Definition of face off

The phrase "face off" is commonly used in ice hockey to describe the moment when two centers, positioned at the center face-off dot at the beginning or after a penalty, drop the puck simultaneously to begin play. The literal origin of the term can be traced back to the 1930s when players would line up with their bodies turned to each other, essentially "facing off" in a showdown, to determine who would gain possession of the puck. The term was initially "face down," as the players would plant their faces into the ice, but it evolved to "face off" by the 1950s. Today, the act of "face off" denotes the start of a crucial scrum, setting the tone for the ensuing play and potentially deciding the outcome of the game.