Power Play 101 – Setup

This is part one of a two-part blog regarding common issues with beer league power plays and its ineffectiveness. In part one of this two part Power Play Series, I will discuss some common issues I have noticed in beer league power plays.

What are the Issues?

In hockey, power plays are supposed to be an advantage. However, beer league teams seem to be unable to capitalize on these golden opportunities, causing the advantage to look more like a disadvantage. Based on my observation, and also from personal experience, some common reasons are:

• Pressure to capitalize – This is when your brain goes into panic mode and tells you, “It’s a 5-on-4 we HAVE to score NOW!”
• Lack of a system
• Lack of practice (But hey, I’ll go easy on you with this one. It’s beer league!)

All the these reasons contribute to the panic and utter chaos that come out in beer league power plays.

On the other end of the spectrum, beer league penalty kills (PK) often turn out to be more successful. This is likely due to the following reasons:

• No pressure to capitalize – When you’re down a player, you typically don’t have as high of an expectation to score.
• A system usually exists, which is typically a passive box. But also, most players know what they should do when they get the puck in a PK…clear it!

Because there is a system, beer league players in penalty kills tend to be much more assertive – having little to no hesitation – on what they need to do, the complete opposite of the power play situation. Therefore, it is important for teams to be able to go into their power plays with a system as well. Power Plays need assertiveness, decisiveness, and patience. After all, you have the player advantage.

Be in a position.

Be an option.

Be patient.

Attack.

Basic Formation

Here is the basic formation for the power play, looking like a 1-3-1 diamond in the offensive zone. There are five positions to be discussed.

• Half-wall (right)
• Half-wall (left)
• Point
• Net
• Bumper

Half-wall

Description

• Half-wall or “flank”
• Position is occupied by either a forward or a defenseman.
• Player in this position should be good at puck possession
• Try not to panic from pressure.
• Find seams for a pass.

Notes

• Skate up and down the half-wall depending on who has the puck and the teammates’ positions.
• Try to keep the butt close as possible to the boards.
• Constantly be aware of where the escape passes are.
• When necessary, spin to evade checking while protecting the puck.

Passing Options

• First option is to the bumper man for the one-time shot.
• Second option is to the other half-wall for a cross ice pass, especially when the penalty killers are on one side.
  • Third option is to the net.
  • Fourth option is up high to the point man to reset the play up high.

Bumper

Description

• Position is occupied by a forward.
• Player in this position is the triggerman, the shooter.
• This player will not have much time with the puck, so being aware of where the preferred passing options and escape passes are vital.
• This player is usually in the middle of the four penalty killers, so constantly being in the middle of them while maintaining passing lanes (not always possible) will help.

Passing Options

• If you have the time, shoot. Bumper is in the best position for a shot.
• In a panic, swipe the puck all the way to the wall. We’ll get there.
• Pass to either of the half-walls are just fine.
• Quick pass back to where the puck came from is also fine.

Net

Description

• Position is occupied by a forward
• Net provides net-front presence when there is a shot.
• Usually the first player to get their stick to a rebound. Be first.
• When shots miss and go behind the net, be the first to retrieve that puck and get the puck to reset the power play.
• When the puck is at the half-wall, suggest and receive the escape pass down low.

Notes

• Be aware of where the escape passes are.
• There may be tips available on incoming shots.

Passing Options

• A pass in front to the bumper for a quick shot
• A pass across to the other half-wall for a cross ice pass
• A pass to the half-wall on the same side
• A pass all the way up to the point man
• Probably not a “shooting” position, unless with very quick hands to deke out the goaltender

Point

Description

• Position is occupied by a defenseman.
• Player in this position is the puck distributor who can put a shot on net through traffic.
• Player in this position must defend potential 2-on-1s if they happen.
• Player in this position can also one-time shots if a pass comes from the proper side.
• Do NOT creep into the zone. At the very least, keep your skates on the blue line. Your teammates depend on you to be an available option.

Passing Options

• One option is to move side to side along the blue line to evade pressure.
• Another option is to pass over to either of the half-walls.
• If possible, another option is to shoot through traffic to get the puck to the net.

Conclusion

With a system in all our minds, the power play unit should have a general idea of where the teammates are, leading to less hesitation, better quality and longer puck possession.

Next section, Power Play 102, will cover suggested sequences (plays) on the power play.