Special Teams Strategy

Ice Hockey Special Teams: Master the Power Play & Penalty Kill

The Birthday Party Analogy 🎂

Imagine you’re at a birthday party. Sometimes there are more kids on one team playing a game, and sometimes fewer kids on the other. In hockey, this happens too! When one team breaks a rule, they lose a player for a bit. The team with MORE players has a Power Play. The team with FEWER players has to Penalty Kill. Let’s learn how both work!

What Are Special Teams?

In hockey, most of the time, both teams have 5 skaters (plus a goalie). But when someone breaks a rule (like tripping), they sit in the “penalty box” for 2 minutes.

• Power Play (PP): Your team has MORE players on the ice (usually 5 vs 4)
• Penalty Kill (PK): Your team has FEWER players (usually 4 vs 5)

🎯 Simple Truth: More players = easier to score. Fewer players = must defend harder!

Part 1: Power Play Fundamentals

What Is a Power Play?

When the other team breaks a rule, YOUR team gets an advantage. You have 5 players while they only have 4. This is like having one extra helper in a game of tag!

Why Power Plays Matter

• More space: With fewer defenders, there are more open areas
• More time: You can pass and set up plays more easily
• More chances: Extra player = extra scoring opportunities

The Golden Rule of Power Plays

MOVE THE PUCK, NOT YOURSELF!

Think of it like playing catch. If you stand still and throw the ball really fast to your friends, the person trying to catch you can’t keep up. But if everyone runs around, it gets messy!

🏒 Example: Wayne Gretzky was famous for standing in one spot behind the net. He would pass the puck so quickly that defenders couldn’t react in time.

Part 2: Power Play Formations

The Umbrella Formation ☂️

Picture an umbrella from above:

• 1 player at the top (near the blue line)
• 2 players on the sides (halfway down)
• 2 players at the bottom (near the goal)

graph TD
    A["Point Player"] --> B["Left Half-Wall"]
    A --> C["Right Half-Wall"]
    B --> D["Left Corner/Net Front"]
    C --> E["Right Corner/Net Front"]

Why it works: The puck moves around the “umbrella” shape, and defenders can’t cover everyone!

The Overload Formation 📦

All players shift to ONE side of the ice:

• 3 players on one side
• 1 player at the point
• 1 player in front of the net

Why it works: By crowding one side, you create short, quick passes. It’s like all your friends standing close together playing hot potato!

The 1-3-1 Formation

Picture a diamond shape:

• 1 player at the top (blue line)
• 3 players in a row (middle)
• 1 player at the bottom (near the goal)

Why it works: Creates passing lanes through the middle. Great for teams with a strong shooter at the top!

Part 3: Power Play Execution

Step-by-Step: How to Run a Power Play

Step 1: Entry First, you must get into the attacking zone! Two ways:

• Carry it in: Skate fast with the puck past the blue line
• Dump and chase: Shoot the puck in the corner and go get it

Step 2: Set Up Once in the zone, everyone skates to their spot in the formation. Like musical chairs, but everyone has an assigned seat!

Step 3: Move the Puck Pass quickly! The defenders will try to block passing lanes. Your job is to make them MOVE and get tired.

Step 4: Look for the Shot

• One-timer: Pass to a teammate who shoots immediately (no stopping the puck!)
• Screen shot: Shoot while a teammate blocks the goalie’s view
• Tip-in: Deflect a shot from the point

🎯 Pro Tip: The best power plays shoot within 5 seconds of getting set up. Quick puck movement creates openings!

Common Power Play Mistakes

Part 4: Penalty Kill Fundamentals

What Is a Penalty Kill?

Your teammate made a mistake and is in the penalty box. Now YOU have to defend with only 4 players against their 5. It’s like being outnumbered in hide and seek - you have to be EXTRA smart!

The Goal of Penalty Killing

DON’T LET THEM SCORE! That’s it. You don’t need to score yourself (though that’s a nice bonus!). Just survive for 2 minutes.

The Three C’s of Penalty Killing

1. Close gaps: Don’t give attackers space. Get in their face!
2. Clear the zone: When you get the puck, shoot it FAR away
3. Communicate: Talk to teammates - “I’ve got him!” “Watch the pass!”

