Unique drills for PK & PP

[analog999 0]

I'm an assistant coach for a local college team and the head coach is out this week. Tonight I need to come up with some drills for our PK and PP.

I was going to work on 5-3 PP Breakout with my PK units blocking the neutral zone and then blocking shooting lanes. With that, I'm going to have my PP unit feed the points and a high man in the middle - only allowing one timers or quick slappers, with the low forwards going into the net for deflections and tip ins.

Although I think its good to work on this, does anyone have any other suggestions for PP or PK drills?

[mack 44]

I'll randomly grab PKers' sticks on my brother's team and toss them away and make them play without one.

[Chadd 916]

You should use the same drills unless you need to address a weakness. I know several college coaches that only use 20 drills all season and choose the ones that work on areas where the team needs work. Try to add too many drills can waste ice time learning mechanics instead of working. You should have worked out your practice plan ahead of time with the head coach.

[analog999 0]

I agree with you but on a club team things aren't extremely organized. He got called away for a business trip on Monday afternoon, shortly before Monday's practice. He usually makes up the plans, not me.

[Dante2004 0]

I agree that you should keep the number of drills to a minimum. You want your players to focus on the game, not the mechanics of the drills...just as you want your players to react off of instinct in a game, rather than thinking about what they are doing.

[DP_57 1]

how many lines you have of PP?

Start 5 vs 2, when they score, it's now 5 vs 3, then 5 vs 4. The play stops and the team switch when the pucks get clear or freaze by the goalie.

work on puck movement at the begining of practice with some patterns and tell them to make them during the exercise. Good passes are what will make a good PP or not IMO, if the pucks is on the stick and quickly move or something, this makes a huge difference.

For the breakout, just do a swing on each board and one guy in the middle and that guy just rush up the puck until he gets to the first man in PK and freeze him out by a move or a pass. The more you can get in control in the Off. zone, the more you will score goals. So emphasize on getting in control. If you need more tips or exercise, just PM me or write here.

[analog999 0]

We had six guys show up to practice. That sucked. No PP/PK. Still would like suggestions though.

[mack 44]

Abort mission because it's apparent that hockey's not a priority, let alone improving anything.

[analog999 0]

I find it really strange that some of my guys don't show up for ice times. I couldn't imagine skipping.