You will need puck possession to score, and you can get it by winning face-offs. Your timing, face-off grip, action, and face-off rating determine your winning percentage.
- Timing
You must execute your face-off action in the window between the referee moving his arm until the puck hits the ice. You can learn and practice the timing from the ice trainer.
2. Grip
A face-off grip is a stance you take before a puck drops; there are two grips; the backhand grip and the forehand grip. You can increase your chance of winning by holding your grip longer. Hold the right stick to the right for the backhand grip for lefties. You will need to hold the right stick to the left for righties.
3. Action
The most important factor is your face-off action, as several actions have different counters. The Basic Action has two variations; you must pull the right stick down after establishing your grip. The Stick Lift Action also has two variations; you need to push the right stick forward to perform it after establishing your grip. Your left stick will control where the puck goes and let you win the draw.
The Tie Up Action is the same; hold the left stick forward to tie up. Hold L1 on Playstation or LB on Xbox to deck off the draw with no grip established, then flick the right stick forward. To shoot off the draw, flick the right stick forward without a grip. Each face-off action can result in a win, loss, or toss-up, depending on your opponent’s action.
4. Rating
The last contributing factor is the face-off rating. in the event of a toss-up, your face-off rating can influence the winner of the draw.