USA HOCKEY RULES

Hooking & Tripping  Clarification

Turning Stick Over Clarification

New Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis

Click for updated 2007-2008 video

Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game, much like the
National Hockey League, will continue to allow the opportunity for
improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for
all participants. The mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this new
initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession
and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive
advantage.

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining
infractions in the game and not to remove legal body checking or body
contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position (non-checking
classifications) to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent
should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.

The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:

* The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
* The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player's progress.
* The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player's progress.
* Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.
* Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

Enforcement Standard - These penalties are to be called with very strict enforcement

HOOKING
* A player cannot use his/her stick against an opponent's body (puck carrier or non-puck carrier) to gain a positional advantage.

Examples include:
- tugs or pulls on the body, arms or hands of the opponent which allows for the space between the players to diminish
- placing the stick in front of the opponent's body and locking on - impeding the opponent's progress or causing a loss of balance.
- stick on the hand/arm that takes away the ability for the opponent to pass or shoot the puck with a normal amount of force

TRIPPING
* A player cannot use his/her stick on the legs or feet of an opponent in a manner that would cause a loss of balance or for them to trip or fall.

Examples include:
- placing the stick in front of the opponent's legs for the purpose of impeding progress, even if on the ice, with no effort to legally play the puck
- placing the stick between the legs of the opponent (can opener/corkscrew) that causes a loss of balance or impedes the progress of the opponent.

HOLDING
* A player cannot wrap his/her arms around an opponent or use a free hand to clutch, grab or hold the stick, jersey or body on the opponent in a manner that impedes their progress.

Examples include:
- wrapping one or both arms around the opponent along the boards in a manner that pins them against the boards and prevents them from playing the puck or skating
- grabbing the opponent's body, stick or sweater with one or both hands
- using a free arm/hand to restrain or impede the opponent's progress

INTERFERENCE
* A player cannot use his/her body ("pick" or "block") to impede the progress of an opponent with no effort to play the puck, maintain normal foot speed or established skating lane.

Examples include:
- intentionally playing the body of an opponent who does not have possession or possession and control of the puck.
- using the body to establish a "pick" or "block" that prevents an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier
- reducing foot speed or changing an established skating lane for the purpose of impeding an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier

* Allowed Actions
- a player is entitled to the ice he/she occupies as long as they are able to maintain their own foot speed and body position between opponent and puck
- players are allowed to compete for body position using their strength and balance in front of the goal or along the boards

SLASHING
* The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
Any stick contact, as a result of a slashing motion, to the hands/ arms or body of the opponent will be strictly penalized. In addition, hard slashes to the upper portion of the stick (just below the hands) of an opponent, with no attempt to legally play the puck, shall also be penalized.

OTHER INFRACTIONS
* In addition to the above mentioned enforcement standards, all other infractions, including contact to the head, checking from behind, cross checking, high sticking and roughing (including late avoidable
checks) shall be penalized to a strict enforcement standard.

CONCLUSION
All members of USA Hockey share an equal responsibility to ensure the
integrity of the game is upheld. The onus to incorporate change is not
only on the officials, but also on administrators, coaches, parents and
players, as well.

Administrators are expected to hold players, coaches, officials and
parents accountable for their actions in an effort to promote a safe and
positive environment for all participants.

Coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold their players
accountable for illegal and dangerous actions, regardless as to whether
they are properly penalized, or not.

Parents are expected to support the decisions of the officials and
support the coaches in teaching the proper skills in a safe and positive
environment.

Officials shall enforce a strict penalty standard according to the
guidelines that have been established.
Players are expected to compete within the playing rules.

All USA Hockey members must demonstrate awareness and support for the
application, spirit and the respect of the rules in order for continued
improvement in the game of hockey.

FOR COACHES

USA Hockey Board Of Directors Endorses New Standard
Of Play And Rule Emphasis At Its Annual Congress

Coaches Use of Helmets Also Mandated

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey's four-day Annual Congress
concluded last Sunday (June 11) in Colorado Springs, Colo., highlighted
by its Board of Directors' unanimous endorsement of a new standard of
play and rule emphasis beginning with the 2006-07 season.

"We accomplished a great deal during our Annual Congress," said Ron
DeGregorio, who was unanimously re-elected to another three-year term as
president of USA Hockey. "Clearly the most significant step forward came
with the adoption of our new standard of play and rule emphasis."

The policy (which is outlined in its entirety at usahockey.com), focuses
on five principles:

* The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.
* The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player's progress.
* The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player's progress.
* Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation to gain a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.
* Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

"As the leader of amateur hockey in the United States, we continue to
focus on growing the game and making the game better," said DeGregorio.
"In mandating the enforcement of rules that particularly deal with the
obstruction of a player in any fashion, our game will be better and
we'll attract more players and fans to the game."

Another significant change came with the Board of Directors' vote
requiring all ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA
Hockey youth/high school, disabled, girls'/women's 19 & under and below
programs to properly wear ice hockey helmets during all on-ice sessions,
including practices, controlled scrimmages and coach and referee clinics
(seminars).

"Every year there are injuries to coaches that could have been prevented
by wearing a helmet," said DeGregorio. "This legislation represents a
positive step forward for the safety of our coaches."

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF USA HOCKEY'S ANNUAL CONGRESS

* The Board of Directors re-elected Ron DeGregorio as president, Walter
Bush as chairman of the board and John Beadle as vice president/adult
council chair. In addition, Dave Klasnik was elected as vice
president/youth council chair, and Roger Mauritho and Joe Baudo were
named director representatives to the executive committee. In addition,
Jack McCatherin and Phil Verchota were elected directors at large.

* John Dotte, outgoing USA Hockey vice president and chair of the Youth
Council, was recognized for his years of service to the organization at
the Board of Directors meeting and was elected director emeritus by
unanimous consent.

* Al Bloomer was appointed USA Hockey's new National Coach-in-Chief. He
replaces legendary Bob O'Connor, who had served in the position since
1994.

* Sites were selected for USA Hockey's 2008 Youth and Girls'/Women's
National Championships. A complete list is available at usahockey.com.

* The Board of Directors voted to create a 12th district - the Northern
Plains district -- effective with the 2007-08 season. The four-state
Northern Plains district will include Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota and Wyoming. Montana and Wyoming are currently part of the Rocky
Mountain District, while North Dakota and South Dakota are members of
the Minnkota District. The action also includes changing the name of the
Minnkota district to Minnesota in 2007-08.


NOTES: USA Hockey's Annual Congress includes some 500 of its top
volunteer leaders from across the United States that gather each year in
Colorado Springs to review the state of the game and conduct the
organization's business ... USA Hockey will announce plans for its
women's national program later in June.