Basic Rules Of Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is easy to understand, and once the basics are understood, it makes the game more enjoyable to follow. The rink is divided into offensive and defensive zones by red and blue lines. Both ends of the rink have a net as goal posts.

Each team has a maximum of 20 players, and only 6 players are allowed on the ice at any given moment. The game begins with the puck being dropped and players fight for the puck [faceoff]. The objective is to score more goals than the other team, by getting the puck into the opposing team’s net. The game lasts for three 20-minute periods.

The game has a few basic rules:

Offside – An attacking player entering the defending zone of the other team ahead of the puck is called offside. This causes play to be halted and a face-off takes place in the neutral zone.

Icing – This refers to a player hitting a puck from their own half, past the other team’s goal line without it coming into contact or deflecting off another player. Play is then halted, and the puck returned to where the pass was originated. A goal is not awarded.

Penalties – When a player commits any violations such as tripping or elbowing, they are sent to the penalty box. A minor penalty costs them to sit out of the game for 2 minutes, and 5 minutes for fighting. The team given the penalty must go short-handed for the penalty period.