NHL 25: How To Take Toe Drag Shots, Explained

There are a plethora of mechanics in NHL 25 that you won’t use too often during a game, but you need to know how to pull them off for various in-game challenges. For example, some of the player-specific challenges, such as the set for Teemu Selanne, ask you to do a specific number of Toe Drag Shots. Toe Drag Shots are also required to complete certain Frozen Forces Moments, so knowing how to do them is required to access other content in NHL 25.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t go into how to do this specific type of shot whatsoever. Instead, they leave you to your own devices to find the best way to pull off this shot. Moreover, if you do happen to get an explanation, it might not be tailored to your preferred shot style. Luckily, there is one shot style that makes Toe Drag Shots a cinch in ‘Chel.

You can see how to shoot Toe Drag Shots as well as how to do them using different shot styles in the guide below.

What Are Toe Drag Shots In NHL 25?

Before you know the controls for a Toe Drag Shot in NHL 25, it’s important to understand what they are, as this helps you learn about the best time to try and attempt them. A Toe Drag Shot is when your player controlling the puck drags the puck behind them using the “toe” of the stick blade and then flicks a shot toward the net after a second or two.

The goal of a Toe Drag Shot is to keep the goalie guessing, as they have a harder time tracking the puck if it’s behind you, and to gain a little more speed on the shot. By essentially drawing back and then firing the puck, you allow your stick to pick up more momentum and shoot the puck quicker whenever you choose to release it.

Interestingly, in NHL 25, the Toe Drag Shot that often comes up in challenges isn’t actually a Toe Drag Shot. It’s closer to a Datsyuk Pull Back shot, which closely resembles another deke in the game. So if that was tripping you up, then perhaps that makes things a little clearer.

In NHL 25, you won’t find a ton of use for the Toe Drag Shot — or the Datsyuk Pull Back — unless you truly the master the mechanic. If you don’t know how to pull off the shot every time with precision, it’s usually a better decision to try a normal shot since you’ll take less time fumbling with the controls. However, if you manage to learn the ins and outs of the Toe Drag Shot, you can unleash some lethal shots and surprise the goalie every time.

Whether you want to truly learn the Toe Drag Shot or you’re just looking to get a challenge done, look below for the controls to pull off the shot.

How To Take A Toe Drag Shot In NHL 25

As you might expect, the process of taking a Toe Drag Shot will change depending on the shot style you’re using. The three main shot styles in NHL 25 are Skill Stick, Total Control, and Hybrid. For a Toe Drag Shot, though, you want to only try and use either Skill Stick or Total Control. Both of these styles allow for easier Toe Drag Shots, with the latter being much simpler overall.

You can see how to take a Toe Drag Shot using both styles below:

• Skill Stick: Click R3/RS and then move your joystick all the way down. When you’re ready to shoot after the puck goes behind your player, flick your joystick up quickly to initiate a shot.
• Total Control: Hold X/Square when looking at the net and then release X/Square when you want to shoot.

If you’re just trying to complete a challenge in NHL 25, then swap to Total Control if you’re not already on the style. It’s far and away the easiest way to pull off a Toe Drag Shot, as holding and releasing X/Square is much more likely to yield the result you’re looking for. When you’re done with the challenge, swap back to Skill Stick or Hybrid if you were on it before.

While you can have the controls to pull off a Toe Drag Shot, this often won’t be enough on its own. You need to position your player in the perfect scenario for them to shoot the puck after loading up a Toe Drag Shot.

In most instances, if you have the puck on your right side (as a right-handed player), then you want to shoot at the net from the left side. Alternatively, lefties can approach from the right side. When you’re close to being in line with the faceoff circles, load up the shot and then release it within a second of pressing the controls.

You can also take the shot from the middle of the offensive zone or closer to the net. However, the for the Toe Drag Shot to be as effective as possible, it’s best if you give the shot enough time to accumulate some speed before it reaches the net.

Still, though, you’ll find the Toe Drag Shot to be fairly inaccurate compared to most other types of shots in NHL 25. Luckily, if you’re just trying to complete an in-game challenge, like for the Frozen Forces Moments, then you just need to register a Toe Drag Shot, not actually score one. As long as the game registers that you took a Toe Drag Shot, that’s all you need to do.

Of course, if you’re trying to pull off Toe Drag Shots in a real game, that’s another story. It needs to be the perfect situation, with no defenders in front of the goalie, and you better have an accurate player shooting the puck. Otherwise, you’re more than likely going to miss the net.

That’s all we have on taking Toe Drag Shots and the best ways to pull them off in NHL 25.