Pass (ice hockey)
Passing is a fundamental skill moving the puck between teammates.
In ice hockey, a pass transfers the puck between players, typically using the stick. Unlike a shot, a pass is generally less forceful and is not aimed at the opposing team's net to try to score. Passing in hockey functions much like it does in other goal-based sports, such as soccer or lacrosse. It is a core skill, alongside skating, shooting, and stickhandling. A well-executed pass is often described as "stick to stick" or "tape to tape," referencing the tape on the stick blade. Good passing relies on vision, anticipation, timing, and proper execution. Skilled passers tend to accumulate many assists, which go to the second-last and third-last players to touch the puck before a goal. The NHL record for most career assists is 1,963, held by Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as one of the best passers ever.
Various pass types suit different situations or techniques: - **Backhand pass:** Made with the back side of the stick blade. - **Centering pass:** Sends the puck to the middle of the ice, or "slot." This is the most dangerous pass because it creates a prime scoring chance, but if the intended receiver misses it, the puck often reaches an opposing player with a clear path to the net. - **Clear-out or clearing pass:** A pass out of a team's defensive zone, primarily for defense, to stop the opposition from gaining the puck and scoring. - **Cross-ice pass:** Travels across the width of the ice, for example from the left winger to the right winger. - **Drop pass:** A player passes the puck directly behind himself to a teammate. If done correctly, the puck stops, and the receiver skates onto it. - **Hand pass:** Made with the hand. It is legal only when both the passer and receiver are in their own defensive zone; otherwise, play stops and a faceoff occurs where the pass was made. - **Headmanning the puck (also called a stretch pass, outlet pass, or long bomb):** A long pass to move the team out of its defensive zone and start a rush. An exceptionally long and accurate one that creates a breakaway is called a breakaway pass. - **No-look pass:** Made without looking at the receiver. - **Offside pass:** A pass to a player who is offside. This could mean a two-line pass (no longer in the NHL since 2005), crossing two marked lines on the ice, or a pass to a player who enters the offensive zone before the puck. The latter is always offside regardless of lines crossed.
- Most career assists (nhl)
- 1,963 by Wayne Gretzky
Lore & Background
An effective pass is described as being 'stick to stick' or 'tape to tape', referring to the tape on the blade of a hockey stick. Effective passing requires good vision, anticipation, and timing, as well as execution. A player that is an effective passer will normally record many assists, which are awarded to the second and third to last player to touch the puck before a goal. Different types of passes are employed in different situations or using different techniques, including the backhand pass, centering pass, clear-out or clearing pass, cross-ice pass, drop pass, hand pass, headmaning the puck (also known as a stretch pass, outlet pass, or long bomb), no-look pass, offside pass, saucer pass, slap pass, suicide pass, and tic-tac-toe. The centering pass is considered the most dangerous pass in hockey both because it provides the best opportunity to score and because if the intended receiver misses it, there is a strong likelihood that the puck will come to an opponent with few obstacles to the net. A hand pass is legal when both passer and recipient are inside the defending zone, otherwise illegal. An offside pass can refer to a two-line pass (no longer current in the NHL since 2005) or a pass to a player who has entered the offensive zone before the puck.
Reader's Guide
Passing is one of the most fundamental skills in hockey, alongside skating, shooting, and stick handling. Its role in gameplay strongly resembles passing in other goal sports such as soccer and lacrosse. Effective passing requires good vision, anticipation, timing, and execution. A player who is an effective passer will normally record many assists, which are awarded to the second and third to last player to touch the puck before a goal. The National Hockey League record for most career assists is 1,963 by Wayne Gretzky, who is considered one of the best passers of all time. Different types of passes are employed in different situations, such as the centering pass, which is the most dangerous pass in hockey because it provides the best scoring opportunity but also risks giving the puck to an opponent with few obstacles to the net. The clear-out or clearing pass serves a defensive purpose, preventing the opposition from getting the puck for a scoring opportunity. The headmaning the puck, also called a stretch pass or long bomb, allows a team to move out of their defensive zone and start a rush. The tic-tac-toe play involves two quick passes and a shot resulting in a goal.
Did You Know?
- A hand pass is legal only when both passer and recipient are inside the defending zone.
- Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record for most career assists with 1,963.
More in Ice Hockey Terminology, Part 2 1-24
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