When talking about the physical part, I am talking about everything from the set up to executing the move to picking up the ball. There are many different moves and counters. There are also counters to the counters. It's very similar to the game rock, paper, scissors. However, there are some things that stay consistent throughout these many different moves and counters.

First, the set up should always be the same on every face-off. The set up entails the stance (foot and hand position) and head of the stick position in relation to the ball. Every player will have a slightly different stance. All stances are correct provided that the player can execute all moves and counters from that stance. The player's stance must allow him not to put any weight on his hands. Quickness is everything. If a player has weight on his hands the first thing he must do when the whistle blows is take that weight off his hands. When going against a good face-off man having weight on you hands will insure that you lose. The other thing that must stay the same is the player's hand position on the stick. The right hand is placed as close to the neck of the stick as possible. The left hand is placed in the middle of the stick. With this hand placement you should be able to execute every move, while not making any changes in your stance, or hand placement on the stick. The player should be able to get in his stance and be able to lift up his hands and not lose his balance. This is your stance.

When approaching the ball before the face-off, make sure that you "crowd" the ball. Line up as close to the ball as you can. Remember, if you line up close to the ball on one move but not the other, then you are making yourself readable in the eyes of your opponent. Your stance together with crowding the ball is your set up.

There are many different moves. All of these moves are designed to start a fast break. Technique refers to how you execute a certain move. There are also counters to all of these many different moves. There are also counters to these counters. A good face-off man understands that he must know and feel comfortable executing all these from his set up without changing his stance or head position in relation to the ball.

The first move to learn is the clamp. There are three different techniques of clamping; the basic quick clamp, the top corner clamp, and the power-down-the-line clamp. All of these moves require staying low and clamping down on the ball with a different part of the back of the stick and then raking it forward for a fast break. Each is effective for different reasons. Clamping is currently the most popular move in the game. Most people clamp (ROCK).

There are three different counters to these three types of clamps. These clamp counters are called over the ball or topping moves. All entail doing a reverse clamping motion to the area of your opponent's stick where he is clamping the ball.. With the left hand gripped firmly roll your knuckles up to face the sky as you extend your left hand up and out. Your right hand remains loose and jams into you opponent's stick to stop his clamp. Be careful not to grab your opponent's stick as this will result in an immediate loss. While the left hand is extending out and up, pivot off the bottom right corner of the head of your stick which is on the ground. This movement will prevent the clamper from finishing his clamp and will give you a good opportunity for a fast break (PAPER).

The counter to these topping moves is the punch rake. Because all of the topping moves entail coming over the ball, they are susceptible to being beaten underneath. That is where you beat them with the punch rake. When executing the punch rake make sure that the handle of your stick stays on the ground by keeping your left hand down and still. Put slight pressure on your right hand. When the whistle blows make a punching motion forward and keep your right hand low. This will spit the ball forward for a fast break (SCISSORS).

Remember the clamp beats the rake. The top beats the clamp. The rake beats the top. It's rock paper scissors. But if you don't line up the same way every time you will make yourself readable which will eventually catch up with you. The best way to solidify your techniques is practice with two friends. Have Friend A act as the referee and set up a fair face-off and blow the whistle. Friend B does the clamp 10 times while you counter his clamp with ten topping moves. Then rotate this sequence so that all three have done ten clamps, ten tops, and ten punch rakes. This will help you identify any problems with your technique and help you improve faster. Remember only through repetition and readjustments will you improve. A player can't work on the technique of his moves enough.

I've never thought of faceoffs like Rock, Paper, Scissors before, but it makes a lot of sense.  What is a good stance to keep weight off of the hands?  What the hell are guys doing who seem to be able to lift it right into their head?  I know their sticks must be illegal, have there been any rule changes to prevent this sort of thing?

Foot placement is different for everyone.  It depends on who you're facing off against and what you're going for.  My basic stance is right leg bent, knee even with my right shoulder and inside my elbow (this instantly prevents illegal procedure calls).  Left leg is positioned similarly, about half a step back and both feet are angled toward the ball.  If you're up against a power player who jams his stick in and uses strength to get the ball or push you out of the way, drop your left foot backwards more for leverage.  If you are going for straight up quickness, the left food comes in more and your stance is much more upright instead of a crouch.  With your right food unerneath you, you should be able to take your hands off the ground and still hold your balance in your stance.  

As far as being able to pick up the ball straight up into your stick, it's all about practice, speed, and moving your head in the correct way.  Once you get the clamp, slide the top end of the head on the ground and if your stick is pinched enough, it will lock the ball in there. (sometimes known as the plunger)

My faceoff head and pocket are perfectly legal, illegal heads could help, but making a good illegal face off head will probably make it innefective for other aspects of the game as well as leading to a penalty.  The rules have stayed the same as far as I know, just more enforcement on staying to the left of the plastic, with your whole body.  Rock Paper Scissors comes into play by knowing what your opponent will do and knowing what you need to do to counter it.