Faceoff in ice hockey

The restart in ice hockey

Every period starts with a faceoff at centre ice, and after almost every stoppage play resumes with a faceoff. Two players face each other, sticks on the ice. The referee or linesman drops the puck between them. Whoever plays the puck under control to a teammate wins the faceoff and thus possession.

The nine faceoff spots

Nine faceoff spots are marked on the ice:

• one spot at centre ice,
• four spots in the neutral zone, near the blue lines,
• two spots in each of the attacking and defensive zones, surrounded by circles with markings.

The rulebook specifies exactly where the puck is dropped. After icing, for example, the faceoff takes place in the defensive zone of the team that iced the puck. After offside, the puck is usually dropped in the neutral zone near where the offside occurred. After a goal, play restarts at centre ice.

Faceoff rules

Players must keep to certain positions at a faceoff. The two players taking it face the opposing half with their sticks on the ice. All other players must stand outside the faceoff circle or behind the markings. Anyone who moves too early or lines up incorrectly commits a faceoff violation. Usually the player taking the faceoff is then replaced and a teammate has to take it. Repeated violations can result in a penalty.

In the NHL there is also an order for placing the sticks: at centre ice the visiting player must put their stick on the ice first, at the other spots the player of the attacking team. The other may then react, which gives them a small advantage.

Technique and specialists

Faceoffs are usually taken by the centres. Good faceoff players have quick hands, a strong stance and study the habits of opponents and officials. Typical techniques are:

• pulling the puck back to the defender with a quick backhand motion,
• tying up the opponent's stick and playing the puck on with the skate,
• playing the puck straight forward and skating after it past the opponent.

Many teams put a specialist on the ice for key situations, such as a faceoff in their own zone while shorthanded. Left- and right-handed shooters are also deployed deliberately, depending on which side of the rink the faceoff takes place.

Faceoff percentage

Statistics record each player's faceoff percentage, i.e. the share of faceoffs won. Values clearly above half are considered strong. Won faceoffs are especially valuable on the power play, because the team with the extra player can build its attack immediately instead of chasing the puck.

Where does the German word "Bully" come from?

The German term originally comes from field hockey and the related bandy, where play used to start with a "bully-off". In English-language ice hockey, "faceoff" has become established, while "Bully" is still common in German-speaking countries.