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 the 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 the 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 in 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 carious forms of unsportsmanlike conduct. Substitutions are permitted for players serving misconduct penalties.
Penalties are called by the referee. The linesmen concentrate mainly on called offsides and icing. Rarely, a linesman may call a misconduct penalty or ask the referee to assess on id he thinks it is justifies.
Boarding
Pounding the closed fist of one hand into the other. Called for driving opponent into dashers.
Holding
Clasping the wrists in front of the chest. Called for using hands-on opponent or his equipment.
Slashing
Chopping with one hand across the opposite forearm. Called for swinging stick at the opponent.
Charging
Rotating clenched fists in front of chest. Called for taking more than 3 strides before checking opponent.
Interference
Crossed arms in front of chest with fists closed. Called for having contact with opponent not in possession of puck.
Spearing
A jabbing motion with both hands in front of the body. Called for using the stick like a spear.
Cross Checking
A forward and backward motion with the fists extending for the chest. Called for hitting opponent with both hands-on the stick and no part of stick on the ice.
Hooking
Tugging motion with arms, as called for using stick or blade to hook opponent.
Delayed Calling of Penalty
Referee extends arms and point to penalized player until penalized team regains possession of puck.
Tripping
Strike the right led with the right hand below the knee. Called for using stick, arm or left to cause the opponent to trip or fall.
Kneeing
Slapping the knee with palm of hand. Called when using knee to impede opponent.
Elbowing
Tapping the elbow with the opposite hand. Called when using elbow to impede opponent.
Wash-Out
Both arms swung across the body with palms down. When used by the Referee, it means goal disallowed; when used by the linesman, it means no off-side or icing.
Misconduct
Place both hands on hips. Called for various forms of misconduct or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Use both hands to form a “T” in front of the chest.
High-Sticking
Holding both fists, clenched, one above the other at the side of the head. Called for carrying stick above shoulder against opponent.
Roughing
A thrusting motion with the arm extending from the side. Called for engaging in fisticuffs or shoving
Icing
Linesman’s arms folded across the upper chest.
