Learn About the NHL Basic RULES
Easy Guide to NHL NHL Basic Rules:
Teams and Players:
In the NHL, each team has six players on the ice together. One is the goalie, and the other five are skaters who play offense and defense.
Skaters are further divided into forwards and defensemen. Forwards focus on scoring goals, while defensemen work on stopping the other team from scoring. Forwards attempt to shoot the puck into the opponent’s goal, while defensemen defend their own goal and strive to regain control of the puck.
Additionally, defensemen are categorized into right defensemen (RD) and left defensemen (LD). These players play on their respective sides of the ice, supporting the goaltender and working to disrupt the opponent’s offensive plays.
NHL Rink Size:
In NHL (National Hockey League) games, teams play on a big ice rink that’s 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. It’s split into two parts by a red line in the middle and marked by two blue lines.
There are three zones on the ice:
- Defending zone: The defending zone is the area where each team defends in front of their goal.
- Neutral zone: The neutral zone is the middle portion of the ice rink and the attacking zone where teams try to score.
- Attacking zone: The attacking zone is where the team attempts to score
This division of the play allows each team to strategize their attack and defense, making for an exciting game.
Goalie Crease: In hockey, the goalie crease is the area in front of the goal where the goalie is allowed to stand. An NHL goalie crease measures approximately six feet wide and four feet from the goalpost to the blue paint.
Game Duration In NHL:
In the NHL, games typically last for 60 minutes, which are divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. However, the actual duration of a game can vary due to breaks for penalties and timeouts. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the game continues with additional periods of overtime until a winner is determined.
NHL Face-off Rule:
In hockey, face-offs are big moments where players battle to get control of the puck. They happen at specific spots on the ice, depending on what caused the game to stop before. During a face-off, only two players are allowed in the circle where the puck is dropped, while others stand around it. To do well, players have to stand in the right place, follow the rules, and work together as a team. If they break the rules, they might get penalties. Goalies don’t join in, and once the puck is dropped, the game starts again, with both teams trying to get control of the puck.
NHL Penalties:
In the National Hockey League (NHL), penalties are like timeouts for players who break the rules. A penalty is called if a player trips, slashes, or grabs another player. The offending player is sent to the penalty box and must sit there for a certain amount of time. This gives the other team an advantage. Penalties can be minor (two minutes) or major (five minutes or more), depending on how bad the rule break was.
There are two types of Penalties:
1:Minor penalties
2:Major penalties
Minor penalties are like small timeouts, lasting two minutes. They’re for things like tripping, hooking, holding, and interference.
Major penalties are more serious and last five minutes or more. They’re for big stuff like fighting, boarding, charging, and checking from behind.
Penalties keep the game fair and make sure players behave!
Penalty Shot In NHL:
In the NHL, a penalty shot is awarded in specific circumstances, such as when a player is pulled down from behind during a breakaway scoring opportunity or when the net is intentionally moved by a goalie or defenseman from the opposing team. This special opportunity grants the fouled player a one-on-one chance against the opposing goalie to score. Penalty shots are crucial moments in a game, often resulting in high-pressure situations where the outcome can significantly impact the game’s momentum.
Icing the puck:
Understanding the NHL Rule of “Icing the Puck”
In hockey, “icing the puck” happens when a player shoots the puck from their team’s side of the red center line to the other end of the ice, and it reaches the opposing team’s goal line without anyone else touching it. This results in play being stopped, and the puck is returned to the other end of the ice for a face-off in the offending team’s zone.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Icing is not called if the goalie leaves the crease to play the puck, even if they don’t touch it. Additionally, if an official believes that an opposing player could have played the puck before it crossed the red goal line, icing may be waived off. Furthermore, if an official deems that the action was an attempted pass, they have the discretion to waive off the icing call.
It’s important to note that icing is not permitted when teams are at equal strength or on a power play. However, if a team is shorthanded due to a penalty, they are allowed to ice the puck without facing any consequences.
Understanding the nuances of icing in hockey adds depth to the game, highlighting the strategic balance between offense and defense.
Power Play in NHL:
Understanding Power Plays in NHL Hockey:
In the National Hockey League (NHL), power plays are critical moments that occur when a team gains a numerical advantage due to an opposing player receiving a penalty.
A standard NHL power play typically lasts for two minutes, though variations exist based on penalty severity. During a power play, the team that got the penalty has one less player, giving the other team an advantage with more players on the ice.
In hockey, when players break the rules, such as tripping or slashing, they can receive penalties. This means their team has to play with one less player for some time, giving the other team an opportunity for a power play. During a power play, the team with more players tries to score, while the penalized team tries to defend without their full lineup.
Offsides in NHL:
In NHL hockey, the offside rule says that a player on the attacking team can’t go into the other team’s zone before the puck does. If they do, it’s called offside. This rule keeps the game fair. Knowing this rule helps players and fans understand what’s happening during games.
Shootouts and Overtime in NHL:
In the NHL, a “shootout” is a tiebreaking method used to determine the winner of a game that remains tied after overtime. Here’s a breakdown of the NHL shootout rules:
Overtime: In the regular season, if a game is tied after the regulation three periods (60 minutes), a five-minute sudden-death overtime period is played. This extra period features three skaters per side plus a goalie, increasing the chances of a goal.
Shootout: If the game remains tied after overtime, both teams alternate taking shots to decide the winner. Each team selects three players to participate, taking turns attempting to score on the opposing team’s goalie. The team that scores the most goals in three rounds wins.
Goalie Restrictions: Goalies can defend against shootout attempts but have limitations on movements. Violations may result in a goal awarded to the shooter.
NHL Rules for Goaltenders:
Equipment Rules: Goalies wear special gear like masks, chest protectors, leg pads, and gloves to stay safe while blocking shots.
Crease: Their Space: Goalies have their own area in front of the net called the crease. Opponents can’t enter unless the puck is already there.
No Pushing Around: Other players can’t push or interfere with goalies. It’s their job to stop shots, and they need space to do it.
Playing the Puck: Goalies can touch the puck behind the net within a certain area. But they have to follow rules about where they can and can’t play it.
Special Situations: Penalty Shots and Shootouts: Sometimes, a player gets a one-on-one chance against the goalie during a penalty shot or shootout. Goalies have to stay in their crease until the shooter moves towards them.
Understanding these rules helps goalies do their best and keeps the game fair for everyone.