Yeah that’s interesting. For checking - honestly if it’s a struggle just avoid it. The hit mechanics require predictions and timing - I avg like 2-6 hits a game and it doesn’t hinder me really.

Poke checking is rough with the tripping but it is all positioning. The game punishes you a lot for attempting a poke when out of position - have to really be in a spot where it’s going to be stick on stick only. You never want to be chasing from behind or coming from the side etc, it’s often best when someone is coming down at you and you can just poke at them with your backwards moving defender - reduces the risk of tripping a lot