1

A right handed shot will normally play right wing and left wingers are usually left handed shots.

You might have noticed the switch in syntax. That is the position vs. the shot and vice verse. That is because there are many more left handed shots than right handed shots in hockey.

The advantage of a left handed shot on left wing and a right handed shot on right wing is that passes are coming from and going to the forehand with this arrangement.

Since most hockey players play with a curved stick today. It is almost essential that all passes are taken and given off the forehand.

Often on power plays the points are reversed and the slot man is on his off side to place the stick toward the centre of the ice for a better angle of shot on net.

Answer 2

im a left handed player but perfer right wing because when im next to the boards i can take a quick shot before getting hit

Answer 3

as a left handed player a left winger can protect the puck more going down the left side then the right side (ie. the puck is near the boards instead of the middle of the ice when he carries it).

Some players with big shots will play on the opposite wing because it gives a better chance at a one timer

And yes some players will play one wing and switch to the other in situations such as a powerplay (again for one timers)