Building a strong penalty-killing team is essential for any team that wants to win consistently. Performing well in this area is often dependent on the drills and exercises that coaches use in practice. Drills need to build quickness, the ability to block shots and a mindset to attack the passing lanes.
Pass Break Up Drill
Station your four-man penalty killing unit in box formation. The goal in this drill is to prevent any pass that the power play team attempts to send through the box. The puck starts out at the top of the offensive zone. The players can pass the puck four times before the offense attempts a pass though the box formation. Perform this drill 10 times. If the defense can break up this pass eight times, it is performing well.
Force the Hand Drill
Have the lead forechecker skate toward the opponent who is leading the breakout play. To make the breakout play difficult, the forechecker must skate toward the puck carrier's strong side. This will force the player to use his backhand, making it more difficult to carry the puck or pass it. Have each forechecker do this drill five times to build aggressiveness in the penalty kill.
Slide and Block
Have the defensemen practice their shot-blocking technique at the top of the zone. The power play will often funnel the puck back to the defenseman standing at the point for a slap shot. As the shooter winds up, the shot blocker slides his lower body into the anticipated path of the shot. Top shot blockers will prevent shots from reaching the net, and this reduces deflection and rebound opportunities. Each penalty killer will attempt to block five shots in this drill. This helps them become accustomed to putting their bodies in the way of hard shots.
Penalty Kill Attack
Players must recognize when they have the opportunity to turn defense into offense while killing the penalty. Players must be quick to move their stick in the passing lane and then accelerate to top speed to start a breakout play. In this drill, the player at the top of the box deflects a cross-ice pass and turns the interception into a scoring opportunity by pushing the puck up ice and accelerating to full speed. Give each penalty killer five attempts to deflect the pass and streak up ice. This helps build an attack mode while killing the penalty.
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