Body Checking in Hockey | Pure Hockey (2024)

Hockey is a physical game. At some levels that physicality includes body checking or hitting. Checking occurs when a defensive player crashes into the opponent who’s handling the puck, leading with the hip or shoulder, and resulting in a violent collision. The contact is intended to separate the player from the puck or simply disrupt the play. It’s also about intimidation. Body checking in hockey is a carefully regulated part of the game that many players and fans appreciate, and is a beloved hockey practice at advanced levels. A hard hockey check can bring the crowd to its feet. Just as important, it can help a team win the game, and many coaches will credit their team for out-hitting the opposition or for being more physical.

The Hockey Check

A lot of hockey checks happen along the boards when a player slams into an opponent with the puck, sending that player crashing into the boards or to the ice. But not all hockey checks happen around the periphery of the hockey rink—open-ice checks can be even more devastating because they often happen when both players are on the move. Hockey players are taught at a very early age to “keep your head on a swivel,” always looking for where your teammates are and where the other team is as well.

Of course, injuries can happen in leagues where checking is allowed. That is why hockey rules clarify the meaning of what is considered a “clean hit,” or a hockey check that follows the rules. No. 1 on the list is, don’t target the head. Shoulders and elbows can cause lasting damage to a head, and most players are careful to avoid hurting other players, as well as the punishment that follows. Majors, double majors, game misconducts, and match penalties may result when a player checks an opponent “above the shoulders,” with stiffer penalties and perhaps suspensions if the opponent is injured.

Types of Hockey Checks

Different types of body checks happen at different locations on the ice and in different situations. While checking in hockey may look like two players simply crashing together, skilled checking technique actually prevents an injury to the player delivering the hit as well as to the one absorbing the impact. Two of the most common types of checks are the hip check and the shoulder check.

Hockey Hip Check

A hip check in hockey can be delivered on open ice, although it often happens along the boards. In a hip check, a player bends down and leads with the hip into the player with the puck.

Hockey Shoulder Check

In a shoulder check, a player leads with the shoulder when hitting an opponent. The player delivering the hit must keep the elbow tucked in or risk a penalty, particularly if the elbow comes anywhere near the opponent’s head.

Illegal Body Checks

Not all checks are legal. Officials will raise their hand to signal a penalty for a variety of illegal hits, including these common and dangerous types of body checks.

Cross check

A cross check occurs when a player holds their stick in both hands with arms extended and uses the stick to impact a player during a check.

Boarding

Boarding is when a defenseless player is body checked into the boards in a dangerous manner. Because of the nature of this offense, the player’s head or face is often the first to impact the boards, and injury is common.

Charging

Charging is called when a body check is delivered by a player who takes three or more strides going into a check or if a player leaves their feet to launch their body into the player to deliver the hit with more force.

Different Body Checking Rules

Rules on checking vary significantly from league to league, with some leagues not allowing any kind of intentional hitting at all to protect players. USA Hockey raised the age at which young players can body check for the 2011-2012 season. That change made checking against the rules for 12U leagues, with 14U leagues allowing body checks. Checking is allowed in college and high school hockey. Women in the International Ice Hockey Federation are now allowed to check. And the National Hockey League continues to adjust rules to protect players against serious injury caused by body checks.

While body checking in hockey continues at many levels of the sport, the rules are constantly changing to protect players. The fact remains that hockey checks are a big part of the game on the ice, and popular with the fans.

Body Checking in Hockey | Pure Hockey (2024)

FAQs

Body Checking in Hockey | Pure Hockey? ›

Checking occurs when a defensive player crashes into the opponent who's handling the puck, leading with the hip or shoulder, and resulting in a violent collision. The contact is intended to separate the player from the puck or simply disrupt the play. It's also about intimidation.

What is bodychecking in hockey? ›

Body checking is a defensive move where a player tries to separate the puck from a player on the other team. During a check, the defensive player purposefully uses his upper body to hit the puck carrier with force while moving in the opposite or same direction.

Is body checking allowed in the NHL? ›

This is often referred to as simply checking or hitting and is only permitted against an opponent with possession of the puck. Body checking can be penalized when performed recklessly.

