Lingo
Library

Quick increase in speed

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Defenseman joins offense

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Attacking puck carrier

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Forcing opponent into less dangerous area

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Forcing opponent into less dangerous space

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Predicting next action

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Predicting next play

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Slang for assist

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Understanding positioning

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Skating hard back toward your own end to help defend. Backchecking is one of the most important habits in hockey. The best players in the world backcheck. When a player does not backcheck, it creates an odd-man rush, which is one of the highest percentage scoring situations. Players who refuse to backcheck will find themselves on the bench.

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Weak-side scoring position

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Defending weak-side scoring threat

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Defensive pressure applied from behind the puck carrier

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Help from weak side

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Skating back defensively

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Poorly timed substitution

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Regaining stability after contact

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Shot off crossbar into net

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Competing for puck

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Losing puck contest

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Highly skilled player

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Knowing line changes

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A two-minute penalty assessed to the team rather than a specific player. Usually called for too many men on the ice or unsportsmanlike conduct from the bench area. The coach picks which player serves the penalty.

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Poor skater

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Passing without looking

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Stopping shot with body

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The lines that divide the ice into three zones. The blue lines are 60 feet from each end of the rink. The area between the two blue lines is the neutral zone. When you cross the blue line heading toward the other team goal, you are entering the offensive zone. The blue lines are critical for offside calls.

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Competing along boards

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Speed of puck along boards

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Violently checking a player into the boards. Boarding is a penalty called when a player pushes, checks, or hits another player violently into the boards. The key word is violently. Body contact along the boards happens on almost every shift and is legal. Boarding is called when the hit is excessive, when the player being hit is in a vulnerable position, or when they are hit from behind. This is one of the more dangerous penalties because players can get seriously hurt when they go into the boards head first or at an awkward angle. It usually results in a two-minute minor but can be a five-minute major if the hit is bad enough.

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The walls surrounding the ice surface. The boards are about 42 inches tall with glass panels on top. Board play is a huge part of hockey. Players battle along the boards for puck possession, use them to bank passes, and get checked into them during body contact. Winning battles along the boards is one of the most important skills in the game.

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Angle of delivering check

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Using body movement to deceive

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Using body position to gain advantage

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Using body to gain advantage

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Four-player defensive square

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Prevent opponent access to net

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A player with a clear path to the goalie with no defenders between them. Breakaway goals require skating speed to get free, puck handling to maintain control, and finishing ability to beat the goalie. Some players prefer to shoot while others prefer dekes. The best breakaway scorers can read the goalie and adjust their move based on what the goalie gives them.

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Exiting defensive zone with control

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Exit path from zone

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Striking opponent with stick handle end

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A backwards skating push (also known as the backwards C-cut) where the inside edge of one skate carves an arc shaped like the letter C, generating backward power while the other skate glides. It's the foundation of all backwards hockey skating, used by defensemen reading the rush, forwards backchecking, and any player who needs to move backward with speed and control. The technique works by starting with your feet together, pushing one skate out to the side while angling the blade so the inside edge carves a C-shape into the ice. As you push, you transfer your weight to the gliding foot and recover the pushing foot back under your body to repeat on the other side. Done correctly, you generate speed going backward without ever turning around. Every defenseman needs this skill. Every crossover, pivot, and transition in backwards skating starts with a clean C-cut.

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Promotion to higher league

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Team leader designation

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Adjust shooting or passing angle

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Move to different path

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Taking three or more strides or jumping before delivering a body check. Charging is called when a player takes three or more strides or jumps before delivering a body check. The idea is that building up a running start to hit someone creates a dangerous amount of force. A legal body check happens when a player uses the momentum they already have. Charging is when they deliberately accelerate or leap into the hit. This is a two-minute minor penalty and can be a major if the hit is violent or causes injury.

