The Official TBL Practice Thread

[Taloncarde]

I've been out of playing for some time, and the situation has finally come to pass where I have more time for playing EHM (YAY)

I've been browsing the knowledge forum, and i've seen a few people discuss practices, but wasn't able to find what I was looking for

For 2005, I found a practice system, where you basically set multiple practice types up, where they have their levels set to 3 intense, 3 medium, and goaltending off. Then when your players got tired, you moved them manually to resting and back. I know the training system hasn't changed much, but was just wondering if people use a similar system now?

Also, I understand the basics of which stats to assign coaches to, but what effect does Condition based, General, and Tecnique have on these practice sessions? I remember the percentage of time you set to general/PP/PK used to have an impact on development as well, how do you typically set these on an NHL team vs a WHL team.

And finally, what are some recommendations for differences in training a young team (WHL) vs an NHL team? I am torn between starting a career (no job start, building up) or taking over an NHL team and want to get a handle on the practice stuff either way.

[Shadd666]

Well, as you mentionned, the practice system didn't change that much between EHM05 and EHM07. That's why i still use the "3intensive-3medium" system i used in EHM05.

Conditioning-style coaches are better for fitness and skating programs, while tecnical-style suits best off.skills, def.skills and shooting programs.

About how to set the practice schedule, well it depends on what you want to have... Like in many areas of the game, there's no hard-and-fast rule that will always work anytime, so it's up to you to test and see what works well and change what doesn't

For the "whl vs nhl" stuff, i'm not an expert in junior leagues. I spent a few seasons in OHL, set my practice schedule the same way i would have done for an NHL team, and won the same way

But as we have some experts of the junior leagues here, i guess they should indicate you some specific recommendations if there are ones to give

[Minstrel]

I approach my practices the same pretty much as I did in my 2005 games, as detailed in the Guide we wrote up; following my "week of hell" approach to keep guys going.

I only adjust for player age in extreme situations, like when you have old veterans that tend to get beaten down just by the usual schedule I make and "Old Guys" practice schedule that has them on light conditioning and skating drills.

Sometimes adjustments need to be made for certain players and for your coaching staff. If you have a very hard-driving coach his 'medium' can be more intense than a laid back coach's 'intensive' for example. So it's a lot of playing it by ear. I usually go with a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach to practice. Unless I notice something going obviously wrong I just keep on.

Welcome back btw

[B. Stinson]

I don't think I have ever had two years in a row where I've used the same practice philosophy. I always change it around as new ideas come to me, etc., etc.

Though, I think my newest setup is the one I'm going to use for a while. It's with Ottawa 67's, and here's how it looks:

(Main "focus" are the things I most often/constantly have set on Intensive.)

General = All medium. Only occasionally used.

Fitness = Used mainly in pre-season, and mid-season. Focuses only on Conditioning and Skating.

Goalies = Focuses on Goaltending and Skating.

Defense = Used for all defensemen. Primarily focuses on Defense, and Skating or Conditioning.

Center = Used for all Centers. Focuses on Offensive and Defensive skills. Alternative focus on Tactics and Skating.

Forward = Used for all wingers. Focuses on Offensive skills and scoring.

Youth Academy = Used for all youth players only. Focuses on Conditioning, Skating, and Tactics. *All players 17 and younger(age depends on the league) have to go through here, and cannot leave, or graduate, until they're 18.

[CatchUp]

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You're a practice ninja. I'm gonna give it a shot - I especially like the Youth Academy idea. Do you notice a difference in your prospects?

Cheers.

[Taloncarde]

When you say it focuses on those, do you mean you set those to intense, the rest medium? or what do you typically set the remaining parts to?

I will probably mix and match to get results, i've never had a problem with tactics and line ups, but practice has always been my bane.

[bruins72]

I don't think I have ever had two years in a row where I've used the same practice philosophy. I always change it around as new ideas come to me, etc., etc.

Though, I think my newest setup is the one I'm going to use for a while. It's with Ottawa 67's, and here's how it looks:

(Main "focus" are the things I most often/constantly have set on Intensive.)

General = All medium. Only occasionally used.

Fitness = Used mainly in pre-season, and mid-season. Focuses only on Conditioning and Skating.

Goalies = Focuses on Goaltending and Skating.

