Feature Story
Power plays (part IV)
Lets Play Hockey Columnist
Last week we looked at the TOP UMBRELLA
power play. This week we will look at the
The side umbrella is set up as shown in
the diagram with puck movement between the LW, C, LD and RD. As the puck is
passed, each player (except the LW) slides in the direction of the puck to move
and spread the defenders box.
The objective is to find a hole in the
box that can be taken advantage of. For example, if C and LD can draw the
outside box defender (X3) out far enough for the C to get behind him, he will
have a 2-on-1 with the LW against the inside box man X1).
Shots are generally taken from the slot
area with the LW and/or RW rebounding and chasing the puck if it goes behind
the net. Once the puck is recovered from an errant shot, it is immediately
moved to the center or defenseman to start the passing process over again.
The ultimate aim of this power play is to
get a few good quality shots during each power play.
Some of the ways for making the
It is best
for the umbrella to lean to one side. That means that the corner and sideboard
forwards will always set up on one side, rather than alternating from side to
side. This allows the best suited players to always be in the proper position
in the pattern.
The passing
to stretch the box must go both outside and inside to keep the box from
collapsing in or out to trap the passes. Continuous inside passing, for
example, would allow the penalty kill box to move in and toward the corner,
creating a 4-on-3 disadvantage inside. This is one of the most serious errors
in most youth team power plays. By moving the puck to the outside, then back
inside, the box is best kept spread out and honest.
The passing
and movement must constantly be putting the box penalty killers into 2-on-1
disadvantage situations. Crisp and accurate puck movement is the best way to
accomplish this. As the puck moves back and forth between players along the
outside of the pattern, the penalty kill is constantly stressed and stretched
until passing or skating seams open up.
Once seams
in the box open up, advantage must be taken immediately by moving or passing
through the seams to create good shot opportunities on the ice. Another of the
errors made by youth teams is to pass, pass, pass in the zone, but never to the
net when opportunities open up.
There are
unlimited variations that can be practiced and perfected off the side umbrella.
Most of these variations are similar to basketball offenses and can even use
picks effectively. It is generally a good idea to perfect just a few variations
and alternate them during each power play.
Many other offensive zone systems exist
and can be taught by coaches. It is suggested that youth teams from PeeWee on
up work on two or three basic systems that can be used in any game.
The choice of system for any particular
game depends on how well the opposition defends each. A team that perfects
several variations through consistent practice throughout a season will also
learn to improvise as they go.
Power play effectiveness requires a
commitment of time in practice week after week. Offensive zone practice can go
on at both ends of the ice concurrently.
Patterns should initially be taught using
cones or inner tubes as box penalty killers. After the power play units can
beat the cones, the box can become passive players with sticks turned around.
Finally, full scale active players should be used.
Before this series on power plays is
over, it will be worthwhile to consider some of the most obvious errors that
teams or coaches make in the overall approach to power plays.
Many
coaches fail to break the process down into its four primary components and
deal with each component. We will look at those components later.
Many
coaches fail to adapt their power play philosophies and offensive zone patterns
to the type and skill level of players available that season.
Most
coaches fail to explain to their players the one overall basic concept of power
plays; creation of 2-on-1s and conversion of those 2-on-1s into good shots on
goal.
Many
coaches orient their offensive zone patterns almost totally inside (near the net)
and fail to use their defensemen properly. This is extremely common for youth
teams below the high school level.
Most
coaches allow too slow a pace during power plays. This throws the whole offense out of synch.
The last
error that will be discussed involves how coaches practice power plays versus
where power plays often break down. To look at this last error, it is first
necessary to break down any power play into four components:
1. Moving out of the defensive zone and
through the neutral ice zone.
2. Getting over the offensive blue line
and into a controlled pattern in the offensive zone.
3. Offensive zone patterns, movement and
getting good shots.
4. Gaining control of the puck once it is
loose or lost.
In reference to these four components,
coaches spend most of their practice time on #3, but unsuccessful power plays
often break down in the #1, #2 or #4 components. While it is true that
component #3 does need more practice concentration, it is also true that the
other three components need to have proper concentration and practice time as
well.
John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and
director of the