Honest feedback on having to play defense in beer league.
- Thread starter Outl4w
- Start date
Whenever I'm on a team that is like that, I make the most of it (it's almost always because I joined the team solely because my buddies put a team together, and they might just not have played at a very high level or something like that), but fill the water bottles with beer and have a laugh...it's a beer league after all!
If putting up points is important and you really do care about winning/losing, then just stop passing them the puck as often and only use them as a get out of jail card; and just skate the puck out. Also if you cause turnovers in the neutral zone, standing up at the red line instead (much easier to type than to actually do!), then you lead the transition back up the ice and are the primary puck carrier.
No real nice way to tell someone they suck in a beer league, because odds are they know they do, but are playing for fun. I would think everyone would know that the play dies on their stick more often than not.
If putting up points is important and you really do care about winning/losing, then just stop passing them the puck as often and only use them as a get out of jail card; and just skate the puck out. Also if you cause turnovers in the neutral zone, standing up at the red line instead (much easier to type than to actually do!), then you lead the transition back up the ice and are the primary puck carrier.
No real nice way to tell someone they suck in a beer league, because odds are they know they do, but are playing for fun. I would think everyone would know that the play dies on their stick more often than not.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
Generally, the best skaters get put on defense. You have FAR more influence on the game from the back than you do from the front. And individually, you're likely to improve as a skater and puckhandler through the sheer number of touches and variety of situations you face.
My guess is that if you move up to forward, you're going to get a few more exciting rushes per game, and a lot more standing around watching your team get dominated in their zone. Your teammates are probably going to wonder why you'd suggest they put the worst skaters on defense, so that you can get more chances at points.
I dunno, man. Maybe this is an opportunity to step up to the next level and become a player capable of dominating as a defenseman.
My guess is that if you move up to forward, you're going to get a few more exciting rushes per game, and a lot more standing around watching your team get dominated in their zone. Your teammates are probably going to wonder why you'd suggest they put the worst skaters on defense, so that you can get more chances at points.
I dunno, man. Maybe this is an opportunity to step up to the next level and become a player capable of dominating as a defenseman.
Like NHL or any other level including beer league, best player is usually a forward.
But let’s say you’re in a division where your team in kind of outclassed and you’re the only good skater on your team, your team might get better results moving back to D
But let’s say you’re in a division where your team in kind of outclassed and you’re the only good skater on your team, your team might get better results moving back to D
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I'd disagree with that. Sometimes the best player is a forward, sometimes not.
Defensemen skate a LOT more minutes and get a LOT more touches on the puck over the course of the game, are expected to routinely perform difficult skating maneuvers, and are expected to be able to quarterback breakouts and PPs. It's not a glory position but it is certainly more challenging than playing wing and arguably more than playing center (I'd consider C and D about equal). IMO you almost always (excluding fluke situations) put your best all-around skater on defense if you want to win the game.
"More often than not" is probably fair.
It really depends on the team. If your team is outclassed but you can skate, yeah it's probably a good option to drop back so guys aren't just skating past your dmen. But if you have some decent guys who can skate good enough and complete a pass, your best player/skater/scorer might be better off at F where he has more freedom. Scoring is the hardest thing to do.
