The Secret to Playing Defense in NHL 18 (Defense Tips/Guide including Defensive Skill Stick)

[@TumenupProductions]

But I would say holding Y/Triangle and even more so A/X is SUPER effective while defending the slot in EASHL. Puts that forward out of play (and flow) for a second or two. Have never gotten a penalty from doing so.

[@Brianstormed]

You are right. I was absolutely not thinking about 6s EASHL when I made that comment. I can definitely see a use there, I just wasn't ever able to pull it off successfully in Versus/HUT/3s.

[@TumenupProductions]

The other night I (not on purpose though, I must admit) sticklifted two guys at the same time. So yeah, can be very useful ;)

[@alexparker4526]

Hip checks are awesome. When a skater goes for a wrap around from a side i come from the opposite side and slide in with a crushing hip check behind the net

[@pierredessein5568]

Good video man, I needed this kind of thing. Considering I play hockey and I am a defenseman, it's kind of sad how terrible I am at defense in this game.

[@drummberboy2112]

GREAT video. Thanks so much. I sometimes feel like my opponent is cycling for days but I reminded myself if they're not getting any quality scoring chances then it's not terrible. But I am noticing consistently less TOA than my opponents.

[@Brianstormed]

Exactly! I love it when my opponents send me a message saying that they are better than me because their TOA was higher (and they lost). Yeah man, sitting by the corner boards and not being able to take a shot makes you so much better LOL. Thanks for the message!

[@thecalvenator]

as usual, good tips. Zetterberg's face is hilarious!

[@TheSkilledTrio]

Your content is really great keep doing what you do !!

[@Brianstormed]

Thanks dude, appreciate it!

[@tylerpita5579]

Awesome learned alot but the pentagon-ish where i play we call it the house We always dump the puck (take out the trash we call it) on the boards

[@MillsFirst]

This is cool and all but how do you deal with EA deciding you're going to lose before the game even starts? Cause that's a real thing. EA will never admit it but it's real.

[@themiguelodon7206]

Sometimes it's because you expect too much from your 85+ players, but... That's how they new players playing the game. They tilt it so they win more and bounces to their way, then they buy packs because they're committed

[@Brianstormed]

Thats politics, I stopped dabbling in that because I'll make a comment and half of the people will agree with me and the other half will disagree and people won't switch sides often no matter what kind of proof there it.

[@adeptaf2545]

shit happened to me and my buddy today lol i just accept it for nhl like i accept getting spawn killed in cod 😂

[@leejon83]

Chill Colton I've been saying this for years. No joke. It's so scripted this year it's impossible to ignore. I'm super tired of a team scoring 3 goals in 3 shots to tie after playing keepaway with 20 passes and playing like they're on a 5 on 3, after playing like a lame duck for 55 mins. Or just smashing me with 4 goals right off the bat, regardless of what difficulty setting it's on.

[@MyName_Jeff]

Lee Panas Ur just bad

[@linlivrin5620]

never clicked so fast on a video!

[@Brianstormed]

Haha, hope it was everything you dreamed of! :3

[@powderhungry6611]

okay so here is the problem I am having @Brianstormed, I have NHL 11 and NHL 16. The poke checking and stick lifting against AI in NHL 11 were very reliable, and the only time I ever missed or got a penalty was either when my team was vastly out of stamina or when we weren't a good enough match up. Aside from that, I could say it would only be execution and whether I messed up at the time. I look back at things using instant replay, but I've got my issues narrowed down tremendously in NHL 11 so I expect my defense to be better in the newer games with practice. However, it seems like in NHL 16 the stick lift and poke check buttons did next to nothing against AI opponents. I was also incapable of slowing my skater down enough to cover man to man sometimes, and he would change directions when I would try to restrain him from moving around. If I asked you to go back and play NHL 16 and compare these two games, tell me how much different the difference is 'mechanically'. It feels like once I am playing defense I just can't make anything work properly, and all I can do is position myself to possibly intercept passes and shots.

