Rules of Hockey

[Chronicle Sports]

For those that never watched a game, your first few times can be confusing. Most people that I've talked too say 1) They don't understand the rules and 2) They can't follow the puck.

1. The rules of the game are not hard but there are three that if you understand beforehand would be very helpful and make the game much more enjoyable.

A. Offsides
Basically this rule doesn't allow an attacking player to enter the offensive zone before the puck. Changes in the rule now allow the player to Tag Up if he is already in the zone and none of his teammates carry the puck over the blueline or are in possession of the puck. This rule helps prevent "Cherry Picking."

http://cdn.nhl.com/laceemup/howtopla...FFSIDES_HI.mov


B. Icing
Icing is very simple a player that shoots(dumps) the puck into the offensive zone before croossing the Center Red Line will be called for Icing if the puck crosses the Goal Line and is not or could not have been played by the opponent. This rule prevents a team that is under pressure in their own end from just dumping the puck out with no repercussions.

http://cdn.nhl.com/laceemup/howtopla...6_ICING_HI.mov


C. Two-Line Pass
This is another rule that helps prevent "Cherry Picking". The rule is very simple there are three major lines on the ice Two Bluelines and a Center Red Line. In the past you could not pass the puck to a teammate if it crossed over two or more of these lines. In an attempt to get more offense and eliminate the "Neutral Zone Trap" the NHL now ignores the Red Line in this rule which only prohibits a player from passing the puck across both BlueLines.

http://cdn.nhl.com/laceemup/howtopla...NE_PASS_HI.mov



2. Following the Puck
This is an area that is hard to help a new viewer with. The NHL tried to use a "Glow Puck" a few years ago but for us that watched the game for years it was more annoying than anything. My advice here is to watch alot of games as you continue to watch you will start to anticipate where the puck is going next and will be able to follow the puck much easier.



I know alot of people could care less and have no inclination to watch a hockey game. Alot of this is a result of most Americans never playing the sport in their youth and some of it results in a lack of understanding of the game. Hopefully some of this will help those who will watch one. I still highly suggest you see a game live. There is no better sport live than NHL hockey. The speed, grace, and physicalness of the sport is captivating and will change alot of peoples views. Hopefully some of you will give it a shot.

[Doc]

I fell asleep as the page was loading haha....

[newb411breaker19]

i like cherry picking i always thought it was good for strategy purposes.. when i played basketball at lunch time i was always cherry picking it was the only way i could score

[armyvet]

I remember the first hockey game I wagered on and had no clue what the rules were I was monitoring on yahoo sports and I said where is the 4th quarter LOL Ever since then I fell in love with the game. I do love to see a good fight now and then! Excellent post Chronicle.

[wmublows]

Man how the game has changed over the years. I for one hate the shoot-out. Talk about changing the rules to fill the seats.

[MikeOswald]

Great post Chron.

I remember the Glow Puck, that was a joke, glad that is gone

[The Great One]

I should have bought the Penquins.

With that bargain type deal and those young stars to build around, only Isiah Thomas would not be able to make a profit on that one.