Which rules must be kept in mind while playing Hockey Match?

Introduction to Blog

• Hockey is a team sport played between two teams of five players each. There are four types of players in a game; Offense (O), Defense (D), Goalie (G) and Penalty Killer (PK). O, D, G, PK are abbreviations that stand for Offensive Player, Defensive Player, Goalie and Penalty Killer respectively.  
• An offensive player is a person who attacks the opponent's goal by using his stick to pass, shoot, or otherwise move the puck. A defensive player defends their own goal by physically blocking shots away from the net. A goalie is a person who wears a mask and gloves and stops the puck by kicking, catching, punching or sliding the puck off of their body. Penalty Killers take penalties against the opposing team and kill them off by removing the puck from the play.  
• In ice hockey, a face-off occurs when a player is about to attempt a shot at the opponents' goal line. Before he does so, both players line up in front of their respective goals. The defending team gets to choose where they want the puck dropped. The attacking team may win if they manage to get the puck past the goalie and score before time runs out.  
• Goals are scored when a player shoots the puck into the opponent's goal and either scores a point or keeps the puck alive long enough to allow the other team to score. If no one puts the puck into the opponent’s goal, then the goalies of both teams have the option of having an icing call.  
• After a period of playing hockey, a 5 minute overtime period begins. Overtime is just as exciting and intense as regular period except that the goalies are allowed to wear less protective gear. To score, a team simply tries to put the puck into the opponent`s goal.  
• Each team starts and ends the game with three power plays. These consist of a 5-minute attack followed by a 30 second rest period. Power play scoring opportunities occur after a penalty, when the other team cannot defend their own goal, or when the goalie is not able to stop a shot.  
• The winner of the game is determined by whoever scores the most points, ties being broken by total goals scored.

Image by Markus Kammermann from Pixabay 

Rules of Playing Hockey

Playing hockey is not only about a game match but it is also about rules. Rules of hockey are those things that help us play hockey in a safe manner.

There are many rules of hockey. One such rule is “No goal shall be scored except by the puck entering the goal”. Here we have explained few other rules of hockey match which helps a player to understand the game better.

Some Rules to be Follow by All Players

• No goal will be allowed if the ball touches the net before it enters the goal.
• A goal is awarded to the team that scores first with the puck.
• If the puck is in the goalie's zone then he is entitled to keep his position until the players take off their skates.
• If any player crosses the center line without penalty or loses possession of the puck then he should give up possession to the opposing team.
• In order to score, the players must touch the puck with their stick. Skating with the puck alone does not constitute scoring a goal.
• Any infringement of the above mentioned rules may result in redirection or penalty.
• Two officials are appointed at the center ice face off circle. They count the number of players from each team who have possession of the puck.
• The two referees raise their respective flags to show that there is no goal.
• The referee stops play whenever a foul takes place. He points out the offenders and instructs them to leave the rink.
• hen a goal is disallowed then the referees announce the decision, and the goal judges decide whether or not to award a goal.
• Playing hockey match is not allowed unless any player gets injured. If any team player gets injured then the game should stop immediately. If both teams have same number of players then first team wins the match.
• Number of goals must be 5 or 6 only. If number of goals is less than 5 or 6 then no goal should be awarded. If the number of goals is more than 6 then no goal should awarded.
• When the ball enters the goal line it does not count as a goal. Only if the ball goes over the net then it counts as a goal.
• No offside rule is applicable here. Both teams are allowed to attack at once.
• In case of penalty shoot-outs, each team has 2 chances. So 4 goals are added. Two extra goals are given to each team.
• Goalkeeper can use his hands only. He cannot use stick or body. Penalty shot is taken only after the goalie touches the ball with foot.
• Rules Of Playing Hockey - 1. You have to wear protective gear (helmet, shin guards) while playing hockey match. When you hit the puck, you should be wearing these items. If not, then you may get injured.
• While playing hockey match, the sticks/pucks cannot be used as a weapon.

Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay 

Some Rules to be Follow by Goal Keeper

• The field of play is determined by the referee. A game begins after the ref blows his whistle.
• In order to win, one team has to score more points than the opponents.
• In case of a tie at the end of regulation time, the game goes into overtime.
• The player who scores first wins the game.
• When the game ends, the winner will receive a point.
• A goal is scored when the puck enters the opponent’s net.
• You can use your stick to block shots.
• In case if the puck touches a player's leg, thigh, elbow, arm, etc., he is called offside and a penalty is awarded to the opposing team.
• The goalie wears a mask and gloves and uses a blocker at the side of the net.
• There are no face-offs. Instead, each player takes turns striking the ball.
• A team may only substitute players once per period.
• Each team has three skaters and one goaltender per period.
• Rules should not play with each other.
• One player may not attack any other player except his/her own opponent.
• Player who attacks others may be tackled, or he/she may be sent off (if the attacking player does not stop).
• If a penalty shot is awarded, then the puck must stay inside the blue line until after the end of the match.
• When the whistle blows, the players go immediately to their respective benches.
• Only two players from either team can touch the puck at once.
• A pass must remain under control until touched by the intended receiver.
• No player may carry the ball unless he/she has possession of the ball.
• If the ball goes out of bounds, the player holding the ball becomes dead (i.e., unable to move) and cannot participate in the game. He/She must take himself/herself off the field and wait for the referee's instructions.

Some Rules to be Follow to Defeat Opponent Team

• After a goal is scored, the player scoring the goal gets the option of choosing whether to shoot again or have the chance to shoot again later in the game.
•  No player from either team may enter the opponents' rink before the puck drops.
• After the puck drop, both teams cannot leave their respective rinks without permission from the referee.
• While the game is being played, no player shall stand in a dangerous position.
• Neither team may use illegal equipment.
• Players cannot run out of their team's area without being cautioned by the referee.
• In case the ball goes out of bounds on the player's side, the ball shall be placed at the goal line of the opposing teams' end-line and not allowed back to the original position before the half time.
• If the ball touches any part of the players' body except his hands, he must immediately stop play and throw the ball clear before any further action.
• A player who deliberately disturbs the opponent's set-up/positioning of the goalkeeper may be penalized by the Referee.
• The game shall be stopped if the ball is kicked into touch behind the goal line by the attacker or defender. 
• When goals are scored, both the goal nets must be removed from the field.

Some Rules to be Follow by Referee (Umpire)

• A penalty stroke awarded to the attacking team by the Referee shall consist of two (2) minutes stoppage. The timekeeper shall record the score as "a goal". Both sides shall commence the count down after the second minute is finished. 
• Any infringement committed by the goalkeeper or the defensive team shall result in a free kick to the attacking side.
• In case of injury to a player on the opposing team, the injured player shall be replaced by the opposition captain.
• One referee can only control one match.
• Before the start of each quarter of the first half, the Referee shall indicate to the players the time remaining until the end of the half.
• Which team shall have four (4) timekeepers. At least three (3) Officials are required at every match.
• No substitutions shall be permitted after the interval between halves.
• An overtime period shall begin when the scores are tied after full time of the match.
• You should not play hockey match if you have any cuts or wounds on your body. (Wounds)
• You should not play Hockey Match if your team members have any injuries. (Injuries)
• You should not play with dirty hockey sticks. (Dirty Sticks)

Some Rules to be Follow by Coach

• All the players of both teams must wear jerseys.
• The size of the field area must be equal for both sides.
• There should be no ball during hockey match.
• If there is a goal then the goalkeeper of each side scores two points.
• The duration of hockey match is three minutes.
• At the end of the game, the winner gets two points.
• If there is a tie after three minutes then the game goes to penalty shoot out.
• A player from the winning team cannot win again.
• If the score is tied at the end of the third minute then the game goes into overtime.
• In case of overtime, the last player of the losing team wins.
• The game of hockey consists of two teams, each having 15 players.
• Four officials, including referee, linesman and timekeeper, are appointed to control the match.
• One of the four officials (usually the referee) may challenge any decision of his colleague, provided he has seen him make the ruling correctly.

Some Rules to be Follow to Sustain Victory

• A goal is scored when the opposing team's stick is caught in the netting.
• When a goal is scored, the defending team has 20 seconds to stop the puck before they score again. If they do not, their opponent scores.
• Team members may not go onto the ice unless permitted by the referee.
• In a penalty shot, the player shoots at the goalie, who lies on the ground behind the goal mouth. If the puck goes in, the goalie gets up and stops it; if it does not, the shooter scores.
• A foul occurs when one player uses his stick to hinder play.
• A minor infringement is punishable by a five-minute minor penalty. A major infraction is penalized by a ten-minute major penalty. A misconduct results in automatic disqualification.
• After a minor infringement, the offending player shall receive three minor penalties. After a major infringement, the player receives five major penalties.
• Each team can substitute only once per period.
• The clock starts to run again after the ball hits the tape.
• All goals scored in extra time count double.

I hope you enjoyed this article!!!