[@Brianstormed]

I can't say I played NHL 11 so I don't know how that game was, as I began to religiously play the series with 12. I don't think that NHL 16 and 18 should be too different though. I would definitely not touch the stick lift button too much, I remember it being very weak in the earlier NHL games and too easy to draw a penalty. Historically, however, poke checks have always been the go to and in every game they are overpowered. With NHL 11 I imagine the mechanics were a lot more basic and probably more generous regarding defense so thats why it may seem like a struggle adjusting to 16. I would just stick to the fundamentals of poke checking: -only do it when there is no way you can trip your opponent because your stick is too far away from their skates -have the puck carrier's puck "run into" your poke checks by just trying to keep that distance away from them -never poke from behind, or if the player is protecting the puck and their body is between the puck and you. -Timing is important as well, as you can't be spamming it. It might help to look at my NHL 17 video on poke checking where I show off a bunch of different clips on the proper situations to poke check. Hope it helps!

[@heavyempty8005]

nice one bro! and some funny jokes in there too :) always helps... thanks for the tips, learned some thangz

[@Brianstormed]

And a thank you right back at you! Happy to hear the video was helpful :)

[@heavyempty8005]

you got it! if you ever want to incorporate some music into your videos, perhaps you'd consider using one of my instrumentals and just providing me credit, would love to collab with you! soundcloud.com/theHeavyEmpty

[@Brianstormed]

I'll think about it! Though I'm not really one to include music/audio in my videos (outside of the Lonely Island LOL)

[@heavyempty8005]

totally understood, neither was this guy until he gave it a shot and now he says he won't go back, he went up like 70k subs after he added it --- kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3Wvp6iOa7iKfM0 -- 100% obvi cuz of the music ;) haha jk! hit me up anytime, and lets get an NHL game going sometime, i don't own 18 on xbone yet but i have it for ps4, make the switch! way smoother...but if i have too get the game on xbox just to play you, i'll sort it out haha. i wanna see how i stack up

[@Brianstormed]

Maybe one day ;)

[@nickzimm94]

I used to always play hard trying to check everyone, but I noticed committing to hits and missing completely fucks me. Learning to be patient helped my defensive play a lot

[@Brianstormed]

Yeah poke checks reign supreme it seems.

[@Insignia6]

Next Video: How to pass the puck effectively in many different scenarios. THX!

[@Brianstormed]

+Insignia6 that'll be out one day, not sure if it's the next one haha. Thanks for the love!

[@PhysicalMediaRules]

Bravo! 👏Bravo!!! 👏👏Ahhh.... the in depth and detail....... Of Zetterbergs face. 😂

[@Brianstormed]

Thanks dude! Twas a grueling past few days editing this video. It was supposed to be out 5 days ago and it wasn't ready then, nor the 3 days after. Only the two icebreaker videos compare in time spent on a video. Hopefully it was all worth it, glad you enjoyed!

[@ExpectedBoy]

Been waiting for this vid bro. :)

[@derekeisenbrei9440]

I have crafted a way to avoid the vim and vitriol of my opponents. It's called losing every game. I boost the morale of my opponent by getting blown out virtually every game while still playing great defense and maximizing the effectiveness of the poke check. I even poke check the puck into my net to show off!! I'm not giving up on HUT yet. At 7-32, my hope is to regain hope.

[@brendokht]

I feel your pain, I'm 10-32-4

[@derekeisenbrei9440]

Brenden the Kahoot Master I'm starting to learn this game. I am just doing the challenges and threes right now toimprove my team. Pulled a Pavel Bure. He's helped ;)

[@brendokht]

Derek Eisenbrei I've had NHL since I was 8 (I'm 14 today lmao) i was decent last year and now I'm shit. I pulled a Patty Kane but he no where near as good Pavel Bure.

[@derekeisenbrei9440]

I'm much older than you, obviously, but I get a kick out of competing online in hockey. I think that BStorm's strats videos are worth incorporating into use. My "luck" seemed to change once I started attacking players at the defensive blue line, being "smarter" with poke checks and using the defensive skill stick. I don't have a lot of time to play, so I have to use every tip that these expert gamers recommend. Also, I haven't played a noob yet or an unskilled one at the very least. My hypothesis is this: the other modes are attracting the fringe players while HUT is being concentrated on by the more advanced ones. Also, not putting extra money on the game this year has made it more difficult. I enjoy the HUT challenges because it makes the game more enjoyable by not having to put money on the game just to be able to open packs. (long winded, I know.)

