This week’s features: Diving...Handshake lines...Multiple fights...and more.

QUESTION: I don't see embellishment listed in Rule 601. How do you assess this call?

ANSWER: Strictly speaking, there is no official rule for “diving” in USA Hockey. One would assume if our Coaches are teaching the game correctly, this behavior would not be tolerated by a team bench. If any player is making an obvious attempt at drawing a penalty from an opponent, the official can speak with the player or coach and make it clear that type of behavior is unlikely to get a penalty the next time if it continues (btw, the next time might be a real fall from a trip or hook).

QUESTION: Referee assessed a fighting major in a game, but the referee puts a wrong number on the scoresheet. The score sheet is already signed and given to the team's what should happen?

ANSWER: In this situation, if the referee realizes his mistake immediately he should contact his supervisor and let him know about the error. The supervisor can contact the disciplinary body of the team and let them know about the error.

If the mistake is not caught, the player is still held accountable for his actions that lead to the suspension. In other words, a clerical error on the score sheet does not cancel a suspension. Otherwise, a clerical error on a score sheet would also have to cancel a goal.

QUESTION: What is the rule on making a kid go through a line where the opposition coach has made vulgar comments in prior games? We have a coach that has consistently made comments to my grandson in the line. The third time, some of the other kids heard it. Can I tell my grandson to just come off the ice to avoid this abusive behavior? He's 10. This coach is playing head games with kids.

ANSWER: A player does not have to participate in the post-game handshake. However, not proceeding through the line might make him/her look like a poor sport.

If this coach’s behavior is happening consistently, then your team should file a report to your league or hockey association. Including “comments” and names of people who have heard them would be helpful. The league or hockey association can then take steps to correct the coach’s behavior.

QUESTION: USAH Rule 615 states that "Any player...fighting with the same team during the same season shall receive a three-game suspension." Does that mean that if a player fights with a player from the same team a second time then there is an extra penalty assessed, or does it mean that if you get two fighting penalties while playing on a team in a single season that you get the extra penalty?

ANSWER: Rule 615(f) states that any player who receives two Fighting penalties while playing with the same team during a season, will receive supplemental discipline in addition to the normal Game Misconduct suspension.

QUESTION: Please let me know how Rule 411 is enforced when you do not receive data on penalties. Scoresheets that have this data are not submitted anywhere. Our team has had so many concussions (some of which are caused by the same team) it is mathematically impossible for some of these kids to not be suspended. Unnecessary Injuries have gotten so bad I am really questioning the enforcement by USA hockey.

ANSWER: All major penalties that fall into the Rule 411 and Rule 615 categories must be reported by officials using the USA Hockey Online Game Reporting System. The USAH Game Reporting System is set-up to track reports using each player’s USAH Registration Number, and when that player hits the three-major penalty threshold (Rule 411) an email is automatically generated and sent to the local USAH Affiliate Disciplinary Body of the team.

Therefore, as long as the officials are following up their major penalty calls with reports the system monitors itself.

If you have further questions about this process or feel there are teams in your area that are not being held accountable to Rule 411, please contact your USA Hockey Affiliate (your local USAH Governing Body) through your team.

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This week’s features: Goalkeeper interference...Control of the puck...Injured players...and more.

QUESTION: I was reffing a game this past weekend and a player high sticked the puck "on goal". The puck deflected off the goalie's chest back to the player who shot the puck in the net. In the rule book, it says the player must have complete control of the puck in order to negate the high stick, but does a save count as complete control?

ANSWER: A rebound off a goalkeeper is not considered “control” of the puck for the purposes of negating a potential High-Stick or Hand-Pass offense.

QUESTION: I had a 8U player get penalized for embellishment related to a tripping call that went against him? So they called the trip but also called embellishment against my player, so we played 5 vs 5. I have looked in rule 601 for Abuse of Officials and found no language of embellishment being a makable call. Any insight would be appreciated.

ANSWER: There is no “Diving” rule in the USA Hockey Playing Rules.

