The Rules

The Rules

The playing rules of hockey are divided into three basic categories:

1. Violations that result in a face-off
2. Violations that result in a player being awarded a penalty shot
3. Violations that result in a player being sent to the penalty box for a specified period of time

The following is a brief explanation of each type of violation.  Naturally, there are technical aspects of each rule that will, at various times, determine whether or not the violation is called.

Face-Offs

• Offside — An offensive player may not precede the puck across the blue line into the offensive zone.
• Icing —A team, when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice, may not shoot the puck from behind the center red line over their opponent’s goal line (except if the puck goes into the goal). In Junior B and above, the puck must first be touched by a player from the defensive team before icing is called.

Penalty Shot

A penalty shot is most commonly awarded if: 1) A player, while in a scoring position, is fouled from behind and deprived of a scoring opportunity; or 2) A defensive player grabs or falls on the puck when it is in the goal crease.

To take a penalty shot, an offensive player takes control of the puck at center ice and tries to score against the opposing goaltender. All other players are removed from the action.

Penalties

For the following penalties, the penalized team must play minus the number of players serving such penalties, with one exception: the penalized team can have no fewer than four players, including the goaltender, on the ice (delayed penalty):

• Minor Penalty — Two minutes. If a team is scored upon while it is shorthanded because of a minor penalty, the penalty shall terminate immediately.
• Major Penalty — Five minutes. Does not terminate early for any reason.
• Match Penalty — Five minutes, depending upon the violation, and is served by a teammate. If assessed a match penalty, the offending player is ejected for the balance of the game and may not play in future games until the case has been reviewed by league administrators.  For the following penalties, the team will replace the penalized player on the ice immediately:
• Misconduct — Ten minutes. Served in the penalty box.
• Game Misconduct — Ejection for the balance of the game and the player or coach will serve an additional one-game suspension. 

The following is a quick list of penalties and their definitions:

• Charging — Body checking an opponent at an excessive speed;  checking or pushing from behind.
• Checking from Behind — An extremely dangerous action characterized by a player checking an opponent directly from behind. Parents, players, coaches and referees must all work to eliminate this infraction from our sport.
• Checking to the Head — The action of a player intentionally or recklessly contacting a player in the head, including with the stick or by an illegal body check.
• Cross-Checking — Checking an opponent with the stick across the body.
• Elbowing — Checking an opponent with the elbow extended.
• High-Sticking — Carrying the stick above normal shoulderheight.  If the violation results in an injury to an opponent, a major penalty should be assessed.
• Holding — Impeding the progress of an opponent by using the hand, stick or any other means.
• Hooking — Using the stick to impede the progress of an opponent.
• Interference — Impeding the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
• Slashing — Hitting or swinging at an opponent with the stick.
• Tripping — An action against an opponent’s leg which causes the opponent to fall.