Clearing the zone
 

This is something that's driven me crazy for over a decade, it seems. I play almost exclusively offline, and do my best to keep it as realistic as possible (like most of you here). If I'm on the penalty kill, it doesn't matter if I try to flip the puck out of the zone or try to slap it down the boards with a shot that would make Al MacInnis giggle, it's kept in way too often. On a flip, the defensemen on the point will leap and catch it. If I slap it out, it will hit an opposing player in the stomach or he'll open-palm catch it and keep it in. Not always, but FAR too often to be in the same universe as realism.

I've been watching NHL games for over 30 years, and have played for just as long. I've never seen anyone catch a slapshot with an open glove hand and not seriously regret it immediately. Also never seen a guy take one right in the gut from 55' away and keep goin' like he got hit with a Nerf ball.

Anyone else? Or am I doing something wrong?

Re: Clearing the zone
 

Do you hold R1 for a bit when clearing? The longer you hold it the higher you'll loft it.

Re: Clearing the zone
 

you can also skate very very close to the glass on your off-wing side while holding RB/R1, then aim the flip dump to either 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock on the LS and it will result in a very high flip dump off of the glass which is impossible to stop.

Re: Clearing the zone
 

Agreed with @cjacks17 and @HipNotiiC_x.

Also, I think there's a push on the "off the boards chip", which I use more often than not (don't want to take another penalty for firing the puck out of play.

I just take a couple of strides, wait for the d-man to bite, then chip it by him.

Hope this helps!

Re: Clearing the zone
 

You guys are right. Embarrassed to say that I've not been holding the R1 button down long enough. I have no idea how I've been playing with the skill stick since its introduction without realizing that. Thanks for the tip!