Hockey Basics

Blue Puck - In 2003, USA Hockey passed a rule stating that players 8 years old or under use a "blue puck" which is the same size as a standard puck, but weights only 4-4.5 ounces.

Icing - Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across the red line and the opposing team's goal line untouched and without the puck going into the net. See diagram:



Icing will be waved off if any of the following occurs:

-Any player from either the offensive or defensive team (including the goalie) touch the puck before it crosses the other team's goal line
-Any player from the opposing team could have reasonably played the puck before it crossed the goal line (this is at the discression of the linesman)
-The team committing the icing is shorthanded

Offsides - Offsides occurs when a player from the attacking team enters their offensive zone before the puck has completely crossed the offensive blue line. See diagram:



It should be noted that the puck carrier may enter the zone before the puck completely crosses the line as long as he/she maintains complete control of the puck.

Puck - An ice hockey puck is disc made of black vulcanized rubber 1 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter. Pucks typically weigh approximately 5.5-6 ounces.

In 2003, USA Hockey passed a rule stating that players 8 years old or under use a "blue puck" which is the same size as a standard puck, but weights only 4-4.5 ounces.

Rink - This image represents the typical layout of a hockey rink.



Most rinks are 85 feet wide by 200 feet long - these rinks are typically referred to as "NHL" or standard rinks. Some sheets are 100 feet wide by 200 feet long - these are typically known as "Olympic" or "International" rinks.