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Soft dump and pursuit

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Lightly advancing puck past defender

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Trash talk during play

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Slapshot with full wind-up

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Controlled puck handling

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Remove puck from defensive zone

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Using time strategically

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Tight positioning near puck for quick passes

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Reduce space to attacker

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Defenders protecting net area

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Intensity in puck contests

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Intensity and effort in play

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When to initiate physical play

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Holding position defensively

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Entering zone with possession

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Leaving zone with possession

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Deliberate pacing

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Competing in corners

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Defensive failure

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The blue painted area directly in front of the goal. The crease is the goalie area. Attacking players are allowed to enter but cannot interfere with the goalie inside it. If an attacking player is in the crease when a goal is scored and they interfered with the goalie, the goal can be disallowed. The crease is a sacred area. Goalies are protected inside it, and teammates are expected to clear opposing players who get too close.

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Shoving a player with your stick held in both hands. Cross-checking is when a player holds their stick with both hands and shoves it into another player. Imagine holding a broomstick horizontally and pushing someone with it. This penalty gets called a lot in front of the net where defensemen are trying to clear attackers out of the crease area. A little stick contact is usually allowed, but when a player uses their stick to deliver a forceful push, the referee calls it. It is a two-minute minor and can be a major if it causes injury.

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Pull puck to change angle

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Move toward center ice

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Moving the puck along the boards in the offensive zone while teammates rotate positions. The goal is to tire out defenders and create openings. A good cycle wears down the defense because they have to keep turning and chasing. Eventually someone gets caught out of position and a lane to the net opens up.

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Interrupting opponent cycle

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Scoring opportunity from sustained play

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Maintaining puck movement along boards

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Pass between defensemen

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Defensive zone responsibilities

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Misleading opponent

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Effectiveness of choices

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How fast player makes choices

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All players protecting net

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Understanding defensive play

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Area blocked by defender stick

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A deceptive move to fake out a defender or goalie. The word comes from decoy. Dekes can involve moving the puck from forehand to backhand, faking a shot, or using your body to sell a move in one direction while going another. The best dekes look effortless because the player has practiced them until they are automatic.

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Slowing play to create options

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Intentionally slowing down play. The most common version today is when a player in the defensive zone shoots the puck over the glass and out of play. That is an automatic two-minute penalty. Other examples include a goalie freezing the puck when there is no pressure, a player intentionally knocking the net off its pegs, or a team taking too long to set up for a faceoff. The rule exists to keep the game moving and prevent teams from stalling.

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Holding puck before clearing

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Penalty kill diamond shape

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Flashy stickhandling moves

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Loose or contested puck control

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Four minutes in the penalty box. The most common double minor is for high-sticking that draws blood. If the other team scores during the first two minutes, the player stays in the box for the remaining two minutes instead of coming out.

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Two players pressuring one

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Lane attacking net

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Shooting the puck into the zone and skating in to retrieve it. Used when the defense is set up at the blue line and there is no lane to carry the puck in. Dump and chase gets a bad reputation but it is effective, especially against teams that play a tight neutral zone trap.

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Absorb shot for team

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Ability to use skate edges effectively

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Using skating edges to fake

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High-energy period of play

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Using your elbow to make contact with another player. Elbowing is using your elbow to hit another player, usually targeting their head or face. It is a two-minute minor and can be a major if it causes injury. Players sometimes throw elbows during body checks to add an extra shot, which is illegal and dangerous. This penalty is taken very seriously in youth hockey because of the risk of concussions.

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Goal scored on empty net

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Decrease in intensity

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Controlling stamina

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Player who protects teammates physically

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Stopping opponent entry

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Both teams have the same number of skaters on the ice. The standard is five on five. When someone says a goal was scored at even strength, it means neither team was on a power play or penalty kill. Most of the game is played at even strength.

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Stopping opponent exit

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First forward pressuring puck

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Second forechecker support

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High forward providing balance

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Breaking the rules during a faceoff. Common violations include moving before the puck is dropped, not having your stick on the ice, or lining up incorrectly. When a center commits a violation, they get kicked out and a teammate has to take the draw instead.

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Unsuccessful attempt to exit zone

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Initial breakout pass

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Initial control of puck upon receiving it

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The space between a goalie legs. When a goalie stands in their ready position, there are five openings: over the left shoulder (1), over the right shoulder (2), low left (3), low right (4), and between the legs (5). Scoring five-hole is common on breakaways when the goalie opens their legs during a butterfly movement.

