Hockey Rules of the Game

Hooking in Hockey is when a player uses his stick to slow down or prevent an opposing player from making a play on the puck or getting into a better position on the ice. The result of this infraction is a usually a 2-minute Minor Penalty but can warrant a 5-minute Major Penalty depending on the severity of the infraction. Following the lockout year in 2005, there has been a spike in hooking penalties called by referees, with the hopes of decreasing injury and speeding up the pace of the game.

Slashing in hockey is a penalty that is called when a player swings his stick at an opposing player, whether contact is made, or not. The act of a “forceful chop” motion to an opponent’s stick or gloves will typically result in a Minor Penalty. However, there are certain situations where slashing is more severe and can call for a Major Penalty or Game Misconduct Penalty. It is to the referee’s discretion to determine the severity of the act.

Roughing in hockey is a penalty called when a player uses unnecessary force (usually a punch) to contact an opposing player. Furthermore, Roughing can also be called if avoidable contact is made after the whistle. Lastly, at the discretion of the referee, a Roughing penalty can also be called if a player contacts the opponent, with no attempt to avoid contact, well after the puck carrier is no longer in possession of it.

By definition, Goalie Interference in hockey is a penalty called when an opposing player initiates contact with the goalie, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and therefore impairing the goalie’s ability to move freely. Furthermore, this penalty can be called whether the goalie is inside or outside of the goal crease. However, if an opposing player is pushed into the goalie, while he is in his crease, by one of the goalie’s teammates, then it will typically not be called a penalty. This is at the discretion of the referee.

Delay of Game in Hockey is when it is determined by the referee that a team, or individual player, was intentionally attempting to stall the game. There are a few different circumstances that will permit the referee to call a Delay of Game penalty, which will be discussed in detail later in this article. The result of one of these instances will usually result in a two-minute Minor Penalty, depending on the situation.

Cross-checking in hockey is the action of a player using the shaft of his stick between two hands to forcefully hit an opponent. This occurs when the player holds his stick with one hand at the top, and the other about halfway down the shaft, and does a “pushing” motion with it into an opposing player. Luckily for referees, a Cross-Check is very easy to spot. Following the infraction, referees must determine how severe it was. He can then assess one of the penalty types, which will be discussed in detail later in this guide.

Charging in hockey is when a player charges an opponent and makes contact with them, whether it be by skating, or jumping, into them. This can occur anywhere on the ice, and what differentiates it from a standard body check, is the distance traveled to make the hit. The general rule of thumb is that if a player hits another from three or more skating strides away, it will likely be called a charging. However, it is at the referee’s discretion to determine what that “distance” is.

Boarding in Hockey is a hit on a defenseless player that causes them to go dangerously into the boards. This will include checking, or tripping, an opposing player into the boards. Standard body checking is legal, but where Boarding differentiates itself is when a player makes contact with a player when the receiving player is not aware of an incoming hit or hasn’t touched the puck, also known as a “defenseless” player. Additionally, Boarding will be called if a player hits a defenseless player with no intention of going for the puck.

Throughout the years, the game of Ice Hockey has gotten much faster. This leads to exciting goals, highlight-reel saves, and so on. That said, the game has put an emphasis on trying to protect its players, focusing especially on head injuries. One rule that has looked to prevent head injuries is the High-Sticking Rule. This article will explain just what High-Sticking is, and what is and is not considered a High-Sticking penalty.

The two-line pass rule in ice hockey is when a stoppage of play is called because a pass was made from inside of a team’s defending zone to a player that is on the offensive side of the blue line, meaning the puck has crossed both the defending team’s blue line and the red line during the pass. The only time this is not called is if the puck crosses the red line before the receiving player. As most know, this rule has been eliminated from the current NHL rules, so within this article, we will explain why it was removed, as well as the impact of removing the rule had on the league, along with a brief history of the rule.

For new viewers, the game of ice hockey can be overwhelming at first and this article will aim to break down one of the game’s most important rules: offsides. You can expect to learn what the rule of offsides is, what it looks like, what zones are on a hockey rink and how they are separated, along with the different types of offsides, and what happens when an offsides call is made by the referee.

Ice hockey is a fast and physical game, and players need to do what they can to slow the other team down. Sometimes, however, players get too physical or do too much to try and gain the upper hand. When this happens, they can get themselves in trouble with the officials, who can hand out any number of penalties based on how serious the offense is. Let’s break down what these penalties are, how they're enforced and how you can learn to spot them.

Ice hockey is one of the most unique and exciting sports to play or watch, but some hockey rules can be confusing to players who are new to the game. We're going to provide a quick hockey for dummies guidebook to get you completely caught up on hockey basics and the major rules of hockey.