Hockey Terms & Slang | List & Definitions

Ice hockey is a fast-paced, exciting sport, but if you don’t understand its unique terminology, you might have trouble keeping up.

This glossary of essential hockey terms will help you follow every power play, snap shot, and deke. While this article mainly focuses on ice hockey terms, you’ll also learn some hockey slang terms and unique field hockey terms not used on the ice.

If you have more in-depth questions about specific hockey terms found in this article, ask QuillBot’s free AI Chat.

Hockey terms

These ice hockey terms are organized by category so that you can more easily learn about certain aspects of the game. For field hockey termsfield hockey terms, see the end of the article.

Rink

The rink is the ice surface where the game is played. It’s divided into three zones: offensive (where your team scores), defensive (where you defend your goal), and neutral (where you transition between offense and defense). Knowing these rink-related hockey terms will make it much easier to understand the flow of the game.

• Boards: The vertical walls surrounding the ice that keep the puck in play and protect spectators
• Blue line: One of two lines that divide the rink into three zones (offensive, defensive, and neutral), which determine offsides and zone entry
• Center ice: The center of the rink where the game begins with the first faceoff.
• Crease: The shaded semicircle in front of the goal where the goaltender is protected from interference
• Dots: The circular faceoff spots marked on the ice where play begins or resumes.
• Faceoff spot: The designated locations on the ice where faceoffs occur after stoppages
• Goal line: The red line that runs across the front of the goal; the puck must completely cross this line to count as a goal
• Half wall: The section of boards midway between the blue line and the goal line where players often battle for puck control
• Hash marks: Short lines near the faceoff circles that indicate player positioning during faceoffs
• House: The high-danger scoring area in front of the net, shaped like a house, where most goals are scored
• Point: The area near the blue line inside the offensive zone where defensemen often take long shots on goal
• Red line: The center line that divides the rink in half
• Referee’s crease: A small marked area near the scorer’s table where referees discuss calls without player interference
• Slot: The prime scoring area directly in front of the goal, between the faceoff circles
• Trapezoid: A restricted area behind the goal where the goaltender can legally handle the puck

Equipment

Hockey players wear specialized gear designed for protection, performance, and control. Understanding these terms helps you recognize what each player uses on the ice.

• Blade: The flat, curved lower part of the stick used to handle and shoot the puck
• Blocker: The rectangular pad—used to deflect shots away from the net—that’s worn by the goaltender on the stick hand (also called a waffle)
• Cage: A wire face mask attached to the helmet to protect a player’s face
• Catcher: A goalie’s glove designed to catch the puck that looks similar to a baseball mitt (also called a trapper)
• Heel: the back edge of a stick’s blade, positioned where the blade meets the shaft
• Ice resurfacer: A machine that smooths and cleans the ice between periods
• Pads: General term for the protective gear worn on legs, knees, shoulders, and arms (goaltenders wear especially large ones on their legs to block shots)
• Paddle: The flat portion of a goalie’s stick between the shaft and blade, used to block or deflect the puck
• Shaft: The long handle of a hockey stick that players grip when passing, shooting, or checking
• Shin guards: Protective pads worn under socks to shield the lower legs from pucks and sticks
• Stick: The primary tool used to control, pass, and shoot the puck; composed of a shaft and blade (see image below)
• Toe: the front of the stick’s blade

Players and officials

Each player on a hockey team has a specific role that contributes to overall strategy and gameplay. Each team has six players (five skaters and one goaltender) on the ice at any one time.

