Why Do Players Get Kicked From The Faceoff Circle?
I see this all the time. Ref will get ready for the puck drop, then the players will move, then the ref will say "OUT!" and kick a player out of the faceoff circle.
I think I heard that on a faceoff, the opposition team gets to put their stick down first. Which is good! Because being able to take a draw on your backhand is better than having to take it on your forehand I think. (Unless you are trying to bang it to the side or further into their zone.)
What exactly is the reason why players get booted from the faceoff dot? Is it because they move too quick? Are they suppose to have their stick on the ice a second before the puck drop? Is there ways to "cheat"? It's something I don't really understand, and it bugs me when a Flames player is kicked out and the opposing center isn't!
Also, is there a strategy as to who will take the faceoffs? For example, say if I were a coach, if I wanted my players to cheat a little in the faceoff circle, I would put my winger in against the other team's top faceoff guy. The winger will cheat a little, and if the opposing center sees this and also wants to cheat a little, I am hoping the ref will boot them BOTH from the circle, and my natural center will then take the draw vs one of the other team's wingers, giving my team a better chance at winning. If the ref misses the cheat, then my team has a better chance at winning the faceoff.
I see this all the time. Ref will get ready for the puck drop, then the players will move, then the ref will say "OUT!" and kick a player out of the faceoff circle.
I think I heard that on a faceoff, the opposition team gets to put their stick down first. Which is good! Because being able to take a draw on your backhand is better than having to take it on your forehand I think. (Unless you are trying to bang it to the side or further into their zone.)
What exactly is the reason why players get booted from the faceoff dot? Is it because they move too quick? Are they suppose to have their stick on the ice a second before the puck drop? Is there ways to "cheat"? It's something I don't really understand, and it bugs me when a Flames player is kicked out and the opposing center isn't!
Also, is there a strategy as to who will take the faceoffs? For example, say if I were a coach, if I wanted my players to cheat a little in the faceoff circle, I would put my winger in against the other team's top faceoff guy. The winger will cheat a little, and if the opposing center sees this and also wants to cheat a little, I am hoping the ref will boot them BOTH from the circle, and my natural center will then take the draw vs one of the other team's wingers, giving my team a better chance at winning. If the ref misses the cheat, then my team has a better chance at winning the faceoff.
Erm...discuss!
There are a few reasons why a player may get kicked out of the faceoff circle:
1) His wingers are stepping over the hashmarks, into the circle, or if in the case of a faceoff outside the blueline, getting too close to the draw.
2) There are two dashed lines below the faceoff dot, and technically, you are supposed to keep your feet outside those lines and facing in the same direction. A centremen tries to cheat as much as possible by lining up in a more off-centre stance so he can win the draw back a lot easier.
3) The home team has the advantage of putting their stick down last in the faceoff circle. If the away team takes too long to do this, they may kick somebody out. That's why you see players being very reluctant when putting down their stick.
The problem with what you are suggesting is that both players will often not get kicked out; it will be one team's fault OR the other. It is a rather discretionary call by the linesmen but that's how it works.
I think you have the home-away stick thing correct. That's usually the reason. Sometime the ref boots them for angling to the side too much. They're supposed to keep their skates outside the 2 90 degree corners that are on either side of the dot, but I've noticed that rule relaxed over the years since they put the lines in.
I've never though it makes a huge difference who takes the draw, the wingers that come in to take the draw in place of the centre often win it anyways....not sure if there would be stats on that anywhere.
so who gets to put their stick down first? away or home and who's it an advantage to, if i was guessing id say its an advantage to whoever put their stick down first no?
Away puts the stick down first. This gives the home team the advantage because the ref will drop the puck right when the home team center puts his stick down. Or he should anyways.
In regards to the marks to keep the center square, the flames are the only team that i see continue to do that, every other team breaks that rule and still does not get kicked out. Maybe we should start doing that and start winning some faceoffs?
Occasionally you will also see the home center try to time it well so he is still coasting forward a little bit when thepuck is dropped, giving nhim an advantage as he can get in over the puck easier. The away team obviously cant do this if they have to be down first. Another advantage is that the home center can tell by the other centers stance/ how he is holding his stick where he wants to win the draw to. Knowing what your opponent wants to do with the puck is a pretty obvious advantage. The other question about having a winger take the draw...well a more common scenario would have the home team put out 2 centers, so the first can try to get the other guy to cheat, but he is still a capable centerman in case he has to talke it. Similarly, during important faceoffs, especially in the defensive zone, a smart coach will put 2 centers on the ice in case one is tossed.
And yes, it does matter if a center or winger takes the draws. Centers are generally better because they do it so much. Obviously, there are exceptions, ie Iginla. In fact, once you get to the guys who take enough faceoffs that their percentage is important, you see Iggy in 2nd, but he is only one of 2 wingers over 50% (compared to 48 true centers), the only one in the top 47 league leaders, and one of 4 wingers in the top 60 for NHL faceoff %. http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?serv...ffWinPctg&pg=1
Can someone please enlighten me on why the frig Langkow takes face-offs? wow does he ever suck...I thought Iggy took the face-offs on the PP, apparently not last night, and we lost all of them....+ he had horrible give-aways too....I'm not hating on Daymond, but when he makes bonehead plays or loses face-offs, man are they ever noticeable!....
There are a few reasons why a player may get kicked out of the faceoff circle:
1) His wingers are stepping over the hashmarks, into the circle, or if in the case of a faceoff outside the blueline, getting too close to the draw.
2) There are two dashed lines below the faceoff dot, and technically, you are supposed to keep your feet outside those lines and facing in the same direction. A centremen tries to cheat as much as possible by lining up in a more off-centre stance so he can win the draw back a lot easier.
3) The home team has the advantage of putting their stick down last in the faceoff circle. If the away team takes too long to do this, they may kick somebody out. That's why you see players being very reluctant when putting down their stick.
Don't forget
4) The centre has really bad breath and the linesman cannot tolerate it.
Jarome takes them on his backhand, Langkow takes the ones on his backhand. I guess somebody has decided Langkow is better on his backhand than Iginla would be on his forehand.
