overview
Interested in learning more about hockey? Well, you're in the right place!
This page will give you links to Hockey Basics, Rules, Referee Signals, Hockey Lingo, The Zamboni, Equipment, the American Development Model, and more!
Be sure to check out our Getting Started page for information about teams, registration, and hockey parent mentors!
Don't hesitate to email info@tchockey.com anytime with questions or problems!
details
Hockey Basics
The Players
Goaltender: The goalie's primary task is simple - keep the puck our of his own net. Offensively, he might start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net.
Defensemen: These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line. They try to break up passes, block shots, cover opposing forwards (center and wings) and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play into the attacking zone, positioning themselves just inside their opponent’s blue line at the "points."
Center: The quarterback on the ice, the center leads the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play toward the opposing goal. On defense, he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team’s side of the ice.
Wings: The wings team with the center on the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they attempt to break up plays by their counterparts and upset shot attempts.
The Officials
Referee: The referee supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines if goals are scored and handles faceoffs at center ice at the start of each period.
Linesmen: Two are used. They call offside, offside pass, icing and handle all faceoffs not occurring at center ice. They do not call penalties, but can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called.
Goal Judges: One sits off-ice behind each goal and indicates when the puck has crossed the red goal line by turning on a red light just above his station. The referee can ask his advise on disputed goals, but the referee has final authority and can overrule the goal judge.
Official Scorer: He determines which player scores and credits assists if there are any. He might consult the referee, but the scorer is the final authority in crediting points.
The Penalties
A team plays shorthanded when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty. However, no team is forced to play more than two players below full strength (six) at any time. If a third penalty is assessed to the same team, it is suspended until the first penalty expires. When a penalty is called on a goalie, a teammate serves his time in the penalty box.
Minor Penalty: Two minutes - Called for boarding, charging, cross-checking, elbowing, holding, hooking, high-sticking, interference, roughing, slashing, spearing, tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Major Penalty: Five minutes - Called for fighting or when minor penalties are committed with deliberate intent to injure. Major penalties for slashing, spearing, high-sticking, butt-ending and cross-checking carry automatic game misconducts.
Misconduct: Ten minutes - Called for various forms of unsportsmanlike behavior or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team, so a substitute is permitted.
Penalty Shot: A free shot, unopposed except for the goalie, given to a player who is illegally impeded from behind when in possession of the puck with no opponent between him and the goal except the goalie. The team which commits the offense is not penalized beyond the penalty shot, whether it succeeds or not.
Delayed Penalty: The whistle is delayed until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.
2 Main Rules
The two most common infractions you will see called in hockey are offsides, icing, and offside pass (or sometimes called a two line pass.) Here are their descriptions, along with a graphical representation of what happens on the ice during these infractions. In all cases, the team with the puck would be trying to score on the goal at the right of your screen.
Offsides
A team is offside when any member of the attacking team precedes the puck carrier over the defending team's blue line. The position of the player's skates and not that of his stick is the determining factor. If both skates are over the blue line before the puck, the player is offside. If he only has one skate over the blue line and one on the blue line, he is onside. In the example (left) notice how player B crosses the blue line before player A who has the puck does.
Icing
Icing is not permitted when teams are at even strength. Icing occurs when a player on his team's side of the red (center) line shoots the puck all the way down the ice, it crosses the red goal line at any point other than the goal itself and is first touched by a defending player. Play is then stopped and the puck is returned to the other end of the ice for a face-off. Icing is not called if the goalie plays the puck by leaving his net, if the puck cuts across part of the goal crease, when a defending player, in the judgement of the linesman, could have played the puck before it crossed the red goal line, when an attacking player who was onside when the puck was shot down the ice manages to touch it first, or when the attacking team is playing short-handed because of a penalty. In the example (left) notice how player A from the blue team manages to get to the puck before Player A from the green team, the one who shot the puck down the ice, can get to it.
Referee Signals
Holding
Clasping the wrists in front of the chest. Called for using hands on opponent or his equipment
Slashing
Chopping with one hand across the opposite forearm. Called for swinging stick at the opponent.
