2006
- 2007 NEW STANDARD OF PLAY AND RULES EMPHASIS
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Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game 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 Players 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 of 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 jersey with
one or both hands
- using a free arm/hand to restraint or impede the
opponent’s progress
INTERFERENCE
• The use of the 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 land. 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 check) 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 the 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 respect of the rules in order for continued
improvement in the game of hockey.