"Wayne Gretzky Hockey may be the closest you will ever get to playing
professional ice hockey without actually being on the ice. Fast-paced skating,
sudden scoring, hard checking, and penalties are all part of the game. You'll
be an important member of your team. And whatever position you play, you'll
have to play it well if you want your team to win."
Menu:
Up/Down/Left/Right Choose letters for name.
B Button Return to previous menu, back one letter if mistake.
A Button Select option, letters.
Select Button Move between sections of a menu.
Start Button Next menu.
Game:
Up/Down/Left/Right Move the player.
B Button Demand pass.
A Button Shoot, pass, hold to check the player.
Select Button Change player.
Start Button Pause and resume the game.
Controlling Players: Use the Control Pad to move your player on the ice. You
control the flashing player. (Note: Player 1's team starts on the left). To
control another player on your team. press the SELECT Button until the player
you want to use starts flashing. You now control that player.
Passing and Shooting: Press the Control Pad to indicate the puck direction and
press the A Button to hit the puck.
Demanding a Pass: if you want to force a pass from one of your teammates, press
the B Button. Be careful when you do this because an opposing player may steal
the puck before the pass can be completed.
Face offs: As soon as the puck appears, press the A Button.
Checking Opponents: Move your player close to the opposing player and hold down
the A Button (if you practice using a delicate touch, you will be able to check
opponents without getting a penalty called against you).
Shoot on Goal: Move your player into position using the Control Pad, and shoot
the puck by pressing the Control Pad in the direction you want to shoot while
pressing the A Button.
On the main menu, the game allows you to set up basic parameters of the match
including: Player Option, Period Length, Game Speed, and Game Type.
Press the A Button to move the arrows next to the desired option in the Player
Option section of the menu. In the "One Player" mode, you play against the
computer. In the "Two Players " mode, two players can play against each other.
In the "Two Players Team" mode, you and another player can be teammates on the
same team playing against the computer. In the "Computer Only" mode you get to
sit back and watch as the computer puts on a brilliant hockey exhibition for
you.
After you have chosen the Player option, press the SELECT Button to move to the
Period Length section. A normal hockey game is played in three 20 minute
periods. However, you have the option of selecting 5, 10, 15, or 20 minute
periods. Use the A Button to select the desired option.
Press the SELECT Button again to move to the Game Speed section. The "Medium"
setting is 25% slower that "Fast." Slow is considerably slower than "Medium"
and is the best choice for beginning players. But remember, hockey is a fast
sport! Once you have decided, make your selection using the A Button.
Press the SELECT Button again to advance to the "Game Type" section. In the
"Practice" mode, each team has only one forward, two defensemen, and a goalie
on the ice, and no players are sent off for penalties. In the "Normal" mode,
you play a regular three period game. If the game is tied at the end of
regulation time, there is a five minute sudden death overtime period. If there
is no winner at the end of overtime, the game ends in a tie. The "Playoff" mode
also allows you to play for three periods, but has an unlimited sudden death
overtime period that continues until one team scores. There are no ties
allowed! You select the desired "Game Type" option the same way as in the
previous sections.
After you have completed all the Main Menu sections, press the START Button to
advance to the Player 1 Set Up Menu. If you wish to return to the previous
menu, press the B Button.
Player 1 Setup allows you to determine the skill level of Player 1's team and
to enter your name. Press the A Button to move the arrows next to the desired
skill level, and then press the SELECT Button to move to the Enter Your Name
section. Use the Control Pad to move the arrow under a desired letter and press
the A Button to enter that letter. If you make a mistake, press the B Button to
move back a letter. When you are finished, press the Start Button to move the
Team/Player section of the Player 1 Set Up Menu.
The Team/Player menu allows Player 1 to select the team he wishes to play on
Press the A Button to move the arrows next to the desired team. Then press the
START Button to move to the Player 2 Set Up Menu.
Player 2 Setup is identical to the Player 1 Setup Menu and the process outlined
above must be repeated on Player 2's Controller to select his/her desired
options. If you selected the "One Player" option in the Main Menu, you must
pick the Computer's Team. If you selected the "Two Player" option, the second
player must choose his/her own skill level and team. If you selected the "Two
Player Team" option, the second player must enter his/her name and then select
the Skill Level and Team for the computer. And if you selected the "Computer
Only" option, choose both the Home and Visiting teams.
Press START to begin the game.
The game screen looks like a real hockey rink. At the top of the rink is a
score board which lists from left to right; the Home Team, the Home Team's
score, the period number, the Visiting Team's score, and the Visiting Team. At
the bottom of the screen from left to right you will find; the Home Team
Penalty Clocks (the first penalty received is listed at the top of the clock),
a Game Clock, a screen which shows the name of the puck handler, another Game
Clock, and the Visiting Team Penalty Clocks. Remember, this HomeTeam/ Visiting
Team orientation of the rink is only valid for the First and Third periods of
the game. In the Second Period, when the teams switch goals, all the
information on the scoreboard also switches, so the Visiting Team information
will then appear on the left of the screen.
