Coaching Strategies

Coaching Strategies Videos

NHL 13 Coaching Strategies Guide:

By: SeniorGnu

 

Coaching Strategies are how you control the positioning and play style of your A.I. teammates. To bring up Coaching Strategies, click the Right Stick before the game at the Edit Lines screen, or use the controls in the parenthesis seen below during the game.

 

Offensive Zone Forechecks (D-Pad Up)

1-2-2 Passive: Passive forecheck with all skaters looking to prevent breakout passes.

 

2-3: Two nearest forwards pressure the puck while the third forward drops back.

 

Weakside Lock: Forwards will pressure the play along the boards where the strongside defenseman will pinch along the boards while the weakside defenseman will drop back and cover the point.

 

1-2-2 Aggressive: One forward in deep forcing play up the boards into teammates.

 

Neutral Zone Forechecks (D-Pad Down)

1-3-1: Neutral zone trap with one defender pressuring the puck carrier, three players defending the blue line, and one deep in the defensive end defending the net.

 

1-4: Neutral zone trap with one defender pressuring the puck carrier and four players defending the blue line.

 

1-2-2 Red: Defenders will hold the neutral zone and apply pressure to the breakout at the red line.

 

1-2-2 Blue: Defenders will hold the neutral zone and apply pressure to the breakout at the opposing blue line.

 

Forecheck Slider (D-Pad Up then Left/Right or D-Pad Down then Left/Right)

This slider sets the bias of your teams decision to set up in a neutral zone or offensive zone forecheck.

 

Offensive Pressure (D-Pad Right)

Defend Lead: Players will not take any chances.

 

Conservative: Players are cautious about getting caught up ice.

 

Standard: A good mix of cautious and aggresssive play.

 

Aggressive: Defense will take some chances.

 

Full Attack: Players are only thinking about offense.

 

Defensive Pressure (D-Pad Left)

Protect Net: Players collapse in the defensive zone.

 

Contain Puck: Players will stay between the puck and the net.

 

Normal: A solid mix of one on one and zone defense.

 

Puck Side Attack: Players on the strong side attack the puck.

 

High Pressure: Your team is at their most aggressive.

 

Offensive Strategy (B then Y)

Overload: Best suited for skilled players. Two players are available for a pass. Lots of criss-crossing off of the rush.

 

Crash the Net: Best suited for strnog, physical players. Allows for lots of shots using both screens and deflections. Players without the puck crowd the net on the rush. Get lots of shots and use screens, deflections. Players without puck go to the net on the rush.

 

Behind the Net: Control the puck own low near the boards. Creates opportunities from behind the net. Hit weak side D-men for one-timers.

 

Defensive Strategy (X then Y)

Collapsing: Players collapse to the front of the net and slot. Forces opponent to take shots from perimeter. The D-men clear the front of the net.

 

Staggered: A good mix of low and high coverage. Weak side winger always controls the high slot area. Strong side winger covers the strong side point.

 

Tight Point: Use against teams with high scoring D-men. Two forwards stay close to opponent’s D-men. Three players cover down low.

 

Penalty Kill (While on the Penalty Kill – B then Y)

Passive Box: Creates at tight box in the defensive zone. Keeps the slot very well defended. Allows for shots from the outside.

 

Large Box: Penalty killers attack the puck carrier. Maintains pressure on the outside. Forces the play, but can leave openings in the slot.

 

Diamond: Great for covering umbrella power play covers players in the high slot. Keeps a defensive player directly in front of the net.

 

Power Play (While on the Power Play – B then Y)

Overload: Best Suited for skilled players. Two players are available for a pass. Lots of criss-crossing off of the rush.

 

Umbrella: Name based on the shape of the set up. One D-man at point with 2 shooters at circles. Great for one-timers.

 

Shooting: Strong puck movement and good point shots. Two players in front for screens and deflections. Outnumber your opponent down low.

 

Power Play Slider (Must set at Edit Lines)

PP Carry vs PP Dump: During powerplays, determines AI tendency to carry the puck into the offensive zone versus dumping and chasing the puck in.

 

Line Strategies (Must set at Edit Lines)

Carry vs. Dump: AI more likely to carry the puck in or dump and chase.

 

Cycle vs. Shoot: If your team will look for any shot, or worry about possession and high percentage chances.

 

Efficiency vs. Energy: Will your team conserve energy or hustle more with high intensity?

 

Don’t Block vs. Block: Will your AI teammates allow the goalie to see the shot or attempt to block?

 

Defensive Strategies (Must Set at Edit Lines)

Hold Line vs. Pinch: Will your defensive AI hold the blueline or take risks to pinch?

 

Cycle vs. Shoot: Tendency for your defensive AI to put the puck in to cycle or put shots on net?