Defense = Used for all defensemen. Primarily focuses on Defense, and Skating or Conditioning.

Center = Used for all Centers. Focuses on Offensive and Defensive skills. Alternative focus on Tactics and Skating.

Forward = Used for all wingers. Focuses on Offensive skills and scoring.

Youth Academy = Used for all youth players only. Focuses on Conditioning, Skating, and Tactics. *All players 17 and younger(age depends on the league) have to go through here, and cannot leave, or graduate, until they're 18.

Interesting setup. I wonder if it would apply well to an NHL team? I've been using a 3 INT/3 MED practice setup I found in a forum (here or SI I'm guessing) back when the 2005 version was out. My problem is, my top two lines are wiped out by January and can't practice most of the time.

[B. Stinson]

I especially like the Youth Academy idea. Do you notice a difference in your prospects?

I can't really say for sure yet. I've used it for only one season so-far, and for that one season I've had only two kids who were consistent members of the team.

Taloncarde: I'll post a more detailed list of my current setup in a few minutes.

[Taloncarde]

Thank you And minstrel, it's good to be back, nice to see some of the guides I wrote back for the 2005 version are still up This will be my first run through with 2007, I bought it at release, but have not had any time to play at all, but that's finally getting cleared up I just have always struggled with practice and appreciate some things to try.

[B. Stinson]

Here's my full list: (Listed by conditioning, Skating, Tactical, Shooting, Off. Skill, Def. Skill, Goaltending)

General: All Medium, Goaltending = None.

Goalkeepers: M, I, L, N, N, N, I.

Fitness: I, I, others = None.

Defense: M, M, I, L, L, I, N.

Centers: M, M, M, M, I, I, N.

Forwards(Wingers): M, M, M, I, I, L, N.

Academy: I, I, I, L , L , L, N.

NOTE... I often switch things around a little bit to keep my players on their toes... so the above settings are only my own default, or "core," settings.

[Shadd666]

I've been using a 3 INT/3 MED practice setup I found in a forum (here or SI I'm guessing) back when the 2005 version was out. My problem is, my top two lines are wiped out by January and can't practice most of the time.

Same here. But usually it doesn't prevent me from winning Anyhow, i'm gonna test a different approach this time. Once they'll start to be tired, i'll put them on the general program (all at medium) for a month or two...

Top two lines are seeing a lot of icetime, so it's not a too big issue if they practice less. They'll end their practice program against opponents' goalies!

[holydogg]

Youth Academy = Used for all youth players only. Focuses on Conditioning, Skating, and Tactics. *All players 17 and younger(age depends on the league) have to go through here, and cannot leave, or graduate, until they're 18.

In 2004, I was playing a lot in Q. I found that the secret of junior hockey is good physical shape, playing skills were secondary. I was doing something like that. Instead of age, I waited that my youth get 15 in endurance, then, after, they begin to learn how to shoot

I won 3 president cups and 2 memorial cups in 3 years, going to blast everybody the fourth years (even without sid the kid) but I erased my game my mistake

[Alex the Tall]

Youth Academy = Used for all youth players only. Focuses on Conditioning, Skating, and Tactics. *All players 17 and younger(age depends on the league) have to go through here, and cannot leave, or graduate, until they're 18.

In 2004, I was playing a lot in Q. I found that the secret of junior hockey is good physical shape, playing skills were secondary. I was doing something like that. Instead of age, I waited that my youth get 15 in endurance, then, after, they begin to learn how to shoot

I won 3 president cups and 2 memorial cups in 3 years, going to blast everybody the fourth years (even without sid the kid) but I erased my game my mistake

and how you did that, whit the young academy?

[holydogg]

and how you did that, whit the young academy?

My method was alot simpler. If my player was below 15 in endurance, I sent him in intense conditionning drill until he reach 15. In the draft, I also pick good shaped player only. So my team wasn't the more talented but the best physical fit!

Also, I drafted an Danish Power forward who, lucky me, was the best line partner ever for Sidney Crosby, having crosby until he's 20 won't hurt too!!

Also.. using Sonic tacting helped a bit...

[Alex the Tall]

I don't think I have ever had two years in a row where I've used the same practice philosophy. I always change it around as new ideas come to me, etc., etc.

