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Through the new standard of rules
enforcement, our game, much like the
National Hockey League, will continue to
allow the opportunity for improved skill
development and a more positive hockey
environment for all participants. The
mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this
new initiative a greater emphasis will be
placed on skating, puck possession and the
proper use of the body to establish position
and a competitive advantage.
The goal of the enforcement standard is to
reduce restraining infractions in the game
and not to remove legal body checking or
body contact. A hard body check or using
body contact/position (non-checking
classifications) to gain a competitive
advantage over the opponent should not be
penalized as long as it is performed within
the rules.
The principles of
this new enforcement standard include the
following:
- The use of the stick will be limited to
only playing the puck.
- The stick will not be allowed to in any
way impede a player’s progress.
- The use of a free hand/arm will not be
allowed to grab or impede a player’s
progress.
- Players who use their physical skills
and/or anticipation and have a positional
advantage shall not lose that advantage as a
result of illegal acts by the opponent.
- Players will be held accountable for
acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.
Enforcement Standard – These
penalties are to be called
with very strict enforcement
HOOKING
- A player cannot use his/her stick
against an opponent’s body (puck carrier or
non-puck carrier) to gain a positional
advantage. Examples include:
- tugs or pulls on the body, arms
or hands of the opponent which allows
for the space between the players to
diminish
- placing the stick in front of
the opponent’s body and locking on –
impeding the opponent’s progress or
causing a loss of balance.
- stick on the hand/arm that takes
away the ability for the opponent to
pass or shoot the puck with a normal
amount of force
TRIPPING
- A player cannot use his/her stick on the
legs or feet of an opponent in a manner that
would cause a loss of balance or for them to
trip or fall. Examples include:
- placing the stick in front of
the opponent’s legs for the purpose of
impeding progress, even if on the ice,
with no effort to legally play the puck
- placing the stick between the
legs of the opponent (can
opener/corkscrew) that causes a loss of
balance or impedes the progress of the
opponent.
HOLDING
- A player cannot wrap his/her arms around
an opponent or use a free hand to clutch,
grab or hold the stick, jersey or body on
the opponent in a manner that impedes their
progress. Examples include:
- wrapping one or both arms around
the opponent along the boards in a
manner that pins them against the boards
and prevents them from playing the puck
or skating
- grabbing the opponent’s body,
stick or sweater with one or both hands
- using a free arm/hand to restrain or
impede the opponent’s progress
INTERFERENCE
- A player cannot use his/her body (“pick”
or “block”) to impede the progress of an
opponent with no effort to play the puck,
maintain normal foot speed or established
skating lane. Examples include:
- intentionally playing the body
of an opponent who does not have
possession or possession and control of
the puck.
- using the body to establish a
”pick” or “block” that prevents an
opponent from being able to chase a puck
carrier
- reducing foot speed or changing
an established skating lane for the
purpose of impeding an opponent from
being able to chase a puck carrier
Allowed Actions
- a player is entitled to the ice
he/she occupies as long as they are able
to maintain their own foot speed and
body position between opponent and puck
- players are allowed to compete for
body position using their strength and
balance in front of the goal or along
the boards
SLASHING
- The use of the stick will be
limited to only playing the puck. Any stick
contact, as a result of a slashing motion,
to the hands/ arms or body of the opponent
will be strictly penalized. In addition,
hard slashes to the upper portion of the
stick (just below the hands) of an opponent,
with no attempt to legally play the puck,
shall also be penalized.
OTHER INFRACTIONS
In addition to the above mentioned
enforcement standards, all other
infractions, including contact to the head,
checking from behind, cross checking, high
sticking and roughing (including late
avoidable checks) shall be penalized to a
strict enforcement standard.
CONCLUSION
All members of USA Hockey share an equal
responsibility to ensure the integrity of
the game is upheld. The onus to incorporate
change is not only on the officials, but
also on administrators, coaches, parents and
players, as well,
Administrators are expected to hold players,
coaches, officials and parents accountable
for their actions in an effort to promote a
safe and positive environment for all
participants.
Coaches are expected to teach proper skills
and hold their players accountable for
illegal and dangerous actions, regardless as
to whether they are properly penalized, or
not.
Parents are expected to support the
decisions of the officials and support the
coaches in teaching the proper skills in a
safe and positive environment.
Officials shall enforce a strict penalty
standard according to the guidelines that
have been established.
Players are expected to compete within the
playing rules.
All USA Hockey members must
demonstrate awareness and support for the
application, spirit and the respect of the
rules in order for continued improvement in
the game of hockey.
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