When either team receives a penalty, freezes the puck (ties up the puck to keep
play from continuing), or scores a goal, the Game Screen switches to the Arena
Scoreboard Screen which is just like the large instant replay viewing screens
in many professional hockey arenas. If a penalty has been called the referee
will be shown on the screen, followed by the call and the offending player.
By far the most important suggestion is to practice. Don't be frustrated by the
difficulty of play during the first ten minutes. Use the "Practice Game" option
of the set up menu to reduce the teams to three players (plus the goalie) per
team This option allows you to practice skating, passing and shooting with
minimal pressure from your opponent. In time, you will find player control much
easier than it was at first.
If you watch the computer-controlled players' behavior, you can follow how each
one plays his position. These players behave much like their real counterparts
in professional hockey. You can make the player you control skate anywhere on
the ice. But remember, you teammates are counting on you to play your position
as you are an important member of the team. If you play too far out of position
your teammates will not be as effective, and your team will not play well.
When controlling a forward (right wing, left wing, or center), divide the rink
lengthwise in three lanes. In general, the left wing will stay in the left
lane, the center in the center lane, and the right wing in the right lane.
Players may overlap into adjacent lanes, but not too far and not too often On
offense, forwards should stay in their lanes (with the exception of special
plays) and use precise passing to work the puck toward the other team's goal.
On defense, each forward should cover their man to prevent him from receiving
passes, and should attempt to steal the puck if their man has it. Centers cover
the opposing center. Wings cover the opposing wings unless the puck is in their
defensive zone. When in the defensive zone, wings cover the opposing
defensemen.
When controlling a defenseman, divide the rink lengthwise into two halves left
and right. The defensemen usually stay well behind the puck to guarantee they
remain between the puck and their goal. This is particularly important when an
opposing player unexpectedly steals or intercepts the puck and makes a sudden
breakaway toward your goal.
On offense, defensemen stop sudden breakaways or loose pucks heading for their
goalie. When in the attack zone, defensemen try to keep the puck in that attack
zone in order for their team to stay on the attack.
On defense, the defensemen stay between the puck and their goal at all times so
that opposing players will not have a clear shot on goal. When an opponent
approaches their goal for a shot, it is important that defensemen use any
method they can to get the puck away from their goal. If an opposing player is
being covered by another player, a defenseman must cover any other opposing
players close to the goal who are open to receive a pass.
The best strategy for offensive play is precise passing. Although in many cases
you can fake out and skate around defenders, you will probably have far more
success on offense if you pass frequently A sudden pass to the opposite side of
the net is the most likely way to score. When properly executed, the goalie
will not have enough time to react leaving a gap where the shot can't be
blocked.
If you have the puck, look for an open man. What is usually more effective is
letting a winger bring the puck in towards the net while you control the
center. Position the center across the net from the wing and force a demand
pass at the last moment. If you can, blast the puck into the net as soon as you
get it This is called "one timing" the puck.
You will find that bringing the puck into the attack zone in the middle of the
rink (referred to as the "high slot") will usually result in your player
getting "creamed" by both defensemen simultaneously .You will rarely get a good
shot off this way. It is more effective for a winger to bring the puck in along
the boards (the walls of the rink). When the opposing defenseman covers your
wing, he leaves a gap in the high slot. This provides an opportunity for your
center to receive a pass and shoot on goal.
9 out of 10 shots are blocked by the goalie. Don't get frustrated that all of
your great shots aren't going in. A team normally wins because it has a higher
number of quality shots on goal. A quality shot is a shot aimed to the side of
the goalie from close range. Taking many shots and being lucky helps, but
concentrating on shooting precise shots results in the greatest chance of
scoring. Equally important is looking for a deflected puck every time your team
shoots on goal. If you are lucky, it could end up right in front of you. The
goalie often falls while blocking the first shot, making it easier to score off
the deflection Hockey is a fast game, so it is important to keep your eyes open
for any opportunity to shoot on goal.
Finally, you cannot prevent the opposing team from shooting at your goal, but
you can prevent them from making quality shots. The situation you most want to
prevent is a "Breakaway." A Breakaway occurs when there is no one between the
puck handler and your goalie Breakaways and other good scoring opportunities
for the opposing team usually happen when someone on your team is out of
position. Players get out of position by going too far after the puck or the
puck handler. The best way to prevent this is to use good judgment and to
remember the position you are playing. Only go out of position if you are
reasonably certain you will end up with the puck. It is better to let your
opponent keep possession of the puck than it is to give him the opportunity for
a quality shot. Good defense means trying to get the puck while not getting out
of position and always guarding your goal.
