Show Your Skills!!

Send me your best moves and ill post them here

The Reverse Super Flow - Below1023



Spin Goal - YoTo16

1 on 1 Dekes

1 on 1 Dekes are tricky to get right, but if you follow a few simple rules, you will soon have the confidence to pull off some really effective dekes in the game. Dont worry about what type of deke youre going to do (ex Windmill, Between the Legs etc), let the computer handle that, your goal is to focus on timing and following the simple rules.

Rule #1: The sticks move together.

It is important to keep the sticks aimed in the same direction when you attempt your deke. The right stick controls where the puck goes and the left stick controls the direction of your deke. So if you want the puck to end up where you end up, then keep the sticks aimed in the same direction.

Rule #2: Skate in the direction of the deke first, then deke.

You need a little momentum in the direction of the deke before you attempt it or you will find your skater unable to make any sort of significant direction change with the deke. If I am planning to deke to the right, I move the left stick in that direction for a split second before I deke. If I want to do a quick stop and deke back the other way, I have to push the left stick in the opposite direction before I deke. You dont actually have to start skating in that direction, you just have to let it know thats the direction you are planning to go.

Rule #3: Give yourself some room.

They are called 1 on 1 dekes for a reason. Dont be a hero and try to deke around three guys in the slot. Use the 1 on 1 dekes to get around single defenders so that you can get into the slot. Make sure the area where you are dekeing into is clear of defenders before you attempt the deke, because you can lose the puck very easily while performing the deke if you get bumped or someone gets a stick in the way.

So here is my deke thought process:
1. I see a defender coming in for a check, stick lift or poke.
2. I see open ice to my right.
3. I get ready to time my deke as the defender gets closer.
4. Right before I deke, I push the left stick directly right.
5. Then I quickly recenter both sticks and then push both sticks to the right and press L1 simultaneously.

I find that dekeing directly left and right is most successful. Also right after a quick stop, you can lose the defender by quickly dekeing back the other way.

(Videos to follow soon)

One-Leg Wrister

Here is a cool trick to help you score on those long wrist shots. If you play online, Im sure you have had someone attempt this shot on you. Its a pretty high percentage shot if you are in the right location. It should definitely be added to your arsenal of shots, but some people take this a little too far and setup their whole offesive strategy around this shot. Its good, but there are easier and more rewarding ways to score, so just keep that in mind. The reason this shot works so well is because it gets the goalie moving in the opposite direction of where the puck is going. The goalies for the most part follow the skater's movements and not the puck. This shot only works on the players forehand side. Your player needs to be moving in the opposite direction of your forehand, so if your player is right handed, skate across the middle from right to left. At the same time, deke the puck out to your forehand side, drag it back, then shoot a wrister aiming it just inside the post. If you do it right, your player will stretch to his forehand side and his back leg will come off the ice. You need that extra stretch to get it past the goalie. You should be watching the goalie as youre setting up this shot, and when he moves with you and leaves a little gap between him and the post, then let er rip.

Forsberg Deke

Forsberg Deke

Here is a shootout move submitted by Jiboy1337. Pretty sweet goal, looks like he did a windmill deke to slide it past the goalie. Nice job. Check out Potter's Deke Guide to learn how to do the deke. http://eanhl09.blogspot.com/2009/03/deke-guide.html

Deflections

There are a couple ways to score a deflection goal. The first way is more luck than skill. Find a forward hanging out next to the net. Fire a slapshot or wrister and aim it towards the side that your forward is standing. If your shot goes wide, your forward will deflect it back towards the goal. Sometimes you can score if your forward is standing in front of the net and he tips your shot past the goalie.

The second way is more in your control. Pull back on the right stick like you are going to take a slapshot. Instead of pushing the right stick forward, aim the left stick at a forward standing next to the net and press the right trigger for a pass. Hold down the right trigger and your forward will deflect it towards the goal. You can basically aim the pass wherever you want, so aim carefully. The trick is getting the angle right so that your forward can direct it past the goalie. I find that the best angle come from passes near the tops of the playoff circles. From there, the goalie is positioned towards the near post with enough open net on the farside to sneak a deflection past him.