Charging
Rotating clenched fists in front of chest. Called for taking more than three strides before checking opponent.
Interference
Crossed arms in front of chest with fists closed. Called for having contact with opponent not in possession of puck.
Boarding
Pounding the closed fist of one hand into the other. Called for driving an opponent into the boards.
Delayed Calling of Penalty
Referee extends arm and points to penalized player. Signals a penalty that has occurred by the team that does not have possession. Play continues until penalized team regains possession of the puck.
Cross Checking
A forward and backward motion with fists extended from the chest. Called for hitting opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of stick on the ice.
Wash-Out
Both arms swung across the body with palms down. When used by referee, it means a goal has been disallowed. When used by the linesman, it means icing or off-side has been nullified.
Hooking
Tugging motion with the arms. Called for using the stick or blade to hook an opponent.
Kneeing
Slapping the knee with palm of hand. Called when using knee to impede opponent.
Tripping
Strike the right leg with the right hand below the knee. Called for using stick, arm or leg to cause the opponent to trip or fall.
Elbowing
Tapping the elbow with the opposite hand. Called when using elbow to impede an opponent.
Misconduct
Place both hands on hips. Called for various forms of misconduct or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Use both hands to form a "T" in front of chest.
Highsticking
Holding both fists clenched, one above the other at the side of the head. Called for carrying stick above shoulder against an opponent.
Roughing
A thrusting motion with the arm extending from the side. Called for engaging in fisticuffs or shoving.
Icing
Spearing
A Jabbing motion with both hands in front of the body. Called for using the stick like a spear.
Hockey Lingo
For fans new to the game, hockey has a language all its own. The following guide should be helpful in picking up hockey’s lingo.
Back Check: To hinder an opponent heading toward and into the defending zone.
Blue Lines: The pair of one-foot wide blue lines which extend across the ice at a distance of 60 feet from each goal. These lines break up the ice into attacking, neutral and defending zones.
Body Check: Use of the body on an opponent. It is legal when the opponent has possession of the puck or was the last player to have touched it.
Butt-ending: To hit an opponent with the end of the stick farthest from the blade. It is illegal and calls for a penalty.
Goal Crease: Area directly in front of the goaltender. It is four feet wide and eight feet long and marked off by red lines. Offensive players who do not have possession of the puck may not enter.
Deke: To fake an opponent out of position.
Face Off: The dropping of the puck between one player from each team to begin or resume play.
Forecheck: To check an opponent in his end of the rink, preventing an offensive rush.
Freezing the Puck: To hold the puck against the boards with either the skate or stick to get a stoppage of play.
Goal Line: The red line which runs between the goal posts and extends in both directions to the side boards.
Goal Mouth: The area just in front of the goal and crease lines.
Hat Trick: The scoring of three or more goals by a player in one game.
One-timer: Shooting the puck directly upon receiving a pass. The offensive player takes his backswing while the puck is on its way to him and tries to time his swing with the arrival of the puck.
Penalty Box: The area opposite the team benches where penalized players serve time.
Power Play: A power play occurs when a team has a one-man or two-man advantage because of an opponent’s penalties.
Pulling the Goalie: Replacing the goalie with an extra skater in a high-risk attempt to tie the game. This primarily occurs when a team trails, usually by one goal, late in the game.
Save: A shot blocked by the goaltender, which would have bean a goal had it not been stopped.
Screened Shot: The goaltender’s view is blocked by players between the and the shooter.
Slap Shot: Hitting the puck with the blade of the stick after taking a full backswing.
Slot: The area immediately in front of the goal crease. It is from this zone that most goals are scored and where the most furious activity takes place.
Splitting the Defense: The player with the puck attempts to squeeze between the opponent’s defensemen.
Stick Handling: To control the puck along the ice with the stick.
Top Shelf: Term used to describe when an offensive player shoots high in an attempt to beat the goalie by shooting the puck into the top portion of the net.
