In hockey, offsides is called when a player on the attacking team enters the offensive zone ahead of the puck. The puck must be completely over the blue line - along with any part of the puck carrier's body - before any other attacking team members can enter the zone. 

If even one attacking team member is in the zone before the puck, it's considered offsides.

The purpose of this rule is to keep players from hanging back near their own blue line and waiting for a long pass up the ice, which would give them an unfair advantage. It also prevents teams from setting up plays in which players would cross the blue line and then pass the puck back to a teammate already in the offensive zone.

The referee will blow his or her whistle and stop a play if an offsides infraction occurs. 

The faceoff then will take place at the closest faceoff dot outside of the offending team's defensive zone.

While offsides calls can be made against any player on the ice, this infraction most often is committed by forwards, since they're the ones typically leading the charge into the offensive zone.

If you're new to hockey, all of this might seem a bit confusing, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it as you watch or play more games. Before you know it, you'll be calling offsides yourself!

Types Of Offsides Calls In Hockey

There are three types of offsides calls in hockey: delayed, intentional and offsides deflection. 

Let's take a closer look at each one.

Delayed Offsides

A delayed offside occurs when the puck carrier is behind all attacking team members, but one or more teammates skate into the offensive zone ahead of the puck. 

In this case, the play is whistled dead. A faceoff only ensues if the puck carrier enters the offensive zone before all of their teammates have cleared the blue line.

Intentional Offsides

An intentional offside occurs when a player on the attacking team intentionally sends the puck into the offensive zone ahead of all of their teammates to give them a head start. 

This is a penalty, and a faceoff occurs at the faceoff dot in the offending team's defensive zone.

Offsides Deflection

An offsides deflection occurs when a player on the attacking team deflects a puck into the offensive zone ahead of their teammates. 

This is not a penalty, and the play continues. However, if a goal is scored on the play, it will be disallowed, and a faceoff will occur at the faceoff dot in the attacking team's defensive zone.

Conclusion

Now that you know what offsides is in hockey, you're one step closer to being a true hockey fan! 

Just remember, if a player on the attacking team enters the offensive zone ahead of the puck, it's considered offsides. The play will be whistled dead, and a faceoff will occur at the closest faceoff dot outside the offending team's defensive zone. 

If you see a defenseman or goalie hanging back near their blue line, they could be called for offsides, too!