In the first Built From Steel Podcast Mini-Series episode, Coach Eric lays out the foundations of playing wing, using a right winger’s responsibilities to explain key terms and reads across the ice. This solo episode starts in the defensive zone with coverage areas, weak-side support, strong-side positioning, switches, and common mistakes that can open dangerous ice.
Coach Eric then moves into breakouts from both sides, options along the wall, and neutral-zone responsibilities after a change of possession. He also explains why players shift from C, LW, or RW into F1, F2, and F3 as play becomes fluid, before closing with basic winger responsibilities on faceoffs.
Key Moments
4:00 – Defensive-zone coverage areas for wingers
5:00 – Weak-side defensive-zone coverage
10:45 – Strong-side defensive-zone coverage
13:35 – Coverage responsibilities near the boards
15:00 – Adjusting when defencemen switch
22:00 – Common defensive-zone mistakes
24:00 – Dot lanes and protecting middle ice
28:50 – Defending the point and angling lanes
31:30 – Defensive-zone coverage summary
32:20 – Strong-side breakout transitions
36:10 – Weak-side breakout options
38:00 – Keys to successful breakouts
40:00 – Breakout options along the wall
44:00 – Strong-side neutral-zone responsibilities
49:30 – Changing from position labels to F1, F2, and F3
Key Themes
• Wingers need to recognize when to protect middle ice and when to pressure.
• Strong-side and weak-side responsibilities require different reads.
• Defensive positioning affects how quickly a winger can become useful on a breakout.
• As play becomes fluid, forward roles matter more than fixed position labels.
• Faceoff responsibilities begin with knowing the immediate threat.
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The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.
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