Understanding the Basics of Ice Hockey Rules
Ice hockey has cemented itself as a favorite sport among players and bettors all over the world, but especially among winter-season aficionados. Though ice hockey can be played on artificial ice rinks inside, it’s much more fun to engage in this intense competition outdoors. Hockey betting is also super-popular among seasoned and rookie punters.
If you are looking forward to learning the basics of ice hockey or placing wagers on it but lack knowledge about the game, this read has got you covered.
The Objective of Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is a competition played on an ice rink between two teams. The aim of the game is simple: to get a rubber disk called a puck past the goal line and into the net. The net, of course, is defended by the goalie. Ice hockey is definitely a battle. Due to its adrenaline rush and speed, it is one of the most popular international sports games worldwide.
Playing Surface and Equipment
No joke here: ice hockey is played on an ice rink. Sounds pretty simple, but there are certain requirements as per the size and form of the venue. It is advised that rinks be 60 meters long and 25 to 30 meters wide for elite International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) competitions. Official measurements for IIHF World Championship events are 60 meters in length and 30 meters in width. The rink’s corners are rounded to a circle with a radius of 7 to 8.5 meters. The red center line divides the rink, which also features two blue lines, nine face-off circles, goals, and creases.
As for the equipment, players use their sticks to move a black puck all over the rink and, hopefully, into the net of the opponent. Pucks are usually one inch thick with a diameter of three inches. They are impact-resistant and keep their shape perfectly at high speeds due to their material, which is vulcanized rubber.
Basic Gameplay Rules
Let’s dig deeper and see how ice hockey actually works. Brace for impact; it could be a bit tricky. It’s best to start with the image below.
The lines in the middle are actually the blue lines. The area between the closest blue line and the net your team is defending is the defensive zone for your team. You try to prevent your opponent from scoring it. The mirror zone on the other side is the offensive zone. However, during the second period, teams switch the areas, so the initially defensive zone becomes offensive and vice versa.
The game consists of three 20-minute periods with 15-minute breaks in between. The game can end in a draw unless the rules of this specific game call for an overtime period as a tiebreaker.
Generally, hockey is a physical sport. Meaning? Fights and commotions are uncommon here. A major part of the game involves physical contact, but there is a thin line between allowed interactions and violations of the rules. For example, fistfights are subject to five-minute penalties imposed by the referees. However, this physical aspect is the zest of the game and definitely adds to its unique vibe.
Offside Rule
Hockey may seem pretty straightforward and even plain to those who are not in the know. Actually, it is a deep strategic sport with complex rules that have a huge impact on how the game unfolds.
The offside rule is one of the most important hockey basics. A team is considered to be offside when a player moves over the blue line of the other team before the puck. Here, it is the position of the skates that matters, not the puck or the stick. If both skates are over the blue line before the lock itself, the player is deemed offside.
It’s crucial to remember that the offside rule only applies if both skates are over the line. This explains why you can often see a hockey player skating with one leg wobbling above the ice; he is sticking to his onside position and waiting for the puck to cross the line so that he can let his second skate touch the ice.
Icing Rule
It is crucial to understand what icing means while playing hockey or betting on it. This concept can seem a bit tricky, so we will try to explain it in plain words.
As we’ve explained earlier (and as you can see on the picture above), a hockey rink has a red line in the center and two blue lines on the sides. These lines split the rink into four parts.
If one of the players in their own defense zone sends the puck from behind the red line into the opposite zone, he performs a maneuver called “icing.” This maneuver is sometimes allowed. For example, for the defenders who understand that the offensive team can actually catch the puck before it reaches the end wall. It all ends with the referee. If the referee considers this icing case a violation, then the play will be stopped, and the puck will be shifted to the original defensive zone.
Why is it even a rule? It was introduced back in 1937 as a means to eliminate delay tactics. Some teams used this maneuver to waste time on the clock. It was frustrating for the players and boring for the audience. Thus, the rule.
Penalties and Fouls
If players violate the rules of the games, officials have the right to penalize such players. Penalties fall into three categories:
- minor (a player must spend 2 minutes in the penalty box with no substitute on the field);
- major (a player must spend 5 minutes in the penalty box);
- misconduct (depending on the violation).
The level of the penalty is subject to discussion; however, it is normally decided by the referee of the game. Most penalties are not called right away. To signal a penalty, an official will raise an arm; however, the gameplay will not be stopped until the team that fouled up touches the puck.
Special Rules for Goalies
Goalkeepers do take the fall in full. Since they are really protected from harsh impact and can serve as a menace to less armored players, goalies have their own rules of conduct.
For example, a goalkeeper wearing full protective gear (leg guards, kickers, and headgear) has no right to participate in the match outside the area they are defending. On the bright side, goalies do have certain privileges. They are allowed to block shots with any part of their bodies. Also, if a goalkeeper’s stick is broken, he can keep on playing with a busted one, unlike other players.
Understanding Overtime and Shootouts
Any regular hockey game that ends in a draw is subject to a five-minute overtime period. If there is still no advancement as per the result of the game after the overtime period, other measures will be taken.
If an ice hockey game ends in a tie even after overtime, the referee calls for a shootout. In this case, a set of three penalty shots are offered to each team alternatively. The winner of the shootout will be ultimately awarded a goal.
Conclusion
Ice hockey is a breathtaking sport that has captured the attention of spectators worldwide for many years. The game is exciting and fast-paced, blending physicality, skill, and strategy. In this article, we shared some nuts and bolts of ice hockey. After all, sharing is caring. We hope you will feel the vibe of this catchy and exciting game adored by many.