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Long hair under helmet

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Create puck loss by pressure

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Making rushed decision

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Pressuring the other team in their defensive zone to force turnovers. Teams use different systems. A 1-2-2 sends one player in deep while two support. A 2-1-2 sends two in aggressively. Aggressive forechecking teams are hard to play against because they never let you make a clean breakout.

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Attacking opponent forward

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Energy or depth line

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Momentarily stopping defender movement

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Area directly in front of goal

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Defensive pressure from front

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Understanding full ice situation

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Understanding game context

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Overall pace and rhythm

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Ejection from game

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Reducing space to attacker

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Managing space between defender and attacker

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Allowing too much space defensively

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Distance between defender and attacker

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Scrappy goal near net

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Defensive stick positioning

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Unforced turnover

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The transparent panels on top of the boards that protect fans. The glass is made of tempered glass or plexiglass. It allows fans to see the action while keeping pucks from flying into the stands. The glass behind each goal is typically taller with flexible netting above it.

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Clearing puck off glass

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Clearing puck off glass

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Line extending from goal posts

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Chaotic or wild game

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Goal, assist, and fight in one game

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Hard-working physical player

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Boards area between corner and point

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Forceful puck advance

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Rigid puck handling causing loss of control

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Fast puck movement along boards

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The short lines inside faceoff circles indicating player positioning. Hash marks show where players need to line up for a faceoff. Only the two players taking the faceoff are allowed inside the circle. All other players must be outside the hash marks until the puck is dropped.

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Scoring three goals in a game

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Lack of awareness

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Awareness of surroundings

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Player benched while not injured

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Powerful shot with force

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Cycling puck near blue line

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Smart likely-to-succeed action

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Upper area of slot

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Fast-paced play

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Hitting another player with your stick above the shoulders. High-sticking is when a player hits another player with their stick above the shoulders. If the high stick draws blood, it is a four-minute double minor instead of the normal two minutes. If a player scores by deflecting the puck with a high stick above the crossbar, the goal does not count. This happens a lot accidentally. A player will follow through on a shot or lose control of their stick, and the blade catches someone up high. Intentional or not, it is still a penalty.

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Game understanding

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Grabbing another player or their equipment to slow them down. Holding is when a player grabs another player, their stick, or their equipment to prevent them from moving freely. If you grab their jersey to stop them from skating past you, that is holding. If you grab their stick so they cannot make a play, that is holding the stick. Both are two-minute minor penalties. Holding happens constantly at small levels that referees let go, but obvious grabs that affect the play will always be called.

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Using the blade of your stick to slow down another player. Hooking is using the blade of your stick to slow down or pull back another player. If a player is skating past you and you reach out with your stick and hook it around their body or hands, that is hooking. It is similar to holding but involves the stick instead of your hands. It is a two-minute minor penalty.

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Low-probability attempt

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High-effort action

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Shooting the puck from your side of center ice to the other end without anyone touching it. Icing is when a player shoots the puck from their side of the center red line all the way down to the other end of the ice past the goal line without anyone touching it. When this happens, the referee blows the whistle and brings the puck all the way back for a faceoff in the defensive zone of the team that iced it. The rule exists to prevent teams from just dumping the puck down the ice every time they are under pressure. It forces teams to actually move the puck up the ice with passes or skating. There are a few exceptions. Icing is not called if the team that shoots the puck is shorthanded. It is also not called if the referee thinks a player on the other team could have gotten to the puck first but chose not to. The team that ices the puck is not allowed to change their players before the faceoff, which makes icing even more of a punishment because tired players have to stay on the ice.

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Central ice path

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Being closer to middle than opponent

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Making contact with a player who does not have the puck. Interference is when you make contact with a player who does not have the puck and is not in the process of playing it. In hockey, you can only body check the player who has the puck. If you hit someone away from the play or block a player from getting to where they need to go, that is interference. This also includes preventing a player from picking up a dropped stick or blocking a goalie from getting back into position. It is a two-minute minor penalty.

