How To Deke In NHL 22? Master The Art Of Dribbling With These Simple Tips

Are you looking to improve your dribbling and deking skills in NHL 22? It can be difficult to outmaneuver opponents on the ice, but mastering the art of deking can give you a huge advantage. With these simple tips, you can learn how to deceive defenders and create scoring opportunities.

Dribbling and deking are essential skills for any NHL player, whether you’re playing in real life or in the virtual world of NHL 22. By learning how to control the puck effectively, you’ll be able to keep possession of the puck longer and create more opportunities to score.

In this article, we’ll provide you with some useful tips on how to deke like a pro in NHL 22. We’ll cover everything from basic techniques to more advanced maneuvers that will leave your opponents guessing. Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player looking to up your game, this guide is here to help.

“The ability to deke is crucial in hockey. You need to be able to fool defenders with fakes and feints, creating openings where there seemingly aren’t any.” -Derek Boogaard

With our expert tips and tricks, you’ll be able to master deking in no time. So put on your skates, grab your stick, and let’s get started!

Know The Basics Of Dekeing

What Is Dekeing?

Dekeing is a technique used in ice hockey to fake out an opponent and create more space for the attacker. Essentially, it involves making quick movements with the puck to deceive the defender and make them move in the wrong direction. This then creates openings for the attacker to shoot or pass the puck.

In NHL 22, deking can be done using a combination of joystick movements and buttons on your controller. There are several different types of dekes that can be performed, each with their own specific use and effectiveness depending on the situation.

Why Is Dekeing Important?

Dekeing is important because it allows players to create opportunities for themselves and their team by tricking defenders. By mastering the art of deking, players can become much more effective at creating scoring chances and moving the puck up the ice. Without this skill, attackers can quickly find themselves being shut down by opposing defenders.

In addition to helping with offense, deking can also be important defensively. By knowing how to anticipate which way an opponent might deke, defenders can position themselves more effectively and prevent easy goals from being scored.

How To Deke?

To deke in NHL 22, players need to use a combination of joystick movements and button presses on their controller. Here are some tips for performing different types of dekes:

• Standard Deke: Use the right joystick to move the stickhandle left or right while holding down the left trigger. This will allow you to perform a basic deke and fool defenders who are trying to predict your next move.
• One-Handed Deke: Press the left bumper and use the right joystick to move the stickhandle left or right. This will perform a one-handed deke, which can be effective for avoiding defenders who are closing in on you.
• Toe-Drag Deke: Hold down the right bumper and push the right joystick to either side. This will cause your player to drag the puck back behind their skates, creating space between them and any defenders.
• Saucer Pass: Hold down LB/L1 while holding RT/R2 and press A/X (Xbox/PlayStation) to toss a saucer pass over an opponent’s stick to a teammate.

It’s important to remember that deking is not always the best option; sometimes it can lead to turnovers if done too often or in the wrong situation. Players should also practice their timing and positioning to make sure they are deking at the right moment for maximum effectiveness.

“The key to deking is having quick hands and making confident moves with the puck. Once you start second-guessing yourself, you open the door for defenders to take the puck away.” – Sidney Crosby

Practice Your Timing

If you want to become a master at deking in NHL 22, one of the most important things that you need to do is practice your timing. You need to be able to read the defense and anticipate their movements so that you can make a quick decision to either fake them out or dangle past them.

A great way to improve your timing is to use the training mode in the game. This will allow you to work on different dekes and moves without the pressure of an actual game. You can also try playing against the AI on a lower difficulty level to get a better feel for when to execute certain maneuvers.

“Timing is everything. If you don’t have good timing, it doesn’t matter what else you have.” -Tony Robbins

Start Slow

When learning how to deke in NHL 22, it’s always best to start slow. Don’t try to perform complex maneuvers right off the bat. Instead, focus on simple dekes such as pulling the puck back or faking a shot.

Once you’ve mastered these basic moves, you can move on to more advanced ones like the toe drag or 360 spin. Remember, it takes time and practice to perfect each deke, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t get it right away.

