Condensed Version Of The Ice Hockey Rule Book

To be able to play any game, you must first understand the rules. Rules are not only meant for understanding the game, they are also meant to minimize dangerous scenarios by issuing preventative and punitive guidelines on unnecessary roughness or aggression. The same goes for ice hockey. This variant of traditional field hockey is played on a bed of ice thereby making it potentially more dangerous. The rule book on ice hockey is pretty simple to understand and the basics are as follows:

Duration
The entire game is set to last sixty minutes and is segmented into three parts. Each part is further separated by fifteen minute breaks. Any injuries or discrepancies that may interrupt the game also interrupt the clock. Once these are cleared up, the clock starts again.

Players
A typical ice hockey game involves six players per side. These can be interchanged at any time during the game. An entire hockey team consists of two goalies, a coach and a maximum of 20 players.

Scoring
The hockey field is divided in the middle by a red line. It is further subdivided into neutral, attacking and defending zones by two blue lines. Like with other games, scoring is when you land the ball, in this case the puck, into the other team’s goal. The goal must only be struck by the hockey stick to be valid.

Ice hockey jargon
The most relevant technical terms in ice hockey are icing and offside. Icing means striking the puck from your team’s side of the field straight into the other team’s side. For the play to be considered icing, the puck should not touch any other player. Offside is when you are not permitted to enter into the other team’s defense blue zone if the puck is not there. Each session starts with a face off where two players from either team stand opposite each other as the puck is tossed in their midst.

Hockey officials
The referee decides on plays that are in contention. They also give penalties for any infractions caused by players during the game. You can identify him or her by the red armband they wear. Penalties in ice hockey typically extend to the game at hand. For example, a player may be sent off the field for a few minutes or for the entire duration of the game depending on the severity of his or her infraction. Since the referee is busy and may sometimes miss crucial plays, he has linesmen to assist him make calls. Finally, goal judges sit behind the goals and verify each goal that goes into the basket for any discrepancies. 

Player contact
Fighting is frowned upon and is the most penalized form of contact. The initiator of the fight pays a higher price than those that join in the fray. Some defensive techniques known as checking are acceptable but may result in a penalty if approached from behind. Tripping, elbowing and charging are also disallowed.

If you are planning to learn and play hockey, make sure you learn the basic rules first. Offside play and icing will always be disappointing but knowing the enemy is half the battle won.

Enjoy the Cold with Winter Sports

So, winter has come and the comfort of home would beckon almost everyone to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace or the hot chocolate served over the table. But not for sports minded people like you. That’s why instead of waiting for the snow to melt and making yourself idle in the four corners of your room or home, invite yourself, your friends, your family or your kids to enjoy the cold with these fun winter sports.

Ice skating
Who says no one can enjoy the cold? Keep yourself warmed up and put on your pair of ice skates. The snow would be a good ground for you to practice your skating skills. While artificial ice helps you skate flexibly, you can actually enjoy the natural season and practice your piece for figure skating.

Skiing
Although some people look at skiing as some form of sports, others find it simply as a means to travel on snowy grounds. Using long runners and attaching skis to boots, skiing would be the perfect recreational exercise or sport if you have a place thick with snow complete with slopes to do your exhibitions.

Sledding
Tobogganing or sliding. Whether it’s sports or simply a form of recreational play for you, sledding would be a fun experience to enjoy in the snow. Have someone to join you sled down the down or do it on your own. Just remember to use a sturdy sled to carry you and help you slide down easier.

Snowboarding
Now if you are someone who’s brave enough and you’re confident that you can do it, snowboarding would be the winter sports just for you. The idea is pretty simple anyway. It’s just like your conventional skateboarding but instead of doing it on the side of the road or with railings; you have to try your boarding expertise in the snow. See if you won’t slip or drag the board away with your feet.

Now, if these winter sports did not appeal to you because they’re too sporty in nature, then maybe you can do something simple like making your own snowman, doing angels in the snow, ice fishing (which could be very fun), ice swimming (try challenging the toughest guy) and snowball fighting. Just because it’s cold so should your day be. Test your skills, perform new tricks and see who’s fit with your family and friends amidst the chilling winds by choosing any of these activities.