Slot (ice hockey)
Encyclopedia
In hockey
, the slot is the area on the hockey rink
directly ahead of the goaltender
between the faceoff
circles on each side. Those inexperienced with hockey terminology sometimes incorrectly refer to it as the "scoring area".
The "deep" or "high" slot refers to the area from the top of the circles, farthest from the goaltender
, to the end of the slot at the hash marks
. The distinction of where the deep slot begins is contentious. In general, it is the defenceman
's responsibility to guard offensive players in the slot, while the offside winger covers offensive players in the deep slot. Because the deep slot is protected by an offensively minded winger and not a defenceman, forwards will often hover in the deep slot waiting for an opportunity to move towards the net for a scoring opportunity.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, the slot is the area on the hockey rink
Hockey rink
An ice hockey rink is an ice rink that is specifically designed for ice hockey, a team sport. It is rectangular with rounded corners and surrounded by a wall approximately 40 inches high called the boards.- Name origins :...
directly ahead of the goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
between the faceoff
Faceoff
A face-off is the method used to begin play in ice hockey and some other sports. The two teams line up in opposition to each other, and the opposing centres attempt to gain control of the puck after it is dropped between their sticks by an official. One of the referees drops the puck at centre ice...
circles on each side. Those inexperienced with hockey terminology sometimes incorrectly refer to it as the "scoring area".
The "deep" or "high" slot refers to the area from the top of the circles, farthest from the goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
, to the end of the slot at the hash marks
Hash marks
Hash marks are short lines, running perpendicular to sidelines or sideboards, used to mark locations, primarily in sports.-Usage in ice hockey:...
. The distinction of where the deep slot begins is contentious. In general, it is the defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
's responsibility to guard offensive players in the slot, while the offside winger covers offensive players in the deep slot. Because the deep slot is protected by an offensively minded winger and not a defenceman, forwards will often hover in the deep slot waiting for an opportunity to move towards the net for a scoring opportunity.