Coaches should always emphasize the importance of safety when it comes to body checks. Body checkage requires good balance and stick placement. Players must learn to skate backwards before they are ready to learn checking techniques. However, teaching hockey players at a young age to keep their heads on a swing is crucial to being ready for oncoming defensemen. During checking, a defender holds his stick with both hands and uses the stick to hit the offensive player. Cross-checks are extremely illegal and can result in serious injury. Under no circumstances can a player use his stick to beat another player. If a player is asked to cross, they usually receive a two-minute minor penalty. If it is believed that the offender acted with intent to hurt his opponent, a severe penalty or exclusion will be imposed.
Starting with the 2011-12 season, USA Hockey increased the age of legal review from 12U to 14U. [7] The discussion of this rule change began with a review of the peewee (12U) and Squirt (10U) hockey levels. From observation, it was clear that Squirts was skating more aggressively and trying to play the right way. Stakes in similar situations would let the opponent get the puck first so they could check it, or hold back so they wouldn`t get hit themselves. Injuries were not an initial concern, but along with research, it was introduced into the discussion. Research shows that the 11-year-old brain has not developed the skills to anticipate. As a result, peewees get four times as many injuries in checkout than in non-checkout hockey. [8] Shoulder control is the most common form of body control. Shoulder checking is when a player leads with his shoulder when he makes contact with the offensive player. These types of shots can be very vicious when they occur on open ice.
Shoulder checks usually take place when two opposing players are skating side by side. The defensive player will lean his shoulder to try to unbalance the offensive player. For the 2005–06 season, the NHL introduced stricter penalties for numerous control violations that would not have been punished in previous seasons. The goal of the new enforcement standard was to fundamentally change the way hockey is played, rewarding speed and agility rather than brute force, as well as increasing scoring chances and minimizing interruptions in play. However, it is not clear how expanding the definition of a penalty would minimize interruption of play, as penalty calls result in interruptions of play. One explanation could be that more clearly defined rules give players clearer limits on penalties, resulting in fewer penalties. The target result is a faster game with generally higher scores than in previous years. [6] There are many different things that can determine whether a success is legal or not.
One of the main criteria is that your opponent (the guy getting hit) is eligible to be hit. To be hit, the opponent must have the puck or simply get rid of it. You can`t hit anyone directly from behind. Beginning with the 2010-11 NHL season, any form of “lateral or indiscriminate kick at an opponent aimed at the player`s head and/or primary point of contact” was prohibited (known as illegal head checking). This season, an illegal head check will be punished by either a severe penalty and misconduct, or a match penalty. [5] This new rule was introduced due to concussions of NHL players in previous seasons. A season later, it was changed with each blow on the head of an opposing player who is targeted and the main point of contact is not allowed. Now, this illegal head check is punished by either a small two-minute penalty or a play penalty.
During the 2013-2014 NHL season, the rule was clarified: “A blow that results in contact with an opponent`s head, where the head was the main point of contact and such contact with the head was preventable, is not allowed. As mentioned earlier, this is punishable by a two-minute minor penalty or a game penalty. Watch these NHL videos. This website contains videos of most types of illegal results. You can also go to nhl.com where there is a section called “Player Safety” where league representatives explain why they imposed each ban. Loading, hitting from behind and boarding are examples of illegal beatings. Cargo is the action of a player who, due to the distance travelled, forcibly controls an opponent in any way. A “charge” can be the result of a check in boards, in the goal frame or on open ice. Embarkation is when a check forcibly throws a defenseless player into the boards. [2] Because of their dangerousness and increased likelihood of causing serious injury, these shots can result in penalties ranging from a minor two-minute penalty to serious gambling-related misconduct. [2] In women`s ice hockey, every check is a penalty and is not allowed in leagues with young children.