Screens

Shots from the point are medium to low percentage shots at best but if they are set up correctly, they can be a real offensive strength. One of the ways to increase your chance of scoring from the point is to wait for your forwards to screen the goalie. If you have the puck at the point, the forwards will naturally come in front of the goal to screen the goalie. When you see the forward skating towards the front of the goal, get ready to slap it top shelf. You'll know it was a successful screen because the goalie won't react. Look for these opportunities when the defense is making it tough to get it low in the slot.

5 comments:

  1. Hey, these are great man, keep 'em comin'. I've been able to incorporate a few of your tips into my game with good results.

    You play on Xbox Live, right? If so, would you add me? I'd like to try playing against you sometime, though I'm sure I'd get schooled, but I'm sure I could learn some things, plus I get pretty tired of all the cheapsters out there who do the same cheap goal over and over again. I mean, this game is supposed to be about fun, right? Some people seem to forget that.

    Anyway, my Live ID is: ApeHasKilledApe if you're interested. My record is like 102-63 so I'm not complete junk if you're worried about that. Ha.

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  2. Oh and I have a question. How do you defend against a player who only does the skate-into-the-corner-and-one-timer-pass-it-to-the-guy-infront-or-across-the-net...EVERYTIME! I spend the whole game trying to hit the guys infront or bodycheck him as he skates into the corner but I can't stop it everytime since they try it about 367 times a game!

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  3. To The Article:

    I would argue that slapping top shelf is not always the best idea and against good human players, it is tougher and you end up with no rebound save.

    If you keep your shots low, the screen as shown still works (puts the puck usually under arm) and if the screen inst there, it is usually a pad save and rebounds. Also, lower pucks have a greater chance at deflection.

    To Haggard Mike:

    I only play defense and have a few hundred games at D. I dont have video of it as is include in this blog, but there are a couple ways.

    If the passing occurs before the redline, play the pass receive, not the puck. If you follow the puck enough, the puck carrier loses the better angles to stop em, let the goalie handle it. In the hash mark slot area I use the L1/R1 shot block and clog the slot.

    For the ones deep and passing the red line, If you play the goalie's shoulder and just outside the crease, you can use L1 and it stops that pass each time and has the added benefit of keeping the puck right near you and you will recover and possess before the forward can get to you.

    Although you must be careful as the L1 pass block with not work in the blue paint.

    It takes practice, but my best advice is leave that puck carrier be if he is going into the deep corner. He is NO threat to the keeper at that point and the threat is the pass. If he sees this and tries to cut back to the goal or behind the net, you will be in prime position at the goalie's shoulder to hit em then.

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  4. Hey thanks Anonymous. That makes good sense. I'll give it a try next time.

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  5. Hey what a great site! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks and keep it up!

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