Understanding the offside rule in hockey is essential, but it can be confusing for new fans. It’s a common misconception that players are only offside if they cross the blue line at the wrong time. In reality, it’s all about player positioning in relation to the puck and the blue line. The interesting thing is, this rule isn’t just for pros—every level of hockey, from youth leagues to the NHL, uses it to keep the game fair.
If you’ve ever wondered why a goal was disallowed or seen players get penalized for an offside call, you’re not alone. It happens more often than you might think. Learning the specifics of this rule can help you understand the flow of the game and make the action even more exciting to watch.
Let’s break down the offside rule in hockey and how it affects the game. Understanding this simple concept can enhance your appreciation for the sport and give you a better grasp of game strategies.
Understanding the Three Zones of the Rink
Defensive Zone
The Defensive Zone is the area in front of a team’s goal, where they focus on preventing the opposition from scoring. Within this zone, there are two faceoff circles, positioned on either side of the goalie.
Neutral Zone
The neutral zone in ice hockey refers to the area between the two blue lines, located centrally on the rink. This section is often called “center ice” by players and fans alike. It is defined by a single faceoff circle situated in the middle, and this zone plays a significant role during faceoffs. The neutral zone is crucial for transitioning between the offensive and defensive zones and is where many puck battles and turnovers occur. Its main function is to help control the pace of the game by providing space for teams to regroup and organize before entering the attacking zone.
Attacking Zone
The Attacking Zone, also known as the Offensive Zone, is the area where the team in possession of the puck aims to score against the opposing team’s goalie. Within this zone, there are two faceoff circles, which are key features that play a role in gameplay.
What is the Blue Line in Hockey?
The blue line in hockey acts as a boundary that separates the rink into three key areas: the defensive zone, neutral zone, and offensive zone. It plays a crucial role in determining offsides. If a player enters the offensive zone ahead of the puck, the play is stopped, and the referee calls an offsides violation, resulting in a stoppage of play.
What Offsides in Hockey Looks Like
Offsides in hockey occurs when a player’s skates cross the attacking-zone blue line before the puck does. If the player’s skates remain on or behind the blue line when the puck enters the zone, the play continues without any penalty. It’s important to note that only the skates, not the hockey stick, determine whether a player is onside or offsides. For this reason, players often drag their back skate or come to a full stop to avoid being caught offside as they enter the offensive zone.
Players are free to enter the offensive zone before the puck, but they cannot play the puck until they are onside. This includes situations like receiving a pass or collecting a puck clearance, which occurs when the attacking team dumps the puck into the zone to make a line change.
If the referee calls offsides, the play halts, and a faceoff takes place in the neutral zone where the infraction happened.
Types of Offsides in Hockey
Offsides is a fundamental rule in hockey, essential for maintaining fair play and a balanced game. It ensures players can’t gain an unfair advantage by positioning themselves ahead of the puck. The rule has evolved over time, with the modern version introduced in 1929 to prevent players from freely skating toward the net without contest.
In this section, we’ll break down what offsides is, the different types you’ll encounter, and how the rule impacts gameplay. Understanding this will enhance your appreciation of hockey, whether you’re a player or a fan.
Delayed Offsides
Delayed offsides occurs when an attacking player enters the offensive zone before the puck but doesn’t touch it. In this situation, the attacking team is allowed to “tag up,” meaning all players must exit the zone and re-enter after the puck crosses the blue line. If any player touches the puck before tagging up, it results in an immediate offsides call. The rule allows a smoother transition and prevents play stoppage due to early zone entry.
Intentional Offsides
Intentional offsides occurs when the referee determines that the attacking team deliberately caused an offside violation. This typically happens when the puck carrier sends the puck into the offensive zone, and a teammate touches it while still inside the zone. Teams often use this strategy to force a stoppage, allowing tired players to change lines without violating the rules.
Offsides Deflections
Although uncommon, deflections can still result in an offsides call, depending on the situation. For instance, if a clearing attempt by the defending team hits the referee in the neutral zone and bounces back into their defensive zone, the puck may be ruled offsides. However, in a similar scenario where the puck exits the zone and deflects off a defender back into the defensive zone, no offsides will be called, allowing the attacking team to maintain possession and continue the play.
What Happens When Offsides is Called?
If a player enters the attacking zone before the puck crosses the blue line, the referee will signal an offside violation. This triggers an immediate whistle, halting the game. The referee will then announce “offside” to inform the players and indicate the location of the infraction with a clear chopping motion of the hand. Once the play is stopped, the puck will be moved back to the neutral zone for a faceoff. The faceoff will occur on the side of the rink where the offside violation took place, restarting the game.