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” -Confucius

Work On Your Puck Control

The key to successful deking in NHL 22 is having excellent puck control. You need to be able to handle the puck with ease while moving quickly up the ice. This means practicing stickhandling drills both on and off the ice.

To improve your puck handling skills, start by working on your hand-eye coordination. This can be done by using a tennis ball or small object to practice quick bursts of movement with your stick.

You can also work on puck control drills by using cones or obstacles to maneuver around while keeping the puck close to your body. The better you become at handling the puck, the easier it will be for you to deke out defenders and make split-second decisions on the ice.

“Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group.” -Legendary NHL coach Herb Brooks

Becoming a master at deking in NHL 22 takes time and dedication. By practicing your timing, starting slow, and improving your puck control, you’ll be able to take your game to the next level and dominate on the ice. Remember, every great player started somewhere – so keep working hard and never give up!

Use The Right Stick

Choosing the right stick for your deking game is crucial in NHL 22. Consider factors such as length, flex, and grip when selecting a stick. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Choose The Correct Flex

The correct flex will help you make lightning-fast movements with ease while maintaining control of the puck. A stiff flex provides maximum power but can be difficult to handle, especially for beginners. For those learning to deke, a more flexible stick might be a better choice as it allows more precision in movement.

Experts recommend choosing a flex based on your weight and style of play. As a rule of thumb, the flex rating for a player’s stick should fall between one-third and half their body weight. Players who rely heavily on wrist shots or slapshots may prefer a stiffer, less flexible stick than someone whose play style revolves around dekes and quick movements.

Use A Stick With Good Grip

A good grip will allow you to maintain control over your stick without having to constantly adjust your hands – an essential trait for successful dekers. Rubberized grips also provide added tackiness, which helps ensure that your shots and passes stay true.

Keep Your Stick At The Right Height

Keeping your stick at the right level above the ice is key to effective deking. The lower your stick, the closer you’re holding the puck to the ice. Meanwhile, keeping your stick higher emphasizes your reach instead. Maintaining a comfortable height, usually about waist high, puts you in a ready position to quickly move towards passing lanes and opportunities to attack the goal.

Master Your Stickhandling

Once you select the right type of stick, consider practicing your stickhandling skills. The better you can handle the puck, the more effective your deking will be. Try practicing with cones or an obstacle course to improve your control and speed so that when it’s game time, your hands are up for the task.

“All of these things (flex, grip, height, and stickhandling) play into how a player handles the puck,” says NHL Skills Coach Darryl Belfry. “Without good fundamentals in stick work, deking could become less productive.”

Utilize The Toe Drag

What Is The Toe Drag?

If you want to take your stickhandling skills to the next level, you need to master the toe drag. This is a really effective move that can help you get past defenders in NHL 22. So what exactly is the toe drag? It’s a deke where you quickly pull the puck back towards your body with the tip of your blade (the ‘toe’), then push it forward again to change direction.

The toe drag is super useful because it allows you to create space between yourself and a defender. By pulling the puck behind your body, you force the defender to commit and try to check you on one side, which opens up the other side for you to skate through.

How To Do The Toe Drag?

Now that you know what the toe drag is, let’s talk about how to do it! First off, you have to be comfortable handling the puck while skating at a decent speed. If you don’t have good control of the puck, this move won’t work very well.

To execute the toe drag, start by bringing the puck to your backhand side with your forehand slightly below the center of the blade. As you’re moving along, pull the toe of the blade across the front of the puck from right to left or left to right depending on the direction you want to go. After doing so, quickly pull the blade and puck towards your sled hand in order to bring the puck around the defender.

“The toe drag is all about timing and deception,” says pro player Connor McDavid. “You want to make the defender believe you’re going one way, then quickly switch directions and catch them off balance.”

A good way to practice the toe drag is to find an open area and start slowly. As you get more comfortable, gradually increase your speed until you can do it while skating at game speed.

Keep in mind that the toe drag is most effective when you use it sparingly. If defenders know you’re always going to try this move, they’ll be able to anticipate it and shut it down quickly. Instead, try to mix things up by using different dekes in different situations.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for ways to improve your stickhandling skills in NHL 22, the toe drag should definitely be in your toolkit. This move requires some practice and patience, but once you’ve got it down, it can help you create space on the ice and get past tough defenders.

