Ice Hockey Overview
Ice Hockey is a popular sport played on ice where two teams try to score against each other. The game was developed in Canada where it is especially popular.
Ice Hockey is played on ice or in an ice rink with players on skates. This means it requires lots of balance and skill, making a very entertaining and fun sport.
Ice Hockey players use an ice hockey stick to try and shoot a rubber disk, called a puck, into the opposing team’s goal.
The sport is a full contact sport and is one of the more physically demanding sports. The first organised indoor game was played on March 3, 1875, the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal’s Victoria Skating Rink between two nine-player teams.
Ice Hockey is a winter Olympic sport and has many different leagues and tournaments with one of the biggest competitions being the Ice Hockey World Championships.
Aim of the Game
The aim of Ice Hockey is to work together with your teammates to try and shoot the puck into the opposing team’s goal. Every time you shoot the puck into the opposition goal you are awarded a single point.
You should try to defend the opposing team from scoring whilst also trying to score. Teams can employ a variety of tactics and strategies to help them score more goals. The winner is whoever has the most goals at the end of the game.
Playing Field
Ice Hockey is played on an Ice rink which has different areas and zones. The line in the middle is called the red line and the two blue lines are called the two blue lines.
The two goals are at each end of the rink and are 4 ft by 6ft big. The lines that are at the end of the rink are called the goal lines and a shot must pass them to be considered a goal.
The semi circle surrounding the goal is called the goal crease and this is where goalies spend most of their time. Goalies do not have to stay in these areas.
There are two red lines behind the net (not shown in this diagram) which show where behind the net the goalie can shoot or pass from.
The 4 circles on the playing field are called the face off spots and is where players restart when the puck goes out of bounds. Two opposing players stand on either side of the dot and the referee will drop the puck between them.
The game initially begins on the centre circle, but face offs can happen at any circle after that. Visit here to learn more details about the Ice Hockey rink.
Players and Equipment
The Ice Hockey rules dictate that a team cannot exceed 20 players with 6 allowed on the ice at a time. There are 6 different hockey positions and these are :
- A Goalie
- A Left Defenseman and a Right Defenseman
- A Left Wing and a Right Wing
- A Centre
Players are allowed to move wherever they like on the ice, however it’s against the Ice Hockey rules for the goalie can’t pass the centre line. Players have hockey sticks, ice skates, and wear a padded outfit for protection.
Goalies have even more padding as they come under fire much more often. Players try to hit the puck with their hockey sticks into the opposing team’s goal.
Each game is made up of three 20-minute periods. The clock is stopped whenever a stoppage occurs, and a game instantly ceases whenever a period ends.
Scoring
One point is awarded to a team every time they are able to shoot the puck into the opposition goal. The entire puck needs to pass the goal line in order to be considered a goal.
How to Win
The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. If the game is a tie, then there is a five minute sudden death period with the winners being the first to score.
Ice Hockey Rules
- Each team consists of a maximum of 20 players.
- The game allows unlimited substitutions from the bench during stoppages and play.
- A goal can be scored by anyone on the ice, including the goalie.
- To score a goal a player must hit the puck over the goal line.
- The entire puck needs to cross the line to be considered a goal.
- Players can score a goal with any part of their stick but cannot use their hand.
- Players are not allowed to kick the puck into the net or purposely direct it with any part of their body.
- Each game is played in three 20-minute intervals.
- The game clock is stopped every time play stops.
- A free shot will be given to a player who is illegally impeded from behind when in possession of the puck with no opponent between him and the goal except for the goalie.
- If a penalty is called on a goalie a teammate serves his time in the penalty box.
- A team plays short-handed when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty.
- Teams are not forced to play more than two players below six players at any time.
- If a third penalty is assessed to the same team it is suspended until the first penalty expires.
- Offside rule is if an attacking player enters the opposition’s defending zone ahead of the puck, then he or she will be called offside. If this happens play will be halted, and a face-off will take place in the neutral zone.
- Icing rule icing refers to a player striking the puck from their own half past the opposing team’s goal line without it deflecting off or coming into contact with any player. If this happens play will be halted then the puck will be returned to where the pass originated, without a goal being given.
- Minor penalty a minor penalty can include tripping an opponent with their stick holding with either their stick or hands hooking with their stick or body checking a player without a puck, which usually results in a player being sent off for two minutes.
- Major penalty major penalties are given for physical contact such as fighting inflicting serious injury on opposing players or continued minor violations.
- Major penalties will result in a player being removed from the ice for five minutes. A major penalty can lead to the offending player being sent off permanently.
- The team with the most goals at the end of the game are the winners.
- If the game is tied, then the game will go into overtime where the first team to score will then be the winner.
- Visit here to watch the video explanation of the Ice Hockey rules.
Learn More
Visit here to learn more about Ice Hockey and here to learn more about the Ice Hockey rules and how to play Ice Hockey.
