2torial #0546: Learn2 Understand Hockey Grasp the basics Hockey shares many traits with lacrosse, field hockey and, to a lesser extent, soccer. If you're familiar with these games, you've got a leg up. Equipment: The basic equipment includes a puck, hockey sticks, skates, pads and helmets, and of course an ice rink (see Step 2). The puck, a round disk of vulcanized rubber measuring about three inches (7.5cm) across, serves the same purpose as a lacrosse or soccer ball--players battle for control, then try to knock it into their opponent's goal. All players, including the goalie, wear specially made ice skates and wield a hockey stick, usually made of wood and measuring about 4.5 feet (1.5m) long; the goalie's stick is slightly longer and wider. Safety necessitates that players wear helmets and generous padding. Objective: In short, hockey players are simply trying to knock the puck into the opposing goal. The entire puck must cross the goal line, and no points are scored if an attacking player kicks the puck in. Each goal counts as one point, and a team rarely scores more than ten points per game. A player earns the honor of a "hat trick" when he or she scores three goals in a single game. Play: In most leagues, each team fields six players, including one goalie, two defenders, one center and two offensive players (see Step 3). Skating is tiring, so player substitutions are frequent and can occur in the middle of a play. Penalties are also frequent and regularly result in a player's temporary removal from the game. Thus, team must frequently play with only five players. The team that has more players on the ice due to an opposing teams' penalties is said to be on a "power play." Offensive strategies: When a team possesses the puck, their goal is to retain control and move down the ice toward their opponents' goal. Rapid-fire passing throws the defense off balance and creates the opportunity for a shot on goal. Occasionally, there is a fast break just like in basketball. In this case, a player gains possession of the puck at his end of the rink, then passes or skates quickly enough to beat the defense back to their own goal for an easy shot. Defensive strategies: The defense has two goals. First and foremost they must prevent the other team from shooting. This can mean breaking up passing plays, harassing players so they can't shoot, or sometimes simply standing between the puck and the goal. Their second duty is actually to strip the other team of the puck and pass it up to their offensive line. This happens when the goalie stops a shot and regains control of the puck, or whenever a defensive player intercepts a pass or otherwise strips the puck from the offensive player. Step 2