🛡️ Example: When you’re being chased by too many people in tag, you don’t try fancy moves. You just run to safety. Same idea - get the puck out!

Part 5: Penalty Kill Formations

The Box (2-2 Formation) 📦

Four players form a square:

• 2 players high (near the blue line)
• 2 players low (in front of the goal)

graph TD
    A["High Left"] --- B["High Right"]
    C["Low Left"] --- D["Low Right"]
    A --- C
    B --- D

Why it works: Everyone protects an area, like guarding sections of a playground. The puck has to go THROUGH your box to reach the net!

The Diamond (1-2-1 Formation) 💎

• 1 player high (pressures the puck carrier)
• 2 players in the middle (block passing lanes)
• 1 player low (protects the front of the net)

Why it works: The high player chases the puck while others stay home. More aggressive than the box!

The Aggressive Triangle 🔺

For killing 5-on-3 situations (when you’re down TWO players!):

• 3 players form a triangle around the goal
• Stay compact! Don’t chase - let them shoot from far away

Part 6: Shorthanded Play

What Does “Shorthanded” Mean?

When your team is on the penalty kill, you are “shorthanded” - you have fewer players. But here’s a secret: YOU CAN STILL SCORE! A goal scored while shorthanded is called a shorthanded goal.

The Shorthanded Breakaway

Sometimes the power play team makes a mistake. If you steal the puck and have a clear path to their net, GO! This is called a breakaway.

Why it works:

• Power play players push forward
• If you intercept a pass, you might be alone!
• The other team’s defenders are far away

⚡ Example: Imagine playing soccer and everyone is on one side of the field. If you steal the ball, the goal is wide open!

When to Attack Shorthanded

DO attack when:

• You have a clear 2-on-1 or breakaway
• The power play makes a bad pass you can intercept
• Time is running out on their power play

DON’T attack when:

• It would leave your teammates outnumbered
• You might lose the puck in a dangerous spot
• Your team is already tired

Shorthanded Strategy: The “Sit and Explode”

1. Sit: Stay in your defensive formation, patient and calm
2. Read: Watch for a bad pass or tired power play players
3. Explode: When you see your chance, burst forward with speed!

Putting It All Together

Power Play Success Recipe 🍕

1. ✅ Get into the zone quickly
2. ✅ Set up in your formation (Umbrella, Overload, or 1-3-1)
3. ✅ Move the puck fast - don’t hold it!
4. ✅ Look for one-timers and screens
5. ✅ Shoot within 5 seconds of setting up

Penalty Kill Success Recipe 🛡️

1. ✅ Get into your formation (Box or Diamond)
2. ✅ Close gaps - don’t give space!
3. ✅ Clear the puck when you get it
4. ✅ Communicate with teammates
5. ✅ Watch for shorthanded breakaway chances

Real-World Examples

Famous Power Play: The Washington Capitals

The Capitals run a deadly power play with Alexander Ovechkin in the “Ovi Spot” - the left circle. The puck moves around until it reaches him for a one-timer blast. Goalies KNOW it’s coming, but it’s so fast they can’t stop it!

Famous Penalty Kill: The Boston Bruins

The Bruins are known for aggressive penalty killing. They pressure the puck carrier instead of sitting back. This forces mistakes and creates shorthanded scoring chances.

Quick Quiz Yourself! 🧠

1. How many players does the power play team have? (Answer: 5)
2. What’s the box formation? (Answer: 2 players high, 2 players low)
3. What’s a shorthanded goal? (Answer: Scoring while YOUR team has fewer players)

You’ve Got This! 🏆

Special teams can decide games. The team that scores on the power play AND kills penalties well usually wins! Now you understand:

• Power play fundamentals: Use your extra player wisely
• Power play formations: Umbrella, Overload, 1-3-1
• Power play execution: Quick passes, look for one-timers
• Penalty kill fundamentals: Close gaps, clear the zone
• Penalty kill formations: Box and Diamond
• Shorthanded play: Defense first, but attack when you can!

Remember: Power plays are like having an extra slice of pizza at a party. Penalty kills are like sharing your pizza but making sure everyone still gets full. Both take teamwork and practice!

🏒 Go dominate those special teams! 🏒