5 Basics to Help You Understand Hockey for Beginners
If you’re new to the sport of hockey, you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the fast-paced action and the unique rules of the game. But fear not; with a little bit of knowledge, you can quickly grasp the basics of hockey and start enjoying the excitement and thrill of this popular sport. Here are five essential hockey basics to help you understand the game as a beginner.
1. The Objective of the Game
At its core, hockey is a simple game with a straightforward objective: to score more goals than the opposing team. Each team consists of six players, including a goaltender, who tries to prevent the opposing team from putting the puck in the net. The teams play on an ice rink with four quarters of 20 minutes each. The game can end in a tie, but a winner must be decided in playoff games.
2. Equipment & Protective Gear
Hockey players wear a lot of equipment and protective gear to keep themselves safe on the ice. The essential player equipment includes a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, shin guards, skates, and a stick. Goalies have even more protective gear, including a mask, chest protector, and goalie pads. It’s essential to wear the appropriate gear to avoid serious injuries.
3. Scoring in Hockey
Scoring in hockey is relatively simple; a puck must cross the opposing team’s goal line while being shot by an attacking player. A goal is scored when the puck crosses the line between the two goal posts and under the crossbar. If the puck hits the goal’s post or crossbar but doesn’t cross the goal line, it’s not considered a goal.
4. Penalties & Power Play
Players can receive penalties for breaking the rules or committing fouls during the game. The most common types of penalties include tripping, slashing, holding, and cross-checking. When a player commits a penalty, they must serve a specific amount of time in the penalty box, leaving their team shorthanded. The opposing team then goes on a power play, meaning they have more players on the ice than the other team.
5. Offsides & Icing
Two common infractions in hockey are offsides and icing. An offsides violation occurs when a player enters the opposing team’s zone ahead of the puck. If the offending team touches the puck while they’re offsides, play is stopped, and a faceoff occurs in their zone. Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from behind the red centerline, and it crosses the opposing team’s goal line without touching anything. If the puck is touched by the opposing team before it crosses the goal line, icing is waved off.
Conclusion
With these five hockey basics in mind, you should have a good understanding of the game and be ready to enjoy watching or playing hockey. Remember to always wear the proper protective gear and to play within the rules to stay safe and avoid penalties. Hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport, so get out there and have some fun!