QUESTION: Delayed minor penalty coming against the home team. Home team gains possession and control just outside of their defensive zone. In those two feet between the neutral zone dot and the blue line. Where is the ensuing face-off?

ANSWER: In this situation, the face-off would occur in the Home Team's defending end-zone.

QUESTION: A player from Team A has the puck behind their net. A player from Team B skates just inside the goalkeeper's crease towards the player behind the net. Team A goalie sticks his catching glove up waiving it around blocking Team B players vision and direct path to Team A player behind the net. Team A had clear possession of the puck during the play. Is the goalie allowed to wave their arms around and block Team B players from skating through the crease in this situation?

ANSWER: While attacking players are not permitted to skate through the opposing goalkeeper’s crease (unless the puck is located in the crease), goalkeepers are not permitted to physically interfere with attacking players who do not have possession of the puck.

QUESTION: Can an injured player be on the bench with his team wearing a helmet and his jersey?

ANSWER: Yes, a player who is unable to play due to injury or illness (i.e. not suspended) may stand on the team bench during a game provided he/she wears a helmet, face-mask and team jersey. He/she should not be listed on the game roster as a player or team official. 

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This week’s features: Goal pegs...Stick-lifts...Pinning...and more.

QUESTION: Use of goal pegs, my understanding is guidance is use at "12U and up" and not at "10U & below"?

ANSWER: USA Hockey does not have any official policy regarding the use of goal-post pins. The decision of what playing levels should use them is left to the Local Associations, Team Officials, and Game Officials to make with the best interests of fair play and player safety in mind. We recommend contacting your local Youth Association to receive more information about their policies.

QUESTION: What is USA Hockey’s take on diving? If blatant, can a minor for unsportsmanlike be called?

ANSWER: Strictly speaking, there is no official rule for “diving” in USA Hockey. One would assume if our coaches are teaching the game correctly, this behavior would not be tolerated by any team bench. If any player is making an obvious attempt at drawing a penalty from an opponent, the official can speak with the player or coach and make it clear that type of behavior is unlikely to get a penalty the next time if it continues (btw, the next time might be a real fall from a trip or hook).

QUESTION: Although I know it is not permissible to have a back-up goalie sit in the penalty box to make room on the players bench i cannot find any rule reference to prohibit this action.

ANSWER: Rule 507.c in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states,

“Only penalized players and off-ice official(s), are permitted to occupy the penalty bench. Play shall not continue until any unauthorized persons have been removed.”

QUESTION: If I am the defender chasing down an opponent on a breakaway, can I lift his stick and hold it up (shaft-to-shaft, never touching his hands or body with my stick)? Or is this a Hook?

ANSWER: "Stick-lifts" and "stick-presses" are permitted provided the opponent has possession of the puck, and the contact is restricted to the lowest portion of the opponent’s stick (near the blade). If the contact is made anywhere near the hands, then Hooking must be called.

QUESTION: By Rule 604, it appears "pinning" is illegal unless the player is not attempting to play the puck. Correct?

ANSWER: Under the USA Hockey Playing Rule Standard of Play with regard to Body Contact, a player may use size and strength to complete for the puck and gain an advantageous position on an opponent. However, if his actions unfairly restrict the movement of an opponent or unfairly take an advantage away from an opponent, then they should be penalized under Interference or Holding.

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This week’s features: Sight lines...GoPro's...Game assignments...and more.

QUESTION: A player receives major plus game misconduct penalties for fighting, plus a match penalty for removing an opponent's helmet. What penalties are served and for how long? The game I watched had the players team kill a 10 minute major penalty. Is that correct?

ANSWER: Assuming one player on Team A receives Major plus Game Misconduct and Match penalties, and no player on Team B receives any Major or Match penalties to cancel any of the five-minute shorthanded time for Team A, then Team A will skate shorthanded (non-terminating) for ten minutes.

QUESTION: Can my son's 12U coach suspend my son for a game at his own discretion, because he thinks that he plays too aggressive? His assistant coaches disagree and I would like to know the rule under which he can suspend a player based on his discretion.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, we cannot answer this question at this forum since it does not regard the USA Hockey Playing Rules. Ultimately, this issue is between the player, parents, coaches and hockey director. Therefore, we encourage you to contact your local hockey association to find out more information.

