Face mask
The protective mask worn by the goalie.
Face-off
The method of starting play; the dropping of the puck by the official between the sticks of two opposing players standing one stick length apart with stick blades flat on the ice; used to begin each period or to resume play when it has stopped for other reasons.
Face-off circles and spots
The various circular spots on the ice where an official and two players will hold a face-off to begin or to resume the action of the game; there is one blue face-off circle and four red face-off spots located in the neutral zone; two red face-off circles are found at each end of the ice.
Falling on the puck
A minor penalty, which occurs when a player other than the goalie closes his hand on the puck, deliberately falls on the puck, or gathers the puck under his body while lying on the ice.
Feeding
Passing the puck.
Fighting
A major penalty which occurs when two or more players drop their sticks and gloves and fight; if a referee deems one player to be the instigator, that player also receives a minor penalty and a misconduct penalty; the minor penalty for a less severe pushing and shoving match is called roughing.
Flat pass
When a player passes the puck to a teammate along the surface of the ice.
Flip pass
A pass by a player to a teammate that lifts the puck from the ice and sends it through the air, usually for the purpose of getting it over an opponent’s stick.
Flip shot
A shot in which a player cups the puck in his stick, then flips it with his wrists up off the ice towards the goal; this sometimes makes the puck harder to block.
Forecheck
To check or harass an opponent who has the puck in his defensive zone and keep the opponents in their end of the rink while trying to regain control of the puck; usually done by the forwards.
Forehand
A shot or pass taken from the right side of a right-handed player or from the left side of a left-handed player.
Forward line or attacking line
Consists of two wings (right and left) and a center; these three players play nearer the opponent’s goal and are responsible for most of the scoring.
Forwards
The three players who make up the attacking line or forward line of a team — the center and the right and left wings.
Foul
Any infraction of the rules that will draw a penalty.
Franchise
A team; the legal arrangement that establishes ownership of a team.
Freeze the puck
To hold the puck against the boards with the skate or stick in order to stop play briefly or gain a face-off.
Full strength
When a team has its full complement of 6 players on the ice.
