need some advice with goalie positioning.
 

First of all, I'm a bit confused for forwards...

If they shoot right, should they be playing on the right wing or left wing?
(and vice versa).

And as a goalie, is there certain type of shots I should expect differently
if a right (or left) shooter is coming down the right (or left) wing?

Because I think I read in an article (which I can't find anymore) about if
the shooter is on his "off-wing", his shooting options are different or more limited, etc.

So I'm just trying to understand how all this works, and as a goalie, should
I be positioning myself slightly different or anticipating where a shot would more likely be at?

A right handed shooter will most likely be playing on the left wing.

Saying from experience, I find it easier to play on the left wing rather than the right wing [I'm right handed]. Playing on the right wing is more of a challenge to score since [most of us] are raised to use our right hand. Coming from the left wing, when the shooter takes a shot, he's facing the RIGHT side. It's just more comfortable.

Like you said about limited shots, the shooters shot options are limited when he's playing on the right wing [IMO].

Also, another tip for playing goalie is, skate/walk a FEW steps forward when the shooter is coming towards you during a breakaway/shootout. Slowly walk/skate backwards as the shooter is closing in on you, don't always stay in the net/crease.

Example:
http://www.isport.com/Images/Article...ng_300x350.jpg

The reason for this is because it limits the shooters shot to go top shelf, gloveside etc.

^ so to clarify, you shoot rightside, correct?
(confused sometimes, because many right handed people shoot left)
and you prefer to be on the left wing.


so when you say "playing on the right wing"... do you mean the rightside wing,
or the correct wing?

And can you explain the limitations and options for the shooter?

I'm playing ball hockey as well (not ice).

Yep. I prefer to be on the left wing, and I'm right handed.

When I mean "playing on the right wing" I mean the right side wing.

I assume you're right handed, so you have your glove on your left hand correct?

It's hard to explain. When I play on the leftside wing, it's just more comfortable/easier to shoot from the leftside wing as all there is blocking my way is your glove

However, if I was playing on the rightside wing, scoring is more challenging. The shooters option is to either score:
-Fivehole
or
- Top shelf; left corner

I actually find it a distraction with the pad blocker and goalie stick that the goalie is holding. It means theres more space taking up a side comparing it to your glove side.

If I was shooting from the leftwing side, my options are:
- Fivehole
- Top rightside shelf
- Between the glove and pad [forgot what its called lol]

Sorry for being so vague, brain is a bit slow at 5am

if he's a LH shot, he has better shooting angles playing on the RW, as the puck will be positioned closer to the middle of the ice, giving the shooter more of a target. however, if the winger is not skilled, it will be more difficult for him to receive passes as he'll have to take them on the backhand. the other downside is passing. he better be good at backhand saucers, or everyone on the ice will know when he's looking to pass the puck. including goalies. what i'm saying is that there is more disadvantage to playing off wing if you are not a skilled player. yes you may get the angles, but if you cant receive passes on your back hand or break out on the off wing, you'll seldom get a chance to use your positioning to get a shot on goal.

so even though you're asking questions pertaining to goaltending, its good to keep that in mind. if a RH player is coming in on the RW, you have to position yourself so that your angle blocks (his) left side of the net, giving him only your glove side to shoot at. if he tries to go far side (your blocker), he'll either miss the net completely or you'll make an easy pad/blocker save. i'm RH and if im coming on on the right side, i usually try to go low far side, hoping for a big rebound off your pad for my trailing winger or centre to pick up and bury.

if you're facing a player coming in on his off wing (LH playing RW or RH playing LW), you have to be much more aware of your positioning and angle as he has essentially the entire net to shoot at. thats when you try to give him a spot to shoot at to sucker him into taking a shot as opposed to deke (give him 5 hole, and as soon as he brings the puck into shooting position, close it).

the most important thing is realizing the skill of your opponents as opposed to your personal skill and that of your teammates.

the best thing a goalie can do is watch the other team during warm ups to see who does what.

like rickster said, the winger has more shooting options from the off-wing because the puck is closer to the centre. The player will have better angles to get the puck to the far side. In terms of a shooting position, it is much more dangerous than being on the "right" wing. When you're positioning your self for a shot, make sure you're square to the puck and not the player.