Hockey Terminology

In reading post camp evaluations, one thing that has been requested, is for us to define some of the
terminology that we use both on the ice and in our chalk talks. This makes sense. While those of you that
have been playing and/or watching the game for years may be familiar with most of these terms, the
newbie player may be hearing them for the first time. Not understanding the language quite naturally
impedes the learning process, and that is the last thing we want. Thus, we have created this dictionary of
basic terminology. To have a little fun with this, in addition to the basic terminology required, there are
also quite a few fun slang terms used by hockey players. While these slang terms may not be crucial in
learning how to be a better player, they certainly help one become more understanding of the hockey
culture.

Backchecking – The act of skating back to your defensive zone and applying pressure to opposing players when they
have possession of the puck and are on the rush. We often joke “what is backchecking”, because adult league players
are notorious for not being very motivated backcheckers. It should be noted that backchecking is NOT the act of checking
someone in the back with your stick. That is known as cross checking, and is a penalty.

Break out: When a team gains control of the puck in their defensive end they will “break out” with the puck to go on the
attack. Most teams have established break out plays to accomplish this important part of the game.

Change on the fly: A team may change its players even as play continues. This is known as “changing on the fly.” A
player coming on the rink cannot play the puck until the player they are replacing is off the rink.

Cycling: Cycling is an offensive strategy used to keep control of the puck by keeping it close the boards. Offensive
players make short passes to each other along the boards until they see an opening to pass to a teammate who is moving
into the slot for a shot.

Deke (Deking): A deke is used by an offensive player with the puck to confuse a defender or goalie. It is a fake or feint
move. A common deke is to lower the shoulder in one direction but actually turn in the other.

Delayed Penalty – A penalty that has not yet resulted in a stoppage of play because the team that will have the man
advantage is in possession of the puck. Play continues until the team being penalized gains control of the puck. The
referee will raise his arm indicating that there is a delayed penalty situation. The team with possession will send their
goalie off the ice in exchange for another attacker, as it would be nearly impossible for the penalized team to score, as
play will stop when the penalized team gets the puck. This essentially extends the length of time the non-penalized team
has the man advantage. If a goal is scored before the play is stopped, then the penalty is waived off.

Dots – “The dots” is short for face-off dots, or the dots into which the referee drops the puck during a face off.

Dump and Chase – An offensive strategy used to get the puck over the opposing team’s blue line and into the corners
where players can race to get it, thereby moving the play into the attacking zone.
Five hole: The potential scoring areas around a goal are numbered from one to four starting in the lower right corner and
proceeding clockwise at each corner of the net. The “5 hole” is between the goalie’s legs.

Forecheck – Checking, battling or applying pressure to the opponent in an attempt to retrieve the puck while in your
offensive zone when the other team has possession. Forecheck is also a hockey slang term. In the slang term, the
meaning is one of approaching a member of the opposite sex, typically while out at the bar, in an attempt to solicit a
phone number or date. As in: “Where’s Joe?” “Oh, he’s up at the bar forechecking that entire bachelorette party.”
Game misconduct: A player is suspended for the remainder of the game if they receive a game misconduct. Their
team continues to play at full strength unless a minor penalty is also assessed.
Hand Pass – The act of passing the puck using one’s hand. This is legal inside a team’s defensive zone, but illegal in
the neutral zone and attacking zone, even if the pass originates from another zone.
Hash marks: Hash marks are small lines, which are perpendicular to the edge of the face off circles. Players cannot
encroach on the hash mark areas during face-offs.
Hat Trick – When a player scores three goals in a game it is known as a hat trick. Three goals in a row is a “pure” hat
trick.
The House – “The House” is the area from the goal posts to the face off dots to the tops of the circles, and is best
defined with a picture (see illustration at right). Defensively, we talk about “protecting the house”. This is because this is
the area from which most goals are scored. Thus, we want to keep our opponents from having opportunities to shoot
from inside the house.

Interference: A two minute minor penalty will be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of
an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand or who
prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.

Long Change – In the second period, the goaltenders change ends, meaning that the players’ bench is closer to the
offensive zone rather than the defensive zone. The “long change” can be a factor when a tired line is stuck in the
defensive zone and cannot come off due to the increased distance to the bench.

Odd Man Rush – When the number of offensive players heading into the attacking zone is greater than the number of
defenders, such as a 3-on-2 or a 2-on-1.

Offsides – An offsides is called when a player precedes the puck into the offensive zone as indicated by the blue line.
When an offside occurs the referee stops play and the face off occurs outside the offensive zone.

Olympic Sheet – An NHL rink is 85′ x 200′. An Olympic rink (or sheet) is 100′ x 200′. International competitions are
generally played on Olympic sheets. This additional 15′ of width can have a dramatic effect on opening up faster play.

Pinch – A pinch is when a defenseman either (a) attempts to hold the offensive blue line when the opponent has the
puck and is attempting to clear their zone, or (b) leaves the blue line and pushes further into the offensive zone to play the
puck. In both cases, the defenseman is making a gamble that he is going to win the puck battle, and thus improve his
team’s chance of scoring. The risk is that he loses, and the other team goes on the attack with an odd man rush. It is
considered a risky play, which requires good judgment. A defenseman who loses a lot of pinches can expect to be
scolded by his coach and/or teammates.

Plus/Minus – When a goal is scored for a player’s team while the player is on the ice it is counted as +1. If a goal is
scored against a player’s team while the player is one the ice it counted as -1. The total for the player is known as
plus/minus. A high positive plus/minus number would be indicative of a player who is helping his team. The opposite is
true for a player with a high negative plus/minus number. So even if a player scores a lot of goals, if his plus/minus is high
negative, this is an indication that the player is not helping out defensively. Of course, there are other factors to be
coring

Chance – A scoring chance is defined as a clear play directed toward the opposing net from a dangerous scoring area –
loosely defined as the top of the circle in and inside the faceoff dots, though sometimes slightly more generous than that
depending on the amount of immediately-preceding puck movement or screens in front of the net. Blocked shots are
generally not included but missed shots are. A player is awarded a scoring chance anytime he is on the ice and someone
from either team has a chance to score. He is awarded a “chance for” if someone on his team has a chance to score and
a “chance against” if the opposing team has a chance to score.

Slot – A prime scoring area located between the faceoff circles and in front of the goal.
Strong Side/Weak Side – The strong side is the side of the ice where the puck (and most of the players) are
located. The weak side is the other side. We speak of moving the puck from the strong side to the weak side of the ice to
get away from pressure. Once the puck goes to the other side (and players follow), then that becomes the strong side.

Point – The point is an area just inside the blue line of the attacking zone. It is normally occupied by the attacking team’s
defensive players.

Saucer Pass – A pass in which the puck is passed to another player such that it flies in the air like a flying
saucer. This makes the pass very difficult to intercept by opposing players but it will still land flat on the
ice making it simple to control for the receiving player.
Wave off – When a stoppage of play is about to occur, the referee may decide to continue play by “waving off” the
stoppage. Examples include icing and offsides.