Body Check vs. Poke Check

[Randiesel75]

Newbie to NHL 09 after a long hiatus from NHL 94 on Sega Genesis. So, I am looking for some assistance from the community. PSN: Randiesel

In reviewing the post game stats I see that my passes are a bit lower than most guys, but what is a striking imbalance on the stats is the checking. My hits are way higher than my opponent. This leads me to believe (as well as one player alluding to over post game messages) that I am over-commiting on defense, always looking for the big hit.

I am starting to understand this now and realized that defense is of utmost importance.

How can I correct this? Should I be using the Poke Check more often to not commit as hard on the big hits and then be taken out of the play consequently giving up the lane for a score?

I guess I don't understand the how, why and when to use the Poke vs. Body check.

Thanks,

Randiesel

[doute]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

That really is for you to experiment with.

I use a poke check when some one is coming across me.

I use the body check when I can become parrellel to the offensive player and can drive him into the boards.

[seasprite]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

I have much more success with the poke check than I do body checking. Your best bet is to raise your defensive awareness to increase your poke and stick lift. I find many times when you go for those big body checks, you take yourself out of position more times than you stop the offensive rush

[Taur3asi3]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

I let my positioning determin if i poke check or body check. If my angle on the rush isnt good enough to hit the opposing player into the boards i'll poke check it out of the zone. The only time i always 100% poke check is on the PK when my forwards are pressuring the cpu's defensemen if they have the puck on the cycle. That leads to some good chances to either go in for a scoring opportunity, dump it, or just rag it around their end to kill time.


Be careful though if you use the poke check enough you'll get called for tons of tripping penalties.

[savoie2006]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

Yeah, I most always Poke Check. If they get by me I'll stick lift. Generally the only time I check is when I dump the puck in behind the net.

[Randiesel75]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

Many thanks to all the replies as my game has improved since severely backing off the Body Check. Although now I get called for more tripping penalties.

[Steven547]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

Don't forget, the hit stat in this game is wrong. It is counting every bump or jostle in front of the net as well. So some games you'll see hit stats of 80-85 per team, and yet hardly used the check button. If they eliminate this stat for next year, I don't think anyone would care too much. At least not myself.

[Codymo32791]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

Poke

[ether]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

Since I pumped the aggressiveness slider way up, I notice the cpu hitting back a lot more frequently and even keeping up with my hit numbers in some games.

As for choosing when to do it, it's a sense of timing and positioning. If you are coming from behind on a guy do not poke check, it'll trip the guy almost every time. Even if you are facing him if you are too close your stick will still go into his skates. You actually don't even need to aim to hit the puck carrier, just get close enough and your guy will bump him.

[flyersdabe]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

You ask when to use the body and when to use the stick, well I'm going to try and answer your question at the best of my ability:

When to use the body is simple enough for me. When the puck is in the corner, always go for the hit. When its a 1-on-2, then its safe to go for the big hit with one of your defensemen. Anything in the neutral zone, go for it.

When to use your stick is the best option though, the poke check can be used so many different ways that it helps you prevent good scoring chances. You can use the poke check to prevent passing lanes and knocking pucks away from the puck carrier. It especially comes to use when defending with your defensemen in the slot. You can hold down the poke check button and it will swipe the stick around and usually gets the carrier to either A) shoot, B) go around the net, C) pass to a lesser threat.

My advice is to use the poking more.

[Randiesel75]

Re: Body Check vs. Poke Check

You ask when to use the body and when to use the stick, well I'm going to try and answer your question at the best of my ability:

When to use the body is simple enough for me. When the puck is in the corner, always go for the hit. When its a 1-on-2, then its safe to go for the big hit with one of your defensemen. Anything in the neutral zone, go for it.

When to use your stick is the best option though, the poke check can be used so many different ways that it helps you prevent good scoring chances. You can use the poke check to prevent passing lanes and knocking pucks away from the puck carrier. It especially comes to use when defending with your defensemen in the slot. You can hold down the poke check button and it will swipe the stick around and usually gets the carrier to either A) shoot, B) go around the net, C) pass to a lesser threat.

My advice is to use the poking more.

Now with a few weeks under my belt playing this game, I can honestly say that this is the strategy I follow. Once in the neutral and seeing no lane, I'll flip the puck and then look for a big check in the boards.

In the beginning, I think after reading the advice I was poking too much and getting tripping calls. I now try and be a little more precise in when to poke. Although it is hard, with the fast-paced game play its so easy to get carried away. But with time I find myself finally having more and more discipline. Defense is key!