• Defenseman: A player responsible for protecting the area near their goal, blocking shots, and breaking up offensive plays
• Forward: A player whose principal role is assisting and scoring goals.
• Goal judge: An official positioned behind the goal to help determine if the puck completely crosses the goal line (a historical role that’s mostly been replaced by video review)
• Goaltender: The player who guards the net and prevents the puck from entering the goal (also called the “goalie” or “netminder”)
• Left wing: The forward who plays on the left flank of the ice, responsible for both offensive plays and defensive coverage along that side
• Linesman: An on-ice official who conducts faceoffs and calls offsides and icing violations. There are usually two on the ice.
• Referee: The main on-ice official responsible for enforcing the rules, assessing penalties, and overseeing gameplay
• Right wing: The forward who plays on the right flank of the ice, focusing on attacking and supporting the defense when needed
• Skater: Any player other than the goaltender; forwards and defensemen
• Strong side/weak side: Terms describing the side of the ice relative to the position of the puck; the “strong side” is where the puck is, and the “weak side” is the opposite side (these sides change as the puck moves)
• Winger: A general term for either the left or right forward, typically responsible for carrying the puck along the boards and creating offensive pressure

Player roles

These hockey terms refer to different strategic roles players can take on depending on their skills, strengths, and positions.

• Enforcer: A physical player whose unofficial role is to protect teammates and respond to aggressive opponents, often through body checks or fights
• Extra attacker: A skater who replaces the goaltender when a team pulls their goalie (usually put in late in the game when losing)
• Playmaker: A player known for creating scoring opportunities through skilled passing, fast skating, and good vision on the ice
• Power forward: A physically strong forward who combines scoring ability with aggressive play, often battling in front of the net or along the boards
• Quarterback: A player who—usually on the power play—controls puck movement from the blue line and sets up offensive plays (similar to a football quarterback)
• Shutdown pair: A defensive pairing known for neutralizing the opposing team’s top scorers
• Shutdown player: A forward or defenseman whose primary job is to limit the effectiveness of—or shut down—key opponents
• Two-way forward: A forward who excels at both offense and defense

Game situations

Hockey involves frequent, unlimited substitutions—players can enter and leave gameplay as often as their coach wants. Players may commit infractions, which result in a stoppage of play or loss of possession, or penalties, which send the offending player to the penalty box for a set amount of time. These situations affect the number of players on the ice and can shift the momentum of the game. For more about penalties, see below.

• Icing: an infraction that happens when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line across the opponent’s goal line without it being touched (this results in stoppage of play and a faceoff unless committed by a shorthanded team)
• Change on the fly: Substituting players during live play without stopping the game
• Delayed penalty: A penalty that has not yet been called because the team that will have the man advantage has control of the puck; the penalty is called when the penalized team gains control of the puck (the team that will have the man advantage when the penalty is called will often sub out their goalie for another attacker while the penalty is delayed, as they know play will stop when the penalty is imposed, thus making it almost impossible for the penalized team to score)
• Empty net goal: A goal scored when the opposing team has pulled their goaltender
• Even strength: When both teams have the same number of players on the ice
• Faceoff: The method used to start or resume play by dropping the puck between two opposing players, who vie for control
• Five on three (5-on-3): A two-man advantage for one team when the other team has two players serving penalties
• Five on five (5-on-5): Standard play with five skaters and one goaltender per team (also called full strength)
• Hand pass: Passing the puck to a teammate using the hand (an allowed pass in the defensive zone but an infraction outside it)
• Infraction: a violation of the game rules that does not result in a penalty; infractions result in stoppage of time and a faceoff to resume play
• Long change: Refers to the second period, when goaltenders switch sides and player benches are farther from their defensive zones, making substitutions more difficult
• Man advantage: When one team has more players on the ice due to an opponent’s penalty.
• Offside: An infraction that occurs when an attacking player enters the offensive zone before the puck does; in hockey, the puck must cross the blue line before the player does (this results in a faceoff outside of the offensive zone)
• Overtime: The extra period played when the game is tied after regulation time
• Penalty: Unsportsmanlike or dangerous behavior that is punished by sending a player out of play for a set amount of time
• Penalty kill: The act of defending while short-handed due to one or more players serving penalties; penalty kill often involves slow, conservative play to “run down the penalty clock”
• Penalty shot: A one-on-one scoring opportunity awarded after a specific infraction prevents a clear scoring chance
• Power play: When a team has more players on the ice because the opponent is serving a penalty
• Puck out of play: When the puck leaves the rink and goes into the stands or bench area (results in stoppage and and a faceoff is held at the nearest faceoff spot to where the puck left the rink)
• Pull the goalie: Removing the goaltender for an extra attacker, usually late in the game when trailing
• Quick whistle: When the referee stops play too soon, often by blowing the whistle before the puck is fully covered or frozen
• Shorthanded: When a team has fewer players on the ice because of a penalty
• Special teams: A collective term for players that play during power plays and penalty kills
• Stoppage: Any time the gameplay is stopped (usually after a penalty, infraction, or goal)
• Wholesale change: Substituting nearly all players on the ice at once, typically during a stoppage in play