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Hockey
******
Hockey is played by two opposing teams on an ice surface inside a rink. Each
team is allowed six players on the ice at one time. During the game, players
use hockey sticks to propel a puck across the ice. The object of the game is to
shoot the puck into the opposing team's goal.
The length of the ice hockey rink is divided by five lines. The center line is
red with distinct markings and divides the rink into two equal halves. In the
middle of the center line is a blue dot surrounded by a red circle The initial
"face off" at the beginning of the game takes place between two opposing
players on this center spot. The remaining players on the ice must remain
outside of the red circle.
There are two blue lines to the right and left of the center line. The blue
lines divide the rink into three zones. The middle zone is the neutral zone.
The zones to the right and left of the neutral zone are the attacking and
defensive zones. Which zone is which depends on which team is being referenced.
Your team's defensive zone is the zone which contains the goal you are
defending and your attack zone is the zone which contains the goal you are
attacking.
The goal lines are red and are located at each end of the rink. The front of
the goal rests on the goal line.
Directly in front of each goal is a rectangular area called the crease. The
crease gives the goalie room to protect the goal. Attacking players are not
allowed to stand in the crease.
There are eight red face off spots in the rink. The face off spots in the
attacking and defending zones are surrounded by red face off circles, while the
face off spots in the neutral zone are not. During face offs. players not
directly involved in the face off must either be outside the face off circle or
at least fifteen feet from the spot.
There are six players per team on the ice at one time. The positions in ice
hockey are: Goalie, Right Wing, Left Wing, Center, Left Defense, Right Defense.
The right wing, left wing, and center are all forwards (attacking players) and
generally skate the entire length of the ice in pursuit of the puck. The two
defensive players, as their name suggests, play defense and normally skate in
the defensive and neutral zones or near the rear of the attacking zone away
from the goal. During plays on goal, the defensive players assist the forwards.
If an opening occurs, however, defensive players will take a shot on goal.
The puck must be kept in motion at all times. A team in possession of the puck
in its own defensive area should always advance the puck towards the attacking
zone, except when an advance is prevented by the opposing team. The puck may be
passed by any player to another player of the same team within one of the three
zones (defensive, neutral, or attacking), but may not be passed forward from a
player in one zone to a player in another zone (except by a player in his own
defensive zone, who may make passes to the center line without incurring an
off-side penalty). In order for the puck to be passed from one zone to another,
the puck must precede the player into that zone. A player is offside if he
crosses a blue line into his attacking zone before the puck. If a player in the
neutral zone is preceded into the attacking zone by the puck passed from the
neutral zone, he is eligible to take possession of the puck anywhere in the
attacking zone except where the "icing" rule applies.
If a player passes the puck from his half of the rink (the half containing the
goal he defends) across the other team's goal line, then icing the puck is
called and a face off takes place in the defensive zone of the team that
committed the icing, except in the following cases:
- The team committing the icing has fewer players on the ice than the opposing
team.
- The puck enters the opposing team's goal (the goal counts).
- The puck touches a member of the opposing team before it crosses the goal.
- The referee decides that the icing is unintentional (i.e. a missed pass,
etc).
When a penalty occurs, the offending player is ruled off the ice for a
specified length of time. The team must continue to play without the penalized
player If this causes the team to have fewer players on the ice than the
opposition, the team is said to be short-handed. The time a player spends in
the penalty box depends on the class of penalty. Wayne Gretzky Hockey simulates
two classes of penalty - Major Penalties and Minor Penalties.
For a minor penalty, the player is ruled off the ice for two minutes. A major
penalty causes the player to be ruled off the ice for five minutes. In both
cases, no substitute player is permitted. If a team is short-handed by
one or more penalties, and the opposing team scores a goal, the first of such
penalties expires). The following infractions cause a minor penalty:
1. Charging - Taking more than two steps or strides and running into, jumping
into, or ramming an opposing player.
2. Holding - holding the opposing player with hands, hockey stick, or in any
other way.
3. Tripping - Placing a stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow in such a manner
that it causes the opposing player to trip or fall.
The following infractions cause either a minor or a major penalty, at the
discretion of the referee:
1. Cross Checking- Delivering a check with both hands on the stick and no part
of the stick on the ice.
2. Elbowing - Positioning an elbow or a knee such that it, in any way, fouls an
opponent.
3. High Sticking - Carrying the hockey stick above the normal height of the
shoulder.
4. Hooking - Impeding, or attempting to impede the progress of an opposing
player by hooking with a hockey stick.
5. Roughing - Being unnecessarily rough with the opposing player.
6. Slashing - Impeding, or seeking to impede the progress of an opposing player
by slashing with a hockey stick.
Generally, if the referee believes the offending player was attempting to
injure the opposing player, a major penalty is assessed.
The following infraction causes a major penalty;
1. Spearing - Stabbing or attempting to stab an opposing player with the stick
blade. Spearing includes all cases when a spearing gesture is made, even if
bodily contact does not take place.