When can you body check in hockey? ›

When can you body check in hockey? Body checking is only allowed when an offensive player is in possession of the puck. Hitting a player who does not have the puck will result in a penalty. Defenders can still annoy offensive players without the puck by blocking their intended path or lifting their stick.

How do you avoid body checks in hockey? ›

Take the Proper Angle to the Puck

To avoid a check that throws you into the boards—especially head first—approach the puck at an angle that doesn't square your shoulders to the boards: Don't skate straight at a puck that's along the boards.

What is considered body checking? ›

As its name implies, body checking is the repeated checking of one's shape or weight. It's not a casual, occasional look at one's body, but instead compulsive monitoring of it. Examples include: Frequent weighing. Fixating on body parts in the mirror.

What does dirty mean in hockey? ›

Dirty: term to describe an outstanding deke. Duster: someone who doesn't get much playing time and collects dust on the bench.

What is the difference between body contact and body checking? ›

Legal body contact occurs between skates who are in the vicinity of the puck. A bodycheck is intentional on an opponent who has control of the puck, with the focus on gaining possession.

Why is cross checking illegal in hockey? ›

In the rules of the National Hockey League, cross-checking is defined in Rule 59, while the International Ice Hockey Federation rules define it in Rule 127. While body checking is allowed in boys and men's ice hockey, the use of the stick increases the risk of injury to an opponent.

Can a player body check a goalie? ›

Is a player able to bodycheck the goalie like any other opponent on the ice? The goalie in hockey is not allowed to be hit by a player. There is no instance where the goalie is 'fair game' and allowed to be checked like a regular skater, even if the goaltender is handling the puck outside of the crease area.

Should girls be able to check in hockey? ›

For those unfamiliar with the rules for the women's game, while body contact is allowed and happens quite regularly, bodychecking is not. Delivering a bodycheck constitutes a two-minute minor penalty.

Can boys check in hockey? ›

Teaching players how to safely administer and receive body contact at an early age allows them to practice and become comfortable with this aspect of the game. However, checking isn't allowed until 16U (Bantams) in boys.

Can females check in hockey? ›

There is no checking in women's hockey because it is a full-contact sport. In order to keep the game safe, players are not allowed to check each other. Instead, they must play the puck and try to take it away from their opponents. This means that when a player has possession of the puck.

Can you leave your feet when checking in hockey? ›

Additionally, Rule 639(a) of the USA Hockey Rulebook states: “Any player who deliberately leaves his feet and contacts an opponent with any part of his body thereby causing the opponent to trip or fall shall be assessed a minor penalty (Clipping).

Can you not pick up your stick in hockey? ›

If the goaltender picks up the stick, they will be assessed a Minor penalty under Rule 10.6 (a) – Illegal Equipment. No penalty is to be assessed against the goaltender in this situation if they do not pick up the stick.

What age does body checking start? ›

Step 3 – Contact Confidence (Body Contact): Body contact is the third step in the progression and is used to gain separation, when a player positions his/her body between the puck and the puck carrier. Step 4 – Body Checking (begins in U15): Body checking is the final step in the 4 step checking progression.

Why is body checking wrong? ›

Experts say that too much body checking, or checking in a ritualized way, can worsen symptoms for someone with disordered eating. When the threat response prompts body checking, it can: intensify feelings that your body is imperfect. increase the fear of losing control.

What is the difference between body checking and body avoidance? ›

What is Body Avoidance? Body avoidance is the opposite of body checking. Instead of constantly evaluating your body size or shape, you completely avoid seeing your weight or shape. It is not that thoughts of weight and appearance aren't present, however; it is just a different way of coping with these intense feelings.

What is a pizza in hockey? ›

Pizza: A brutal pass up the middle of the ice intercepted by the opposing team. "Bidini is serving up more pizzas tonight than Little Caesar's."

What does juice boy mean in hockey? ›

Pitlick was that day's “juice boy.” Similar to a free-throw shooting contest between players in basketball, hockey has a version called “juice boy,” a tradition that dates back several decades. In hockey's version, each player attempts to score from the hash marks in front of the crease.