QUESTION: How visible do the lines etc have to be on the rink and which USA Hockey rule applies?

ANSWER: The simple answer is “as visible as possible”. Unfortunately, since all rinks are private entities outside of the control of local hockey associations there is no way to enforce any type of ice quality standard other than having the local hockey associations move games and practices to a different location.

QUESTION: Are GoPro's allowed to be worn during games in an Adult Hockey League? Looking at Rule 304 and Rule 308 there should be no problem wearing a GoPro over the age of 18 in an Adult League.

ANSWER: Under the current USA Hockey Playing Rule interpretations, no cameras (helmet mounted or otherwise) may be worn during any USA Hockey sanctioned games.

QUESTION: How do i book games to ref?

ANSWER: The USA Hockey National Office does not coordinate game assignments or game assignors. In all cases, USA Hockey games in your local area are either assigned by an Independent Contractor Assignor or Local Officiating Association who makes an agreement with the local hockey associations and leagues.

Typically, there is time allotted at each Level 1 Classroom Seminar where the local game assignment process is reviewed and contact information is shared (e.g. “Email John Smith when you receive your Card and Crest”).

Furthermore, the assignment process varies across the country. In some cases, a local assignor makes phone calls and emails confirming availability for games, and in other cases officials are asked to join an online assignment software system where they plug in weekly availability and receive games to confirm each week.

To find out more about the assignment process in your area, we recommend contacting your local USA Hockey representatives using the contact information listed through the Officiating Directory. You can use the Officiating Directory link under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com to find more information.

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This week’s features: Kicking the stick...Vaping...Illegal contact...and more.

QUESTION: If a child is caught vaping non-narcotic juice what is the policy of USA Hockey?

ANSWER: USA Hockey Playing Rule 601.f states:

"The use of tobacco products, vaping products or alcoholic beverages by any player or team official is prohibited in the rink area, including the bench areas and off-ice official area. A warning shall be issued by the Referee for the first offense by any participant and any subsequent violations by the same team shall result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed."

QUESTION: When play is in an end-zone and coming from behind the net up along the boards, the referee is stated to keep moving backwards along the boards out towards the blue line until play moves away. Is it okay to step off the boards and let a player with the puck pass or pivot out and around multiple players if going up the boards will inevitably lead to being in the way and possible contact?

ANSWER: For guidance on proper referee positioning in the end-zone, please consult the USA Hockey Basic Officiating Manual (pg. 17).

QUESTION: An attacking player is on a breakaway. They take a shot on goal and score, but lose control and slam into the goalie within the crease. Is the goal still awarded even though a penalty will be given for goalie interference? If the puck crossed the goal line immediately after making contact with the goalie in the crease would this change whether or not a goal is awarded?

ANSWER: An attacking player may not make contact with the goalkeeper who is positioned in his/her goal crease, and the attacking player may not push the goalkeeper who has possession of the puck into the goal to score a goal. If this happens, the goal must be disallowed and the attacking player should be assessed a penalty for interference or charging depending on the degree of contact (seeUSAH Rule 607(c) & (d) – Charging).
 
That being said, if the puck is shot into the goal prior to the illegal goalkeeper contact then the goal should be awarded. The resulting illegal contact after the goal should be penalized as normal.
 
If the puck enters the goal AFTER the illegal goalkeeper contact, then the goal should be disallowed.

QUESTION: What are the actions taken by the referee following a “kick shot”?

ANSWER: USA Hockey Playing Rule 627.c states:

"Kicking the puck shall be permitted provided the puck is not kicked by an attacking player and entered the goal either directly or after deflecting off any player including the goalkeeper. However, the puck may not be played by the so called “kick shot,” which combines the use of the leg and foot driving the shaft and blade of the stick and producing a very dangerous shot."

If the puck enters the goal through use of a "Kick Shot", the goal must be disallowed. If the puck doesn't enter the goal, play should be stopped. In both situations, the face-off should be located at the nearest neutral zone spot.

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