PP STRATEGIES
THE UMBRELLA
The Umbrella sets up three players near the blueline forming a high triangle and two players low in the slot parallel to the goal line –
The idea here is to get the puck to the middle of the ice for hard blasts from the point. Secondary objectives include passing options at the half-boards, or to one of the other point players for shots.
What I like about this strategy is that it aims to outnumber penalty killers in the high slot. This theoretically should give our defensemen and the high forward a chance to keep the puck in the zone for extended zone time. It also helps to prevent shorthanded breaks.
It’s critical that those high players get pucks to the net.
THE OVERLOAD 1-2-2
The Overload aims to outnumber the other team along the half boards, thus creating a lot of three on two scenarios.
The idea is to constantly cycle the puck and create a lot of movement down low, which causes defensive breakdowns.
The problem with this setup is that the emphasis is to create quality scoring chances and not as many shots on net as possible. If you can’t get that flow going, the result is fewer shots and players cycling just for the sake of cycling.
THE 1-3-1
This strategy creates four triangles to pass around and take one-timer shots.
What’s unique about this setup is you can quarterback it from four different areas: the point, at either half boards, or below the goal line.
This system forces the defense to focus on the middle players causing the PK to shrink. As a result, it can be very, very effective. Most other power plays distribute the puck from one general area of the ice, so this setup gives you several different looks.
The other thing I like about the 1-3-1 is there are essentially four triangles within this formation to pass around and take one-timer shots.
Other pp systems, like the umbrella, the 1-2-2, the spread, etc. rely on more basic plays built around point shots, screens, cycling, and crashing the net.
The only negative with this system is there’s only one player patrolling the point, so you really need someone who is calm under fire and comfortable handling the puck with high pressure.
The problem with the 1-3-1 is that every player must be extremely skilled with the puck. With only one player at the blueline, you’re also leaving the defense completely exposed.
The role of the bumper player is to act as a relief valve, taking passes from pressured players on the outside and redistributing the puck back outside to someone with more time.
There’s a bit of a misconception that you need to be some bruiser to play net-front on the PP. But the instructions of the PK are usually quite explicit: “don’t get tied up in front,” so it’s not like even strength where guys are constantly trying to clean you out with cross-checks. You’re usually allowed to stand there up a man.
A formation that places players in constant shooting situations.
The aim is to create triangles no matter who has the puck.
Ultimately, power plays are about creating two-on-ones, and the best way to do that is to move the puck quickly without allowing penalty killers to adjust.
THE SPREAD 2-1-2
The aim of the Spread is to overrun the slot with forwards and outnumber penalty killers down low.
The Spread is typically used in 5 on 3 scenarios, but some teams with bigger powerforwards use this setup on 5 on 4’s since they can out-muscle defenders in the slot and crash the net looking for dirty goals.
(Jan 2017)
Power plays are an opportunity to set up shop in the offensive zone and get some real puck possession. A few critical components of power plays are:
· Ensure you maintain control of the puck
· Wait for quality scoring opportunities
· Move the puck often to pull defenders out of position
Teams looking for a small extra advantage may switch the sides of their wingers and defensemen to ensure their sticks are facing the middle for more effective shots
Basic Box + 1
The most basic formation is a box+1 formation (sometimes known as 2-1-2). This formation is simple in that it uses the same positions players may be accustomed to.
ROTATING BETWEEN UMBRELLA AND 1-3-1
implemented to keep the players from being static.
As I’ve written in the past, the umbrella power play requires some rotating of positions from the high players, as well as motion in the slot from the two players in the crease.
Against an umbrella, PK’s generally attack the points, almost playing man-on-man coverage.
However, against the 1-3-1, which runs off the half-boards, PK’s tend to play a zone option or a collapsing box.
By constantly switching formations, the opposition tends to over commit thus leading to defensive miscues.
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