Power Play: Breakout




Here’s one of my favorite power play breakouts…

There are quite a few different power play breakouts. Rather than try to cover them all, I thought I’d just post my favorite. I like this one because it is very versatile, and can beat most penalty kill forechecks if the players read and react effectively.

This is another instance where I like to have designated responsibilities so that we always have the proper-handed-shot in the correct position.

Lastly, I forgot to mention in the video, but SOMETIMES there is an opening straight up the middle to the “breakaway man.” If the far forward notices this, he can cut across the blue line early and sync up with the quarterback behind the net. The QB can step out to the RIGHT side in this example, and fire a hard pass up the middle to that far forward. You can usually get away with this once or twice a game before the other team takes it away.

Enjoy!

14 thoughts on “Power Play: Breakout

  • Ernie

    Hi Jeremy….first of all, I got your play and drill book…fantastic. One question for you. I was watching a Major Bantam AAA game and for their PP breakout they had 4 players positioned on the boards, in the neutral zone where at the ends of each blue line. The one quarterback D setup behind his net and then started the play. I had to leave the game before I understood what patterns the 4 blue line players were doing – having you come across this setup and if so what options does it present?

    • Jeremy Weiss

      I’ve never seen it before, but I’m interested in knowing more. If you ever come across any footage, send it my way and I’ll dissect it 🙂

  • Luke

    Hey Jeremy I was wondering if you had any experience using the drop pass breakout? I’m a fan of the Canucks and Sabres so I see this breakout all the time and both teams execute it very well. The red wings originally came up with this idea but the canucks and sabres have taken it to a whole new level. Thoughts?

  • This play is indeed a very effective one. I went to a salmon knigs game(ECHL) and saw them score a goal using this play. Just another thought, i’m a goalie, I was wondering if it would be beneficial to my team if I were to sop the puck and leave it behind the net. What do you think?

    • Jeremy Weiss

      Absolutely, the goalie can really help get the play set up fast and effectively by stopping the puck behind the net. Great insight!

  • karl

    Yeah, I coach High School hockey in Illinois. This will be the first full year with this club. Last year there Varsity lost in O.T. in the final 8 in state to a team New Trier who has been dominating for the last 20 years. There JV lost in double O.T. in the final four game. They graduated 11 seniors last year and we had 54 at tryouts for spring when the coaching staff I am on took over.

    Here is what I am trying to do and maybe I might be outta my mind.I have been following the new Offensive coordinator for the NFL Chicago Bears and his theorys of angles is awsome and can be transfered into hockey.
    I want to use 2 PP lines plus 1 extra skater. Each line will have there own breakout(so the other team cant read & react so there coaches will have to pay attention to who we have out there)Then I would like 1 common breakout that both lines and the rest of my players(varsity & jv) will know.
    My setup is pretty much a tight umbrella. Tight upfront with it because I LOVE SCREENS(Dustin Byfuglin-ish)and a umbrella top that walks the line. OLD TYME HOCKEY- Eddie Shore beat and bang infront and in the corners.

    Like I said its our first year coaching there. Here is a link to out website.http://www.yorkhockeyclub.org/
    Thanks for all the great feedback

  • karl

    Thanks for the reply. I understand the gain entry into the zone and set up. In 11 years of coaching that has been the methode. Also the 26 years of playing. My theory of a dump in on this is this. And please correct me if I am wrong with my ideas or not.
    First I have never been a part of a team with this much “TEAM SPEED”
    Also if you are breaking out you are skating faster foward then they are skating backwards so if you use that team speed and put the puck somewhere they are not and beat them there. Now that should get there feet(the PK killers) feet crossing and slow them down even more. And then should be a sinch to gain the puck down low and behind the net to start setting up. Just a thought on how to use my team speed as an advantage.

    • Jeremy Weiss

      Ya – I see where you’re coming from. I think I’d agree with your theory when the opposing defensemen are giving loose gap through the neutral zone (and I like how you said you’d use the dump in to get the puck low and begin the set-up). However, if the opposing defensemen give you tight gap through the neutral zone, I’d say use your speed to blow around them and create an odd-man rush. Generally, if the odd-man rush is a 2 on 1 or better, I’m ok with shooting on the initial attack on the PP.

      Anyways, it seems like your your line of thinking is good––and it sounds like you’ve had the coaching and playing experience to be a good judge of whether or not it is working effectively, so I say go with it!! What age-group are you coaching? Just curious…

  • Jeremy Weiss

    Thanks for the feedback Karl. One of the things I like about this set-up is that it is flexible. There is the possibility of hitting the stretch man at the far blue line (every once in a while), but it’s also possible to break out very methodically and under control––using the same set-up.

    For a more controlled option, start the same way, then try moving the puck from D-man, to board-side forward, with a quick “touch pass” to the forward swinging through at the near blue line. If done correctly, he should have some room to turn up ice and walk the puck into the offensive zone under control.

    Obviously, you’ll have the board-side forward follow up to provide back-side support through the neutral zone, and the other forward should be in good position to enter the zone as “F3”

    I like to stress “gaining the zone and setting up” in powerplay situations. Unless you have an EXTREMELY good odd-man advantage on the attack, I prefer to set up before taking the shot. Doing this will ensure your players are in proper position to maximize your chances at regaining any rebounds if the puck doesn’t go in on the initial shot (which it usually doesn’t).

  • Karl

    Jeremy,
    I like the drill you have shown. It looks very close to a PP breakout I used to teach . The team I have now I think I am going to teach this one in the video. I will have 2 PP lines and both will know there own stretch play but want both lines to know a slower more controlled non-stretch PP break out. I am lucky all my players have NASTY speed. Do you have any Ideas on a more controlled breakout that I can use to get into the neutral zone to dump in with a Kamakazie fore check.

  • Jeremy Weiss

    Probably not during the course. Let me know what you’re looking for (i.e. more or less complex, etc…), this one is fairly “tweakable” to fit different styles of play…

  • Matt

    I was wondering if you are going to post any other PP breakouts ?

    Love the Coaches Training Course – very useful and very informative.
    Thank you

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