LL Lapinlahden Luistin LL89 · EST. 1989

Ringette Power Play And Penalty Kill Tactics

Ringette’s special teams can change a match in seconds. A well-organised power play creates passing lanes, pulls defenders away from the crease and gives the shooter time to read the goalie. A disciplined penalty kill turns pressure into rushed decisions, blocked passes and counter-attacking chances.

For players at Lapinlahden Luistin LL89, these situations are valuable at every level, from junior training schools to competitive teams at Lapinlahti Ice Hall. The same principles also suit Australian ringette environments, where clubs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and other cities often share ice time and must make every training drill efficient.

The best tactics are simple enough to remember under pressure. Players need clear roles, quick communication and movement that supports the ring rather than movement for its own sake. Whether a team is protecting a one-goal lead or searching for an equaliser, special teams should have a recognisable structure.

Reading The Power Play

A power play begins with patience. The attacking team has an extra skater, but the advantage disappears if players force a pass into a crowded lane. The first objective is to gain controlled possession, spread the penalty-killing unit and make the defenders move laterally.

The ring carrier should scan before crossing the attacking blue line. Support players must offer short passing options while keeping enough width to stretch the defence. A clean entry is often more valuable than an immediate shot because it allows the unit to establish its formation.

Communication should be specific. Calls such as “middle,” “wheel,” “back door” or “pressure” tell teammates what is happening without lengthy explanations. Younger players can begin with two or three agreed words, then add more detail as their awareness develops.

Establishing A Strong Formation

A useful power-play setup has a point player, two half-wall options, a net-front presence and a support player near the goal line or high slot. The shape should create passing triangles and a direct route to the shooting area. Players should avoid standing in a flat line, where one defender can cover several options.

The point player controls the rhythm and switches the direction of the attack. Half-wall players receive under pressure, protect the ring and look for a seam pass. The net-front skater screens the goalie, occupies a defender and searches for rebounds without entering the crease illegally.

Rotation makes the formation harder to defend. A half-wall player can exchange positions with the point, while the opposite-side skater cuts behind the defence. These movements should be timed after a pass, when defenders are already turning their heads.

Creating Better Shooting Chances

A power play becomes dangerous when passing and shooting support each other. Teams should look for a lateral pass before a shot because goalies can move across their crease more effectively when the puck stays in front of them. A quick one-touch pass may be enough to open a shooting window.

The best shots are often low, controlled and placed for a teammate to redirect or collect. Shooters should read the goalie’s position instead of automatically aiming for the top corner. A screen, tip or rebound can reward a simple shot through traffic.

The weak-side player has a key role. Staying too close to the ring carrier makes the defence compact, while drifting too wide removes the passing angle. The ideal position is far enough away to create space, with a clear route towards the back post when the defence shifts.

Making The Entry Count

Many power plays fail before the attacking team is set up. Ringette teams should use an entry plan that gives the ring carrier at least two support options. One player can drive wide, another can cut through the middle and a third can arrive as a trailing outlet.

A controlled carry is useful when the lane is open, but a pass may be safer against an aggressive forecheck. The entry player should protect the ring with body positioning while teammates avoid crossing into the same lane. Clear spacing reduces turnovers along the boards and near the blue line.

After a failed entry, the team should regroup rather than chase a low-percentage pass. One player can retreat as a safety outlet while the others reset their positions. This is especially important in shared Australian ice facilities, where limited session time makes efficient repetitions more valuable than chaotic scrimmaging.

Organising The Penalty Kill

The penalty kill starts with compactness. The short-handed unit should protect the middle, the slot and the area directly in front of the goalie before challenging the outside pass. A diamond or box formation can work well, provided players move together and do not open large gaps.

The nearest defender pressures the ring carrier while the other skaters adjust behind that pressure. The objective is to steer play towards the boards, where the power play has fewer dangerous passing angles. A second defender should be ready to challenge a return pass without abandoning the slot.

Stick position matters as much as skating. A stick placed in the passing lane can delay the attack and force the power play to reset. Players should avoid reaching from a stationary position; controlled footwork keeps them balanced and ready to block a cross-ice pass.

Turning Defence Into Attack

A penalty kill should have an attacking plan. When possession is won, the safest first option may be a clear into open ice or a controlled pass to a teammate with room. Blindly throwing the ring away often gives the power play another immediate entry.

A fast counterattack can be effective when the attacking team has committed players below the circles. The first player carries or passes with purpose, while a second skater supports through the middle and a third stays high enough to prevent an easy turnover.

The goalie also contributes by communicating around screens and loose rings. Short calls can identify pressure, open space or a safe outlet. In close matches, especially during long travel weekends between Australian clubs, calm bench management helps prevent fatigue from becoming a positioning error.

Practice Cues For Teams

Special-teams practice should recreate decisions rather than rely only on unopposed passing. Begin with a controlled entry, add a passive penalty-killing unit, then increase pressure. Rotate players through every role so they understand the responsibilities of the ring carrier, point, net-front skater and defensive communicator.

Useful power-play cues include:

Useful penalty-kill cues include:

At Lapinlahti Ice Hall, coaches can adapt these drills for children, juniors, adults and competitive squads by changing the space, speed and pressure. Australian clubs can make the same adjustment during compact evening bookings, where a five-minute tactical game may be more useful than a long lecture.

Situation Primary Objective Player Behaviour Common Error
Controlled power-play entry Secure possession Support the carrier with width and a middle option Entering alone
Established power play Move defenders and open a lane Pass, rotate and keep a net-front presence Standing still
Penalty-kill setup Protect the slot and crease Stay compact and steer play outside Chasing the ring
Penalty-kill recovery Remove pressure safely Clear to space or use a controlled outlet Blindly giving possession away
Late-game special teams Manage risk and clock Choose simple passes and communicate early Forcing a low-percentage play

The strongest units understand that tactics are linked to habits. A power play needs players who scan, support and move after passing. A penalty kill needs skaters who trust the structure, protect the middle and react together.

For Australian players adapting to different rink sizes, competition formats or mixed training groups, the foundation remains the same: establish spacing, communicate early and make the next decision before pressure arrives. A practical rule for the next session is simple—create one clear passing option on attack, protect the middle on defence and finish every special-teams drill with a controlled decision.