[@silenceaverted8499]

I wish i watched this video a long time ago. I seriously thought they took out hip checking

[@Highxlife95]

Hey man you’re the biggest help for nhl 18. How can I start wining face offs man? Lol I don’t need to worry about face offs in eashl

[@Brianstormed]

I'll have a video about that maybe next. But you just need to know the counters. Forehand beats Tieup, Tieup beats backhand/sticklift, and sticklift beats forehand. Like 80% of the people you play online will only do one thing so you just need to know the counter.

[@WMWAnimations]

Incredible video! How do you turn off the vision control button?

[@Brianstormed]

In the controller settings. Glad you liked the video!

[@WMWAnimations]

Brianstormed thanks! Ots called autobackskate? I usually press vision control and im tired of the spinning. Love your videos thanks so much

[@Brianstormed]

Yeah if you are talking about your players turning around for no reason on defense without your input. I may have misread your original statement, if you mean you want to not use the LT/L2 for spinning/vision control any more, then you can't just get rid of that button unless you switch to hybrid controls maybe or nhl 94.

[@WMWAnimations]

Yeah that makes more sence. Sometimes I'll pick up the puck and my players just spin for no reason. I guess I'll get into the habit of not pressing L2!

[@jordanhachey7476]

Hands down amazing thank you so much this really helped

[@Brianstormed]

You are welcome! Thanks for the message =]

[@shawnyboyhd3708]

THANK YOU! ❤️

[@Brianstormed]

No problem!! ^_^

[@bonegamesticks5525]

Nice videos man like them trying to use effectively. Like I notice your Ai was going out of position in your zone leaving lane open you switched to him then back to player on who was carry puck in your zone. Problem I have with that. I switch and it never to person I want it to be. What do I do about? Switch to right person bc for some reason when I switch it goes to wrong person

[@Brianstormed]

Switching players has always been a huge problem with this series. Unfortunately you just have to keep doing it until you get the right person. If you think it'll take too long to switch then it might be better to stick with the person you are using. You can always hold the switch player button to get the person furthest back.

[@bonegamesticks5525]

Brianstormed I don’t know I’m just tired it costed me games when I’m putting pressure being on the guy then it don’t switch to right guy. If I stick to playing one player then you get the puck hogs that just skate around or oh you just let your ai do all the work

[@JHunterJoe]

that outro was smooth as fuck

[@danglezwashington6907]

6:03 tell Z to save those legs for the regular season. Good form on the crossovers though

[@Brianstormed]

HAHAHA. Its okay, I'm sure he'll be fine carrying them again this year!

[@ALEXLEKK]

This video is helpful but at the same time it was so funny sometimes

[@mbunch87]

Subbed. Take all the tips I can get. Thanks

[@Brianstormed]

No problem, thanks for subbing! If you have any questions or need additional help let me know!

[@Sam-le3df]

Amazing editing!!!

[@Brianstormed]

Haha thank you! This one took quite a long time to edit, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@deepez19]

Funny and informative thumps up

[@Brianstormed]

+david poirier thanks dude, glad you enjoyed!

[@amritgill7615]

Really good content!

[@Brianstormed]

Thanks

[@bw905]

What can we do vs a player who is constantly holding the invincible protect puck and turning away from every hit, poke, or lift? It seems hopeless at times.

[@Brianstormed]

You don't have to do anything, just stand in front of them so they don't take a forehand shot. While they are doing that, they won't be able to shoot, then when they move the puck in an area that you can poke, you go for the poke. You can also do the whole "AI hits for you thing" or direct them toward the boards and hold them up.

[@bw905]

Brianstormed thanks, I'll keep working at it.

