Faceoff- where to send the ball

[Kale3193]

where is the best place to send the ball off a faceoff?

i've seen guys say they like to rake it behind them through their legs, but doesn't that give the other guy an advantage becasue hes already facing that way and can see the ball?

isn't the best thing to send it behind/past him and go for that fast break?

[DJ Death]

a lot of it depends on your teammates on the wings and what the opposing FOGO is doing as well. there was an article in IL about this a couple months ago. if the other FOGO is trying to jump the ball, then punch/push it. this is what you are talking about by sending the ball behind him and going for the fast break, but the problem is that he is closer to the ball than you are you push the ball forward, so only do this when you have the jump on him or you know you're faster than him and most importantly, make sure the other team doesn't have their guys lined up on the end of the wing line to stop the fast break. you jam the ball forward and they've got middie or lsm lined up at the end of the wing line and you're screwed. communicate with your teammates on the wing lines and there are a lot of things you can do. you can push the ball out behind you at an angle so one of your teammates can pick it up or rake it out directly behind you so you can pick it up.

[faceofflax15]

Never give your wingmen the ball, you want the faceoff to be a 1-1 as opposed to a 3-3. If your raking it behind you, your raking it to yourself, your stepping into your opponent and turning to your left and sprinting back for the ball for a possession. I like to push it forward for a fastbreak but if they are countering that I'll send it backwards for a good possession.

[ShockerAutc]

Depends. If its easier for you to do it one on one, do that. But if your wingman is speedy, and your confident he's faster then who he is going against, consider sending it to him. Whatever you do, work it out with your line so they know whats up.

[ThePuceRooster]

Just wondering, is winning a faceoff mean your team getting possession or just being the one who directs the ball? Just curious...

[faceofflax15]

Team winning possession..

[jdd1260]

Sending it forward is not best IMO. Pretty much every time I try it the other guys foot gets in the way and he ends up kicking it & winning possession. What I normally do and what works incredibly well is flip it back and left about 10 -15 feet rolling quickly at a 45 degree angle. We get an lsm on the wing and he runs to the same spot every time. Its how I'v gone perfect for games a couple times.

[MadCowDisease]

Depends.
You could get it and take it by yourself.
You could pass it behind you, and then let your wing-man get it.
You could get it and pass.
Whatever the situation is, adjust to it and work off of that, deal with the other team(and your's) positioning and play off of that.
Good luck.

[faceofflax15]

Sending it forward is not best IMO. Pretty much every time I try it the other guys foot gets in the way and he ends up kicking it & winning possession. What I normally do and what works incredibly well is flip it back and left about 10 -15 feet rolling quickly at a 45 degree angle. We get an lsm on the wing and he runs to the same spot every time. Its how I'v gone perfect for games a couple times.
Thats why you take the ball about 6 inches to the left before you push it forward...

[panthers09]

My coach gave me a DVD that is made by one of the best Face-Off guys (at least thats what my coach said). I forgot the guy's name, but he said that the best thing is to always do 45 degree angles, whether it be behind you and to the left, then box the other guy out using ur body, or 45 degrees to your front right side and just rush past him.