What does a squid mean in hockey? ›

The origins of the activity go back to the 1952 playoffs, when a National Hockey League team played two best-of-seven series to capture the Stanley Cup. Having eight arms, the octopus symbolized the number of playoff wins necessary for the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup.

What is mirror checking? ›

Body checking can also present as mirror checking, which is the compulsive examination of one's reflection to monitor certain parts of the body. Your reflection is everywhere, so there are many ways to mirror check. A common example is checking your reflection as you're walking past shop windows.

Is body checking good? ›

It's clear that body checking is not a healthy behavior and can have negative impacts on one's self-esteem and mental health, but how do you stop? The first step is to become more aware of what you're doing, says Rollin.

How do you manage body checking? ›

3. Develop strategies to reduce, and eventually eliminate, body checking behaviors.
  1. Reduce the number of times you body check in a day.
  2. Limit when or for how long you engage in body checking.
  3. Postpone the behavior (e.g. holding off on weighing yourself for a day)
  4. Eliminate the behavior entirely.
Sep 27, 2021

What are hockey players not allowed to do? ›

The basic field hockey rules

Hockey players (other than the goalkeeper) are not allowed to use their feet, or any other parts of the body, to control the ball at any time. A goal can only be scored either from a field goal, a penalty corner, or from a penalty stroke.

How do you get ejected from a hockey game? ›

A player assessed a game misconduct penalty is ejected from the contest and sent to the dressing room. Game misconducts are often assessed along with another penalty, such as a five-minute major. The game misconduct is added in the official's judgement.

Can you shoulder check in hockey? ›

Hockey Shoulder Check

In a shoulder check, a player leads with the shoulder when hitting an opponent. The player delivering the hit must keep the elbow tucked in or risk a penalty, particularly if the elbow comes anywhere near the opponent's head.

Can you kick it to your own goalie? ›

Players are allowed to head the ball back to their goalkeeper, or pass the ball back to their shot-stopper with any body part other than their foot.

Can a goalie touch the puck? ›

NHL goalies, of course, use their hands to defend shots with a stick-hand "blocker" glove and other hand "catch glove." They can "freeze" the puck or stop play by covering up on the puck or keeping it in the catch glove to get a referee's whistle and a subsequent nearby faceoff.

Can you pull your goalie anytime? ›

At any time, a team may choose to swap its goalie for a sixth attacker — a move that gives them an offensive advantage, but leaves their net wide open. Typically, teams will pull the goalie when they're losing and the game is in its final two minutes.

Do female hockey players wear cups? ›

In general, however, most female hockey players do wear cups during games and practices. This is because the risk of injury is much higher in hockey than in other sports, and the cups provide an extra layer of protection against hard hits and pucks.

Are hip checks legal in USA Hockey? ›

A player cannot deliver a body check to any player while participating in a competitive contact category. Examples include: Making intentional physical contact with an opponent with no effort to legally play the puck. Using overt hip, shoulder or forearm contact with the opponent to physically force them off the puck.

Do female hockey players have to wear cages? ›

Cages are used on female hockey players because they are considered amateurs. All hockey players are required to wear a cage or visor, which is required at almost every level. While some leagues require players to wear wire cages, others allow them to choose from a cage, a full visor, or a hybrid cage.

What does 16U mean in hockey? ›

CURRENT USA HOCKEY YOUTH HOCKEY AGE GROUPS

Age Category: 11-12 - Age Division: 12 or Under (12U) Age Category: 13-14 - Age Division: 14 or Under (14U) Age Category: 15-16 - Age Division: 16 & Under (16U) Age Category: 17-18 - Age Division: 18 & Under (18U)

What age do kids get scouted hockey? ›

At what age do hockey players get scouted? The hockey scouting process can begin as early as 8th grade, which is why the NCAA established new recruiting rules the prohibit Division 1 and 2 college coaches from contacting college hockey recruits until their sophom*ore year of high school.

Can a hockey team dress 3 goalies? ›

Each team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at any time during the game. (d) Except when all goalkeeper s are incapacitated, no player on the game roster shall be permitted to wear the equipment of the goalkeeper .

