Ice
Hockey: Essentials (Page 2 of 5)
1- History &
Object
2- The Essentials (Offense & Defense,
Scoring, Etc.)
3- Rink Diagram and Positions
4- Fouls
5- Glossary of Hockey Terms
Game Length
Hockey is divided into three periods. Professional
hockey periods are 20-minutes with two 15-minute
intermissions. College, high school, and youth
periods are slightly shorter. If the score is
tied at the end of the third period, some leagues
allow the game to end as a tie, while others play
an additional overtime period of 5 minutes. Overtime
is sudden death, meaning that the first team to
score wins.
Start of the game
Play begins at center ice with a face-off
at the start of each period and following all
goals. The team that takes possession of the puck
is on offense.
Offense & Defense
The offense advances the puck towards the opponent’s
goal by passing the puck to teammates or skating
while controlling the puck, a skill called “stick
handing.” The object is to score goals,
so players will look to take an outside shot,
feed
the puck to an open player who can shoot, screen
the goalie, deflect the puck into the goal, and
rebound
missed shots to score quick goals. Additionally,
on turnovers, a team may be able to get a breakaway
scoring opportunity or odd-man-rush.
The defense looks to stop the progress of the
offense by disrupting passes and checking
opponents that have the puck. When the defense
gains possession of the puck in front of their
own goal, they will often clear
the puck to eliminate the risk of scoring.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the puck passes through
the cage and completely crosses the goal line.
In modern rinks, a red light and siren signal
that a goal has been scored. Each goal is worth
one point. Hockey games are typically low scoring.
Equipment
Hockey equipment is specialized for the sport
and includes: a stick with a curved blade, puck,
ice-skates, and pads (helmet, shoulder, elbow,
shin, and gloves). Players also wear jerseys and
padded pants. Goalies wear additional pads, a
facemask, a glove like a baseball catcher’s
mitt, and have a bigger stick.
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