Hash marks
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
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In Ice hockey, the hash marks are two pairs of parallel lines on either sides of the face-off circles in both ends of the rink.
In American football, the hash marks are two rows of lines near the middle of the field that are parallel to the side lines. These small lines (about 1 yard long) are used to mark every yard on the field between the 5-yard lines, which go from sideline to sideline. All plays start with the ball on or between the hash marks. That is, if the ball is downed in between a hash mark and the nearest sideline, it must be reset on the hash mark for the next play.