Game Objective
Hockey teams move a puck along the ice using a hockey stick to handle, pass, and shoot in an effort to score goals. A goal counts as one point and is scored when the puck completely crosses the opposing team’s goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team scoring the greater number of goals in the allotted time wins the game.
The Game
The game (or “match”) begins with a “face-off”, in which the referee drops the puck in the center circle, and two players facing each other attempt to gain control of the puck. Face-offs at different locations on the ice are used to restart the play throughout the game. During normal play, there are six players, including one “goaltender,” per side on the ice at any [...]
The Ice Rink
The official size of a hockey rink is 200 ft long and 85 ft wide. The rounded corners will have a radius of 28 feet. The rink will be surrounded by “boards” made of fiberglass or wood that will be not less than 40″ high, and no higher than 48″ above the ice surface. The ice and boards will be white, except where authorized by [...]
The Player Positions
Two teams of six players skate on the ice at one time. Teams usually line up with one “center,” two “wings,” two “defensemen,” and one “goalie.” Any player may score a goal and all skaters contribute on defense. Substitutions may take place at any time during a game. Offensive and defensive players generally are substituted as complete “lines,” rather than individually. Center- He plays on [...]
The Stick and Puck
Sticks are approximately 150-200 cm long, composed of a long, slender shaft and a flat extension at one end called the blade. The curved part where the blade and the shaft meet is called a taper. The blade is the part of the stick used to contact the puck and is typically 10 to 15 inches long. Stick dimensions can vary widely, as they are [...]
Scoring
Shot on Goal - Describes a player’s shot that either scores a goal or is stopped by the goalie. Slap Shot - The fastest and most forceful shot in the game. A player raises his stick, and then putting full body power behind it, slaps the puck hard toward the goal. Backhand Shot - A player crosses the front of the body with the stick, [...]
Game Timeline
A game or match is divided into three 20-minute periods, separated by fifteen-minute breaks. The game begins with a “face-off ” at the center circle. Teams switch playing sides after each period and are allowed one time-out per game. If the game is tied after regulation time, the teams play in a “sudden death” 5-minute overtime period, with a goaltender and four skaters per side [...]
The Officials
Referee: The referee supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines if goals are scored, and handles face-offs at center ice at the start of each period. Linesmen: Two are used. They call offside, offside pass, icing, and handle all face-offs not occurring at center ice. They do not call penalties, but can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called. Goal Judges: One sits [...]
Common Penalties
If a player breaks the rules, the referee may blow a whistle, stop the game, call a penalty, and remove the offending player from the ice. The player then sits in the “penalty box.” A penalty results in a “power play” situation for the opposing team. In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player [...]
