Common Hockey Terminology
​Assist: An assist is credited to a player who helps set up a goal.
Breakaway: A clear scoring opportunity where no defensive player is between the puck carrier and the goaltender.
Crease: Blue semi-circle in front of the goal. Goaltenders receive special privileges and protection while in this area.
Deke: A fake by a player in possession of the puck in order to get around an opponent or to make a goalie move out of position.
Diving: When a player exaggerates being hooked or tripped in an attempt to draw a penalty.
Empty Netter: A goal scored against an opponent that has pulled the goalie for an extra attacker in an attempt to tie the game.
Forecheck: When a team's forwards put pressure on the opposing team while in the offensive zone.
Freezing the Puck: A goalie stopping the play by either holding the puck in the glove or trapping it on the ice.
Full Strength: When a team has five skaters on the ice plus their goaltender.
Hat Trick: A player who scores three goals in one game achieves a "hat trick."
One-Timer: Shooting the puck immediately upon receiving it without stopping it first.
Penalty Kill: When a team is shorthanded (only four players on the ice) due to a penalty and attempts to prevent the opposition from scoring.
Power Play: Happens when a team has a one- or two-man advantage over the opposition due to penalties.
Screen: Occurs when one or more players are between the shooter and the goalie, shielding the goalie’s view of the play and incoming shot.
Save: When a goalie prevents a shot from going into the net.
Shot on Goal: An attempt by the attacking team to score a goal by shooting the puck toward the net. This results in either a save or a goal.
Slap Shot: A slap shot occurs when the player swings the stick back and then quickly forward, slapping the puck ahead with a forehand shot.
Snap Shot: An abbreviated slap shot that occurs without the stick leaving the ice.
Stick-handling: A term for carrying/controlling the puck along the ice with the stick.
Turnover: Losing control of the puck to the opposing team.
Wrist Shot: Players roll their wrists quickly and powerfully to generate a shot. The most common and accurate type of shot.
Hockey Equipment
Hockey Rules
Faceoffs: All players take up set positions around one of five face-off circles on the ice. Only two players are allowed inside the circle during the faceoff. The location of the faceoff is determined by the cause of the last stoppage in play.
Icing the Puck: Icing is when a player on his team’s side of the red center line shoots the puck all the way down the ice and it crosses the red goal line at any point (other than the goal).
Offsides: A team is offside when any member of the attacking team precedes the puck over the defending team’s blueline.
Overtime: When a game ends in a tie score, there will be added on time to the end of the - either an extra period, or often times a "shootout".
Penalty: Player actions that violate the rules of the game may be given penalties at the discretion of the officials. Penalties are classified into three categories: minor, major and misconduct.
Penalty Shot: A penalty shot is awarded when a player is pulled down from behind on a breakaway scoring opportunity.
Pulling the Goalie: A team is allowed to substitute their goalie for a sixth attacking player. This is typically in the last minutes of the game in an attempt to score/tie the game.
Penalties
Boarding: Boarding is any illegal action that causes a player to be thrown into the boards.
Charging: Charging is called when a player takes several strides to speed up when checking an opponent.
Cross Checking: Cross-checking occurs when a player has both hands on the stick and uses it to deliver a check when no part of the stick is on the ice.
Elbowing: Elbowing is the forceful use of the elbow to foul an opponent.
High Stick: High-sticking is contact with another player with a raised stick.
Holding: Holding is exactly what you think it is; holding or grabbing a player to restrict their ability to play.
Hooking: Hooking is the use of the stick to slow another player down.
Interference: Interference is the use of contact to stop or slow down a player who’s not in possession of the puck.
Misconduct: A misconduct penalty is any action deemed worthy of an extended penalty. Some examples include using abusive language, challenging an official's ruling or intentionally disrupting the game.
Roughing: Roughing is any contact that’s unnecessary such as pushing and shoving or aggressive contact after a whistle.
Slashing: Slashing is just what it sounds like – swinging a stick in a forceful motion and hitting another player.
Spearing: Spearing happens when a player stabs his or her opponent with the stick.
Tripping: Tripping is the use of a stick or leg to trip an opponent.