2torial #0546: Learn2 Understand Hockey Understand offsides and icing As you learn about hockey, two rules are worthy of special note. They frequently baffle spectators new to the game, and even confuse some old timers. Offsides: A player cannot cross the other team's defending (blue) line until the puck does. This prevents an attacker from hanging around the opposing goal. When the defending team clears the puck past their blue line, the attacking players must cross back over the blue line themselves before they're allowed to touch the puck again (the delayed offside rule). However, once the puck enters the opponent's zone, attackers can maneuver anywhere in that zone. This differs from soccer, in which an attacker must always have two opposing players or the ball between him and the goal. Icing: The most misunderstood rule in hockey, icing makes it illegal for the attacking team to pass the puck from the behind the center line all the way past the goal line--IF the defending team touches the puck before it gets to one of the offensive players. When this happens, the whistle blows and there's a face off in the attacker's defensive territory. This seems odd, since the team who commits the penalty has already lost possession of the puck. And if another attacking player receives the pass, there is no penalty and they get to keep playing deep in attacking territory! Why such an arbitrary rule? Perhaps because it encourages more precise passing and strategizing. Otherwise, attackers would whack the puck down the rink, then go barreling after it (and perhaps smack into the defenders). Step 7