Backcheck
An attempt by a player, on his way back to his defensive zone, to regain the puck from the opposition by checking or harassing an opponent who has the puck.
Backhand shot
A shot or pass made with the stick from the left side by a right-handed player or from the right side by a left-handed player.
Beat the defense
To get by one or both of the defensemen.
Beat the goalie
To outwit the goalie and score a goal.
Behind the net
The area of ice behind the goal cage is legal territory.
Blind pass
To pass the puck without looking.
Blue lines
Two blue, 12-inch wide lines running parallel across the ice, each 60 feet from the goal; they divide the rink into three zones called the attacking, defending and neutral (or center) zones; defending blue line is the line closer to a player’s own net; attacking blue line is the one farther from his net; used in determining offsides.
Boarding or board-checking
A minor penalty which occurs when a player uses any method (body checking, elbowing or tripping) to throw an opponent violently into the boards; if an injury is caused, it becomes a major penalty.
Boards or board wall
A wooden or fiberglass wall 3 1/2 to 4 feet high which surrounds the rink to keep the puck and players from accidentally leaving the rink and injuring spectators; all rinks have shatterproof glass that rises above the boards to provide additional protection.
Body check
When a hockey player bumps or slams into an opponent with either his hip or shoulder (the only legal moves) to block his progress or throw him off-balance; it is only allowed against an opponent in control of the puck or against the last player to control it.
Break
A chance to start a rush when the opposing forwards are caught out of position.
Breakaway
A fast break in which an attacker with the puck skates in alone on the goalie, having gotten past or clear of the defensemen, trapping the opponents behind the play.
Breaking pass
A pass to a teammate who is trying for a breakaway.
Butt-ending
A major penalty which occurs when a player jabs an opponent with the shaft of his hockey stick.
