Hockey For Dummies

New to hockey? Want to learn the basics of hockey? Tired of not knowing whats being watched on TV? Bored at hockey games because you don't know whats going on? Well look no further this site will explain all the basics you need to know about hockey.

Hockey is a confusing game to those who are new to the game and don't know to much about it. If you are looking for a site that will explain all the basic hockey vocabulary and rules then you have landed in the right spot.

Down to the Basics

Hockey is played with six players on each team including 1 goaltender. The objective of the game is to maneuver the puck in an out of the opposing team and to try and score a goal past the other teams goaltender into the net.

Period- There are three 20 minute periods of stop and go time, with an overtime period if the came is tied after three goals.

Off Sides- This is a rule is broken when both players skates are completely over the blue line their offensive zone before the puck enters into the zone. To clear the off sides the player and his teammates have a chance to leave the zone and re-enter or else the team will be called for off sides.

Icing- The ice is split in half by a center dividing line. If a player shoots the puck from his own half past the goal line of the opposing teams side without a player on ether side making a play on it then the play will be stopped in the regards of icing. If the puck enters the goal it is still considered a goal.

In The Crease- If a player enters the opposing teams goalie crease (half circle around the goal) when the puck is not, then the whistle is blown and a face off is taken in the neutral zone due to the violation of in the crease.

Puck Leaving The Ice- If the puck is shot or deflected out of the playing area a face off will be called from where the puck was last shot from.

Handling The Puck- The puck may be batted down by a players hand anywhere on the ice, but it may not be used to hold the puck and carry of throw it down the ice. Only in a players defensive zone may a puck be passed to his down teammate.

2 Minute Minor Penalties

A minor penalty is called when an official sees that an infraction to the rules has occurred. When a minor penalty is called on a player he is sent to the box (penalty box in center of rink) while his team is shorthanded for 2 minutes. The referee does not call the penalty until the players team touches the puck, and a penalty is expired when the team with more players scores, or after the 2 minutes is up. The term Power Play is used when the team with more players is on the ice with the advantage. Penalties include:

Tripping

It is illegal for a player to use his stick or any part of the body in a matter that will cause the opponent to fall. Hooking a player may not impede a player from falling by hooking or blocking the body with the stick but it is one of the most common penalties called.

Interference

If the opponent does not have possession of the puck, it is illegal for a player to interfere with the progress of the opponent down the rink.

Elbowing

This is called when a player is using their elbow to strike an opponent which causes a minor penalty.

Kneeing

Called when a player attempts to body check an opponent but uses his knee to hit the player. A minor penalty unless injury ensues or an attempt to injure and opponent is determined.

Holding

A player cannot grab an opponent in anyway or they will be called for holding and subject to a 2 minute penalty.

Charging

Skating more than two steps to hit an opponent is charging.

Roughing

Penalty called on a player if there is pushing and shoving between two players and unnecessary body checking can result in a roughing penalty.

Boarding

Penalty called on a player who body checks, elbows, or trips and opponent violently into the boards. It may result in a minor penalty but can also be called as a major penalty.

Slashing

Slashing is a penalty called on a player if he swings or chops his hockey stick at an opponent and comes in contact with there body or hock stick. Usually a minor penalty but it can become a major penalty depending on how hard and violently it was preformed.

5 Minute Major Penalties

Minor penalties can be assessed as a major penalty if the referee believe the player who broke the infraction had had the intention to injure another player. They player will have to sit out in the penalty box for 5 minutes leaving the team down a player for five minutes.

Spearing

A spearing penalty is called when a player uses the end of his stick blade to strike his opponent and is one of the most severe penalties in hockey often accompanied by game misconduct.

10 Minute Misconduct Penalties

In this situation a player will serve the penalty off the ice and may be substituted for another player on the team. Misconduct penalties include abusive language, taunting to officials, continued altercations, second violation for illegal equipment, obscene gesture, threatening, racial slurs, failure to enter the penalty box, player interference with a penalty shot, puck shot after whistle, throwing stick off the ice, and most general unsportsmanlike conduct.

Miscellaneous infractions

Fighting- Any type of fighting or punching can be a major penalty, misconduct or game disqualification, while in professional leagues it is legal.

High Sticking- A high stick is when a player hits the puck from the air above four feet with his stick, or any time when a player has his stick to high which endangers other players heads and necks. High sticking is a penalty.

Hitting From Behind- Hitting, pushing, charging, cross checking, and body checking an opponent from behind in open ice is a penalty usually a major one.