Faceoffs

[glbski]

Is there any requirement that the face-off men "play-the ball"? Can there be a body check, (assuming no contact above the neck or below the waist)? I can't find anything in the rules about that, although, I have had coaches yell that "he has to play the ball".

I have read and agreed with another post that speculates it would be near impossible for a wing middie to make contact with the face-off man in a down position without making an illegal body check, but a legal bodie check would be easier for a "down" face-off man to make.

Would appreciate your comments.