Today we move into our last topic in the offense section with a
discussion on face-offs. Face-offs are an important aspect to the game of
hockey. Unfortunately, many hockey schools, clinics and instructional manuals
often overlook this skill.
As I have been saying from the
very start, every player should learn every skill no matter their position. You
do not have to be a center to take a face-off. You never know when you will be
called upon to challenge your opponent for possession of the puck.
Becoming a face-off specialist
is more a mental game than a physical one. When you are in the circle, you must
believe you can win the face-off. If you think you are going to lose, you will
lose. And after today's lesson, there is no reason to ever believe you will lose
a face-off. Before you enter the face-off circle, first decide what you are
going to do with the puck. Will you draw it back or push it forward? Then
position your teammates to where you want them to be on the ice. Remember you
are the quarterback when you are in the face-off circle. Also, if you intend to
draw the puck behind you and are in your own end of the ice, let your goaltender
know. This will lessen the chance of putting the puck in your own net off the
face-off.
Anticipation is an important
aspect of face-offs. Anticipating what your opponent is going to do as well as
how and when the linesman drops the puck is critical to your success. Some
linesman drop the puck flat on its side while others bounce the puck on its
edge. The more you can anticipate, the better face-off player you will become.