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One-on-one situation

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Anticipate and intercept

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Misleading about intended path

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Blocking opponent lanes

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Providing outlet in lane

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Trailing offensive player

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Trailing player arriving after initial play

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Diving to make play

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Substituting players on the fly

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Matching players vs opponents

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Player harming team chemistry

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Weak defensive marking

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Competing for free puck

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Securing contested puck

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Cycling puck below goal line

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Unlikely to succeed action

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Slower-paced play

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Five minutes in the penalty box for severe infractions. Major penalties are called for more severe versions of minor penalties, like a vicious hit, a fight, or a high stick that causes serious injury. Unlike a minor penalty, the full five minutes must be served even if the other team scores during the power play.

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Ejection for dangerous intent

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Attack through center lane

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Two minutes in the penalty box. A minor penalty sends a player to the penalty box for two minutes, giving the other team a power play. If the team on the power play scores, the penalty ends early and the penalized player returns to the ice. Most penalties in hockey are minor penalties.

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Ten minutes in the penalty box for unsportsmanlike behavior. A misconduct does not give the other team a power play. The penalized player sits for ten minutes, but their team can put another player on the ice. A game misconduct means the player is ejected for the rest of the game.

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Failure to cover opponent

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Change in game control

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Shift in game control

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Weak or soft shot

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Competing in front of net

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Driving hard to net

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When to attack net for rebound

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Skating directly toward net

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Path taken toward the net to create scoring chance

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Competing near net

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Defending area in front of goalie

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Path toward goal

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Blocking opponent access to net front

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Players screening goalie

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Occupying space near goalie

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Managing middle ice

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Resetting play in neutral zone

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Middle ice formation

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Defensive system clogging middle ice

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Offensive zone formation

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Attack with more attackers than defenders

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Applying attack in zone

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Understanding offensive play

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Entering the offensive zone before the puck crosses the blue line. Offside happens when an attacking player crosses the blue line into the offensive zone before the puck does. Think of it like this. The puck has to go into the zone first, and then you can follow it in. If both of your skates cross that blue line before the puck, the referee blows the whistle and there is a faceoff outside the zone. The tricky part is that it is your skates that matter, not your stick. As long as one of your skates is touching or behind the blue line when the puck crosses it, you are onside. Players will sometimes drag a skate on the line to stay onside while reaching forward with their stick. Delayed offside is when a player is offside but the attacking team has not touched the puck yet. If all the attacking players clear the zone before anyone touches the puck, the play continues without a whistle.

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Shooting the puck immediately as you receive a pass without stopping it. The puck comes to you and you swing at it in one motion, like a batter hitting a pitch. One-timers are almost impossible for goalies to stop because they have to react to the pass and then immediately react to the shot with no time to reset. One-timers from the faceoff circles on the power play are one of the most dangerous plays in the game.

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Turning body to face ice for better options

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Pass to start transition

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Keeping opponent to perimeter

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Perimeter ice path

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Excessive puck handling

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Stacking players on one side

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Extra time played when a game is tied after regulation. In the NHL regular season, overtime is five minutes of three-on-three hockey, which creates open ice and excitement. In the playoffs, overtime is full 20-minute periods of five-on-five until someone scores. There is no shootout in the playoffs.

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Scoring on own team's net

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Two defensemen playing together

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Rushed decision under pressure

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Pretending to pass

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Path for passing

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Available teammate for pass

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Holding back defensively

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Waiting for best option

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Playing shorthanded because your team has a player in the penalty box. Your team has four skaters against the other team five. Penalty kill units use formations like the box or diamond to protect the front of the net and block shots. A good penalty kill is one of the most important parts of winning hockey games.

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A one-on-one attempt against the goalie awarded for certain fouls. A penalty shot is awarded when a player on a clear breakaway is fouled from behind and prevented from having a fair scoring opportunity. The player starts at center ice, skates toward the goalie, and must keep moving forward. They get one shot or move to try to score. Penalty shots can also be awarded if a defending player other than the goalie covers the puck in the crease. It is one of the most exciting plays in hockey.

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Defenseman moving down to keep puck in zone

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Interpreting developing situation

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Stay within skill level

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Player who sets up goals

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Low-skill player

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Shot from blue line

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Change in puck control

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Duration of puck control

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Having more skaters on the ice because the other team has a player in the penalty box. The most common is five on four. The team with more players is on the power play. NHL teams convert on about 20-25% of their power plays. Teams practice specific formations designed to take advantage of the extra player. A strong power play can win games.

