Hockey rules

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• ⇩ Inline Hockey Rules

Ice Hockey Rules

The complete set of rules can be downloaded here (.pdf)

General

Each game consists of 3 x 20 minute periods, and there is a 15 minute break between the periods.

Each team can have a maximum squad of 18 players, with 2 'apprentices'. Only 6 players from each team can be on the ice at any time, however players can swap as often a they want (usually every few minutes).A British National League hockey match must end with a winner. If the scores are tied at the end of the game then 5 minutes overtime will be played, followed by penalties.

Players and the puck can go anywhere on and over the ice surface. The puck is deemed out of play if it goes over the glass or if the referee loses sight of it, usually behind a player's skate against the boards.When the referee stops play, the timekeeper stops the clock. Play, and the clock, starts again with a face off, the position of the face off depends on why play stopped. The clock counts down from 20:00 to 00:00 for each of the three periods of the game.

A goal is scored when the whole of the puck completely crosses the goal line. The goal judge who sits behind the goal puts on a red light to signal the goal but the referee signals whether it is a goal, by pointing to the goal, or a washout by spreading his arms wide. A goal can be scored if the puck is deflected off another player or a skate, but cannot be deliberately kicked in, or deflected off a referee or linesman.

Physical contact is allowed between players contesting for the puck. Rough contact which could cause injury is covered by various rules.The are several lines on an ice hockey rink, and these are either Red or Blue.

The red line across the centre divides the ice into two halves. The blue lines divide the ice into thirds or zones. The centre zone is the neutral zone, the others are the attacking zone and the defensive zone.The semi-circle around the goal is the crease, attacking players cannot score if they are in the crease deliberately.

The Two Main Rules:

Offside

When any member of the attacking team precedes the puck carrier over the defending team's blue line.

Icing

When a player shoots the puck across the red center line and past the opposing red goal line. Icing is not called if the player's team is killing a penalty or an onsides attacker or defending goaltender touches the puck first.

The players

• Netminder:The netminder's primary task is simple - keep the puck out of his own net.Offensively, he may start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net he guards.
• Defence:These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line.They try a breakup passes, blocked shots, cover opposing boards and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play to the attacking zone, positioning themselves just inside their opponents blue line at the "points".
• Center:The striker on the ice, the center leads the attack by carrying the puck on offense.On defense, he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team's side of the ice.
• Wings:The Wings team-up with the Center, on the attack, to set up shots on goal.Defensively, they attempt to breakup plays by their counterparts and upset the shot attempts.

The Officials

• Referee:Black and White striped shirt with Orange armbandsThe referee supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines goals and handles face-offs at center ice to start each period.
• Linesman:Black and White striped shirtTwo are used. They call offside, offside passing, icing and handle all face-offs not occurring in center ice. They do not call penalties but can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called.
• Goal Judges:One sits off-ice behind each goal and indicates whether goal has been scored by turning on a red light just above their station.The referee can ask his advise on disputed goals, but the referee has final authority and can overrule the goal judge.
• Official Scorer:The Official Scorer determines which player scores and credits assists, if there are any. He may consult the referee, but the scorer is the final authority in crediting points.

Penalties

Players who break the rules may be penalised, they are sent to the penalty box for 2 or more minutes, leaving their team short of a player. The other team then has a power play. If they score within the 2 minutes, the player in the penalty box comes out.

Once the play resumes, the game announcer will state the player's number and name, the length of the penalty, the name of the penalty and the game time when it occurred.

A team plays shorthanded when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty (Powerplay). However, no team is forced to play more than two players below full strength (6), at any time. When a third penalty is assessed to the same team, the penalty is suspended until the first penalty expires. When the penalty is called on the goalie a teammate serves his time in the penalty box.

Minor Penalty:(Two minutes). Called for tripping, hooking, spearing, slashing, charging, roughing, holding, elbowing and boarding.

Major Penalty:(Five minutes). Called for fighting or when minor penalties are committed with the deliberate attempt to injure. Major penalties for slashing, spearing, high sticking, elbowing, butt-ending and cross-checking carry automatic game misconducts.

Misconduct:(Ten minutes). Called for various forms of unsportsmanlike behavior or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team, so a substitute is permitted.

Penalty Shot:A free shot, unopposed, except the goalie, given to a player who is illegally impeded from behind while he has possession of the puck with no opponent between him and the goalie, except the goalie.A team which commits the offence is not penalised beyond a penalty shot, whether it succeeds or not. Delayed Penalty:Whistle is delayed until the penalised team regains possession of the puck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the puck made of? The puck is made of vulcanized rubber. It is three inches in diameter, one inch thick and weighs six ounces. It is frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant.

How fast does the puck travel? Some players have been known to unleash shots between 90 and 100 mph, while the game's hardest shooters average 110 mph.

Can the puck be kicked into the net for a goal? A puck can deflect off a state or a player's body for a goal, only if no blatant attempt is made to kick or throw it in

How are the markings (lines, circles, goal crease, etc.) applied to the ice? The ice is built up to one half inch thickness, by spraying water over the concrete board, which has the freezing pipes embedded. The markings are then painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to "coat" the marking and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.

How thick is the ice? Ice for professional hockey is approximately 3/4 of any inch thick and usually held at 16 degrees. The thicker the ice becomes, the softer and slower it is.

Inline Hockey Rules

The complete set of rules can be downloaded here (.pdf)

The Players

• Fourteen players are allowed per game (2 goalies, plus twelve players).

• There are five players on the surface at full strength.

• There are a minimum of three players after penalties.

Managing the play

• Games are comprised of four 12- minute quarters.

• There is one referee and two linesman.

• Minor penalty (1.5 minutes), major penalty (4 minutes), misconduct (10 minutes).

• Fighting earns players suspension from the remainder of the game in play, and suspension from the next game.

• Icing is handled with an automatic whistle as puck crosses the line.

• All members of a team with a man advantage must touch thecenter line if the puck is iced.

• Power Play situations: 4 on 3, 4 on 2, 3 on 3, 3 on 2, 2 on 2

• Overtime: Shootout