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Power Play: 1-3-1

One at the point, three across the middle, one at the net front — the modern power play built on seams and one-timers.

F1F2F3F4D1PP OZ 1-3-1
F = forwards, D = defence (our five power play skaters) / Net we are attacking is at the top, blue line at the bottom / Dashed line = pass or shot option / Solid arrows = movement / Black dot = puck

The idea

The 1-3-1 is the most common power play in hockey because it attacks every seam at once. One skater quarterbacks from the point, three sit in a line across the middle of the ice, and one plays the net front. A four-man box cannot cover the middle and both half walls at the same time.

Reading the diagram

The net is at the top of the board, the blue line at the bottom. D1 is the point man with the puck (black dot). F2 and F4 are the two half walls at the tops of the circles, F3 is the bumper in the middle, and F1 works the net front.

The three dashed lines show the point man's first reads: down the middle to the bumper, or out to either half wall for a shot or a quick seam back inside. Every one of those touches puts a killer in motion, and the next pass is the one that scores.

Why it works

The bumper is the pressure point. When the killers cheat inside to cover it, the half walls open up for one-timers; when they widen out, the seam to the bumper is wide open.

What to look for

  • Point man is the quarterback — he sets the rhythm
  • Half walls are shooters first, distributors second
  • Bumper must be in the seam between the two low killers
  • Net front owns the goalie's eyes on every shot

Coaching cues

  • Move the puck before you are pressured, not after
  • Shoot to score or shoot for a tip — never blindly
  • Bumper faces the puck with a flat stick on the ice
  • Change the point of attack every two touches

Common mistakes

  • Bumper standing still and getting boxed out
  • Half wall taking too long and letting the killer close
  • Point man walking the line into a shot block
  • Net front battling for position after the shot instead of before
Keep going

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