A player may not skate into his offensive
zone ahead of the puck. If that
happens, a whistle is blown, and a face-off
is held just outside the zone where
the breach-offside- occurred. What
matters in an offside is the position
of the skates: Both skates must be all the
way over the blue line for a player
to be potentially off-side. The location of
the stick does not matter. Offside is also
called if a player makes what is called a
two-line pass.
Offside is called to keep players
from hanging around the red line at center ice,
or all the way down in their
offensive zone, and waiting for a pass that
will give them a breakaway (skating
toward the goal with no defenders around
except for the goalie) and an easy chance
at a goal.
Icing:
Icing is called when a player behind the
red line in his end of the rink shoots a puck
past the goal line in his offensive zone when
both teams are playing at even
strength. Play is stopped when an opponent
other than the goalie touches the
puck. Icing is considered an infraction
because it can be used by teams to take
away legitimate scoring chances from skaters
on the offensive.
Two-Line Pass:
An offside pass is also called a two-line pass.
A defenseman with the puck in front of his own net,
for example, cannot snap it to a teammate beyond
the red line at center ice because it would have to
go over two lines, first the blue and then the red,
to get there. For that play to work, the player at center
ice would have to skate inside the red line, closer to
his own net, to receive the pass. See also Offsides.
Tripping:
Using a stick, arm, or leg to cause an
opponent to trip or fall. No matter how
you trip your opponent- with your stick,
knee, foot, arm, or hand-it still adds
up to tripping.
Hooking:
If a player impedes the progress of another
by "hooking" him with his stick and
keeping him from making a play, then he
is called for hooking. Generally
that happens when a skater has scooted
by the person in charge of guarding him,
and the defenseman has no other recourse
but to hold the player up by "hooking"
him with his stick. Not only does that
break up a play illegally, but it can
also injure a player, especially if the
stick used in the hooking comes up high
and hits the opposing player in his face.
Hooking is also known as water skiing -
which gives you a good idea of what is involved.
Cross Checking:
If a player picks their stick up off of
the ice and holds it in two hands to
check an opponent (using the shaft of
the stick), they may be called for cross
checking.
Holding:
Using your hands on an opponent or the
opponent's equipment to impede their
progress is not permitted. Holding can
prevent a player from being able to
exhibit their full range of talent...and
can reduce their ability to score a goal.
Boarding:
The officials whistle for this infraction
when a player hits an opponent who is
not aware of the impending contact and
therefore cannot defend himself from
behind. It is a very dangerous infraction
that can lead to serious injury to the
person who has been hit. It may even lead to
a major penalty being given.
Charging:
This penalty occurs when a player takes more
than three strides before deliberately checking
an opponent. A minor or major penalty may be
imposed upon a person who skates or jumps into,
or charges, an opponent in any way.
Whether its determined to be a major or minor
penalty depends upon the seriousness of the
infraction; the more dangerous the hit, the more
likely it will be a major.
High Sticking:
Any contact made by a stick on an opponent
above the shoulders is not allowed,
and a minor penalty will be assessed. This
rule is supposed to protect the players from
being hit in the face, eyes, or head. Also,
players cannot bat the puck above the normal
height of the shoulders; play is stopped if
that happens. In addition, any apparent goal
scored as a result of a player striking the
puck with his stick above his shoulder is not
allowed.