[@HDTributer]

Needed this

[@paulwhited8716]

I wish I could memorize all of your videos XD

[@Brianstormed]

Start with my Threes Circuit Mode videos! XD

[@sonny749]

do you have a "secrets" video to if you just suck at HUT??? I could really use that one

[@Brianstormed]

What part of HUT? I have a guide on how to get started in HUT, I have a series on getting coins in HUT called 1k to 1m+, and this is just general gameplay tips.

[@sonny749]

I was actually just joking around... I do suck but I dont mind.. the only thing I am good at is playing the market. I watch all your vids.. the deke tutorial last really helped me suck less. keep up the good work

[@DieselboyPunker]

I seem to constantly get crushed on checks that seem impossible in terms of turning and physics. Is there a trick to this or a way to avoid those?

[@Brianstormed]

Those are tough, the best thing to do is always turn away from your opponent so that when they go for the hit its a lot weaker than normal. If you have the puck on the opposite side of your opponent, you can have a good chance of picking up the puck when you lose it.

[@dlusion316]

Where do I change auto hitting on ps4? Looked everywhere

[@Brianstormed]

controller settings

[@jackdahlberg8161]

Nice video

[@eduardonunez9744]

So I saw a video (nhl 17 I think) that said let your CPU play D for you. I play my own D and seem to do just fine. I do have a question though. I’ve had games where say I’m up 4-0 and the guy Just drops his controller. When I have the puck and he’s not moving, his CPUs are on me like rabid dogs. Now on the flip side, if I am not near the puck, my CPU’s literally sit there and stare at the puck. Won’t go after the puck carrier at all. What gives? Honestly I feel like EA hates me lol. I constantly end up with 30 plus shots to like 10 from the other guy and either lose 3-1 or barely edge them out. I don’t get realistic performances from my goalies

[@Brianstormed]

Definitely play your own D, like I said its more about micromanaging. Letting your CPU play D, works in the early divisions when you aren't playing against good players. You will get wrecked in the higher divisions and it'll be tough to transition because you'll need to play your own D and you won't know the basics of doing it yourself. CPUs will do that if you have the highest form of aggressive settings on them, it also depends on which player you are controlling. As far as shots go, its all about quality over quantity. You need to know which shots go in and which don't, protect yourself from the ones that do, and let your opponent take as many shots as he wants from places you don't think he will score. Okay, some will go in, but thats just being unfortunate.

[@eduardonunez9744]

Oh sorry I probably should’ve specified. I play the online versus. It’s hard for me to line up good shots because the opponents D is on me so bad. Is there a recommended strategy for the D to use so they’ll help me?

[@eduardonunez9744]

Basically what I do as a D player is a mix of golf after the puck carrier and lining up to block the shot as well

[@Brianstormed]

Well its similar in versus, just high level opponents maybe in the top 1000. Try the strategies in my "The Secret to smarter AIs" video.

[@eduardonunez9744]

I’ll give it a shot. Thanks a ton!

[@TheDerpyTerrorist]

What are those Jerseys? they look great

[@Brianstormed]

Home: Quebec Nordiques Away: DEL's Krefeld Pinguine

[@laurahildebrand5007]

I miss the days I could custom my controller buttons. Instead of having to choose between hybrid and skill stick.

[@Brianstormed]

You are able to remap your buttons on your controller (so that you can shoot with the start button for instance!). On the PS4 it can be found in the Accessibility settings. On the Xbox I think you need to get your hands on an elite controller to be able to do it.

[@nicolasaudet6751]

Brianstormed in hut my strategies what out of 10 in defense like the trap or th other ?

[@nicolasaudet6751]

sorry my english is not good

[@Brianstormed]

Are you talking about the sliders? You can see what I used in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnize3aBeLWLprs

[@nicolasaudet6751]

tanks

[@KillswitchSaint]

Anyone know how to cross check for ps4 I've seen a guy do it but I couldn't figure it out

[@Brianstormed]

Push the right stick in the direction of your opponent when you are next to them.

[@TheLastFraudster]

One timers are so op. Fed up of every player playing on their off sides to spam the OneT. Wish EA would nerf it and have a ratings penalty for players not playing their strong sides.

