1. Face-Offs 101 What is it? Where does it occur?
Proper Positioning by Location?
What do I need to do during Face-Off?

2. What Is…
A face-off (or faceoff) is the method used to begin play in ice hockey.
The two teams line up in opposition to each other, and the opposing centers attempt to gain control of the puck after it is dropped between their sticks by an official.
One of the referees drops the puck at center ice to start each period and following the scoring of a goal.
The linesmen are responsible for all other face-offs.

3. Where do they occur?
Faceoffs are typically conducted at designated places marked on the ice called faceoff spots or dots.
There are 9 such Face-off Spots:
2 in Attacking Zone & 2 in Defending Zone,
4 in the Neutral Zone (2 on each end), and
1 in the Center of rink.
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone
Attacking Zone 3 1
Direction of Play 7 5 9 4 2 8 6
Direction of Play

4. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Center of rink & Neutral Zone spots:
A common formation is for Center to take the faceoff,
Wings lateral to the Center on either side, and
Defensemen behind the Center, one toward each side
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone LW RW LD RD G C C G LD RD RW LW
Direction of Play

5. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Center of rink & Neutral Zone spots:
A common formation is for Center to take the faceoff,
Wings lateral to the Center on either side, and
Defensemen behind the Center, one toward each side
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone LW RW LD RD C C LD RD RW LW G G
Direction of Play

6. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Center of rink & Neutral Zone spots:
A common formation is for Center to take the faceoff,
Wings lateral to the Center on either side, and
Defensemen behind the Center, one toward each side
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone G G LW RW LD RD C C LD RD RW LW
Direction of Play

7. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Center of rink & Neutral Zone spots:
A common formation is for Center to take the faceoff,
Wings lateral to the Center on either side, and
Defensemen behind the Center, one toward each side
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone G G LW RW LD RD C C LD RD RW LW
Direction of Play

8. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Center of rink & Neutral Zone spots:
A common formation is for Center to take the faceoff,
Wings lateral to the Center on either side, and
Defensemen behind the Center, one toward each side
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone LW RW LD RD C C LD RD RW LW G G
Direction of Play

9. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Attacking Zone (Left Side):
Attacking Team typically uses Center Ice formation
Defending Team typically uses modified formation
Right Wing lateral to the Center with Right Defenseman behind,
Left Defenseman lateral to the Center on the Circle, and
Left Wing lateral, and adjacent, to the Left Defenseman
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone LW RW LD RD C C RD LD G RW G LW
Direction of Play

10. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Attacking Zone (Right Side):
Attacking Team will typically use Center Ice formation
Defending Team typically uses modified formation
Left Wing lateral to the Center with Left Defenseman behind,
Right Defenseman lateral to the Center and on Circle, and
Right Wing lateral, and adjacent, to the Right Defenseman
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone RW G G LW RD LD LD C C RD RW LW
Direction of Play

11. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Defending Zone (Left Side):
Attacking Team typically uses Center Ice formation
Defending Team typically uses modified formation
Left Wing lateral to the Center with Left Defenseman behind,
Right Defenseman lateral to the Center on the Circle, and
Right Wing lateral, and adjacent, to the Right Defenseman
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone LW RW RD C C LD LD RD LW G G RW
Direction of Play

12. How do we position ourselves?
Faceoffs in Defending Zone (Right Side):
Attacking Team will typically use Center Ice formation
Defending Team typically uses modified formation
Right Wing lateral to the Center with Right Defenseman behind,
Left Defenseman lateral to the Center, and
Left Wing lateral, and adjacent, to the Left Defenseman
Attacking Zone
Defending Zone
Neutral Zone G LW G LD RW RD C C RD LD RW LW
Direction of Play

13. LW responsible for opposing RD. LD RD
Center will attempt to gain puck control. Responsible for opposing Center, but adapts once puck leaves Neutral Zone. LW RW 1 4 2
LW responsible for opposing RD. LD RD 2 1
RW responsible for opposing LD. 3 C C
LD responsible for opposing RW. 4 5 3 RD LD
RD responsible for opposing LW. 5 RW LW

14. G Goalie’s Line of Sight. Do not screen your own Goalie! LW LD RW2 4 LD RW 2
Center will attempt to gain puck control. Becomes 3rd Defenseman if lost control 1 LW RD
LW responsible for opposing RD; Skate fast and be prepared to stop a shot / pass. 2 1
RW responsible for opposing LD; Skate fast and be prepared to stop shot / pass. 3 C C 3 RD 5
LD responsible for opposing RW. Pokecheck, Push them out of the crease, stop shot / pass. 4 5 RW LD RD
RD responsible for opposing LW. Pokecheck, Push them out of the crease, stop shot / pass. 3 5 RW LW