What Are The Rules Of Hockey?

What Are The Rules Of Hockey?

Ice hockey is among America's most popular sports, especially during the colder months, but casual fans sometimes can find the game and rules confusing.

Jul 1, 2022 by FloHockey Staff
What Are The Rules Of Hockey?

Ice hockey is among America's most popular sports, especially during the colder months. 

However, casual fans can find the game confusing, considering how there are multiple zones in a hockey rink. 

What are the rules of hockey and how can you keep up with the fast-paced action? Here's a quick guide.

How Long Is A Single Hockey Game?

Hockey games can run for at least an hour. The games include three periods that each last 20 minutes. Games will go into overtime when the score is tied. Overtime involves an extra five-minute period.

This tie-breaker period will require three players from each team to play to see who scores first. However, if neither team scores during the overtime period, the game will advance to a shootout. Shootouts involve each team playing with their opponent's goalie. They have three tries to get more points.

How Many Players Does Each Team Have?

Ice hockey games feature two teams of 20 players. Only six players from each team will be on the ice at one time. These six players consist of:

- Three forwards

- Two defenders

- One goalie

Teams have unlimited substitutions and can change players at any time.

How Does A Hockey Game Begin?

Hockey games start with a faceoff. One player from each team stands in the circle at the center of the rink. The official will drop the puck between the sticks of the two players. The game proceeds when one of them gains control of the puck.

Faceoffs also occur after a stop in a play. Besides the dot in the center of the rink, faceoffs can take place in one of eight other locations. Where the faceoff will occur will depend on where the play left off.

What Are The Zones In A Hockey Rink?

There are three zones in a standard hockey rink that measures 200 feet long and 85 feet wide:

1. Defensive Zone: Where the team's goalie defends the net

2. Neutral Zone: In the middle, connecting the two other zones

3. Offensive Zone: Where the team's objective is to score goals

Players can only stay in one zone at a time. Though they can pass the puck to teammates in other zones, they cannot skate into another zone before the puck. Players who enter the zone too early will be called for offsides.

What Is Offsides?

Offsides is a common hockey penalty. It can occur when a player on the attacking team is ahead of the puck when it crosses into the offensive zone. There also are cases when a defenseman leaves the defensive zone before the puck.

Conclusion

Hockey rules may seem confusing at first, but they become more apparent the more you watch the game. 

If you are a casual viewer, one thing to remember is that hockey is like many competitive team sports. Each team's goal is to score more points than their opponent during a set time. 

Hockey games have three 20-minute periods, and each game lasts about an hour. However, they can go overtime during a tie.