Update: Dino_mac88 has discovered another way to score deflections. If you hold the Right Button while taking a slapshot - you will perform a "Hard Dump In", which is basically a laser shot used to clear the zone or wrap it around the boards. You can aim these using the left stick. When at the point, aim a Hard Dump In at a forward by the net and he will deflect it towards the goals. I will say that it is a little trickier to aim these but the puck flies a lot faster and the goalie is more likely to miss. Use Vision Control (Left Trigger) to square up your player to the goal before aiming the Hard Dump In. In Dino_mac88's comment, he talks about a one timer from one defense player to the other while holding the Right Button, which comes down to performing a Hard Dump In off of a one timer. Since your player is already squared up for the one timer, it is a nice way to setup a Hard Dump In for a deflection. Thanks Dino_mac88 for that great tip.


Spin-O-Rama Goal

This is a fun one to try. Just use the large face-off circle as a guide to position yourself. You will have to hold the "protect puck button" (Button A for Xbox 360) as you make that sharp turn around the circle. Once you hit the bottom of the circle, pull off a counterclockwise spin-o-rama. When you get past the goalie, aim your shot to the farside of the goal. As long as you dont run into too much traffic in the crease, you should be able to beat the goalie.

If you need a refresher on Spin-o-ramas, check out this post: http://nhl09perfectionist.blogspot.com/2009/02/spin-o-rama.html

Farside Goals

This is a must know tip for when you are approaching the net from the side or from behind. You can beat the goalie on the far side by dekeing the puck out away from the goalie. By dekeing the puck out, you have increased the radius of your shot sweep. When you get close to the goalie, use that extra radius to swing your shot around the goalie and into the farside of the goal. The dekes you should use are straight left or straight right on the right stick, depending on which side you are approaching from.

Potter has a great post on deke positions. Get comfortable with each position so you can pull off the right deke at the right time. http://eanhl09.blogspot.com/2009/03/deke-guide.html

Simulation Style Hockey

I think I should address the issue of playing simulation style hockey, now that the leagues are starting to form. First off, I would like to say that winning isnt everything. If your focus in this game is only based on winning games, then I would say that you are cheating yourself out of a fun, satisfying experience. By now, you have probably heard of "glitch goals" or "glitch players." What this refers to is a style of play that exploits the game in a way that is contrary to the way the game was meant to be played. For instance, a glitch player will find a shot or a way of shooting that will allow them to score every time. In real hockey, there is no shot that goes in 100% of the time. EA has designed a very complicated game with the skill stick, and it gives the players a lot of freedom to score some amazingly unique goals. Just check out some of the Top 10 NHL Videos on easportsworld.com and you will be floored by what players can do in this game. But this freedom also allows for players to find exploits in the game. The best way to play this game is to try your best to play simulation style hockey. Vary your shot selection. Changeup your offensive strategies. Try to exploit your opponents weaknesses instead of exploiting the games weaknesses. Dont cheat your opponents and yourself out of a great experience.

p.s. I had a great matchup the other day that went into a shootout. After a few missed shots, my opponent pulled off an amazing spin-o-rama goal that just made my mouth drop. He could of used a "glitch goal" to seal his win, but instead he decided to try a lower percentage shot with a lot of style. He could have missed and lost the game, but in the end im sure he had a more satisfying win for himself, and I can say that after that goal, I have a serious respect for his skill.

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.

Behind the Net

The Behind the Net strategy is about cycling the puck around the net and setting up One-Timers. The basic starting setup for Behind the Net is a triangle formation with your forwards around the net. Carry the puck directly behind the net and this will trigger your other (2) forwards to setup in front of the net on the left and right sides. From here, you have the option of bringing the puck around the net from the left or right. When you do, this will trigger your other forwards to cycle around the net. You could cycle your forwards around the net all day if you wanted to (see video below) - but Ill show you some options to shoot in case you get bored.



1. One-Timer

Get your forwards setup in the triangle formation with the puck behind the net. Decide which side has less traffic and move the puck carrier around in front of the net. Your other forwards should cycle with you. Now you have another decision, if the passing lane is clear - pass it to other forward as he is moving across the net for a one-timer. If you time your pass right, your forward will be lined up with the opposite goal post for a great shot right inside the post while the goalie is out of position. If the passing lane is blocked, then you can cycle it back behind the net and try again, possibly cycling the other way.




2. Defensive Help

As youre cycling your forwards, sometimes your defense will rotate into the cycle. It depends on the position of your defensemen and which way you are cycling the puck. If you see your defensemen moving in, pass the puck to him for a one-timer. Aim low so that your forwards have a chance to pickup a rebound.


3. Point Shot

If the slot is packed with defenders, carry the puck to the outside boards and up to the point. Your defensemen should move to the center. Pass him the puck for either a one-timer in the high slot position, or if you have time wait there for a second until one of your forwards comes in front of the net for a screen.