The best examples of power play drills for ice hockey (that actually work)

High-impact examples of power play drills for ice hockey

Let’s start with what you actually came for: specific, on-ice examples of power play drills for ice hockey that translate directly to better puck movement, more shots, and cleaner entries.

These drills are designed to:

• Build automatic habits in your 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 units
• Improve puck support and passing angles
• Create one-timer and backdoor options
• Help players read penalty-kill pressure and adjust on the fly

I’ll describe each drill in simple language so you can sketch it on a whiteboard and run it at your next practice.

1. Half-ice overload passing drill (simple setup, fast touches)

This is a great starter example of a power play drill for teams that need better puck movement and spacing.

Setup
Use half the rink. Set up in an overload on one side: two players low (one net-front, one low corner), one on the half-wall, one on the weak-side post, and one at the point. Add two penalty killers with passive pressure to start.

How it works
The puck starts at the point. The unit must complete a series of quick passes: point to half-wall, half-wall to low corner, low corner to net-front, back up to half-wall, then across to the weak-side post. After the sequence, the last player must shoot with traffic.

Coaching points

• No player holds the puck more than one second.
• Net-front player battles for screens and tips.
• Passes must be in the shooting pocket so the receiver can fire immediately.

This is one of the best examples of power play drills for ice hockey when you’re trying to break the habit of players staring at the puck and overhandling.

2. 1-3-1 one-timer repetition drill

Most elite teams now lean on some version of the 1-3-1. If you want real examples of power play drills for ice hockey that mirror what players see on TV, this one is a must.

Setup
Set your unit in a standard 1-3-1: point at the top, one player in each flank, bumper in the slot, and net-front. No defenders at first.

How it works
Run set passing patterns that end in one-timers. For example:

• Pattern A: Point → Left flank → Bumper → Right flank (one-timer)
• Pattern B: Point → Right flank → Bumper → Left flank (one-timer)
• Pattern C: Point → Left flank → Net-front → Bumper (quick shot)

Run each pattern for 30–40 seconds, then switch to the other side so both flank players get reps as shooters and distributors.

Coaching points

• Encourage players to step into shots, not shoot off their heels.
• Bumper must constantly adjust position to stay in a passing lane.
• Net-front player works on screens and timing a quick roll-out for tips.

This drill is a clear example of how power play drills can be tailored to modern NHL-style structures while still being simple enough for high school and youth teams.

3. Power play entry decision drill (reading the PK at the blue line)

A lot of power plays die before the puck even gets set up. That’s why any list of the best examples of power play drills for ice hockey needs at least one entry-focused drill.

Setup
Use three attackers against two penalty killers in the neutral zone. Place a coach or extra player at your own blue line to start each rep with a breakout pass.

How it works
The three attackers receive a pass in motion and attack the offensive blue line. The two defenders play a realistic PK gap, trying to force dumps or turnovers.

Attackers must:

• Read whether to carry wide, drop-pass, or chip and retrieve
• Communicate who is first on the puck on any dump-in
• Once they gain the zone, quickly set up into your 1-3-1 or umbrella shape and get a shot within 5 seconds

Coaching points

• Emphasize speed through the neutral zone and support underneath the puck.
• Reward clean entries with extra reps; rotate lines quickly.
• Add a fourth attacker and third defender as your group improves.

This is a strong example of a power play drill that connects neutral-zone habits directly to in-zone success.

4. Low play and bumper read drill

If your unit has a tendency to force point shots into shin pads, this drill will help them recognize when to attack low instead.

Setup
Use one end of the rink. Place a passer at the half-wall, a player low in the corner, a net-front player, and a bumper in the slot. Add two penalty killers: one net-front, one pressuring the half-wall.

How it works
The puck starts at the half-wall. The half-wall player has three options:

• Feed the low player for a quick give-and-go
• Hit the bumper in the slot
• Take a shot through the screen

The coach calls out a read before each rep, such as “low,” “bumper,” or “shot,” and defenders must react accordingly. After a few rounds, stop calling the reads and let the puck carrier decide based on PK positioning.

