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JD’s Tip
JD’s Tip
Shooting
You’re in position—all you have to do is beat that goalie. Here’s
what you have in your toolbox:
Wrist Shot
To execute a wrist shot, aim with
L
and tap
X
. This
shot is quick and accurate, but not as powerful as the slap shot.
Slap Shot
To pull off the slap shot, press and hold
X
. You’ll see
your player indicator circle fill up. Release the button when your
player indicator circle is completely solid. This charge-up time
makes your slap shot more powerful, but it also gives opposing
players a chance to steal the puck away. To cancel a slap shot in
mid-swing, press
A
.
One-Timer
Timing is everything for this shot. When a pass is
en route to a player with a clear shot, press
X
just before the
puck arrives. The receiving player will attempt the one-timer as
soon as the puck reaches him. This shot lacks accuracy, but its
split-second execution can spell doom for an opposing netminder.
Wraparound Shot
This shot can be tricky—but in a good way.
When you’re behind the opposing net, skate close to it, and press
X
. Your player will reach around the front of the net to tuck in a
shot. It’s a great way to catch a goalie out of position.
If the goalie has moved to one side of the net to cover
an attack, try shooting for the open gap, or get it to a
player in a better position to take advantage. You also
can use
B
to deke before the shot. This can get the
goalie to move out of position.
Passing
Good puck movement can be the difference between
controlling the game or spending three periods with a dumb
look on your face.
There are four types of passes in
NHL Rivals 2004
—basic, saucer,
pinpoint, and drop.
Basic Pass
When you have the puck, select a direction with
L
,
and press
A
. The puck will skim along the ice to the nearest
player in that direction.
Saucer Pass
Aim with
L
, and press and hold
A
. You’ll lift the
puck into the air and send it arcing toward the nearest player in
that direction. You also can perform a saucer pass by clicking and
holding
R
, aiming it toward a teammate, and then releasing it.
Pinpoint Pass
Aim
R
in the direction of the player to whom you
want to pass. The puck will travel in the direction you selected.
Drop Pass
Click
R
to drop the puck directly behind you. This is
a good way to fake out a defender or get rid of the puck if you see
heavy coverage headed your way.
When you make a pinpoint pass, the puck will travel in
the direction you choose even if no player is there to
receive it. This can be useful when you’re leading the
receiving player or if you’re trying to chip the puck out
of the defensive zone along the boards.
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