Much like the forehand stick lift, this technique requires a little more confidence and finesse to pull off than its regular technique in that stance. However, it can be a bit of a gamble because there are a lot of times where you could lose the faceoff no matter what you do, depending on your stats and what the opponent decides to use against you.
This faceoff technique, if performed right, can work out very well in a lot of faceoff scenarios. This technique is performed by holding the right analog stick opposite the player’s dominant hand – left for righties and right for lefties – prior to puck drop and then, when the puck drops and as close as you can to when the puck hits the ice, swing the right analog stick backward. Backhand Backīackhand stances are for players who feel a little more confident in their faceoff ability as it relies heavily on timing and good stats.
Generally speaking, players with better hand-eye and faceoff stats seem to get better results from the use of this faceoff technique so it’s probably not best to use this technique in Be A Pro with a rookie you’re developing, from the start. This one requires a little bit more finesse but is more effective than the other forehand technique.
Where that pass goes is dependent on where you’re pointing the left analog stick. From the forehand stance, the player will attempt to lift the opponent’s stick so they can shield the puck and make a pass. This one requires you to move the right analog stick towards the dominant hand – right for righties, left for lefties – and then, just as the puck hits the ice, swing the right analog stick forward. Forehand Stick LiftĪnother forehand faceoff technique, this one is a little bit more sensitive to timing. This is probably the easiest technique to pull off that isn’t just smashing the stick on the ice but is also the easiest technique to counter so keep that in mind when taking a faceoff, especially if you’re playing online. You’ll know you’re doing it right as the player will change their stance as you tilt the right analog stick. Prior to the puck dropping, you’ll want to hold the right analog stick to the player’s dominant hand – to the right if they’re right-handed and left if the player is left-handed – and then wheel the right analog stick back when the puck is dropped and as close as you can get to when the puck hits the ice.
What we’ll be doing here is outlining the different faceoff techniques, how to perform them, and in what circumstances that they would be useful. Also, keep in mind that as you’re going to the circle, the technique you’re loading up before the puck drops is telegraphed, so be sure to switch stances as close to taking the puck as possible. Another thing to consider that no matter how well you do with timing or how much of an advantage you gain with technique, your faceoff statistic determines the largest advantage. First above all other things is timing: in order to make a move on the puck, the key is to use your technique after the puck has been dropped but before the puck hits the ice and the closer you get to the puck hitting the ice, the better chance you have of winning. One of the key elements of modern hockey is puck possession and one of the best ways to secure puck possession is to win as many faceoffs as you can and, in NHL 21, knowing as much as you can about winning faceoffs is just about as key to winning as passing or shooting is, as they start nearly every play in the game and there are tons of stoppages of play that lead to faceoffs.īefore moving on to the different techniques, there are a few things to note when considering how to win a faceoff.