WHY START PLAYING ICE HOCKEY?

For adults taking the plunge, strapping blades to your feet and entering the ice is an adrenaline-fuelled feeling, it will keep you fit and it's great for your mental wellbeing.

For children, not only is it fun and the perfect social activity, it will provide them with life-long skills; confidence, teamwork, communication and decision-making abilities.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN RULES AND STRUCTURE OF THE GAME?

Hockey at its core is a very simple game. You skate, you pass, you shoot and you score. Before jumping onto the ice, it's worth getting to know a few basics of the game.

OBJECTIVE

  • The objective is to score more goals than the opposing team.
  • A goal counts as one on the scoreboard (just like football/soccer).

PLAYERS

There are 6 players per team on the ice at one time (including the goalie).

The game allows unlimited substitutions from the bench during stoppages and play.

There are 6 different positions:

  • Goalie - Their job is to prevent the ice hockey puck from entering their net.
  • Defense players (left & right) - They are tasked with stopping the opposing forwards when their team does not have possession of the puck, and providing offensive support when the team does have possession.
  • Forward – center - Responsible for taking faceoffs (the way play starts and restarts after a goal) to regain possession and covering the center of the ice at both ends of the rink.
  • Forward – left & right wing - The wingers are responsible for play along the sides of the rink. They have some defensive responsibilities, but are primarily relied upon as goal scorers.

A goal can be scored by anyone on the ice, including the goalie, but this is still a rarity.

THE BASIC RULES

  • Offside - Play is declared 'offside' when an attacking player enters into the offensive zone before the puck does. Both skates over the blue line would count as 'entering'.
  • Icing - When a team shoots the puck from their own side of the center red line and across the opposition's goal line. There is one exception though - when a team is short-handed due to a penalty, icing is legal.
  • Faceoffs - Each play begins with a faceoff and ends when a goal is scored, or the referee blows the whistle.

PENALTIES

Penalties are how players get in trouble with their sticks and bodies. Players will serve their penalties in the penalty box (sin bin).

A minor penalty is two minutes in length. Major penalties and misconducts are for more serious offences and can be for 5 minutes, 10 minutes or a full match.

Whilst a penalty is being served, the opposing team receives a man advantage called a 'power play'. A power play lasts for the duration of the penalty. In the case of minor penalties, the power play will end early if the team with the man advantage scores a goal.

Penalties can be for stick fouls such as, high sticking, hooking and tripping.

Penalties are also for body fouls, including holding and roughing.

Here's a few penalties to avoid:

  • Roughing – striking an opponent with a hand or fist.
  • Hooking – obstructing progressive play by 'hooking' an opposing player with your stick.
  • High sticking – playing with your stick above shoulder height or the goal cross bar.
  • Tripping – using body parts or your stick to cause an opposing player to fall over.
  • Interference – obstructing a player not in possession of the puck.
  • Spearing – stabbing at an opponent with your stick (regardless whether this makes contact or not).
  • Charging – jumping or taking over three strides to violently hit a player and separate them from the puck.
  • Holding – grabbing an opponent to hold them back.
  • Fighting – partaking in a physical altercation. Often when punches are thrown.

DO I ALREADY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ICE SKATE?

If you can't already skate, this shouldn't stop you taking up hockey - it's simply a hurdle to overcome.

Start by going to open ice skating sessions at our local rink, followed by skating lessons if you feel you need them.  

Additionally, take a look at YouTube videos, for example Vinnie Langdon's: How To Hockey Ice Skate for Beginners!

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM ICE HOCKEY?

  • Friendships – you'll meet plenty of new people. It's a sport known for tight team bonds.
  • A proper work out – adults burn approximately 400 - 700 calories per hour of play, from the short interval bursts.
  • Patience – learning to play is a complex skill which needs coaching and training. Determination, commitment and practice are the keys to success.