Coaching points

• Half-wall player should keep their feet moving to change passing angles.
• Bumper presents the stick as a clear target and shoots immediately.
• Net-front player times seals, screens, and box-outs.

Among the many examples of power play drills for ice hockey, this one stands out for teaching in-the-moment decision making instead of scripted plays only.

5. 4-on-3 triangle-to-diamond drill

With 3-on-3 overtime more common in some leagues and special teams getting more attention in video, coaches are spending extra time on 4-on-3 and 5-on-3 situations. This drill helps players understand spacing and quick rotations.

Setup
Run a 4-on-3 in the offensive zone. Start in a triangle up top (two flank players and one point) plus a net-front player.

How it works
Begin in a triangle passing pattern: point to flank, flank to opposite flank, back to point. On the whistle, players rotate into a diamond: add a bumper in the middle, rotate one flank lower, and keep the net-front.

Once in the diamond, the rule is simple: two passes, then a shot. Defenders must stay inside the dots and try to block lanes.

Coaching points

• Teach players how to “shorten” passing lanes by taking two or three hard strides toward the puck.
• Encourage shot mentality once the diamond is formed.
• Rotate players through all positions so everyone understands the structure.

This drill is a great example of power play drills for ice hockey that help players feel comfortable in multiple formations without overcomplicating your playbook.

6. Shot volume and recovery drill (5-on-4 with live rebounds)

Modern analytics at the NHL and NCAA levels consistently show that shot volume from the slot and net-front, combined with second-chance opportunities, is a major driver of scoring on the power play. Public data from sites like the NHL’s stats portal and various analytics blogs continues to highlight high-danger chances as a key factor in power play success.

So, here’s an example of a power play drill that embraces that reality.

Setup
Run a full 5-on-4 in one zone. Have a coach or extra player at the blue line with a pile of pucks.

How it works
Each rep starts with a point shot or a seam pass into a quick shot. The rule: every shot must be followed by an immediate crash to the net by at least two attackers. The coach fires in an extra puck on any loose rebound to keep the scramble going for 5–8 seconds.

After each mini-scramble, blow the whistle and start again with a fresh puck from the point.

Coaching points

• Track how many shots your unit gets in 30 seconds. Try to beat that number in the next round.
• Stress body positioning at the net: inside position, stick on the ice, eyes on the puck.
• Encourage quick puck retrievals and immediate re-attacks instead of resetting too high.

Among the best examples of power play drills for ice hockey, this one directly trains the chaos that actually leads to goals, not just pretty passing patterns.

7. PK pressure read drill (power play vs. aggressive box)

Power plays often look great against passive penalty kills and then fall apart when teams pressure hard. This drill teaches your unit to punish over-aggressive PKs.

Setup
Run a 5-on-4 with your top power play unit against your regular PK unit. Instruct the PK to be aggressively on their toes: strong-side forward pressures the puck hard, weak-side forward cheats into passing lanes, defensemen front shots and challenge low plays.

How it works
Give the power play a simple scoring goal, like “score 3 times in 2 minutes.” If they fail, they skate. If they succeed, the PK skates. Keep score over the course of practice.

Encourage the power play to:

• Use quick bump passes to escape pressure
• Exploit 2-on-1s created when a PKer overcommits
• Slip pucks into the bumper or backdoor when defenders chase

Coaching points

• Teach the puck carrier to fake one way before passing the other.
• Make sure the weak-side players stay ready; they often become the best option against pressure.
• Use video if possible to show how small adjustments create big openings.

This drill is one of the more realistic examples of power play drills for ice hockey, because the pressure level feels like an actual game.

8. Quick-change power play transition drill

A newer trend in 2024–2025 is using your power play unit to attack immediately off line changes and broken plays, rather than waiting to “set up.” This drill teaches your top unit to jump on those moments.

Setup
Start with a 5-on-5 scrimmage. On the whistle, the coach calls out “Power play!” and points to the bench. The designated power play unit jumps on, while two skaters from the other team must change, creating an instant 5-on-3 or 5-on-4.