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Moment to aggressively challenge puck

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Escaping defensive pressure

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First pass leading to goal

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Knowing puck location at all times

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Anticipating puck deflection

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Area of possession dominance

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Getting puck out of danger

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Losing control of puck

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Calmness with puck under pressure

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Shielding puck from opponents

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Recovering loose puck

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Providing close passing options for puck carrier

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Moment puck is lost

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Slow or ineffective player

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Player directing power play

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Fast substitution

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Fast defensive zone exit

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How fast a player can get a shot off. A player with a quick release can go from handling the puck to shooting in a fraction of a second. They do not need a big wind-up or perfect position. This is what makes shooters like Ovechkin or Matthews so dangerous. The goalie knows the shot is coming but the release is so fast they still cannot stop it.

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Rapid change of possession direction

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Fast breakout pass

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Slow response to play

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Interpret developing situation

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Pressure from behind opponent

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A puck that bounces off the goalie or posts after a shot. Rebound goals are some of the most common goals in hockey. Smart players know that every shot is a potential rebound opportunity. Being in the right position to collect a rebound is about anticipation. Some of the best goal scorers in history built their careers on scoring rebound goals.

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Managing loose pucks after shots

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Where to be for rebounds

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Attempt to regain puck

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Quickness to regain position

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The center line that divides the rink in half. The red line is used for icing calls. If a player shoots the puck from their side of the red line all the way to the other end without anyone touching it, icing is called. Faceoffs happen at center ice at the start of each period and after goals.

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Resetting play in neutral zone

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When a shot is taken for best effect

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Resetting defensive structure

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Switching puck direction behind net

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Send puck around boards

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High-risk decision

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Hard fast shot

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Punching or hitting another player outside normal play. Roughing is a penalty for punching or hitting another player outside of the normal flow of play. If two players get into a shoving match after the whistle or one player throws a punch, that is roughing. It is different from fighting, which involves both players dropping their gloves. Roughing is a two-minute minor penalty. It usually happens after a hard hit, a scrum in front of the net, or when emotions run high. Both players can be called for roughing if they are both involved.

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Scoring opportunity off rush

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Defensive play against attacking rush

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Risking body for team

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Low-risk decision

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A pass lifted off the ice that floats through the air like a flying saucer. Used to pass over a defender stick or body in the passing lane. A good sauce pass rotates flat like a frisbee so it lands cleanly and is easy to receive. Learning to throw a consistent sauce pass is a skill that separates advanced players from beginners.

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Influence of score on play

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Positioning yourself between the goalie and the shooter to block the goalie view. Screens are one of the most effective ways to score, especially on shots from the point during power plays. Setting a good screen means getting close enough to block the goalie view without interfering with them.

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Position blocking goalie view

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Close off boards exit

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Opportunity after initial shot

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Extra push after initial play

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Second pass leading to goal

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Fully commit to play

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Demotion to lower league

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Time spent on ice

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Productivity during shift

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Duration of time on ice

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Open space to shoot

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A tiebreaker where players go one-on-one against the opposing goalie. Each team selects three shooters who take turns from center ice. The team that scores more in three rounds wins. If still tied, it goes to sudden death rounds. Shootouts are exciting for fans but controversial among purists who feel a team game should not be decided by individual skill.

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Quick time on ice

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Trying to block shot

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Area used to block shot

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Disguising shot intent

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Pretending to shoot

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Path for shooting

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Opening path for shot

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Choosing when and where to shoot

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Number of shots generated

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Quick look over shoulder to assess pressure

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Smooth puck handling skills

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Understanding moment in game

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Swinging your stick at another player with force. A light stick-on-stick tap during a battle is usually fine. But when a player takes a swing at someone stick, hands, or body, that is slashing. Slashing the hands is the most common call because it can break fingers even through gloves. It is a two-minute minor penalty.

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The high-danger scoring area directly in front of the net. The slot is the area between the faceoff circles in front of the goalie. It is the most dangerous scoring area because the shooter has a clear angle and the goalie has less time to react. Defensively you want to keep players out of the slot. Offensively you want to get yourself or the puck into the slot as often as possible.

