Glossary
Speak Hockey
Coaches talk fast and assume everyone already knows the code. Learn the words, drill them in, and never guess on the bench again.
82
terms to master
82 terms
3 terms
- Above the Puck
- Staying between the puck and your own net to maintain defensive position.
- Activate
- A defenseman joins the offensive play.
- Angling
- Steering a puck carrier toward the boards or into pressure.
6 terms
- Backdoor
- The weak-side area near the far post, away from the puck.
- Below the Goal Line
- The area of the offensive zone behind the net.
- Box Out
- Establishing body position to keep an opponent away from the net or rebound.
- Breakout
- Moving the puck out of the defensive zone with possession.
- Bump Pass
- A short, quick pass used to move the puck to a nearby teammate.
- Bumper
- The middle player in a 1-3-1 power play setup.
8 terms
- Center Lane
- The middle corridor of the ice running from net to net.
- Chip
- Deflecting or tapping the puck past a defender into space.
- Close Support
- Providing a nearby passing option for the puck carrier.
- Collapse
- Defenders tightening toward the middle of the defensive zone to protect dangerous ice.
- Contain
- Defending without overcommitting while limiting the puck carrier's options.
- Counter
- Quickly transitioning to offense after gaining possession.
- Cutback
- Changing direction back toward open ice to escape pressure.
- Cycle
- Maintaining possession down low through rotation and movement.
7 terms
- D to D
- A pass between defensemen to change sides or relieve pressure.
- Dead Zone
- An area where the puck carrier has limited options and can be pressured aggressively.
- Delay
- Slowing or changing direction with the puck to create time, space, or support.
- Dot Lane
- The lane between the faceoff dots, running end to end.
- Drive the Net
- Attacking toward the crease to create a scoring threat or push defenders back.
- Drop Pass
- Leaving the puck behind for a trailing teammate.
- Dump
- Sending the puck deep into the offensive zone.
2 terms
- Entry
- The method used to move the puck into the offensive zone.
- Exit
- The method used to move the puck out of the defensive zone.
4 terms
- F1
- The first forward in on the puck; the pressure player.
- F2
- The second forward, supporting or reading off F1.
- F3
- The third forward in the forecheck — usually the high, responsible layer.
- Funnel
- Steering an opponent toward a specific area where defensive support is positioned.
2 terms
- Gap
- The distance between a defender and the puck carrier.
- Gap Control
- The distance a defender keeps between themselves and the puck carrier.
5 terms
- Head on a Swivel
- Continuously scanning to locate teammates, opponents, and open space.
- High Ice
- The area above the circles.
- Hinge
- A neutral zone D-to-D pass where one defenseman drops back.
- Hold the Line
- Keeping the puck inside the offensive zone at the blue line.
- House / Home Plate
- The high-danger scoring area in front of the net.
1 term
- Inside Position
- Positioning yourself between an opponent and the net or dangerous ice.
1 term
- Kick Out
- Moving the puck from the middle of the ice to a player positioned wide.
3 terms
- Layer
- A second line of defensive support behind the initial pressure.
- Low to High
- Moving the puck from below the circles to a player higher in the offensive zone.
- Lug
- Skating the puck with control.
3 terms
- Man-on
- A communication call warning a teammate that pressure is arriving.
- Middle Drive
- Attacking through the center lane to push defenders back and create space.
- Middle Lane Drive
- A forward attacking the center lane off the rush to open space.
2 terms
- Net Drive
- Skating hard toward the net without the puck to create a scoring option or space.
- Net Front / Crease
- The area directly in front of the goaltender.
2 terms
- One-Touch
- Moving the puck immediately without settling or holding it first.
- Overload
- Creating a numerical advantage by positioning multiple players in one area of the ice.
3 terms
- Pinch
- A defenseman crashing down the wall to keep the puck in the zone.
- Pop Out / Pop High
- A forward moving to soft ice in the offensive zone.
- Puck Support
- Positioning away from the puck to give the puck carrier useful options.
6 terms
- Regroup
- Pulling the puck back to reset and re-attack with speed.
- Reload
- Recovering back above the puck after an offensive attempt or change of possession.
- Reverse
- An indirect pass back to a partner behind the net to escape pressure.
- Rim
- Sending the puck around the wall.
- Royal Road
- The imaginary line through the middle of the offensive zone that divides the ice vertically.
- Rush
- An offensive attack occurring during transition before the defense is fully set.
12 terms
- Scan
- Looking away from the puck to gather information before receiving or making a play.
- Seam
- Open space between defenders that can be attacked with a pass or skating route.
- Shoulder Check
- Looking over your shoulder before receiving the puck to identify pressure and options.
- Slot
- The area between the circles in front of the net.
- Soft Ice
- Open space away from defensive pressure where a player can become available.
- Stack
- Positioning multiple players vertically in the same lane or area of the ice.
- Stretch
- A long breakout or pass to a forward up ice.
- Strong Side
- The side of the ice where the puck currently is.
- Support
- Being in position as a passing option or to help the puck carrier.
- Surfing
- A defensive tactic where a skater angles an opposing puck carrier toward the boards.
- Swarm / Blitz
- Two or more players converging on the puck.
- Switch
- Two teammates exchanging defensive assignments or positions.
2 terms
- Touch Pass
- Redirecting a pass immediately to another teammate without controlling it first.
- Trap
- A passive system that clogs the neutral zone lanes.
1 term
- Underneath
- Supporting the puck carrier from behind or below the play.
7 terms
- Walk the Line
- A defenseman moving laterally along the offensive blue line with the puck.
- Wall / Half Wall
- The boards between the corner and the blue line.
- Wall Play
- Using the boards to protect, move, or advance the puck.
- Weak Side
- The side of the ice opposite the puck.
- Wheel
- Carrying the puck with speed.
- Wide Drive
- Attacking down the outside lane with speed.
- Wrap
- Rimming the puck hard around the boards.
2 terms
- Zone Entry
- Bringing the puck across the offensive blue line.
- Zone Exit
- Moving the puck across the defensive blue line and out of the zone.