Hockey Lingo

Backcheck

Forwards in the enemy zone skate back quickly to their own end to protect the goal.

Bodycheck

Slowing or stopping an opponent with the puck with the hip or shoulder.

Breakaway

A player who skates in on goal ahead of all opponents except the goaltender.

Butt Ending

Hitting an opponent with the end of the stick farthest from the blade. Illegal and calls for a penalty.

Charging

Taking more than 2 strides or jumping before checking an opponent. Illegal and calls for a penalty.

Crease

The blue area directly in front of the goal.

Cross-Checking

Hitting an opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice. Illegal and calls for a penalty.

Drop Pass

The puck carrier will leave the puck behind to be picked up by a trailing teammate.

Faceoff

How the puck is put into play to start the game or after any stop in game action.

Forechecking

Hustling into the opponent’s defensive zone by the forwards who want to keep the puck there, and hopefully take it away.

Freezing the Puck

Pinning the puck against the boards with either stick or skates.

Hat Trick

           Three goals scored by the same player in one game.

Headmanning

When a player passes the puck forward to an attacking teammate.

High Sticking

Illegally striking an opponent with the stick above shoulder level.

Holding

Using the hands and grasping an opponent or his equipment. Illegal and calls for a penalty.

Interference

Impeding the progress of an opponent who doesn’t have the puck or who is in contention for the puck. Also called for knocking an opponent’s fallen stick out of his reach. Illegal and calls for a penalty.

Neutral Zone

Center ice between the blue lines.

Point

Position just inside the opposition’s blue line usually manned by a defenseman when their team is in control of the puck in the opposition’s zone.

Poke Check

Stabbing at the puck with the blade of the stick to take it from the puck carrier.

Power Play

A team with more players n the ice than the opposition due to penalties.

Screen Shot

A shot the goalie cannot see clearly because of a player between him and the shooter.

Slashing

Sticking an opponent with the stick. Illegal and calls for a penalty even if no contact occurs.

Slot

The "alley" between the two circles directly in front of the nets.

Spearing

Using the stick like a spear. Illegal and calls for a 5-minute major penalty.

Stick Handling

Carrying the puck along the ice with the stick.

Sweep Check

Using the entire length of the stick while laying flat on the ice in order to take the puck from the center.

Guide to penalties

Minor Penalties

(2 minutes) called for minor infractions including tripping, holding, hooking, interference and high sticking.

Major Penalties

(5 minutes) called for fighting and minor penalties that are flagrant and result in injury.

Misconduct

(10 minutes) called for various forms of unsportsmanlike conduct. Substitutions are permitted for players serving misconduct penalties.

Penalties are called by the referee. The linesmen concentrate mainly on calling offsides and icing. Rarely, a linesman may call a misconduct penalty or ask the referee to assess one if he thinks it is justified.

The Equipment

Helmet

The helmet is made of lightweight fiber or plastic with an inner cushion of foam padding.

Shoulder Pads

The shoulder pads extend over the front and back to add protection to the chest and upper back.

Elbow Pads

Protect the elbows and upper forearms.

Pants

Hockey pants have fiber padding on the front and side of the thigh. They’re high enough to protect the kidneys and lower back.

Skates

Hockey skates have hard toes and built-in tendon guards.

Stick

Hockey sticks are made of wood or aluminum and must not exceed 53 inches from heel to end of shaft.

Knee/Shin Pads

This protection is made of fiber or plastic.

Gloves

The gloves have individually padded fingers and also protect the wrist and forearm.

Goaltender Equipment

A goalie’s equipment differs from the other players’ in several ways:

·He wears overstuffed, ribbed leg pads that not only protect his legs, but help to block shots.

·A heavy chest protector covers his shoulders, stomach and abdomen.

·His catching glove is similar to a first baseman’s mitt and a large glove with a waffle-like shield protects his stick hand.

·A goalie’s stick is wider on the blade and shaft than a regular stick.

·His mask is made of fiberglass and form fitted to his face. It also provides protection for the throat and head.

Fan Zone

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