NHL 24 – How to defend

How do you defend in NHL 24? NHL 24 has finally arrived and fans have been soaking in all the new features and changes the latest hockey video game comes baring. Despite scoring goals being the highlight for many playing the new game, defense is crucial to master in NHL 24, because without strong defensive play, it’s very easy to become exposed, and in the process, lose control on the game.

With the official NHL 24 release date taking place last Friday, there’s plenty of important skills to get a feel for, including how to hit. But for those looking to compete and stand a chance in the games they play, you might be eager to learn how to defend in NHL 24, and we’re here to help you achieve just that in this guide.

NHL 24 – How to defend

Defending in NHL 24 is one of the most challenging aspects of the game. Although scoring goals comes with its share of complexities, fending off a dangerous attack or surviving a long shift in your own defensive zone can be difficult to accomplish, especially with the arrival of the new gameplay exhaust engine system in NHL 24.

However, despite defending being difficult to execute, it’s also a fun and very rewarding part of the game. And though delivering big body checks tops the enjoyment list for many who like to play defense, it’s by no means the best strategy or best tip we have to suggest when delivering quality defensive play in NHL 24.

So without another moments delay, here’s a look at our Top 3 expert tips we have to share when guiding you on how to defend successfully in NHL 24.

1. Use Vision Control

First and foremost, for those that don’t do this already when playing defense, be sure to hold down the ‘Vision Control’ LT or L2 trigger when dropping back on defense. This grants you the best balance and range of motion when skating backwards, and in the process, allows you to pinpoint the timing needed to stop a hot attack dead in its tracks with a clean hit or maybe some sharp defensive stick work. This control is particularly efficient when trying to contain an attack on the flanks and prevent it from penetrating the center of the defensive zone, which can open up the window to secure easy goals.

2. Master Stick Lift and Poke Check

Following the implementation of the Vision Control skating option, the best defensive controls at your disposal are that of stick lifting and poke checking. What’s tricky with playing defense in NHL 24 is the danger of committing penalties that can grant the opposing teams juicy power play opportunities. Power plays are much harder to defend than regular 5v5 situations on the ice. And even for a minor penalty that lasts two minutes long, power plays can derail your momentum and ability to lock up.

This is why we recommend stick lifting, which can be done by hitting A or X when defending, or poke checking, which you can execute by tapping R1 or RB. Stick lifts are tough to evade and grant you the best chance to swiftly take away the puck, while poke checks are very disruptive and can halt an offensive drive in an instant. Poke checking is the riskier to perform as it is possible to trip your opponents. So when doing so, be sure to tread cautiously and time it right, otherwise it will cost you and lead to some tough power play situations you will need to survive.

3. Be Physical But Don’t Overcommit

Though this is the name of the game when playing defense in NHL 24, particularly with the new physics-based contact feature, it’s important to understand that you don’t need to achieve this by shelling out big hits all the time. Being physical can be mean bumping into an opposing player or maybe shoving them or getting in their way, and the more you do that in NHL 24, the tougher it will be for opponents to string along any passes or get by you with some clever stick work.

Seeing that physical play has an even greater impact on opposing skaters, we highly encourage you to be as physical as possible in NHL 24 when playing defense, whether it’s delivering big body checks or pesky shoves. But the biggest catch when doing so, is to not remove yourself out of position. Changing direction isn’t a quick process in NHL 24, and if you even remotely place yourself behind the offensive skater you’re looking to defend, there’s a good possibility a goal will be netted against you seeing that recovering back into place takes time as well.

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