Box Penalty Kill

OVERVIEW

The box penalty kill is the most simple, basic, and easy to understand of all penalty kills, making is the go-to for nearly every team exclusively or as part of a kill package. The concept is to contain space and force plays from the perimeter.

HOW TO

The box is simple to set up. It’s essentially the 4+1 without the +1. Alternatively, you can think of it as splitting the zone into 4 quadrants and each play has a quadrant – two high, and two low. Each player is responsible for their quadrant, area, or zone, covering players that come through or post up within.

As the puck moves, players need to keep their heads on a swivel for any players that “cut through the box” and pick them up. They also need to flex within their zones to help cover passing lanes.

For our purposes, we’ll use a medium to tight box with our high players using the tops of the circles as home base. This plays on the concept that it is easier to go forward than backward, so give more space outside or up top for the opponent to feel comfortable and giving more room for us to attack and adjust. The tighter box also limits the feeling of space through the box, minimizing cut through or pass through options.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS & CONCERN

Not being patient enough to let it happen is very important! Time and time again over the years of coaching I see players that are not patient screw up a perfectly good penalty kill because they have to be the one to get the puck out, or they feel like their teammate is not moving fast enough or working hard enough to make something happen. You have to work together and not over commit. If you’re selfish or think you can do it all, you’ll get beat and hang your team out to dry.

Starts and stops are critical. If you loop, you give up space. If you start and stop (toward the direction of play) you set yourself and your teammates up to gain possession or at least minimize chances.

Here’s a great explanation video from Jeremy Weiss (he’s also showing an overload PP here).