Learn the rules of ice hockey. Refer to our guide for explanations of rules you should know and impress your friends & family at the next ice hockey game!SkiptocontentExplanationofCommonRulesHome|Gameday|IceHockey101|ExplanationofCommonRulesTheworld’sgreatestandmostexcitinggameiseasytofollowonceyouknowafewbasicrulesandpractices.Hereisabriefguidetotheessentialicehockeyrules!ClosinghandonpuckAnyplayer,otherthanagoaltender,whocatchesapuckmustimmediatelyknockorplaceitbackdowntotheice. Anyviolationofthiswillresultinatwo-minuteminor.FaceoffsAllplayerstakeupsetpositionsaroundoneoffiveface-offcirclesontheice. Onlytwoplayersareallowedinsidethecircleduringthefaceoff. Thelocationofthefaceoffisdeterminedbythecauseofthelaststoppageinplay.DelayOfGameThefollowingactionswillresultinatwo-minuteminorpenaltyfordelayofgame:DeliberatelyshootingorbattingthepuckoutsidetheplayingareaDeliberatelydisplacingthegoalfromitsnormalpositionFailuretoprovidethepropernumberofplayersontheicesurfaceafterawarningfromanofficialorformakinganillegalsubstitutionPlayingthepuckwithahigh-stickWhenanopponentbatsapuckoutoftheairwithastickaboveshoulderheight,playshallbestoppedandafaceoffshallensue. Agoalscoredbyapuckthatmadecontactwithastickthatwasabovetheheightofthegoalcrossbarshallbedisallowed.IcingthepuckIcingiswhenaplayeronhisteam’ssideoftheredcenterlineshootsthepuckallthewaydowntheiceanditcrossestheredgoallineatanypoint(otherthanthegoal).Icingisnotpermittedwhenteamsareatequalstrengthoronthepowerplay. Whenthisoccurs,playisstoppedandthepuckisreturnedtotheotherendoftheiceforaface-offintheoffendingteam’szone. Icingthepuckisnotcalled:Ifthegoalieleavesthecreasetoplaythepuck,evenifhedoesnottouchthepuckIfanofficialrulesanopposingplayercouldhaveplayedthepuckbeforeitcrossedtheredgoallineAnofficialmaywaiveofftheicingcallifhedeemsitwasanattemptedpassOffsidesAteamisoffsidewhenanymemberoftheattackingteamprecedesthepuckoverthedefendingteam’sblueline. Thepositionoftheplayer’sskate—andnotthatofhisstick—isthedeterminingfactor