Power Play Exercises

When a hockey player commits a foul and is sent to the penalty box (usually for two minutes), the team left with the man advantage should now execute a "power play." This time is crucial for the advangaged hockey team. Successful execution of a power play is vital to winning. Prepare your team for a power play by practicing a number of different exercises.

  1. Two on One Drills

    • Help your players recognize the advantage a power play with some simple "Two on One" or "Four on Two" drills. Pass the puck to the attacking (larger) team and have them execute an attack on their outnumbered opponent. In a game situation, it will be difficult for the defenders to stop the attackers from scoring because of the numerical disadvantage. This drill is designed to give the attacking players a feel for how to work the puck around the rink and execute a scoring play when they outnumber their opponent.

    Two on Two Drills

    • Set out two attackers, an opposing defender and a goaltender. Give the puck to the attackers in the corner and have them pass and move their way around the closing-down defender. Once they have found space, encourage them to shoot a goal. This prepares them for a power play situation, but is more difficult because they must beat two opposing players.

    Pressure Drills

    • The attacking team must create chances to score. Pressure drills like "Keep Away" replicate these situations. "Keep Away" begins with five players passing the puck around one player, whose goal is to intercept the puck. When the lone player succeeds in intercepting the puck, whoever is responsible for losing the puck must take the place in the middle. To increase the difficulty of the practice, more players may be added to the middle until there are five on four players---a game situation.

    Passing Exercises

    • Making quick and accurate passes is necessary in breaking down a resolute defense during a power play. Teams with a numerical disadvantage will often defend in a box shape, positioning themselves in order to quickly close down and rebound. Station five players spread out in a pentagon shape, using their passes and movement to draw defenders out of position. During passing exercises, encourage short and long passes, and shooting.