Close Support – The weak-side winger will move towards the puck to offer a short, quick passing option.While already being down a man, you’ll want to make sure your setup is most effective against the power play setup you are going up against. This strategy limits passing options but can leave you vulnerable to your individual player getting skated by with little support behind him. Tight Point – Players will stay tight to a designated player almost like a man on man.Staggered coverage also pairs well with normal pressure Staggered – Players maintain both high and low coverage with the strong side pursuing the puck and the weak side collapsing closer to the net.The other skater will pressure the puck carrier. Collapsing – Four players will hover around your goaltender to stop passes from going across the front of the net, block shots and to clear away rebounds.Puck Side Attack – Players who are on the same side as the puck will put pressure on the puck carrier, while others will wait for the puck to move closer to their position and will then put pressure on the puck carrier.Protect Net – Almost all of your players set up in front of your goaltender to block incoming shots and clear away rebounds.High Pressure – Your players will chase down the player in possession of the puck, trying aggressively to win control of the puck.I prefer to play on this setting, resulting in a good mix of man to man and zone coverage. Normal – Players will move towards the opposition players they are covering while others will stay close to the net to block shots.Contain Puck – Your players set up in the front of the net but are active closing down on the puck while looking to block shots.Defensive strategies are crucial to team success, allowing players to be positioned where you want them to best limit scoring chances. picket fence - shutting off even more of the lanes to their defensive zone or to retrieve the puck in a dump and chase.ĭefensive strategies will determine how your players set up when without the puck in the defensive zone. 1-4 – One forward pressures the puck carrier while the other four set up in a horizontal blockade - i.e.The fifth skater/last defenseman sits behind the line of three to defend the net when a skater breaks through or to retrieve the puck in a dump and chase scenario. 1-3-1 – One forward pressures the puck carrier while three skaters set up in a horizontal line across the neutral zone to close off all three lanes.1-2-2 Red – One forward pressures the puck, two forwards sit on the red line, and the two defensemen sit on your blue line.The two defensemen set up on the red line. 1-2-2 Blue – One forward pressures the puck carrier while the other two forwards set up just inside the offensive blue line.Neutral zone strategies will determine how your team sets up when your opponent pushes towards and through the middle of the ice while in possession. The defensemen will hold the blue line, while one forward will apply pressure to the puck carrier and the other forwards will sit higher up preventing transitions and breakout passes. Weak Side Lock – Forwards will sit quite deep in the offensive zone.The 2-3 forecheck feels like this setting allows for a normal NHL-style forecheck and the most realistic gameplay possible. The third forward - or high guy - sits higher up closer to the blue line to help prevent transitions or breakouts by the opposition. 2-3 – Defensemen line up on the halfway line while two forwards aggressively pursue the puck carrier and attempt to cut off passes.The passive 1-2-2 is ideal for defending leads. The best way to beat this strategy is also by skating into traffic then dishing the puck to a teammate, but this forecheck also allows for shorter passing as well. 1-2-2 Passive – This is similar to the aggressive option, but here all players set up higher starting at the circles in the offensive zone.The best way to beat this strategy is to skate into pressure then dish the puck to a teammate. The other two forwards will support but stay higher up cutting off the ability to head man the puck, while the two defensemen will hold the blue line. 1-2-2 Aggressive – The first forward will go deep into the zone to pressure the puck carrier.
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