new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

[ALAMO130]

having trouble all around im pretty new to this game and just wanted some input on what forechecking and defense should i use. Also if for some reason i'm having trouble bringing the puck into the offensive zone. I've tried dumping the puck but the defense almost always beats me to the puck. Need help thanks

[swil]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

up the pressure on the fore check and return the favor.

2-1-2 is fairly agressive but the 3-2 is the most agressive by far. If you use a 3-2; be mindful that your blueliners might get burned on the breakaway. You might want to lower your attacking strategy so they will hang back deeper.

[Vikes1]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

up the pressure on the fore check and return the favor.

2-1-2 is fairly agressive but the 3-2 is the most agressive by far. If you use a 3-2; be mindful that your blueliners might get burned on the breakaway. You might want to lower your attacking strategy so they will hang back deeper.

Your so right Swil about the 3-2.

I tried it a few times...and yeah man, it's very aggressive. Works very well to up the pressure in the offensive zone. But your right, I ended up giving up a number of breakaways. If down a goal late in the game, the 3-2 [aggressive] seems like a good choice.

The 2-1-2 is what I normally use.

[Qb]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

For general use, I'm a fan of the 2-1-2, be it high (defending) or low (attacking) depending on situation and/or team. I find the 1-2-2 low to be largely ineffective due to the middle two forwards tendency to spread out wide, leaving the middle of the ice far too open. It leaves the lead forechecker with little to no support, which the 2-1-2L provides with the second forechecker.

The 1-2-2 high (ie, "the trap") is a bit better implemented if only because the first guy hangs back in the middle, but I still feel the 2-1-2 high is a more effective conservative strategy for my style of play. I rarely use the 3-2 due to the risk, but if you're down late, sometimes you have no choice...

[Toonces]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

This is one thing that EA should expand on one year, as an educational tool. While many of us have grown up playing hockey, I'd be willing to bet that a huge percentage of people who pick up the game every year don't really understand the strategies, and how and when to use them.

EA should spend some time next year maybe just implementing a small tutorial explaining the strategies, and how and when to use them.

[dave374]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

3-2 the best if you need goals.
2-1-2 pretty balanced
1-2-2 for defensive minded guys

IMO, you should only use 3-2 if your team is a big favourite (Detroit vs. Atlanta) or you're behind in the game and desperately need a goal.

[Hunkerdown]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

3-2 the best if you need goals.
2-1-2 pretty balanced
1-2-2 for defensive minded guys

IMO, you should only use 3-2 if your team is a big favourite (Detroit vs. Atlanta) or you're behind in the game and desperately need a goal.

Why the hack on my thrashers? haha, just kidding, I know to well, every game has been a challenge. Thanks for advice Fellas! The commentators did say this might be the year Atlanta could make a run. Yeah.....right

[ALAMO130]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

thank you so much I've tried the 2-1-2 and it helps alot especially in the neutral zone. Another question whats the best defense? I get torched with the tight point and it seems my defense just stands and watches with the collapse.

[ALAMO130]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

when you say 2-1-2 high defending and 2-1-2 low attacking do you mean that my defensemen will defend the puck with high and attack the puck with low.

[ALAMO130]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

This is one thing that EA should expand on one year, as an educational tool. While many of us have grown up playing hockey, I'd be willing to bet that a huge percentage of people who pick up the game every year don't really understand the strategies, and how and when to use them.

EA should spend some time next year maybe just implementing a small tutorial explaining the strategies, and how and when to use them.

yes they should I'm a maddenite and this is the first time i played this game and i must say this is the hardest game to just pick up and play.

[swil]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

Why the hack on my thrashers? haha, just kidding, I know to well, every game has been a challenge. Thanks for advice Fellas! The commentators did say this might be the year Atlanta could make a run. Yeah.....right

I know, right?! Circle the wagons, JAA!!

Thrashers will be a different team this year. Watch.

[Hunkerdown]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

I know, right?! Circle the wagons, JAA!!

Thrashers will be a different team this year. Watch.

Wish I was in Atlanta still, miss going to Athens see my Dawgs play, heading to the Dome for some Falcons; chilling at Turner Field watching the Bravos, and going to Phillips Arena for some Thrashers/Hawks action. Those were the days. Atleast with Tony G in the house, the Falcons will nopt disappoint.

[baseball66]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

well i've grown up following hockey all my life and while i have good intentions regarding the strategies in the game i always seem to end up running around the ice like a madman.

[Antkowiak]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

I think the big problem with the forecheck strategies is that it's hard to know how to use them sometimes. I play as the Sabres and use a 1-2-2 low so my suspect defense has some help, but if you notice, when your lead forechecker (I usually use the center) pushes the puck carrier towards one side of the boards, the opposite winger takes over as the lead checker, so you have to be deft enough to know that you have now become one of the middle 2's. It's also annoying when you have the opponent trapped, yet he manages a pass right under your forechecker's stick, which is infuriating.

Like most on here are saying, the 3-2 is a last ditch forecheck, or if you are that into strategy changing, use it with a third or fourth line sometimes when you use a dump and chase since those guys typically can crash and bang, opening up some scoring. both 1-2-2's are suited for early game time, when you and the opponent are feeling each other out in terms of where the puck is going most often, and if needed, switch up to the 2-1-2 to keep the puck in the zone. I tend to stick to the 1-2-2 low because I like having men back to defend the rush, but the 2-1-2 is the real moneymaker in terms of setting up some good offense.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: new to nhl 10 what's the best forechecking, and defense should i use?

I'd live to see more discussion on this topic!

I'm new to hockey, as far as understanding strategies and such. I play as the Blues, and I'm trying to figure out if I should be using different strategies for different lines.

I did some experimenting with the 3-2 last night to great effect. The biggest thing I noticed was my ability to keep the puck in the offensive zone. I used it primarily when playing Boston, and outshot them by a healthy margin (29-23), but lost 3-1.

I have been using more aggressive modes on both offense and defense. Is this cheese if i play online? And do you pay a prices in fatigue if you keep the team playing aggressive on both ends of the ice?

I started trying this out after having my *** handed to me in a few online games. I find random online opponents to be 3X as aggressive as the CPU is. I planb on playing some friends I know from a couple of other forums I frequent, but do not want to employ any tactics that are considered cheese. But I'm kind of desperate to get to a level where I feel like I am competitive. I'm getting less than 10 shots a game online, and giving up 30+. My last full game I gave up 31, and only took 4 shots.

Also, when I pay offline, I turn fighting off, as it's just not part of the game I enjoy. My last online opponent, on top of just brutalizing me all game, constantly tried starting fights, even when I ran from him after the whistle, and turtled when it forced me to go. When my player got 5:00 for a fight in which he basically went to his knees and covered his head, I just quit.

Is this a legit strategy, or am I just being a baby?