What are the basic rules of hockey?

[alinajoseph]

I’m new to the sport and would love to understand the basic rules of hockey. Can someone explain how the game is played, including scoring and penalties?

 

[niyati]

Hockey rules include six players per team on ice, using sticks to hit a puck into the opponent’s goal. Games have three 20-minute periods. No high-sticking, tripping, or checking from behind. Offside and icing violations stop play. Penalties result in time in the penalty box, giving opponents advantage.

 

[Lucky]

In hockey, each team aims to score by hitting the ball (or puck in ice hockey) into the opponent’s goal. Players must avoid fouls like high-sticking, tripping, or obstruction. Only the goalkeeper can use hands in the goal area. Matches start with a face-off or push-back, and players must follow offside and penalty rules.

 

[robertwilliam]

Hockey, whether field hockey or ice hockey, involves two teams aiming to score by propelling a ball or puck into the opposing team's net using a stick. Key rules include using the flat side of the stick to hit the ball, not using feet or other body parts to control the ball (except for the goalkeeper), and avoiding dangerous play.

 

[Brooknok]

The object in hockey is to score by hitting the ball (or puck in ice hockey) into the opponent s goal. Players are not allowed to commit fouls which include; high-sticking, tripping, or obstruction. In the goal area only the goalkeeper is allowed to use hands. Games begin with push-back or face-off and the game requires going by offside and penalty rules.

 

[jyoti]

Here are the basic rules of hockey in a simple way:

1. Score by getting the puck into the other team’s goal.
2. Only use your stick to control the puck—no hands or feet (unless goalie).
3. No hitting, tripping, or rough stuff—play fair.
4. Offside means you can’t go past the puck into the attacking zone early.
5. If a player breaks the rules, they go to the penalty box for a bit.
6. The team with the most goals wins!

Easy and fun to learn!

 

[Lucky]

The basic rules of hockey include using a stick to control and hit the puck or ball, aiming to score in the opponent’s goal. Players must avoid high sticks, body checking (in field hockey), and offside violations. Teams follow fair play, with penalties for fouls, and matches are divided into timed periods with specific restart rules.

 

[gordanfreeman]

Hockey is played in three 20-minute periods with six players per team on the ice, where the goal is to score by getting the puck into the opponent’s net while following rules like offsides, no icing, and avoiding penalties for fouls.

 

[Brooknok]

In hockey, both the teams are scored by striking the ball (or the puck in ice hockey games) into the goal of the rival. Players are not allowed to foul, e.g. high-stick, trip, or deny an opponent the pathway. Solely the goalkeeper is permitted to put hands in the goal area. Games begin with the face-off or push-back and have to adhere to offside rules and penalty.

 

[peterkavinsky]

Here are the basic rules of hockey:

• A standard game has three periods of 20 minutes each.
• Each team has six players on the ice: three forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie.
• The objective is to score goals by shooting the puck into the opponent’s net.
• Face-offs start play at the beginning and after stoppages.
• Offside: A player cannot enter the offensive zone before the puck.
• Icing: Shooting the puck across both the center line and opponent’s goal line without it being touched stops play.
• Penalties are given for fouls like tripping, slashing, or high-sticking.