Body Checking
Body Checking in Minor Hockey
Body checking is a subject of significant debate within minor hockey, garnering attention at all levels of the sport. While hockey is a fast-paced game where physical contact is common, it is essential to distinguish between body contact and body checking.
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The decision to introduce body checking varies across different levels of minor hockey. Typically, body checking becomes part of the game starting at the Bantam level and higher, excluding lower levels such as Recreation or sea hockey. Players transitioning to this level and above should be familiar with the concept of body checking, as it may take some time to adjust to the increased physicality. Younger players often adapt more quickly to this change compared to their older counterparts or concerned parents. The enforcement of body checking will be at the discretion of the on-ice referee, who will determine whether a particular incident warrants a penalty.
The primary objective of a body check is to separate the opponent from the puck.
To execute a proper body check, the player should use the trunk of their body, from hips to shoulders, as the point of contact. It is crucial that the check is delivered from the front or side of the opponent, using angling techniques. Players must refrain from raising their body excessively during the check to avoid dangerous play. Skating in a controlled manner is essential during the body check, with a focus on maintaining balance and being prepared to absorb a hit without sustaining injuries. Keeping one's head up and staying close to the boards can contribute to safer body checking. Players should be cautious of the "danger zone," which refers to being approximately 3 to 4 feet off the boards. In this area, if a player has their head down, the risk of injury significantly increases.
In the context of hockey, when an offensive player is approaching a defensive player, the defending player is not permitted to initiate a hit by moving in the opposite direction of the offensive player. Instead, any body contact should be a natural outcome of the offensive player's movement. It is crucial that there is no deliberate action from the defensive player to push, check, or shove the offensive player into the boards. However, in cases where accidental contact occurs, and the referee determines it to be unintentional, no penalty shall be imposed.
One of the most frequently observed non-penalized actions in hockey occurs when a defender guides the offensive player away from the net. In certain situations, this defensive maneuver, commonly referred to as "rubbed out along the boards," involves the defender positioning themselves in front of the attacking player, leading to the attacker being guided or squeezed along the boards. It is important to note that such a tactic is permissible within the rules of the game when executed correctly, allowing defenders to assert control over the play.
- A minor penalty or, at the discretion of the referee, a major penalty and a game misconduct penalty, shall be assessed for any player who body checks, cross checks, elbows, charges, or trips an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards. The degree of the penalty will be determined based upon the degree of violence and impact with the boards. If a player becomes injured, a major and game misconduct penalty should be assessed.
- Female Hockey and divisions of Atom or below, a minor penalty or, at the discretion of the referee, a major penalty and a game misconduct penalty, shall be assessed for any player who intentionally body checks, bumps, throws, shoves, punches or pushes any opposing player.. If a player becomes injured, a major and game misconduct penalty should be assessed.
It is essential to draw a clear distinction between legal defensive play and any illegitimate actions that may take place during the course of the game. If, during gameplay, the defending player forcefully drives the attacking player into the boards, thereby contravening the established guidelines for body checking or boarding, the appropriate penalty, either for body checking or boarding, should be enforced by the referee. Upholding these penalties ensures the safety of the players and upholds the principles of fair competition in the sport.
Please read the PCAHA handbook (Rule 6.2 - Boarding and Body-Checking) for more information.
