Hockey penalties explained

Why penalties exist

Hockey is played at speed, on hard ice, with sticks and skates. Penalties keep the game safe and fair by giving a consequence to actions that put other players at risk or give one team an unfair edge. For a parent watching from the stands, a penalty can look sudden and confusing. This guide explains how penalties work, the calls you will hear most often and how to talk about them with your child. For the wider picture of how a game flows, see hockey rules for beginners.

How a penalty works

When an official sees a rule broken, they blow the whistle (or raise an arm to signal a delayed penalty), and a hand signal tells everyone which call was made. In standard rules, the player who broke the rule goes to the penalty box and their team plays shorthanded for a set amount of time. The other team gets a power play, which means they have more players on the ice. When the time is up, the player returns to the bench.

Sometimes the official lets play continue until the team that was fouled loses control of the puck to the other side. This is called a delayed penalty. You will see the official's arm stay raised while play goes on. Once the team that committed the foul gets control of the puck, the whistle blows and the penalty is assessed.

How penalties are handled in youth hockey varies by league and age group. Some programs use shorter penalties, some adjust how many players must be on the ice and some focus on teaching rather than punishing in the youngest divisions. Ask your league for its rules.

Common penalties

These are the calls new parents hear most. Exact definitions and consequences differ by level, so treat this as a plain-language guide.

Tripping

Using a stick, leg or foot to cause an opponent to fall.

Hooking

Using the stick to hold back or impede an opponent.

Slashing

Swinging the stick at an opponent or at their stick in a way that is not allowed.

Holding

Grabbing an opponent with hands or arms to stop their movement.

Interference

Blocking an opponent who does not have the puck.

High sticking

Making contact with an opponent using the stick above the shoulders. Exact definitions vary by league.

Too many players on the ice

Having more players on the ice than allowed, often after a messy line change.

Delay of game

Intentionally stopping play, such as shooting the puck over the glass from your own end.

Roughing

Unnecessary rough contact after a whistle or away from the play.

The serious ones

Some calls are treated as especially serious at every level because they can cause injury. Checking from behind, contact to the head, and hits that are not allowed at the level of play are all taken seriously by officials. Fighting is not part of youth hockey, and leagues generally have strict rules about it. In standard rules, more serious penalties carry longer time in the box, and some can lead to a player being removed from the game. Your league's handbook will spell out the details.

Minor and major penalties

You may hear the words minor and major. In standard rules, a minor penalty is two minutes and a major penalty is five minutes, but youth hockey often uses different timing. A minor penalty usually ends early if the other team scores on the power play. A major penalty usually does not. Again, ask your league, because the details of this differ.

This table sums up what happens on the ice during a standard power play.

Contact and checking

Body checking is not allowed in many youth age groups, and it is not part of most girls' and women's hockey. When it is allowed, there are rules about how it must be done. A hit that would be fine at one level can be a penalty at another. If your child is moving up a level, ask the coach what changes about contact so your child is not caught off guard.

Talking with your child about penalties

• Treat penalties as lessons. Even the best players take them sometimes.
• Ask your child what the official saw, and listen before you give an opinion.
• Remind players that arguing with an official can lead to a bigger penalty and rarely changes the call.
• Praise smart, disciplined play, such as keeping the stick down and staying on the right side of a play.
• Let the coach handle questions about calls. Parents who yell at officials make the game harder for everyone, and many officials are young or volunteers.

Playing smart without playing scared

Coaches want players to be aggressive about getting to the puck, and also disciplined enough to stay out of the penalty box. The balance takes time. Young players often take penalties because they are late to a play, so the best fix is usually better skating and positioning rather than a lecture. Learning where your stick should be, keeping feet moving and finishing a play without reaching are habits that come from practice. When your child takes a penalty, the team usually feels it right away, and that is often lesson enough. For the vocabulary used here, see hockey terms for new parents.

Frequently asked questions

What happens when a hockey player gets a penalty?

In standard rules the player sits in the penalty box for a set time and the team plays shorthanded. The other team gets a power play.

What is a delayed penalty?

It is when the official lets play continue until the team that committed the foul gets the puck. The official keeps an arm raised during this time.

What is the difference between a minor and a major penalty?

In standard rules a minor is two minutes and a major is five, with different rules about how they end. Youth leagues often use different timing, so ask yours.

Should I argue with the referee about a call?

No. Arguing rarely helps and can lead to bigger penalties. Let the coach raise any concerns, and remember many officials are young or volunteers.