NHL 12

[ptrain86]

I can stay back just fine, I just have difficulty staying in the correct area, especially when guys are cutting into lanes... I also seem to be trailing too often.

[Jammer]

I can stay back just fine, I just have difficulty staying in the correct area, especially when guys are cutting into lanes... I also seem to be trailing too often.

Not sure about the online leagues but in the Be A Pro Mode they have arrows in the ice to help direct you to the proper positioning (assuming you have only ever played the demo this year and didn't know that).

[JohnnyHustler]

Does this game allow the dirty hits like EA's NHL 94 (the last version I played) did? Because if so, I may get it.

Gawd, I miss how those EA games let you cheap shot everyone back then.

[ptrain86]

I can stay back just fine, I just have difficulty staying in the correct area, especially when guys are cutting into lanes... I also seem to be trailing too often.

Not sure about the online leagues but in the Be A Pro Mode they have arrows in the ice to help direct you to the proper positioning (assuming you have only ever played the demo this year and didn't know that).

That'd be me. Except for Nintendo's Ice Hockey and Blades of Steel.

[Falling Man]

Playing Be A Pro mode to begin with will help (yes, direction arrows) learn your position. I wouldn't consider Def the best noob position and don't even begin to try goalie.

This sounds promising.

[ptrain86]

So... learn a wing? Center might have too much responsibility...

man, this is gonna be fugly.

[Jammer]

I would wait for FM, Elwood, and Houdini to chime in but it might be wise to work out what position to select in the forums so you don't have a team full of centers, etc.

[Falling Man]

Centers obviously deal with faceoffs and crashing the net, wingers bring the puck up and move around alot, and Def QB the blue line and hopefully don't get beat back on the rush.

Start a Be A Pro season at C, W, and Def and see which you feels suits you better. I've always prefered RD more than anything but have been fairly comfortable switching if someone had to have a certain position.

[ptrain86]

I'll most likely start at a wing. If I shoot lefty, is there a specific side more suited?

[Falling Man]

I'll most likely start at a wing. If I shoot lefty, is there a specific side more suited?

A left shot is better suited for RW but it depends on the person. Elwood may have a better suggestion for that as he plays RW alot. I play RD as a right handed shot but always have. Whichever you decide to start with stick with it or it could mess your shot timing up.

[rabb]

I may work at being an offensive-minded defenseman unless someone objects

[Lambshot23]

I will play any postion but prefer right wing. That is any position except goalie.

[houdinisangel]

It should be interesting this year with the D being able to actually prohibit parking in front of the net.

For a relatively simple make up. I would loosely try the following:

Center: Playing a 2-way forward, you are going to move around A LOT. When the puck is turned over in the offensive zone, immediately fall back to center ice area and focus on breaking up/intercepting the outlet passes. Also will need to watch out for pinching D-men and cover when they do.

Wings: Offensively, someone will need to play power forward role (ie. Park your fat ass in front of the net for deflections). The other wing will keep trying to move into open ice, cutting to the slot and be an outlet pass for the puckholder. Both wings will forecheck when the puck is turned over. RW should ideally be L handed, LW should ideally be R handed.

Offensive Dman: Keep back at the offensive blue line and be an outlet pass unless an opportunity to pinch comes along and blast one-timers from the point. (Should be right handed if playing LD, left handed if playing RD)

Defensive Dman: Keep back at the offensive blue line and be an outlet pass for forwards setting up in the zone. Should always be the first man back in defensive zone and never let a cherry picker get behind him.

Or just ignore everything and follow one simple rule on offense - If there are 2 teammates both in the same area, you are wrong. Never crowd the puck carrier or a single area on the ice.

One final note, which is a great advance over last year is that you can save mutiple builds for your character. Each person can have a saved configuration for each position. Really comes in handy if you do have a situation where 2 centers are on and one wants to switch to D.

[Jammer]

I always love parking my ass in front of the net in the NHL series.

[Falling Man]

If there are 2 teammates both in the same area, you are wrong. Never crowd the puck carrier or a single area on the ice.

THIS.