YOUTH HOCKEY

Hockey 101: Lines, Dots, and Circles

Andrew Meier Photo
Andrew Meier

1. GOAL LINE:  The smaller red line at the end of each sheet of ice.  They are used to determine if there has been a goal (must completely cross the line and into the net either along the ice or in the air) and to determine icing.

 

2. CREASE:  The blue painted area in front of the goal.  The crease is a protected area for goalies, where they (goalie) should be able to move freely and be able to make plays without physical interference of an attacking player.

 

3. FACE-OFF CIRCLES:  There are 5 circles on the ice, 2 in each zone (offensive and defensive) and one at center ice.  These are the places where face-offs can occur.

 

4. FACE-OFF DOTS:  Much like the circles, the dots located in the neutral zone are places where Face-Offs may occur.

 

5.  RED LINE (CENTER):  The red line, or center line, is a foot wide and covers the entire width of the ice.  It divides the ice into 2 halves, and helps determine icing.  

 

6.  CENTER ICE:  The face-off circle at center ice is where the puck is put in play, after each goal is scored or at the start of each period.  

 

7.  NETURAL ZONE:  The neutral zone is in the middle of the ice, located between the 2 blue lines.  It is called this because it is neither team's defensive area.

 

8. BLUE LINE:  The ice is divided into 3 different zones.  The blue line is the border between the neutral zone and each team's respective defensive zone.

 

9. SLOT:  The area between the two face-off circles in a team's offensive zone.  The best chances to score come from here is a player gets the puck.  A player is High (away from the goal) or Low (near the goal) in the slot.






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