The Basic Rules of Hockey

Basic Rules of Hockey

Number of Players

  1. Each team has 6 players on the ice at a time in ice hockey (1 goalie + 5 skaters).
  2. In field hockey, each team has 11 players (including the goalie).

Game Duration

  1. Ice hockey games are divided into 3 periods, each lasting 20 minutes.
  2. Field hockey games usually have 2 halves of 35 minutes each.

Objective

  1. Score more goals than the opponent by sending the puck (ice hockey) or ball (field hockey) into the opposing goal.

Playing the Puck/Ball

  1. Players use sticks to pass, control, and shoot.
  2. In ice hockey, players skate; in field hockey, players run on grass or turf.

Offside Rule

  1. Players cannot enter the attacking zone ahead of the puck (ice hockey) or ball (field hockey) before it crosses the line.

Icing (Ice Hockey only)

  1. Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across both the center red line and the opposing team’s goal line without it being touched. This results in a stoppage and faceoff in the offending team’s zone.

Penalties

  1. Infractions like tripping, hooking, or high-sticking result in penalties where the offending player serves time in the penalty box, giving the other team a temporary player advantage (power play).
  2. More severe penalties can lead to ejections or game misconducts.

Faceoffs

  1. Used to start play at the beginning of periods and after stoppages. The puck is dropped between two opposing players who then battle for possession.

Goalkeeper

  1. The goalie’s job is to prevent the puck or ball from entering the net using any part of their body or equipment.

Winning the Game

The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time wins. Overtime or shootouts may be used if the score is tied.

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