Can you body check a goalie in hockey? ›

Some slight incidental contact is usually allowed by officials but body checking a goaltender anywhere on the ice is against the rules and will result in a minor penalty. If an opposing player is pushed into the crease by a defender though it usually won't result in a penalty if the goaltender is run into.

Can a girl play on a guys hockey team? ›

USA Hockey recommends that girls should stop playing with boys when, due to size or speed, the player would be at risk of injury due to full-contact checking. Not all girls are big enough or have the confidence to play with boys once the boys have hit puberty.

Can girls be hockey refs? ›

There are 2800 women referees, but none reffing higher than the junior levels. However, female and male refs go different paths when reffing hockey games.

What is rule 42 in hockey? ›

Charging is a penalty in ice hockey. Rule 42 of the NHL rulebook dictates that charging "shall mean the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner.

What does charging mean in hockey? ›

(Note) Charging is the action where a player takes more than two strides or travels an excessive distance to accelerate through a body check for the purpose of punishing the opponent.

Are hip checks illegal? ›

Generally speaking, hip checks are legal in hockey when they are performed correctly. However, if the player throwing the hip check makes contact at or below an opponent's knees, a “clipping” penalty will be assessed.

Why do hockey players tap their sticks after a fight? ›

So, the tradition in hockey is that to applaud, hockey players will tap their sticks on the ice (or against the boards if they're on the bench) to signify approval.

Is it illegal to use the hockey stick to hook another player? ›

(Note) Hooking is the action of impeding the progress of an opponent with a pulling or tugging motion by applying the blade of the stick to any part of an opponent's body or stick. A player cannot use their stick against an opponent's body (puck carrier or non-puck carrier) to gain a positional advantage.

Can you hook a players stick in hockey? ›

There is a move out there now where a player turns their stick over, quickly "Hook-Checks / Stick-Checks" the opponents stick, causing them to loose control of the puck/ball. As long as this move does not impede the progress of the player in possession of the puck/ball, it is a legal move.

Why is body checking banned in women's hockey? ›

There is no checking in women's hockey because it is a full-contact sport. In order to keep the game safe, players are not allowed to check each other. Instead, they must play the puck and try to take it away from their opponents. This means that when a player has possession of the puck.

Why is cross-checking illegal in hockey? ›

In the rules of the National Hockey League, cross-checking is defined in Rule 59, while the International Ice Hockey Federation rules define it in Rule 127. While body checking is allowed in boys and men's ice hockey, the use of the stick increases the risk of injury to an opponent.

Why do hockey players cross check? ›

According to the National Hockey League (NHL) rulebook, cross-checking is when a player holds his or her stick shaft with both hands to check an opponent. In hockey, checking is any defensive technique. Its goal is to separate the opponent from the puck.

Could a woman ever play in the NHL? ›

Manon Rheaume's participation in the NHL was a groundbreaking and revolutionary moment for the sport of ice hockey, especially for female athletes. In 1992, Manon became the first woman to ever play in an NHL game.

Are you ejected if you fight in hockey? ›

Rules of the NHL, the North American junior leagues, and other North American professional minor leagues punish fighting with a five-minute major penalty. What separates these leagues from other major North American sports leagues is that they do not eject players simply for participating in a fight.

Are hip checks legal in USA hockey? ›

A player cannot deliver a body check to any player while participating in a competitive contact category. Examples include: Making intentional physical contact with an opponent with no effort to legally play the puck. Using overt hip, shoulder or forearm contact with the opponent to physically force them off the puck.

What are the effects of body checking? ›

Body checking is a repeated behavior conducted in an attempt to gain information about one's shape, weight, size, or body composition. Body checking is associated with negative behavioral, emotional, and cognitive outcomes and may maintain body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

Why do hockey teams dump and chase? ›

It is important that the teams own players do not run into offside. Tactically, a Dump'n'Chase accomplishes a few things. From a defensive standpoint, it moves the puck as far away from the own net as possible. It also removes or decreases the risk of offsides or neutral zone turnovers.

What is the new crosscheck rule in the NHL? ›

(Note) Cross-checking is the action of using the shaft of the stick between the two hands to forcefully check an opponent with no portion of the stick on the ice. (a) A minor penalty shall be assessed for cross-checking an opponent.

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