If you are just learning the game of air hockey chances are you have some questions about terms like "palming" or "pump fake." Here's a helpful guide of air hockey talk that will explain some common air hockey terms.
The Anatomy of An Air Hockey Table
Before you learn some air hockey terminology it's important you are familiar with the anatomy of air hockey tables.
- Centerline: This simply refers to the bold horizontal line on an air hockey table that divides it into two equal sides.
- Goal: The goals are the two gaps that can be found on either end of the air hockey table. In order to score points you must try to get the air hockey puck into the goal your opponent is defending.
- Rail: All air hockey tables have rails or walls, which are usually metal beams that outline the playing surface.
Necessary Equipment
To play air hockey you need the following equipment:
- Mallet: Also referred to as strikers, mallets are the devises that players use to strike the air hockey puck.
- Air Hockey Puck: This is the circular object that players maneuver on the air hockey table in order to score points.
Need-To-Know Lingo
- Bank Shot: This is when a player uses the rails of the air hockey table to direct the puck.
- Block: A defensive tactic using the mallet that prevents an air hockey puck from entering your goal.
- Straight Shot: This term is used to describe a shot that doesn't use the rails of the air hockey table to determine the direction of the air hockey puck.
- Topping: A type of foul, topping refers to when a player places the mallet on top of the air hockey puck. This is a foul regardless of whether it is done intentionally.
- Pump-Fake: Winding up and pretending to hit the air hockey puck in order throw off your opponent is known as a "pump-fake".
- Palming: If a player touches the air hockey puck with any body part or another object besides the mallet this is considered "palming" and is a type of foul.
