Back checking: When the puck changes hand, the offensive team becomes the defensive team. In order to slow the attack of the offensive team, each player on the defensive team is assigned an attacker and must come close to them and either strip them of the puck or intercept a pass intended for them. This strategy is known as "back-checking" and should be employed by all skaters on the ice.
Backhand shot: A backhand shot is a shot, which originates from the backhand side of the stick. Although backhand shots are usually not as hard as forehand shots, a backhand shot can surprise a goalie and score, especially when the player is close to the net.
Backhand: The puck is carried on the stick during stick handling on either the forehand or backhand side. The "backhand" side of the stick is the side, which is on the outside of the stick curve.
Beach Hockey: A new version of in-line hockey developed by ESPN. The rink is a portable in-line rink (164' x 74') and is set up on a beach. The rules are modified for a fast game with few face-offs.
Bench penalty: A bench penalty can be called on a team for violations of the rules, which are not specific to a player. Any team member can serve the penalty.
Blocker: The goaltender has a special glove known as a blocker which is worn on the hand the holds the stick. The blocker is used to block shots that are high on the goalie’s stick side.
Blue Lines: The ice surface is divided into sections by two blue lines. The blue lines are 60 feet from the goal line (the goal sits on the goal line.) The blue lines are 12 inches wide and extend from board to board. Blue lines are not used on in-line rinks.
Board Pass: To avoid a defender the puck carrier passes the puck off the boards (to a team mate or him/herself).
Boards: The boards surround the rink and are four feet high and are almost always made of wood. Most indoor rinks add Plexiglas on top of the boards for another 4 to 6 feet. Boards in a newer rink are designed to "give" when players collide with them.
Body check: If a player contacts another player in order to dislodge the puck it is known as a body check. Body checking is illegal in no check hockey. However, if a player is within on arms length of another player contact is allowed in no check hockey. Click here to see the Hockey Canada lesson on body checking.
Box: A technique used to defend against the power play. The four skaters arrange themselves in a loose box in the defensive zone.
Break out: When a team gains control of the puck in their defensive end they will "break out" with the puck to go on the attack. Most teams have established break out plays to accomplish this important part of the game.
Breakaway: When one attacking player manages to get by all defenders and is skating in on the goalie by him or herself it is known as a breakaway (also sometimes know as one on none.) Click here for an lesson on how to score on a breakaway.
Breezers: Hockey pants are know as breezers (based on our anecdotal research, they are only referred to as Breezers in Wisconsin and Minnesota) they are shorts that come down to the top of the knee and extend high over the waist. Breezers have padding in many places in order to cushion shots and falls. Because breezers are usually very wide in the legs, a fair amount of "breeze" will blow into them when a player skates - hence the name. (Find great deals at our on line Hockey Equipment store.)
Butterfly save: When a goalie extends both legs in opposite directions in order to stop a shot it is known as a butterfly save. Click here to see an example of how a butterfly save is performed, (it's not perfect but close enough).