Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Which side ?
Why do you sports specialists say it takes a right-handed defender on the right and a left-handed defender on the left? If I recall, Bobby Orr and Larry Robinson were southpaws who played on the right side.
Daniel Boucher (not the singer)
Reply from Nicholas Richard
The simplest reason for this detail has to do with puck recovery on the edge of the boards. If a left-handed defender plays on the left, it is on the one hand easier to recover the puck on the edge of the boards to seize a pass or intercept a clearance. On the other hand, the reaction time, relaunch and analysis of the game is faster for a defender who plays on his “good” side. On the contrary, if a right-handed defender is playing on the left and the puck is coming towards him in the offensive zone, he must present the back of his paddle, lower his right shoulder, make his back almost to the game, perform a half-pivot and give a few pushes back into the action, which is much slower than if he had been left-handed. This practice is widespread. Some coaches, including Mike Babcock, are adamant about having a pair of ambidextrous defenders, but it’s not a requirement. It is obvious that exceptional defenders like Bobby Orr, Larry Robinson or Nicklas Lidstrom can play on both sides because of their skills and speed of execution.
Golf honors
In golf, what is the advantage of having “the honors”? It seems to me that it is more advantageous to hit after seeing what the opponents have done, you can be more careful, play “safe”, hit last like in baseball.
Jean Claude Picard
Reply from Nicholas Richard
In reality, you are right, it is the player who plays last who has the advantage, in particular because he can rely on the blow and the ball of his opponent or his playing partner. That is why the player who obtained the best score at the previous hole starts, a question of giving a chance, in a certain way, to the one who is trailing to be able to return to the match by playing afterwards. The phrase ‘having the honours’ simply comes from the fact that golf is a noble and traditional sport and that phrase has remained alive over time for the player who has the honor of playing first and having had a best score.
Sweet, Kreider?
According to some, Chris Kreider has the reputation of a bastard player. A knee breaker, it seems. But what do the statistics say?
Christiane Beausoleil
PHOTO DANNY WILD, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVE
Chris Kreider
Response from Guillaume Lefrancois
Perceptions sometimes get tough, and Kreider has certainly found a way to control his passions. After seasons of 72 and 88 penalty minutes in his debut, he is spending much less time in jail and has only received 12 minor penalties in 81 games this season, and none for obstructing the goaltender. Note also that Kreider has never been suspended in 10 seasons in the NHL. He has been fined a few times, but never since March 2019. In short, the 23-year-old Chris Kreider, who too often turned into a bowling ball, seems to be a vestige of the past.
Area issue
Very simple question this morning. In tennis, there are three very different surfaces: clay, grass and hard. There are obviously technical adjustments for each of them. But is there also a change of shoes to adapt to each?
Jean de la Sablonniere
PHOTO THOMAS SAMSON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
At each playing surface, his shoes
Reply from Nicholas Richard
There are indeed different types of shoes depending on the surface. For amateurs, there are very few differences, in the sense that the sneaker will not affect their performance. Except that for ATP players and WTA players, every detail counts and changing shoes depending on the surface is very important. The Asics company has also well explained the main characteristics of each of the shoes on its website. On grass, the grip of the sole is more pronounced, as the grass can sometimes be wet. The sole is also flatter so as not to damage the lawn. The upper is more flexible, because there is more movement on grass, so it hurts the feet less. On clay, there is also a lot of endurance under the shoes and the sides are more rigid, to improve lateral movements and to better support the foot when the players slide. Sometimes even a rod can be inserted into the shoe. For the hard cement surface, the shell of the shoe is stiffer because the surface is more damaging and wears more easily and there may also be small pads to help cushion jumps and steps.