Expert: T. Martina - 10/11/2006

Question
hey,

   im ten years old and I am playing center for the first time i have no idea how to win a face-off

johnny

Answer
Hi Johnny,

While the majority of my hockey career was as a defenseman, I have taken some faceoffs in my time and have watched many great centers win them quite often.  Besides practicing taking faceoffs over and over and over again (which is the only real way you will improve) there are a couple things you can think about during a faceoff that can give you an edge over the other center.  First, you need to hold your stick the correct way at the faceoff dot.  I find it easiest to place the blade of my stick on the left side of the dot so I can pull back the puck to my defenseman.  Second, you need to stand the correct way at the faceoff...legs wide and skates ready to move.  Once the puck drops and you know where it is, you want to be able to turn quickly so that your back is facing the other center to cut him off from the puck.  This is hard to do, but if you can do it, you will win the faceoff.  The last and most important thing...watch the referee's hand when taking a faceoff.  If you watch the puck drop, you will be to late and miss it.  If you watch the hand with the puck in it, your stick will hit the puck just in time when it hits the ice.  

The main thing here is to watch the ref's hand.  Be fast with your stick.  Do what you can (legally) to not let the other center get to the puck.  Practice.  Have a friend, parent, neighbor, or teammate stand as a ref and drop a puck for you...you can do this in your driveway even.  

Good luck!

Cheers,

T