2torial #0546: Learn2 Understand Hockey Ponder penalties It seems like hockey players are constantly banging into each other, tripping each other, whacking each other with their sticks, etc. That's because they are. In fact, a certain amount of roughness is part of the game. Take the body check: it's perfectly legal to hit someone with your hips or shoulders in order knock them off balance, then steal the puck (provided you're not moving too fast). And as long as you hold your stick with one hand, you can whack your opponent with it in certain designated areas below the neck. However, a number of rules keep the game from turning into a slugfest. The following are just some of the actions that can land a player in the penalty box, an enclosed area located just off the ice at the rink's center line: Minor (two-minute) penalties include: Hooking and holding: Using your stick (hooking) or a hand or arm (holding) to prevent a player from moving. Players regularly try these maneuvers to slow down an opponent from getting to the puck, but it's definitely illegal. Charging: Body-checking with too much force. Some nudging is fine, but you cannot skate full speed into another player like a charging bull. High-sticking: Lifting the stick above shoulder level is always illegal, even if you're all alone on the ice. If you do so in order to strike an opponent, you can expect swift action from a referee. Elbowing and kneeing: Shoulders and hips are fine, but you can't hit a player with these more pointy extremities. Cross-checking: Hitting an opponent with a stick that is held with two hands. Interference: Deliberately blocking a player who is not in possession of the puck (kind of like a moving pick in basketball). Slashing: Taking a wide swing with the stick in order to strike an opponent, whether with one hand or two. Roughing: Relatively minor hitting and shoving. Major (five-minute) penalties include: Fighting: When roughing and shoving turns into all-out fighting with unchecked punches, the penalty grows more severe. Boarding: Body-checking a player from behind and into walls at the side of the rink. Spearing: Jabbing a player with the stick in a way that could be injurious. You can see why ice hockey has such a rough reputation just from the list of penalties! Step 6