Offensive tactics

These terms describe some of the most common strategies and techniques used to generate scoring opportunities.

• Assist: A pass or play that directly helps set up a goal
• Breakaway: When a player gets past all defenders and skates alone toward the goalie with the puck
• Breakout: The process of moving the puck out of a team’s defensive zone to start an offensive play
• Chip: A light lift or tap of the puck, often to lob it over an opponent
• Cycle: to move the puck along the boards in the offensive zone to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities
• Deke: A deceptive maneuver—often involving stick or body fakes—used to outsmart an opponent or goaltender (a common deke is to lower your shoulder in one direction and move in the opposite)
• Dump and chase: When a team shoots the puck into the offensive zone and then chases it to regain control
• Hat trick: When a player scores three goals in one game.
• Headman the puck: Passing the puck up the ice to a teammate in a better position to attack
• Odd-man rush: An offensive play where the attacking team has more players than defenders in a fast break situation (e.g., 3-on-2)
• Saucer pass: An airborne pass that’s just high enough off the ice to clear an opponent’s blade (called this because it looks like a flying saucer)
• Sniper: A player with an exceptional ability to score from precise, accurate shots
• Tap-in: A simple goal scored by “tapping” a loose puck near the crease into the goal
• Toe drag: Dragging the puck with the toe (point) of the stick instead of the heel (curved bottom)
• Umbrella: A power-play formation in which five players form an umbrella formation around the opponents’ net to create shooting lanes
• Wraparound: An offensive move where a player skates behind the net and attempts to score by wrapping the puck around the goalpost

Defensive tactics

These hockey terms refer to defensive strategies and different types of checks—defensive techniques that use physical force to disrupt an opponent’s possession of the puck.

• Angle: To force an opponent towards the boards and away from the goal
• Backcheck: When a player skates back toward their own defensive zone to help prevent an opposing scoring chance
• Body check: A legal hit that uses the shoulder or hip to separate an opponent from the puck
• Clear the puck: Sending the puck out of the defensive zone to relieve pressure from the opposing team (also called clear the zone)
• Forecheck: To pressure the opponent in their defensive zone to regain puck control quickly
• Man-to-man defense: When each player is responsible for marking a specific opponent
• Marking: Closely covering or tracking an opposing player to prevent them from receiving the puck or creating a scoring chance
• Neutral zone trap: A tactic designed to clog the neutral zone and prevent the opposing team from advancing easily
• Pinch: When a defenseman (1) tries to hold the offensive blue line when the opponent has the puck and is trying to clear the zone or (2) pushes past the blue line into the offensive zone to play the puck
• Poke check: Using the stick to jab the puck away from an opponent’s control without body contact
• Shot block: When a player uses their body or stick to intercept or deflect a shot before it reaches the net
• Stick check: Using the stick to disrupt an opponent’s control of the puck
• Zone defense: When players cover specific areas of the ice rather than individual opponents

Goaltending

Here are some goalie-specific terms to describe their movements and techniques used to prevent goals.