Wraparound: A player skates around behind the opposing goal and attempts to wrap the puck around the goal post and under the goalie.
Wrist Shot: Shooting the puck with the blade of the stick using a quick snap of the wrist rather than a full back swing.
The Zamboni
The Zamboni®, named after it's creator Frank J. Zamboni, is the large apparatus that resurfaces the ice during, before and after the games. In the old days, a scraper would be dragged behind a tractor which was driven on the ice. People would manually shovel away the shavings, squeegee the ice clean, and spray water from a hose to build up new ice. Obviously this took a while and was inefficient. That's when Frank decided to change the world of ice maintenance.
First, the blade 1 shaves the ice surface, flattening it. The horizontal screw conveyors 2 gather the shavings and direct them toward the center of the machine, where it meets the vertical screw conveyor 3. The vertical screw conveyor lifts the shavings and projects them forward into the snow collection tank 4. Later, in a dump-truck style fashion the shavings are dumped out of the Zamboni®. Next, the conditioner 6 squeegees the ice clean using water from the wash water tank 5, removing dirt and other contaminants from the ice. This water is vacuumed up and returned to the wash water tank. Last, fresh, hot water from the fresh water tank is applied over the freshly shaved, vacuumed ice by the towel 7. This steaming hot water bonds with the current ice layers and melts into and over, providing a nice, new, clean and smooth sheet of ice. Sure beats the old way, doesn't it?
Zamboni® is a registered trade mark of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc.
EQUIPMENT
Hockey Shop North
New Hockey Equipment & Skate Sharpening Located in Centre Ice Arena
Play It Again Sports TC
Used Hockey Equipment
New to Hockey
Equipment Buying Tips
Recommended Hockey Equipment
Hockey parents should be advised that buying hockey equipment for their skater is not a one-time expense. As the child grows, the need for proper equipment grows. It is dangerous for a skater to have ill-fitting equipment; equipment that is too large hampers his/her skating, and equipment that is too small endangers them because the protection is not adequate.
If you have any questions about whether your child’s equipment is adequate, it is very important that you check with your coach or pro shop to get the answers. Equipment should be professionally fitted.
Equipment should be maintained properly after purchase. It will pick up bacteria and therefore should be aired properly after each use. Skate blades should be wiped down before covering. There should be a place in the family’s home just for the equipment to be properly maintained after each use, as it will rot if not dried adequately. Most equipment made today is washable and should be washed regularly.
- Skates. Must fit comfortably, though not so loose as to cause blisters when skating. Skate sizes are NOT the same as shoe sizes – skater must try on the skates before purchasing. White socks should be worn for comfort.
- Practice Socks. Hockey socks (colored, usually to match jersey) must be long enough to be gartered and to give skater room to grow. (GTHA provides game socks).
- Garter Belt. Used to garter hockey socks. Need to periodically check length of garters and size around waist for need of a larger belt.
- Shin Guards, Tape. To protect shin from pucks and sticks, to fit from knee to ankle. White tape is normally used to secure in place, or shin-guard straps (Velcro) may be used.
- Pants. Padded to provide some protection, must reach upper to mid-knees. Some skaters prefer long pants going to the ankles; however, can prevent skaters from easily getting up again after falling because of the material. Socks and short pants are the norm. Black is the preferred color.
- Athletic Cup. Not only for boys; girls need proper protection also.
- Shoulder Pads. Should not be so large as to hamper movement, but should provide some protection against bruises resulting from skating into boards, or in later years, checking. Too large of size pads will cause pads to fall away from the shoulders and will not protect the collarbone.
- Elbow Pads. Ideally, elbow pads should protect the area between the top of the elbow pad to the top of the glove. Again, it is important for proper sizing – especially as the skater grows. Is an important piece of equipment in preventing skate cuts along the arm when the skater has fallen.
- Gloves. There are many brands of gloves and price ranges on the market. The glove must fit the skater’s hand to have proper movement, but also should have room for growth. Worn, tattered gloves have no place on the ice. The top of the glove should ideally meet the elbow pad. The length of the glove can protect skate cuts along the arm when the skater has fallen.
