I found out that I'm terrible at defending. I can't seem to get the puck from the attacker unless I'm on a really good position to lift stick. On the other hand when I'm attacking I'm being pushed off the puck nearly every time I'm within 1 feet from an opponent.
Frustrating. Any tips?
A lot of it is just understanding of positioning, that's what I love about D in this game. If you're a center, neutral zone D is by far the best opportunity to force some turnovers. I tend to play very conservatively, and circle the neutral zone, anticipating where they're going to try to breakout. If you're on D, a lot of prime opportunities present themselves when the opposition is crossing your blueline.
As for technical things you can do though:
- Always be ready to make a quick turn with the left trigger button. When I play (especially at center), my player is constantly zigging and zagging all over the place because it helps to take the best angle to an attacker on a quick turnover.
- Don't be afraid to lay back when you're on D and the opposing team is breaking out, only to follow it up with an aggressive attempt to change possession. This goes for both center and D. People love to make long breakout passes up the wing. As long as you're aware of the guy breaking out up the side, you should have more than enough time to react to that breakout pass, whether that's by laying the guy out, lifting his stick so the puck goes by, or poking it right off the stick. Don't be afraid to be aggressive about it after the puck is on its way to the winger you're defending. Cut him off at even center if you have to, as long as you have support from your other D partner.
- When in a 1-on-1 situation with no support from a D-partner, let the play come to you. If he wants to risk a shot from the outside, let him go for it as it shouldn't go in. If not, he has to get past you, so let him make the first move. If they're conservative as well, let them get close enough to lift their stick.
- When in a 1-on-1 situation with an attacker carrying the puck up the wing and you have support from a D-partner, act like you'll let him cross the blueline unattested, then do a quick "recoil" with the left trigger, followed by a poke check right as they cross the blueline. It catches them off guard a lot of the time. They're forced to do something at the blueline anyways to prevent offsides, so it's one of those situations where they'll have something else on their mind, and you should be able to get the puck out of harm's way. If you miss, you still have support.
- Play the boards. This goes for all over the ice. People love to use them, and it's easy to pick passes off when you post yourself up on them. Look for this when the opposing D is being pressured in the corner on the forecheck, or when you have someone looking to get behind your net. There have been a lot of times where I'm playing D and I'll jump up to even the opposing blueline to pick a pass off on a quick breakout by the opposition. Not advisable if you aren't sure someone is going to do that though. As it goes with a lot of these, a lot rides on anticipation.
- When in a desperate situation where you're having to play catch-up to someone closer to your goalie, always go full speed ahead in a straight line to their forehand. The majority of people will go forehand when they're in tight on a goalie, and most of them will try to slow it down to get a good shot or deke off, leaving you with a bit of time to close the gap.
