The two types of face-offs in hockey are those in the middle of the ice in the neutral zone and those inside the blue line near one of the goals. There are basically three options for the center for each type of face-off, but the strategy for the center and the his teammates is quite different. Centers who can control face-offs are a valuable commodity, coveted almost as much as a top scorer, since a team that can control a high percentage of face-offs will score more goals while giving up fewer.
Basic Options
When it comes to face-offs, the center's role is similar to a quarterback's: He must know and direct the positioning of his teammates, decide what play to call and beat the opposing center to the puck. There are plays for each type of face-off and for the last minutes of a game. The center's main options are to win the back back to one of his defensemen, push the puck forward or sideways to a wing or tie up his opponent's stick and have a wing come in to swoop up the puck.
Neutral Zone
Centers in the neutral zone are basically trying to win possession for their team. If they do so, a quick transition pass from your defenseman to a wing can create the hockey equivalent of a fast break opportunity. Hockey great Mark Messier advises centers to watch the linesman's hand in order to get a jump on the opposing center when the puck is dropped. Proper positioning is with the legs spread for balance and stick down, almost like a tripod. The center also must be aware of what the opponent is trying to do on face-offs through scouting the other team's strategy while on the bench.
Offensive Zone
If the face-off is in the other team's end, you are aggressively trying to create a scoring opportunity. If you have a defenseman with a cannon of a shot, you might try to get the puck in his hands for a shot while your other teammates block out their men and then crash the net for rebounds or deflections.
Defensive Zone
If your center wins the face-off, he usually gets it back to a defenseman who often fires the puck behind the net and around the boards to a wing streaking up the far side of the ice. If successful, your team can turn a dangerous situation in front of its own net into an offensive opportunity. If your center loses the face-off, your wings must charge the opponent's defensive players and wings to keep them from getting off an easy shot. Stay in the shooting lanes and present a big target.
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