• Butterfly: A common goaltending stance where the goalie drops to their knees with their pads flared out to cover the lower part of the net
• Five hole: The “fifth scoring hole” between the goalie’s legs; the other four “holes” are the four corners of the net (see image below)
• Freezing the puck: When the goalie traps or covers the puck to stop play and force a faceoff
• Glove save: When the goalie catches the puck in their catching glove to prevent a goal
• Paddle down: A goaltending stance where the goalie lays the stick flat on the ice to block low shots or passes near the crease
• Rebound: The situation that occurs when a puck bounces off the goalie, goalpost, or pads and stays in play
• Screen: When a player obstructs the goalie’s view of an incoming shot
• Stack the pads: A save technique where the goalie drops to one side and stacks their leg pads to block low shots
• Stick save: When the goalie stops or deflects the puck using the stick or paddle

Penalties and infractions

Penalties in hockey are called for actions that break the rules or endanger players. They are distinct from infractions in that they involve dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior. There are four main types of penalties in hockey, each with its own punishment.

These hockey terms refer to different types of penalties and misconduct you may see on the ice.

• Boarding: Checking or pushing an opponent dangerously into the boards
• Butt-ending: Jabbing an opponent with the shaft of the stick
• Charging: Taking more than three strides or jumping to hit an opponent violently
• Checking from behind: Hitting an opponent in the back
• Clipping: Hitting an opponent below the knees
• Cross-checking: Using both hands on the stick to check an opponent
• Elbowing: Hitting an opponent with the elbow during contact
• Headbutting: Using the head to strike an opponent
• High-sticking: Hitting an opponent with the stick when it’s raised above shoulder height
• Holding: Grabbing an opponent’s body or equipment to impede their movement
• Holding the stick: Grasping an opponent’s stick to prevent them from playing the puck
• Hooking: Using the stick to slow or pull back an opponent
• Interference: Impeding a player who doesn’t have the puck
• Kicking: Using the skate to strike another player or the puck (kicking the puck is illegal when scoring)
• Kneeing: Hitting an opponent with the knee
• Roughing: Engaging in unnecessary pushing or punching after play
• Slashing: Swinging the stick to hit an opponent, regardless of contact
• Slew foot: Using the leg to trip an opponent from behind
• Spearing: Stabbing at an opponent with stick’s blade
• Tripping: Using the stick, arm, or leg to knock an opponent off balance

Hockey slang terms

Hockey players use a lot of colorful slang to describe plays, players, and situations. Knowing these hockey slang terms will help you speak like a hockey fan and understand what

• Apple: An assist
• Bar down: When a shot hits the crossbar and goes straight into the net
• Barn: A rink or arena
• Beauty: A player who’s highly skilled, well-liked, charming, or plays the game with style and respect (also called beautician)
• Bender: An insulting word for a player who bends their ankles when skating
• Biscuit: The puck
• Blueliner: A defenseman
• Celly: A player’s reaction after scoring a goal (short for “celebration”)
• Cherry picker: A player who stays near center ice waiting for an easy scoring opportunity instead of playing defense
• Chirp: To trash-talk or tease an opponent or an official
• D-men: Defensemen.
• Flow: Long, well-groomed hair that sticks out from under a helmet
• Goalie: Short for “goaltender”
• Goon: An enforcer whose main role is to intimidate or fight opponents rather than contribute offensively
• Gordie Howe hat trick: When a player scores a goal, earns an assist, and gets into a fight all in the same game (named for Canadian player Gordie Howe)
• Grinder: A hard-working player who focuses on effort, checking, and puck battles rather than scoring
• Grocery stick: A player who doesn’t play much and sits on the bench between the forwards and defensemen (acting like a separator stick you’d use at a grocery store checkout)
• Healthy scratch: A player who’s left out of the lineup even though they’re not injured
• Hoser: Old-school Canadian slang for a loser or poor player (originating from when losing teams had to hose down the rink after outdoor games)
• Lettuce: Great hair (another term for flow)
• Michigan: A lacrosse-style goal where the player lifts the puck on their stick and tucks it into the net from behind the goal
• Mitts: A player’s hands
• Netminder: Another word for “goaltender”
• Policeman: Another term for “enforcer”
• Plumber: A not-so-skilled yet hardworking player who battles along the boards and digs pucks out of corners
• Sauce: Short for “saucer pass”
• Stay-at-home defenseman: A defenseman who focuses primarily on protecting the defensive zone rather than joining offensive plays
• Sucker: A player who’s easily intimated; a player easily baited into fights
• Top cheese: A shot that scores in one of the goals’ top corners (also called top cheddar)
• Twig: A hockey stick
• War room: The NHL’s centralized video review center in Toronto, where officials review plays

Field hockey terms

While ice hockey is played on ice with skates and a puck, field hockey is played on turf or grass with a ball and flat sticks. Field hockey teams have 11 people in play at any given time. These field hockey terms will help you understand how the sport differs from ice hockey.

