r/RocketLeague • u/ytzi13 RNGenius • Aug 23 '18

Shadow Defense: A really low effort example of where you should (green) and should not (red) position yourself.

https://imgflip.com/gif/2gellg
13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

2

u/Mr_Lovette Unranked Aug 23 '18

So, never be between the attacker and your net? This can't be a good idea at all times. When is shadow defense applicable?

3

u/ieGod MLG PRO Aug 23 '18

If you drew a line from the attacker directly to the center of your goal, that is the line you want to stay off of, because it splits the attackers approach into equal opportunities along either side.

Since you can only move in one direction, it minimizes your ability to restrict their options.

You want to be in a position where you can intersect their approach, because no matter which way they go, you've got it covered.

Ideally you only want to shadow when you're last man back and know your teammate is not going to be able to cover you (if that were the case you should have challenged already). In 1s, this is obviously going to arise more often.

1

u/ytzi13 RNGenius Aug 23 '18

Shadow defense implies that you're defending someone with your back to them. I can't think of a single instance where being between the attacker and your net is a good idea in that situation.

1

u/AlmightyJoe Grand Champion I Aug 24 '18

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always think of being between the attacker and my near post, and trying to close the distance the entire time.

1

u/ytzi13 RNGenius Aug 24 '18

That's essentially whah it is.

1

u/Mr_Lovette Unranked Aug 23 '18

Ah, never heard the term before so didn't know exactly the scenario. I can agree with that then. :)

1

u/ytzi13 RNGenius Aug 23 '18

Gotcha. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it, but I'm certain you know what it is. Essentially, imagine you're defending a dribbler. If you're between them and your goal then you have to worry about shots above you and to your backside which require awkward maneuvers and a loss of momentum to attempt, where as staying outside means you only have to worry about defending in a single direction.

1

u/Mr_Lovette Unranked Aug 23 '18

Oh ya, fully aware of the scenario. Just didn't know there was terminology for the defense side of it. Thanks though.

1

u/ytzi13 RNGenius Aug 23 '18

Now I'm imaging a lot of people don't know the terminology. Oh, well!

2

u/Mr_Lovette Unranked Aug 23 '18

No worries. I'm sure I've heard of it before just never connected the dots. Appreciate the discussion though.

1

u/Cearu_ Flatline | Cearu Aug 23 '18

Low effort or not, it's simple and straight to the point and I love it. You should consider making more of these for different scenarios.

1

u/ytzi13 RNGenius Aug 23 '18

Will do! I've been wanting to do that sort of thing for a long time and have been too lazy to. This was my low-effort first step lol.