[@Brianstormed]

They kind of did nerf it this year where its a little harder to get breakout 1Ters because your player will be on his backhand when receiving a pass (and both players are skating toward the net). You have to wait a little bit for the receiving player to set up which may make the pass more predictable. But yeah, its always going to be OP haha.

[@brendokht]

Can you make a video on how to counter "glitch" goals in hut. I'm 0-6-1 in DIV FUCKING 9

[@SW-gt7it]

Brenden the Kahoot Master I think you just suck, not to many glitch goals

[@brendokht]

Willy G I know I suck lol it's just I can't seem to counter cross creases or like short side shot that somehow go through my goalie

[@Brianstormed]

you just have to expect them. For cross crease, its a 2 on 1 so you have to take away the passing lane. If its short side, and you see the guy on his forehand toward the middle then you have to step up and attack him.

[@jameshong5597]

How do you defend against short side shots?

[@Brianstormed]

You have to expect them. You see a guy on the outside on his forehand cutting in? Get in front of him and either block the shot or poke check if you are close enough.

[@arlichar11]

what about diving on defense? i seen the computer do it, but i havent done it yet...

[@Brianstormed]

I think I mentioned it somewhere in the video, its LB+RB or L1+R1. Its not very useful though. It has no recovery and you are of course vulnerable to anything going over you, and can cause a penalty rather easily.

[@arlichar11]

ok thanks... i use to effectiv ness only when goalie is out of position and defender is there,, so thanks

[@isaiahsmith8632]

You’re a genius

[@hockeymaster9523]

Thanks

[@gotch7126]

Can u make a video on how to beat the computer AI now that Ea made it impossible to beat the challenges.. my kids can’t even compete with the cpu.. and I tried it and can only get like 1 of the 3 objectives... thanks

[@Brianstormed]

Yeah I thought about that, I'll probably make it after this upcoming The Secret video.

[@yoshibob1144]

can you do a slap pass guide?

[@Brianstormed]

I don't use the slap pass too often, but its more like a shot that is almost a guaranteed redirect. That means you should only do it along the blue line when the goalie is being screened by your player. I don't prefer to use it just because you can achieve the same result just by shooting in the direction of your player. But if you want to know how to do it, just pull back on the right stick like a slap shot and then press RT or R2.

[@yoshibob1144]

Brianstormed Thanks for a quick response. I was looking for more of a "when to use it" which you provided. Shame it doesnt work the same as nhl 16 :(

[@96HankTheTank]

how do you defend when the player is zikzac in My Zone?? its impossible to defend! I can't poke them, I cant hit them!

[@Brianstormed]

can you send me a clip so I know exactly what you are talking about? Thanks!

[@96HankTheTank]

Brianstormed i don't have any videos of it now, but im pretty sure it will happend again! where do I send you the clip?

[@Brianstormed]

You can send a link through this comment, send a link through twitter (@Brianstormed), email me [e-mail], or if its on the Xbox share it with my gamertag (Brianstormed).

[@PurifiedInfiniteChel]

Is it better to hold the vision control button when trying to stop a one timer pass or is it better to try and use LB

[@Brianstormed]

I hate LB just because A) The person can sauce it over your stick on purpose or B) The person can sauce it over your stick on accident. I wouldn't use vision control ALL the time. It depends on where the passing lane is. If its further down you want to just skate into the lane, if its further up you hold vision control.

[@PurifiedInfiniteChel]

Brianstormed Thanks. Appreciate the response.

[@simontotten7274]

played a few weeks after getting it for xmas, omg ur tips have made me so much better thx

[@CraigOwen999]

How to play with blue goalposts on Ultimate team?

[@Brianstormed]

Use an ECHL team's logo.

[@CraigOwen999]

Brianstormed Thanks!

[@vilemaxim]

Thanks a bunch!

[@devindj9787]

Poke Check is so god damn OP

[@Brianstormed]

Haha yeah, definitely do more of that than anything!

[@devindj9787]

Do you play any EASHL? or strictly HUT?

[@Brianstormed]

Yeah I play EASHL, just released a video on it haha.