- Helmet. US Hockey has strict rules regulating helmets for amateur hockey players. Your pro shop can assist you in purchasing the proper helmet. If you have an older used helmet, you may have to purchase proper straps for it and plug the ear holes that are no longer allowed.
- Mouth Guard. It is a GTHA and USA Hockey rule that amateur hockey players from Squirt and up wear a mouth guard. The guard must be colored. It is an USA Hockey requirement that mouth guards be connected to the facemask.
- Neck Guard. It is a GTHA rule that all skaters wear neck guards to prevent severe injury from being slashed with a skate, injured with a stick, or hurt from falling into the boards as an older skater might. The neck guard rule has prevented many injuries since its inception. Not wearing a neck guard can result in a suspension for the coach responsible for that skater.
- Practice Jersey. An expensive jersey is not needed for practices. It should provide comfort and not be too large as to hamper movement, not too small that it binds the movement. It is usually a good idea to have an extra one in the child’s bag, as it is not unusual for the skater to forget his/her jersey at least once a season. (GTHA provides game jersey).
- Stick. The hockey stick is left or right handed, comes in different lengths and different curves on the blade, or has a straight blade. The length is determined by the following: If in street shoes, the end of the blade should go to the nose; if in skates, the end of the blade should go to the chin. The stick will hardly ever be perfect; buy it longer and have the pro shop adjust it by cutting off the end. A dime shouldn’t be able to pass under the curve o f the stick; otherwise, it is illegal and may result in a penalty. Sticks come in adult, intermediate and junior sizes. A reputable pro shop will be able to help you size a stick to your skater. There are solid wooden sticks and aluminum shafted sticks with replaceable wooden blades. Adhesive tape of any color is usually used on the blade and handle for friction. The end of a hollow stick MUST be fully covered.
- Goaltenders. For goaltenders, special equipment is necessary, such as: gloves (catching and stick), chest and stomach protector, goalie skates (with a protective shell), leg pads, and shoulder and arm protectors. The goaltender's equipment is especially important, so seek advice from a knowledgeable source.
It cannot be stressed enough that proper equipment be worn by each skater in GTHA. It can prevent serious injuries – if ill-fitting, or worn out, it does not give the protection it was meant to give.
We have several reputable pro shops in the Traverse City area that give excellent service and know how to properly size your child.
AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL
USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) is an athlete-centered, coach-enhanced, administrator-supported framework that aims to help all individuals realize their athletic potential and utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle. This can be accomplished by following the 10 Guiding Principles and the age group recommendations that focus on developing all aspects of hockey performance in a developmentally appropriate manner, based on research and best practices in youth sports, human development, coaching, and the sports sciences.
The ADM is a framework to help all individuals realize their athletic potential and utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle. The ADM is based upon key tenets taken from research and best practices in youth sports, human development, coaching, and the sports science that promote sustained physical activity, health & safety, and age-appropriate development. It is important to note that the ADM is not exclusively a pathway for elite performance but for all individuals to participate for the purposes of activity, health, fitness and performance. Well-designed and conducted sport programs offer a myriad of benefits.
The need for the ADM is greater today than perhaps any time. The United States is confronted with the public health crisis of a sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, and poor fitness along with many issues in today’s hypercompetitive youth sports culture that does not allow for a positive and enjoyable youth sport experience for many. Both the U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity and Aspen Institute’s Project Play Report Card on Youth Sports have issued an overall grade of C. USA Hockey, along with the USOPC, believe that the ADM, is a solution.
This concept of long-term athlete development (LTAD) is not new. Historically, concepts around a framework of LTAD were initially developed as early as 1950s. More recently, in the United States, USA Hockey has been at the forefront of LTAD implementation. In 2009, USA Hockey developed and instituted the ADM in part to help with retention and developing better players through age-appropriate training and quality coach education. Given the early success of the USA Hockey ADM, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, in partnership with the National Governing Bodies, adopted tenants of the model in 2014.