How it works
The power play unit must recognize the situation and attack quickly, aiming to get a shot on net within 7–10 seconds. No regrouping, no waiting—just immediate puck support and attack.

Coaching points

• Teach players to recognize mismatches and tired defenders.
• Stress communication: who’s net-front, who’s on the flank, who’s high?
• Encourage creativity—this drill rewards instinct and chemistry.

If you’re looking for real examples of power play drills for ice hockey that match today’s faster, transition-heavy game, this one should absolutely be in your practice plan.

How to organize these examples of power play drills for ice hockey into a practice

It’s easy to read a long list of drills and then feel stuck about how to fit them into a 60- or 90-minute session. Here’s a simple way to build a practice using several of the best examples of power play drills for ice hockey from above.

Start with structure and touches. Use the half-ice overload passing drill and the 1-3-1 one-timer drill to reinforce your basic setup and puck movement. Keep the pace high, with short work intervals and quick rotations.

Next, move into entries and decision-making. Pair the entry decision drill with the low play and bumper read drill. This connects getting into the zone with what to do once you’re there.

Finish with live pressure. Use the PK pressure read drill, the shot volume and recovery drill, or the quick-change transition drill to simulate game chaos. This is where habits get tested—and where you’ll see which players really understand the reads.

For younger players, shorten each drill and keep the teaching points focused on one or two simple ideas: spacing, quick passes, and net-front presence. For older or higher-level teams, you can layer in more tactical detail and video review.

Safety, fatigue, and player health

Power play work tends to involve a lot of standing in front of shots, battling for position, and repeating similar movements. To reduce the risk of overuse injuries and fatigue, it helps to:

• Rotate net-front players frequently so one skater isn’t absorbing all the contact.
• Mix in off-ice strength and mobility work focused on hips, core, and shoulders.
• Watch for signs of overtraining, especially late in the season.

Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mayo Clinic offer general guidance on youth sports safety, hydration, and injury prevention, which can be useful when planning intense special-teams practices:

• https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/sports-training/art-20045564

While these aren’t hockey-specific, they’re solid references when you’re balancing workload, recovery, and player development.

FAQ: Common questions about power play drills

What are some simple examples of power play drills for ice hockey beginners?
For newer players, start with the half-ice overload passing drill and the 1-3-1 one-timer repetition drill, but strip out the defenders at first. Focus on quick passes, basic spacing, and shooting with a screen. These are the easiest examples of power play drills for ice hockey to teach at the youth level.

Can you give an example of a power play drill that works for both youth and adults?
The low play and bumper read drill scales really well. With younger players, you can keep the defenders passive and call out the read for them. With older players, let the PK pressure more aggressively and force the puck carrier to decide. It’s a flexible example of a power play drill that fits almost any age group.

How often should teams practice these examples of power play drills for ice hockey?
Most competitive teams benefit from at least one focused power play segment per week, often 15–25 minutes. During playoff pushes or tournaments, coaches might add a second shorter session. The key is consistency: revisiting the same examples of power play drills for ice hockey over several weeks helps build automatic habits.

Do these drills work for penalty kill training too?
Yes. Many of the best examples of power play drills for ice hockey double as penalty-kill practice. When your PP unit runs a drill, your PK group can work on pressure angles, stick positioning, and shot blocking. Just be clear about which group you’re coaching in each rep so the message doesn’t get muddled.

Where can I learn more about skill development to support these drills?
For broader information on youth and athlete development, resources from organizations like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NIH offer helpful background on physical activity and training guidelines:

• https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/get-active/index.htm

These don’t list specific examples of power play drills for ice hockey, but they can help you design age-appropriate workloads and conditioning around your special-teams work.

If you take even three or four of these examples of power play drills for ice hockey and run them consistently for a month, you’ll usually see better puck movement, more confident entries, and more dangerous shots. The plays don’t need to be fancy—your players just need clear structure, lots of reps, and a chance to practice the same reads they’ll face when the lights are on and the power play really matters.