I generally break my power play drills down into several categories:
- Concepts– Some small area games and drills that reinforce power play skills and ideas such as – Outnumbering at the puck, quick decision making, net front. Some of these small area games include- Split Zone (shrink the space and have a 5v4 side by side in zone using dividers), Sweden 4 v 2 (Neutral Zone game where you get an added advantage of 2 players once you earn possession of the puck), Cross Ice PP/PK (start from a faceoff- team that wins gets extra player- opposing team sprints down and back before joining the play and evening the sides).
- Breakout to Breakin– Drills that isolate the breakout and the looks that we need to successfully carry the puck into the offensive zone.
- Games– Full Ice games (2 puck relay, “Miami 5 v4 or 5 v 3”- where both PP groups are at opposite zones and compete against their respective kill unit within a given time constraint. Or a time constraint game- PP vs PK 5 minutes on the clock- PK is up 1-0. Losing team skates.
- In Zone work– Try 3 pucks – First two pucks are set looks in zone within your given PP alignment. 3rd puck you play live vs the PK unit in zone. Use your whistle and stop the sequence when necessary.
- Off Ice video work– Showing our game footage or filming with your phone during practice.
To have successful power plays its important to cover all of these concepts at the youth level, so kids can develop and have a deep understanding of the skills necessary to be successful with any power play.
Here are some Youtube Videos to help your players with the concepts and skills involved with successful power plays.
Drop Pass Breakout:
Basic Principles with Barry Smith:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9CBC1un4v8
Flank and Wall movement in 1-3-1:
