Okay, so the other day I was watching this hockey game, and it got me thinking – when is a clash on the ice not a penalty? I mean, sometimes it looks like a total free-for-all, right?
So, I started digging. First, I re-watched some of my recorded games, just kind of observing. I noticed that a lot of contact happens near the boards and when players are fighting for the puck. But, not all of it gets called.
Then, I went to the official rulebook. Honestly, it’s kind of a maze of words, but I focused on sections about interference, boarding, and charging. These seemed like the most common types of clashes.
My Observations:
- Incidental Contact: This is where things get blurry. If two players are going for the puck and bump into each other, it’s usually okay. It’s like, “Hey, we’re both just trying to play.”
- Battle for Position: In front of the net, or along the boards, guys are always jostling. As long as they’re both kind of equally engaged and it’s not overly aggressive, the refs let it go.
- Clean Hits:A solid, shoulder-to-shoulder hit, even if it’s hard, is often fine, if the player with the puck is fair game. It is about timing and target, not about brute force.
It’s super subjective, really. I realized there’s no hard and fast rule, like “this much contact equals a penalty.” It’s more about the intent and the impact.
I spent a good few hours, between watching clips and reading rules. I even tried to find some videos explaining it, but most were just highlight reels of big hits, not helpful!
What I figured out is that a clash isn’t a penalty when:
- It’s accidental.
- Both players are equally fighting for the puck or position.
- It’s a “clean” hit (no elbows, no targeting the head, etc.).
- It doesn’t significantly impede the other player’s ability to play.
It seems simple, but It’s all very much up to the referee’s interpretation in the moment. So I guess, the more I watch, the more I’ll (hopefully) get a feel for it. It’s a learning process!