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Competing in scoring area

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Defending high-danger area

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Attacking slot area

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Delayed reaction to change

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A quick-release shot combining elements of a wrist shot and slap shot. The player pulls the puck back slightly and snaps their wrists to release it without a full wind-up. Snapshots are the most common shot in professional hockey because goalies have less time to react compared to a slap shot where they can see the wind-up coming.

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Precise, accurate shot

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Elite goal scorer

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Gentle puck advance

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Ability to cushion puck on reception

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Open space without pressure

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Maintaining proper distance between teammates

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Jabbing another player with the point of your stick blade. Spearing is one of the most dangerous and unsportsmanlike acts in hockey. Think of it like poking someone with the tip of a sword. It is always at least a double minor and is often a five-minute major with a game misconduct, meaning the player is ejected. Attempting to spear someone, even if you miss, is also a penalty.

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Defenseman focused on defense

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Defender challenges attacker early

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Precise stick positioning for control or disruption

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Fake using stick motion

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Stick blocking path

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Lifting opponent's stick to steal puck

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When to lift opponent stick

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Placement of stick for control or defense

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Applying pressure with stick

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Extending stick to disrupt

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Long passing lane

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Long pass to create breakaway

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Effective skating movement

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Side with puck

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Stacking players on puck side

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The next goal wins. In overtime, the game is sudden death. As soon as one team scores, the game is over. This creates incredible tension, especially in playoff overtime where one mistake can end your season.

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Teammate helping exit

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Lane for assisting play

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Three-player support formation

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Long offensive zone time

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Forcing opponent turnover

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Playing without a shirt (off-ice slang)

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Managing speed of game

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Restrict opponent movement

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Close defensive marking

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Dominate possession

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Freedom to make play

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Arriving in position at the right moment

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When to deflect puck

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Redirecting a teammate shot by getting your stick on it to change direction. Tip-ins are extremely hard to stop because the change of direction gives the goalie almost no time to adjust. They are also very difficult to execute. The timing has to be perfect. Players who are good at tipping are incredibly valuable on the power play.

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Using the toe of your stick blade to pull the puck across your body. The toe drag is used to pull the puck away from a defender stick or create space for a shot. Players like Patrick Kane made it famous. It is effective because the puck stays close to your body and the movement is subtle enough that defenders often cannot react in time.

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Staying on ice too long

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Having more than the allowed number of players on the ice. Each team is allowed six players (five skaters and a goalie). During line changes, there is a brief moment where both the old and new players are on the ice, and that is allowed as long as the player coming off is near the bench and not playing the puck. If a team has seven or more players on the ice involved in the play, it is a two-minute minor penalty served by a player chosen by the coach.

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Best offensive forward line

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The upper part of the net, just under the crossbar. Scoring top shelf is considered a skilled shot because it requires accuracy and the ability to elevate the puck quickly. The phrase top shelf where mama hides the cookies is a classic hockey expression.

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Immediate pass without settling puck

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Operating in congested areas

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Player following rush

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Interrupting transition

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Switch from offense to defense or vice versa

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Causing another player to fall using your stick, knee, or foot. The most common version is when a player reaches out with their stick and clips the skates of the puck carrier, causing them to go down. It is a two-minute minor. If a player is on a breakaway and gets tripped from behind with no defenders between them and the goalie, the referee may award a penalty shot instead.

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Focusing only on puck

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Loss of puck possession

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Frequency of losing puck

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Pass crossing two lines without touch (old rule)

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Player strong offensively and defensively

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Power play formation

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Dumping puck into zone

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Insufficient puck control

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Seeing plays develop

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Area goalie sees puck

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Moving laterally at point

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Competing along boards

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Using boards to protect or move the puck

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Side opposite puck

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Offensive play from far side

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Speed skating ability

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Skating behind the net and trying to wrap the puck around the post into the goal. Wraparounds work when the goalie overcommits to one side or when a player has enough speed to get the puck around the post before the goalie reacts. They can also create rebounds that teammates can score on.

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Gaining offensive zone with control

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Clearing puck from defensive zone

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Applying pressure in zone

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Time spent in offensive zone

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