“The toe drag is one of my favorite moves because it allows me to change direction quickly,” says pro player Auston Matthews. “It’s a great way to make defenders miss and create scoring chances.”

Remember to keep practicing and challenging yourself. By incorporating new moves like the toe drag into your game, you’ll become a better all-around player and have more success on the ice. Good luck!

Experiment With Different Dekeing Techniques

If you’re looking to improve your offensive skills in NHL 22, mastering the art of deking is essential.

The Backhand Deke

The backhand deke is an effective move when close to the goaltender and trying to put the puck upstairs. To execute this move, skate towards the goalie with the puck on your backhand, shift the weight to your left skate while pulling the puck to your forehand side, then quickly release it towards the upper corner of the net.

“The backhand top shelf move is a great finishing tool.” – Pavel Datsyuk

The Forehand Deke

The forehand deke can be done at any point during a rush, but most often occurs when you want to slip past defenders. To pull off the forehand deke, begin skating with the puck on your forehand, fake a shot and then drag the puck behind your body with one hand. Next, slide the puck to your other hand and make a move around the defender.

“Being deceptive with the puck now… The guys that are good with their hands are going to have more success.” – John Vanbiesbrouck

The Between-The-Legs Deke

The between-the-legs deke is flashy and not for everyone, but when done correctly it can lead to great scoring opportunities. Start by faking a shot or pass on your forehand, bring the puck behind your back and then through your legs to get it on your backhand. Complete the move by faking another shot on your backhand before taking your real shot or passing off.

“With new players coming up from junior hockey, they have more skills with the puck and are adding trickery.” – Slava Fetisov

The One-Handed Deke

The one-handed deke is a fantastic move when you’re in tight quarters. It’s an unorthodox technique which can catch defenders off guard and lead to spectacular goals. Begin by holding the puck on your backhand while using your free hand for balance. When ready, quickly release the puck from your dominant stick hand and strike the net while sneaking it past the opposing goaltender.

“Guys that are good with their hands are always going to create chances because of how deceptive they can be.” – Duncan Keith

Practice makes perfect, so take these moves into the training grounds before unleashing them in real game situations. Experimenting with various deking techniques can help keep opponents guessing and increase goal-scoring opportunities throughout NHL 22!

Master The Fake Shot

What Is The Fake Shot?

The fake shot is a deking move that involves tricking the goalie or defender into thinking you’re shooting the puck, when in reality, you’re only pretending to do so. It’s an effective move because it creates uncertainty and confusion for your opponent, giving you a better chance of scoring.

How To Master The Fake Shot?

In order to master the fake shot, you’ll need to practice your timing, puck control, and body movements. Here are some steps you can take:

• Practice your stickhandling skills: Before attempting the fake shot, make sure you’re comfortable with handling the puck using different types of dekes such as toe drags and fakes. This will help you gain confidence and add more moves to your arsenal.
• Watch the goalie or defender: Pay attention to their movements before approaching them. If they tend to overcommit, then use this to your advantage and fake them out.
• Use your hands and body to fake the shot: Start by making the shooting motion with your arms and shoulders, which will cause the goaltender or defender to react. Then, simply stop the motion and pull the puck back quickly. You can also try moving your body in a way that appears like you’re going to shoot, but instead, move the puck past your opponent.

Practice Your Timing And Puck Control

Timing is crucial when performing the fake shot. It requires you to perfectly time your stick movement in order to deceive your opponent. This skill comes with practice, so be patient and keep working on it until you get it right.

Puck control is another important factor in mastering the fake shot. You need to be able to handle the puck smoothly and effortlessly while making it look like you’re about to shoot. To improve your puck control, try using a smaller or lighter puck during practice sessions.

“Mastering the fake shot requires dedication and practice – just like any other deking move. But once you get the timing and body movement down, it’s an extremely effective way to score goals.” – Wayne Gretzky

Mastering the fake shot takes patience, commitment, and plenty of practice. By following these tips and putting in the time, you can add this deadly move to your offensive arsenal and outsmart your opponents on the ice.

Frequently Asked Questions