Play is started or resumed in a hockey game when the centers of two opposing teams line up for a faceoff. The ice has nine designated areas for a faceoff. Winning a faceoff is a key part of gaining possession of the puck. Neither side can try to gain an advantage before the puck is dropped by the official. By trying to gain an improper edge, an official will throw that player out of the faceoff circle.
Proper Faceoff Procedure
When a hockey linesman prepares to start play, he will skate to the faceoff circle with the puck in hand. At that point, the centers from the two teams will line up opposite each other and face each other squarely. the blades of their sticks must be on the ice. At that point, the linesman will drop the puck as close as he can to the center of the faceoff dot. As the puck hits the ice, both centers try to gain control of the puck by using the blade of their sticks to make contact with the puck. In most cases, the center will try to pull the puck backward to a waiting teammate. The quicker and stronger player has the edge at winning the faceoff.
Timing
Once an official skates to a faceoff circle and is prepared to drop the puck, the players have five seconds to position themselves and prepare for the faceoff. If a player is not in position within five seconds because he is giving instructions to teammates or for any other reason, the official will drop the puck even if one of the centers is not ready. If the player does not have his skates in the proper position and is at an angle, he will be tossed from the faceoff circle and another teammate must take the faceoff.
Early Contact
Once the puck is dropped on the ice, both players can move and maneuver themselves so they can gain control of the puck. However, any contact that occurs between the two players must occur after the puck has been dropped. If either player initiates contact before the puck is dropped, he will be put out of the faceoff circle. This include contact between two players' sticks. If the referee thinks both players tried to move prematurely, he can eject both players from the faceoff circle.
Improper Stick Placement
Players must put their sticks on the ice prior to the faceoff. However, in certain cases, players will try to gain an edge by keeping the blade of their stick slightly off the surface of the ice. This allows the center to come down with his stick and chop the opponent's stick. This can give a center a big advantage in coming away with the faceoff. The referee will throw the center out of the faceoff circle if he keeps his stick blade in the air and off the surface of the ice.
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