Though, I think my newest setup is the one I'm going to use for a while. It's with Ottawa 67's, and here's how it looks:

(Main "focus" are the things I most often/constantly have set on Intensive.)

General = All medium. Only occasionally used.

Fitness = Used mainly in pre-season, and mid-season. Focuses only on Conditioning and Skating.

Goalies = Focuses on Goaltending and Skating.

Defense = Used for all defensemen. Primarily focuses on Defense, and Skating or Conditioning.

Center = Used for all Centers. Focuses on Offensive and Defensive skills. Alternative focus on Tactics and Skating.

Forward = Used for all wingers. Focuses on Offensive skills and scoring.

Youth Academy = Used for all youth players only. Focuses on Conditioning, Skating, and Tactics. *All players 17 and younger(age depends on the league) have to go through here, and cannot leave, or graduate, until they're 18.

What's a "young player" in the NHL?

[B. Stinson]

What's a "young player" in the NHL?

I guess it's whatever you want it to be. That's what I did. I just looked at the age range of the whole league(about 16 to 20) and picked the youngest couple of ages to be considered "youth."

If I were in the NHL, I'd probably go with 23 or 24 as the "graduation" age... which would mean anyone 23 or 24 and younger would be sent through my youth academy.

[holydogg]

What's a "young player" in the NHL?

If I were in the NHL, I'd probably go with 23 or 24 as the "graduation" age... which would mean anyone 23 or 24 and younger would be sent through my youth academy.

I'll say that if your prospect need the academy, he's not ready for NHL, let him play in AHL instead. But, some intense training is not bad either, especially is your prospects is not having a great share of icetime.

[Alex the Tall]

What's a "young player" in the NHL?

I guess it's whatever you want it to be. That's what I did. I just looked at the age range of the whole league(about 16 to 20) and picked the youngest couple of ages to be considered "youth."

If I were in the NHL, I'd probably go with 23 or 24 as the "graduation" age... which would mean anyone 23 or 24 and younger would be sent through my youth academy.

In playoff, do you put everyone in "General" and your goalies on none?

[B. Stinson]

For the playoffs I usually put everyone on general, except everything is set to Light instead of Medium(and the goalies get a light version of their schedule as well).

Though, 99% of the stuff I do in EHM is improv, or "on the spot"... so I hardly ever follow the same routines year to year. Which might be why I haven't won a single championship or regular season title since EHM 2004.

I'll say that if your prospect need the academy, he's not ready for NHL, let him play in AHL instead.

True, but my plan is to have every prospect go through the academy no matter their skill level(unless they have perfect physical skills before getting to me). Plus, since it's only a practice schedule it will only consist of players who are ready for my team(or else they won't be on my team, and thus not able to participate in my team's practice). Though, I'm not sure it will matter, 'cause I doubt I'll ever want to move to the NHL(I have far more fun dealing with youth players... and after that, I'll probably go out to one of my favorite countries, Germany, and play around in the DEL).

[Alex the Tall]

AaAh... I started my self in the "Q" and i want to go in the NHL someday... I am trying to do a "real life" GM run. But if someone could pmed me their practice drill, if it's different of B.Stinson, i would be happy !

[Thundercleese]

Kind of related to this, especially in regards to young players, is the offseason. I never know if I should work my players--the young ones seem to lose attribute points every year and it takes a lot of time to get them back. Should I just let the poor guys rest or should I work 'em? Maybe a cycle between the two?

[holydogg]

Kind of related to this, especially in regards to young players, is the offseason. I never know if I should work my players--the young ones seem to lose attribute points every year and it takes a lot of time to get them back. Should I just let the poor guys rest or should I work 'em? Maybe a cycle between the two?

During the off-season, I do a bootcamp (skating and conditionning) for everyone

[B. Stinson]

Training in the off-season may not do much. I heard straight from Riz last year that all training was automatically shutdown after a certain date(don't remember what that date was). So, there's a chance this could still be around for 2007.

[gakrek]

Noob question - how can you change the practice intensity? I have been all through the training menu's and can not seem to locate it...helps please!!

[Shadd666]

gakrek: go in a practice schedule (fitness, skating, etc) and at the bottom of the screen you'll find the intensities, with drop-down menus to modify them