Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
A face-off is the method of putting the puck in play — the referee drops the puck between two opposing centres (or designated players) who compete to win possession. Face-offs occur at the start of each period, after a goal, after stoppages (icing, penalties, offside) and in various situations during play. Face-off win percentage is a tracked statistic; winning the opening face-off and key defensive zone draws can significantly affect possession and scoring opportunities.
- Referee drops puck between two players
- Used to restart play after stoppages
- Face-off win % is a tracked stat
- Winning key draws affects possession and scoring
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Faceoffs may look simple but are a genuinely specialized skill — elite faceoff specialists study opposing centers' tendencies and use quick hand speed, leverage and timing to win possession the instant the puck drops, and a strong faceoff percentage (55%+ is considered very good) gives a team meaningfully more offensive-zone possession time over a season.
FAQ
What percentage of faceoffs is considered good?
Above 55% is considered strong for a faceoff specialist over a full season; the league average is close to 50% since every win for one center is a loss for the other.
Why are faceoffs more important in some zones than others?
Winning an offensive-zone faceoff gives immediate shooting/scoring opportunity, while a defensive-zone faceoff win is primarily about clearing pressure, making faceoff location strategically significant.