Face-Off Locations for Offsides
The face-off location for an offside violation is determined by where the infraction occurred on the ice, generally in the neutral zone. For instance, if a player enters the attacking zone before the puck, on the right side of the rink, while their team is advancing the puck up ice, the referee will blow the whistle to stop play. The resulting face-off will take place on the right-side dot in the neutral zone, closest to the attacking end. However, if the referee assesses that the offside was intentional, the face-off will shift to the offending team’s defensive zone, corresponding to the side where the infraction occurred.
Rule 630 | Offside
(a) Definition of Offside
A player shall be considered offside if they enter the attacking zone before the puck, as determined by the position of the player’s skate in relation to the blue line. The player must have both skates outside of the blue line before the puck crosses into the offensive zone.
Note: If only one skate is inside the blue line when the puck enters, the player shall be considered onside.
(b) Exceptions to Offside
A player shall not be considered offside if they have possession of the puck at the time it crosses the blue line. In the opinion of the official, the player must maintain control of the puck as they enter the zone.
Note: A player may also be considered onside if the puck is passed to them from the neutral zone and they cross the blue line legally.
(c) Violation of Offside
If a player is offside, play shall be stopped immediately by the official. A faceoff shall occur in the neutral zone, at the location where the offside violation took place. The offending team shall not be penalized beyond the stoppage of play, unless the offside violation is deemed intentional, as per Rule 642 (Delayed Offside).
Note: If a player is offside by a significant margin, the official may use discretion in the positioning of the faceoff.
(d) Offside and Puck Recovery
If a player is offside but does not make an immediate play on the puck, the play shall be deemed a violation. However, if the puck is not actively being played by any player, and the player in question does not impact the game, a delayed whistle may be applied, and play shall continue until the puck is touched.
Note: In all situations, the offside violation must be assessed as per the judgment of the referee.
Important Ice Hockey Rules Every Fan Should Know
Closing the Hand on the Puck
Any player, except the goaltender, who grabs a puck must promptly drop or knock it back to the ice. Failing to do so will lead to a two-minute minor penalty.
Faceoff Procedure and Violations
The faceoff procedure in hockey mandates that two opposing players align their sticks and bodies squarely at the designated faceoff spot, with all other players remaining outside the circle until the puck is dropped by the official. Common violations include premature stick movement, improper positioning, failing to be square to the spot, or encroachment by teammates entering the circle too early. Such infractions can lead to the offending player being replaced, and repeated violations by the same team may result in a minor penalty for delay of game.
Delay of Game Rule
The following actions will result in a minor penalty for delay of game:
- Deliberately shooting or flipping the puck over the boards or out of play
- Intentionally knocking the goal off its moorings
- Failing to make a timely face-off after the referee’s signal
- Delaying the game by taking excessive time to resume play after an icing call
- Using equipment or actions to obstruct the puck from advancing into the play area
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments or additional points!
Playing the Puck with a High Stick
When a player plays the puck with a high stick, the play shall be stopped and a faceoff shall occur at the location where the high stick occurred. If the puck is played with a high stick and a goal is scored, the goal shall be disallowed.
Icing the Puck Explained
Icing the puck happens when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line across the opposing team’s goal line without it being touched. This results in a stoppage of play and a face-off in the offending team’s defensive zone.
- Icing does not apply if the team is shorthanded.
- Icing is waived if the puck is deflected by an opponent.
- Icing is not called if the goalie could play the puck but chooses not to.
Overtime Rules in Hockey
In hockey, if a regular-season game is tied at the end of regulation, a five-minute sudden-death overtime period will follow. Should the game remain tied after this overtime, it will then proceed to a shootout to determine the winner. However, during the playoffs, no shootout is used, and overtime periods are extended to 20 minutes, continuing until a winner is found.
Different Types of Penalties
Penalties are enforced by officials when players commit actions that break the rules of the game. These penalties fall into three main categories: minor, major, and misconduct. A minor penalty involves a two-minute stay in the penalty box, during which the player’s team plays with fewer players on the ice. If the opposing team scores during this time, the penalty ends immediately. Major penalties, on the other hand, require a player to remain in the penalty box for five minutes, regardless of any goals scored. Misconduct penalties are typically longer in duration, but their exact length can vary depending on the situation.
How Penalty Shots Work
A penalty shot is awarded if a player is tripped from behind during a breakaway attempt, or if a goaltender or defenseman deliberately dislodges the net to prevent a goal.
Power Play Opportunities
When a team gains a power play, they have a numerical advantage, increasing their chances of scoring.
Shootout Rules
If a regular-season game remains tied after overtime, it proceeds to a shootout. A shootout consists of a series of penalty shots, with each team taking three attempts to score, alternating between teams. Should the score remain tied after the initial three rounds, the shootout continues with alternating shots until one team fails to match the other’s attempt. The team that succeeds in scoring while the other misses is declared the winner of the shootout, earning one goal.
