13 Feb
Ice hockey was first played in the early 1800s and has seen a steady growth ever since. However, with its increase in popularity, its rules and regulations have also changed to keep the players in check. So, let us look at some basic ice hockey rules:
The standard playing turf is called a rink, which is 200 feet by 85 feet.
A standard goal area is a net enclosure that is four feet tall and six feet wide.
An ice hockey team consists of six players, a goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards.
The duration of the game is 60 minutes that is split into three periods of 20 minutes.
During the face-off period:
– No body contact is allowed and if this rule is ignored by its players, it will result in a penalty.
– Substitution is also not allowed.
– The goaltender, unlike the rest of the players, is not allowed to roam the court, with the sole responsibility to protect the goal.
During the game, the puck can be slid along the ice and can be passed on to a teammate. This is called a hand pass.
The defending players are allowed to steal the puck from the opponent team by hitting their hip, shoulder, or torso and subsequently trying to get hold of the puck. This move is called a body check. However, a body check is considered illegal, when applied on a player who does not possess the puck.
Other than the face-off period, the substitution of players can be done at any time and is unlimited. The player to be substituted should be within five feet of the bench.
The official scorer, not the referee, awards the goals. Video replays can be sought in case of controversies.