[@jatsikoira]

Before watching the video: skill zone.

[@Brianstormed]

lol

[@devinapple5307]

Woah I'm early

[@Brianstormed]

I can't remember the last time I uploaded a video at this time lol

[@vulehokejdefszeged8287]

Strongest tool in Nhl 18 - Pokecheck Strongest tool in Hockey real life -Bodychecking, becouse its real

[@Brianstormed]

Good news, NHL 19 is the opposite! ;)

[@vulehokejdefszeged8287]

Yes

[@thealexisnhl1079]

What is your stratégie dad

[@Brianstormed]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnize3aBeLWLprs

[@tjl8884]

Honestly, poke checking makes these new hockey games super lame.. Back in the day, the way you got someone off the puck was to hit them.. Thats the way it should be. These current iterations are poke spam feasts.. Also, when we played real life hockey, we never stick lifted past knee height.. I don't know why they seem to think every stick lift encompasses racking some guy in the chin.. I am starting to think whoever codes these games never played a period of real hockey in their lives.. They should have some real players sitting next to them when they are coding these games.. The stick lifting should compare the players puck handling to the other players offensive awareness.. If A is greater than B, the stick lift should be successful. If not, the stick lift shouldn't even work, nor should it smack the other guy in the face.. The poke checking mechanic should have serious repercussions for the one doing the poke checking.. It should cause them to go off balance and slow down so if they miss the player with the puck can skate right past them.. Again, realistically poke checking in real life had very little power behind it, and you 9 out of 10 times never tripped anyone.. If you swung your stick and missed you had zero power following through and never tripped anyone.. You just missed and were off balance and out of position mostly..

[@nicolasaudet6751]

In hut online the shoot vision is not There is it normal

[@Brianstormed]

+Nicolas Audet are you talking about being able to see what part of the net you are aiming at and can see if it's a good shot (red or green)

[@nicolasaudet6751]

Brianstormed yes

[@jacos133]

The secret is you don’t. Play as a forward and let the CPU do all the work for you.

[@Brianstormed]

Just wait until NHL 19 :b

[@nicolasaudet6751]

How we change de auto skating

[@Brianstormed]

+Nicolas Audet auto backskate? It's in the controller settings

[@nicolasaudet6751]

Brianstormed thanks

[@Kristerino]

Wheres the "secret" part?

[@Brianstormed]

Thats the name of the series. If you are telling me that you already knew everything I posted in this video, then I'd call you a liar because I know top players who don't even know about some of these things.

[@Kristerino]

Brianstormed name your next series "free gift card giveaway" and make it be a pro mode gameplay. Its just the name of the series

[@WinningCross257]

He didnt say how to deal with trash talk thats why u wahcted this video

[@c.neekan9118]

Pokechek,, keeps trippi g everyone and gets a 5 on 3 lol

[@albin0kr0we50]

What game mode is this?

[@Brianstormed]

Primarily in HUT (Hockey Ultimate Team).

[@Joakim-Jacobsson]

Im garbage at playing defence but i can score though

[@Brianstormed]

Defense wins cups!

[@derekurzads6277]

My defense sucks I need help

[@urbanpeltier1622]

Derek Urzads get expert with vision control. Learn better positioning. (Pentagon in video) You can be a faster player with better positioning and reading/anticipating the play. In front of the net hold y and skate into the players to disrupt their play. You can totally interfere and disrupt the player with y button (Hold y and skate into player). Gap control. When defending the rush get in front of the skater with the puck and let him skate to you. Nothing irks me more seeing a defender skating backwards as fast as he can giving the skater with puck entry into zone. NO. Make the skater come to you use vision control and ready your hit you can end his rush with a nice hit at the blue line. Experience will make you better but being a smart player helps immensely. When I play I know right away who's good and who's not. Cheers.

[@kylemartin8655]

I FUCKING HATE THIS GAME

[@Brianstormed]

why?

[@briancarroll8188]

Maybe cause it is one of the most AI rigged games around???

[@cucumberinass477]

Simple : dont play this game it is trash. Play another game you dont allow goal like that