Officials 2023 – Module 1 Introduction – Topic 1 Why do we Officiate?

The levels of Ice Hockey officiating for officials in New South Wales are shown in the below pyramid:

International Competition – IIHF A & B License

Elite National Competition – AIHL & IIHF C License

National Competition – 

  • Body Checking – Australian Junior Ice Hockey League (AJIHL), Jim Browns Mens, Syd Tange U18
  • Modified Body Checking – Kurt Defris U15
  • Non-Deliberate Body Checking – Australian Womens Ice Hockey League (AWIHL), Phil Ginsberg U13

Local Competition – 

  • Body Checking – East Coast Super League (ECSL), Midgets U18
  • Modified Body Checking – Bantams U15
  • Non-Deliberate Body Checking – Peewees U13, Squirts U11, Womens, Seniors Div 1 to 4

GRADE INTRODUCTIONS

NON-DELIBERATE BODY CHECKING GRADES (13U & AWIHL)

Body checking is not permitted in any area of the ice. Body checking occurs when a player’s intent is to gain possession of the puck by separating the puck carrier from the puck with a distinct and definable moment of impact. Competitive contact is body contact between two or more skaters who are in the immediate vicinity of the puck and who are in the normal process of playing the puck. These skaters are reasonably allowed to lean into each other provided possession of the puck remains the sole object of the contact. Acceptable examples of Body “Competitive” Contact Include:

Angling is a legal defensive skill used to direct/control the puck carrier to an area that closes the gap and creates an opening that is too small for the puck carrier.

Physical Engagement is when two players who are in pursuit of the puck are allowed to reasonably lean into each other provided that possession of the puck remains the sole objective of the two players.

However, if two (2) or more Players are competing for “possession of the puck”, they are not allowed to use the boards to make contact with an opponent to eliminate them from the play, push them into the boards, or pin them along the boards. When determining whether a body check has occurred, the official must focus on whether the player is attempting to play the puck and whether there is any overt hip, shoulder or forearm action used to initiate contact and separate the opponent from the puck.

A Player, who is stationary, is entitled to that area of the ice. It is up to the opponent to avoid body contact with such a Player. If that Player is stationed between the opponent and the puck, the opponent is obliged to skate around the stationary Player. If a Player with the puck is skating directly at an opponent who is stationary, it is the obligation of the puck carrier to “avoid contact”. But, if the puck carrier makes every effort to “avoid contact” and the opponent moves into the puck carrier, that opponent will be assessed at least a Minor Penalty (2’) for an “illegal hit” 101.1. ILLEGAL HIT IN WOMEN’S HOCKEY. Players are allowed to “hold their ground” any time that they have established their position on the ice. No player is required to move out of the way of an oncoming player to avoid a collision. Any move by a Player to step or glide into an opposing Player will be assessed at least a Minor Penalty (2’) for an “illegal hit” 101.1. ILLEGAL HIT IN WOMEN’S HOCKEY.

GRADE INTRODUCTIONS

MODIFIED BODY CHECKING GRADES (15U)

The primary focus of the check shall be to gain possession of the puck and officials should strictly penalise any illegal actions such as boarding, charging, cross checking, and a late body check to a player who is no longer in control of the puck.

No check delivered by a player to an opponent travelling in opposite directions will be considered legal and must be penalised (excluding contact made in the act of a poke/stick check). A defender travelling backwards while defending against an attacking player may legally arrest their momentum by ‘standing up an opponent’ and use their torso to contact the attacking player to prevent that player’s progress. Should the defending player arrest their momentum and take a step forward into the attacking player, a penalty must be assessed.

Illegal contact in 15U should always be penalised under IIHF RULE 42 CHARGING. can be applied in both applicable grades and is not limited to Women’s Hockey.

GRADE INTRODUCTIONS

BODY CHECKING GRADES (AJIHL, Browns & 18U)

A body check represents intentional physical contact, from the front, diagonally from the front or straight from the side, by a skater to an opponent who is in control/possession of the puck. The opposing player’s objective is to gain possession of the puck with a legal body check and NOT to punish or intimidate an opponent. Legitimate body checking must be done only with the trunk of the body (hips and shoulders) and must be above the opponent’s knees and at or below the opponent’s shoulders. The use of the hands, forearm, stick or elbow in delivering a body check is unacceptable and not within the guidelines of a legal body check. The primary focus of a body check is to gain possession of the puck and proper body checking technique starts with stick on puck, therefore the stick blade of the player delivering the check must be below the knees.

When two or more players are physically engaged for control of the puck along the boards, they are considered to be vulnerable and defenceless. Any body-check delivered by a skater to an opponent who is physically engaged with another skater is considered dangerous, careless or reckless (unacceptable) and must be penalised accordingly.

Players MUST be penalised for the following acts:

  • Running or jumping into the opponent to deliver a check.
  • Accelerating through a check to punish the opponent.
  • Skating a great distance to deliver a check with excessive force.
  • The use of the forearm or hands to deliver a check.
  • Anticipating an opponent gaining possession or control of the puck but who makes contact with the opponent before possession or control occurs.
  • Delivering an avoidable check to a player who has already relinquished control of the puck by a pass or shot. This is oftentimes referred to as “finishing” the check.

The concept of “finishing the check” is an unacceptable action as it is one that is meant to intimidate or punish the opponent with no intent to gain possession of the puck. The responsibility is on the player delivering the check to avoid forceful contact (minimise impact) to a vulnerable or defenceless player who is no longer in control of the puck. A player who deflects the puck with any part of their body, whether received from a teammate or not, where the puck is not intentionally directed to a teammate off the players stick, is NOT eligible to be body checked. Any action where a player is bodychecked who is not in CONTROL/POSSESSION OF THE PUCK must be penalised under IIHF RULE 56 INTERFERENCE.

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