Ice Hockey Basic Rules
Ice Hockey is the new upcoming craze of this generation. It is like the new trend which people of this generation are trying to follow. Ice hockey a game that originated few centuries in the 1800s from English field hockey and Indian Lacrosse is attracted many spectators with this small span of time. The term Hockey has been derived from the French word ‘Hoquet’ which means Shepherd’s rink. The rink here refers to the area where the game is played. Ice Hockey is one the most popular game in Canada and Eastern Europe, Russia and the United States. It is also the official National Winter Sport of Canada.
Ice Hockey is a game played by two teams each consisting of 6 players each, one goaltender and five players who try their best to score a goal. Ice hockey is generally a game involving 12 players, using a hockey stick to score a goal with a puck on a rink. The match is divided into three periods, with each period lasting for about 20 minutes each.
# Ice Hockey Basic Rules & Regulations
Ice Hockey Rules: Ice hockey belongs to the 19th century. During that period around 30 players from each team played. The first recorded public indoor ice hockey game with rules that are borrowed from field hockey was played in 1875 in Montreal’s Victoria Skating rink between two teams of McGill University students. The game was full of violence leading to a lot of injuries so in the year 1878 another match was played between both the teams with much strict rules and regulation and the number of players were limited to nine.
By 20th century Ice Hockey had evolved a lot. Ice Hockey rules were changed and the way it was played was even changed. The player numbers were decreased from nine to six players. Special ice hockey sticks were manufactured, pads for different parts of the body were even made for safety. Shine pads are being worn by goaltender for chest protection. The year 1917 National Hockey League was formed to take Ice Hockey to the next level. It was then considered as the world’s foremost professional hockey league. In 1920 Ice Hockey was included in the Olympic Games and Canada became the first titleholder. They remained as champion until Soviet team dethroned them and became the champion.
# Ice Hockey Playing Equipment’s
Ice Hockey is played on a standard size round-cornered rectangle-shaped rink that is 200 feet (61 meters) in length and 85 feet (26 meters) in width. The rink in the USA are generally 200 feet in length and 100 feet in width. The rink is divided into three sections, with a circle in the middle section depicting the neutral zone where generally the game starts with a faceoff between the two teams. Both the end of the rink has a goal cage that is about 4 feet in height and 6 feet in width. The puck used in the game is made of vulcanized rubber and is 1 inch in thickness and 3 inches in diameter. The weight of the puck is around 5.5 to 6 ounces (156 to 170 grams). The hockey stick that is used in the game is quite different from the sticks that were originally used.
The change in Ice hockey doesn’t limit from wooden hockey sticks to carbon fiber hockey sticks, many things have changed including the rules. New rules have been enforced limiting the size of the Hockey Sticks. There are rules even regarding the curvature of the blades of the hockey sticks. Skates used by the players now have rubber padding. The skates used by the forward and defensive men are of the same type but they differ from the goaltender, whose skates have flatter blades because they need more balance and keep them stationary for longer period of time. For the safety of the player, padding is given under their uniform to protect legs, shoulder and arms. Helmet and face masks are specially designed for the goaltender and these safety are a must in Ice Hockey.
# Ice Hockey Basic Rules Penalty, Goal, Fighting, Substitution
Ice Hockey has certain sets of rules that every player has to follow. The game starts in the center circle with a face-off between both the team. The referee drops the puck and the game starts. Each player tried their best to get hold of the puck. The main objective of this game is to score as many goals possible. The team with the maximum number of goals wins the match.
Bit of aggression is seen in this game when the players try to get the puck. Players use force to get hold of the puck but they aren’t allowed to use force while trying to get the puck. A player can use shoulder, hip and torso to hit the player but this is allowed when the player has the puck with him, this is known as body checking.
Ice Hockey Penalty Rules: Body checking is allowed during the game but when the players try to hurt their opponent they are liable to penalties. Penalties include minor and major penalties. While minor penalties include trapping the player using sticks and holding the player by force using a stick or hand. Major penalties include fighting with the opponent and hurting them badly.
If a player keeps committing minor penalties he is charged with a major penalty. When a player commits a minor penalty he is removed from the game for 2 minutes, and the team has to play with 5 players. If the opponent strikes a goal during that time period the player can join just after the goal even if the 2 minutes hasn’t been completed. When a major penalty is committed the player is removed for 5 minutes.
Other Rules: There are also some rules that don’t seem that important but plays a very vital role in the game. Like the puck can be moved using a stick and foot, hands cannot be used during the whole game as it will be considered a penalty.
Also Check: What is Icing in Hockey
Ice Hockey Rules: A maximum of 20 players can be part of each Ice Hockey team but only six players can be on the field. The unlimited number of substitution can take place during the game and no prior official permission is required. But if a player is ejected by the referee then substitution cannot take place. Though body checking is allowed in the game if a player targets the head of another player then it is considered as a penalty. A player cannot use offensive method to have control on the puck, as this will be considered as fore-checking.
Though the popularity of Ice Hockey isn’t as widespread as different sports like Football, Baseball, Tennis, etc it has managed to create a place of its own. Ice hockey is a fast and fluid game and is popular because of the dramatic twist and turns and unpredictability of the game.