USA Hockey ADM: More than cross-ice and station-based practices
In the past several years, we have heard a lot of coaches and parents say “we only do ADM at the younger ages.” Many think that ADM is merely cross-ice hockey and/or station-based practices at the younger age groups. Although these activities certainly represent aspects of ADM, there is so much more to it.
First, the ADM is a “cradle-to-grave” concept, and like many other facets of human development involves the process of growth, maturing, and progress in all facets of the sport. With that said, coaches often focus upon the skills and drills and teaching the game; however, overall athlete development involves not only sport-specific skills and an understanding of the game, but also understanding kids while developing general athleticism and fitness, fundamental movement skills, recovery, nutrition, and mental skills. This holistic athlete development approach addresses the four domains of sports performance.
Technical – sport skills
Tactical – game IQ
Physical – fitness and athleticism
Psychological – focus, motivation, etc.
And while many compartmentalize these domains, human development is highly complex. These domains are extremely interdependent and every child is different brining their own unique qualities to ice hockey.
The ADM, through utilization of LTAD principles, allows us to integrate training, competition and recovery programming with relation to biological and psychosocial development so that we can fully get at a kid’s potential -- to help bring an athlete out of a kid, then a hockey player out of an athlete.
Learn More About the ADM Model
FAQ
Q: What is the puck made of?
A: The puck is made of vulcanized rubber and is three inches in diameter and one inch thick, weighing about six ounces. It is frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant.
Q: How fast does the puck travel?
A: Some of the game’s hardest shooters send the puck toward the net at speeds between 90 and 100 mph with the elite shooters easily topping the century mark. Making things even more difficult on the goalie is the puck will frequently curve in flight, much like a baseball.
Q: Which shot is the hardest for a goalie to stop?
A: Generally speaking, it is one that’s low and to the stick side. Some goaltenders overplay to the stick side, presenting a more inviting target on the glove side.
Q: What about deflections?
A: Deflections aren’t just luck. Players practice redirecting shots by standing at the side of the net and knocking a shot from the outside past the goalie into another area of the goal.
Q: Which is tougher for the goalie to stop a slap shot or a wrist shot?
A: The slap shot, while it is harder and faster, is easier for the goalie to time than a wrist shot, which takes the goalie more by surprise.
Q: How thick is the ice?
A: The ice is approximately 3/4" thick and is usually kept at 16 degrees for the proper hardness. The thicker the sheet of ice becomes, the softer and slower it is.
Q: What are the standard dimensions of the rink?
A: The standard is 200’ by 85’, although some do vary.
Q: Can the puck be kicked in for a goal?
A: Not intentionally. However, if a puck is deflected off a skate or off a player’s body and no overt attempt is made to to throw it or kick it in, a goal is allowed.
Q: What if an offensive player is in the crease?
A: If he is there under his own power and the puck goes in, the goal is disallowed. A goal can be awarded if the player was forced into the crease or held there by a defensive player. An offensive player is allowed to carry the puck into the crea se and score.
Q: Why do goalies frequently come out of in front of their net?
A: Usually when a goalie leaves the area immediately in front of the goal it is to reduce the shooting area, cut down the angle of the shooter or for the offensive player to release his shot before he would like to. After coming out of the net, the goalie is usually backing up slowly in an attempt to get the shooter to commit himself first.
Q: Who gets credited for an assist?
A: The last player or players (no more than two) who touch the puck prior to the goal scorer are awarded assists. For example, if player A passes to player B who passes to player C who scores a goal; players A and B get assists.
Q: Why doesn’t the referee stop fights?
A: There are several. First, it is his job to watch what is going on and determine who should be penalized. Also, it is quite hazardous in close during a fight and since he is in sole control of the game, he has to protect himself from injury.
Q: How are the markings - the red and blue lines, goal lines, crease and face-off circles - applied to the ice?
A: The ice is built up to a half-inch thickness by spraying water over the concrete floor, which has the freezing pipes embedded into it. Then the markings are painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to coat the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.