You make a routine check of the ice before your faceoff, searching for loose change or other interesting objects. Suddenly, a hockey puck whizzes past you; you watch it slowly roll to the front of the net. Instantaneous decisions, critical moments, and high-pressure situations: these are some of the things that can happen in the course of a game. The rules of the game determine how these moments are going to play out – what decisions the officials are going to make, and how the action is going to progress. The following describes the key faceoff rules in hockey and how to play by them effectively.
Table of Contents
The Faceoff Station
Prior to the faceoff, the referee calls the centre line for faceoff, and then drops the puck there. This is known as the faceoff station, and the spot where the center lines meet is called the “dot” or “hash”. During the faceoff, the offending team gains the “downhill” position; the team behind the net gains the “uphill” position. When the puck touches the ice below the shoulder of any player on the attacking team, it is placed on the “puck side” of the rink; otherwise, it is on the “net side”. After a faceoff, the puck is “dead” and cannot be re-used by either team.
The Faceoff Circles
The defending team starts in the upper-left corner of the ice and works its way around in a counter-clockwise direction, while the attacking team starts in the upper-right corner and works its way around in a clockwise direction. The faceoff circles are the areas where the players on the respective teams take part in the confrontational aspect of the game. When the puck is dropped during a faceoff, both teams rush to get it – but only one can be legally “touched by the puck” at a time. If a player from either team touches the puck with a hand or stick on the surface of the ice, it is a “no goal” and the play continues. If they touch it with a foot or stick while in the air, it is a “crossing the line” penalty and the play continues without a whistle.
Initial Barriers
Once the faceoff is over, the initial barriers are put in place to stop the action from escalating. If a player from either team is hit with a stick or by a puck while behind the opposing net, it is a major penalty and the other team gets a power play.
Determining Fault
Even if a player is not initially injured while playing, sometimes accidents happen on the ice and players need time to recover. If a fight breaks out during a game, the on-ice officials have the unique ability to determine who is at fault. If a puck goes behind the net, but there is no player involved, the referee will usually wave off the fight and blame the attacker. While hockey has evolved into a faster, tighter game, the fights and the checking have not gone away. They have simply become more controlled and less frequent. If a fight does break out, the on-ice officials have the ability to determine who is at fault.
Offensive Rebounding
After the initial scrum, the play generally settles down and the majority of the action consists of pass-and-receive between the players, a lot like basketball. If a player is able to sneak in behind the defense and receive a pass, he has the opportunity to race down the ice for a hat trick or further offensive opportunities. If a player on the defending team intercepts a pass and returns it to the ice, it is an “offensive rebound” and the attacker may not have had an opportunity for a shot on goal. If a player on the attacking team gains control of the puck behind the net and is not halted by the defense, it is a breakaway opportunity and he may shoot or pass to a teammate for the chance to score.
Shots On The Ice
Hockey is a team sport and the players work together to achieve success. Everyone on the ice has the opportunity to shoot the puck and, as a result, make plays. If a player is hit with the puck after it has left the hands of the shooter, it is often treated as a pass and may lead to a breakaway or scoring opportunity for the attacker. In addition, if a defensive player stops a shooter with his stick, he can often “choke” the puck, sending it gliding to the floor where it may be picked up by another player or by the goalie for an easy goal.
Faceoffs are a critical part of hockey and these rules help make sure that the confrontational aspects of the game are contained and under control. Knowing how to play by these rules will make you feel more comfortable participating in this exciting sport and give you the upper hand at every turn.