• 16-yard hit: A free hit awarded to the defending team when the attacking team hits the ball over the backline or commits a foul inside the circle
• 23-meter line: A line that lies 23 meters away from the backline; used for various rules
• Aerial: A lifted pass where the ball travels through the air, often used to bypass defenders
• Backstick: A foul called when a player uses the rounded (illegal) side of the stick to play the ball
• Bully: A method to restart play after a stoppage (similar to a faceoff in ice hockey)
• Card: A colored card the umpire gives to a player who has committed a foul; a green card results in a 2-minute penalty, yellow in 5 minutes, and red in game suspension
• Circle: The semicircular scoring area in front of each goal; a goal only counts if struck by an attacker inside this area
• Dribble: Moving the ball while maintaining control using short taps or pushes of the stick (similar to how players bounce the ball in basketball)
• Flick: A controlled, lifted shot on goal using the flat face of the stick
• Free hit: A restart of play awarded after a minor foul
• Hit: A powerful strike of the ball using a swinging motion
• Long corner: A free hit—taken from the 23-meter line—awarded to the attacking team when a defender unintentionally puts the ball over the backline
• Obstruction: A foul for shielding the ball or blocking an opponent’s access to it
• Penalty corner (short corner): A major scoring opportunity awarded for a defensive foul inside the circle
• Penalty stroke: A one-on-one shot against the goalkeeper awarded for serious fouls that prevent a probable goal
• Pitch: the turfed surface on which the game is played
• Push: A short, controlled pass made by pushing the ball along the ground without a backswing
• Scoop: A technique for lifting the ball off the ground using an upward motion of the stick
• Self-pass: A rule allowing the player who takes a free hit to play the ball again without passing it to another player first.
• Tackle: The act of dispossessing an opponent of the ball, using the stick within legal limits
• Tomahawk: A hit made when a player gets low, holds the stick with a flat grip, and swings through the ball with a sweeping motion
• Umpire: the official who makes rules-related decisions in a field hockey game

Frequently asked questions about hockey terms

What is a deke in hockey?

A “deke” in hockey is a move or fake a player uses to outsmart an opponent or goaltender. “Deke” is a shortened form of the noun “decoy.”

Understanding terms like “deke” will help you better keep up with the game. If you have questions about other hockey terms, ask QuillBot’s AI Chat.

What is high sticking in hockey?

“High-sticking” in hockey is when a player raises their stick above shoulder height and makes contact with an opponent, the puck, or the goal.

High-sticking is considered a penalty and can result in a minor or major infraction depending on the severity.

For more information, or for questions about other hockey terms, ask QuillBot’s AI Chat.

What is a hat trick in hockey?

A “hat trick” in hockey is when a player scores three goals in a single game. It’s a notable achievement celebrated by players and fans.

This term is also used in other sports like cricket, soccer, and baseball.

Want to learn more about hat tricks or other hockey terms? QuillBot’s AI Chat is ready to answer your questions.

What is offsides in hockey?

“Offsides” in hockey is a colloquial form of “offside,” when an attacking player enters the offensive zone before the puck does. To be “onside,” the puck must cross the blue line before the player.

If a player is offside, this stops play and results in a faceoff in the neutral zone. The offside rule exists to stop players from hanging out near the goal waiting for a long pass.

QuillBot’s AI Chat can provide more detail about offsides or teach you about other hockey terms.

What is an enforcer in hockey?

An “enforcer” in hockey is a player whose role is to protect teammates and respond to aggressive opponents—often through physical play or fighting—instead of focusing on scoring.

QuillBot’s AI Chat can give more depth about enforcers or define other hockey terms.