Ice Hockey Goaltender Rules

Each team can have a maximum number of 20 players including two goaltenders although only six players from each team can be on the ice at any one time.

Ice hockey goaltender rules. The goalie usually plays in or near the area in front of the net called the goal crease often referred to simply. Regardless of assigned positions all players except the goaltender can go anywhere on the ice. Teams in ice hockey. Players violating this rule risk having any goal they may score taken away due to them being in the goaltender s protected zone.

This area is defined by the. They can go wherever they d like just about whenever they d like. Rule 27 puts goaltenders in their place. The goaltender cannot cross the center ice red line that divides the rink in half.

Ice hockey rules do not allow any player other than the goaltender in the crease unless the puck is loose in the blue paint. Closing hand on puck. Included are usa hockey s official playing rules and interpretations referee signals and detailed rink diagrams. Any player other than a goaltender who catches a puck must immediately knock or place it back down to the ice.

With the exception of offside plays and goal crease violations skaters have free reign over the ice. All players take up set positions around one of five face off circles on the ice. No such rule goaltender may handle the puck anywhere behind the goal line protection of goaltender no such rule an attacking player may stand in the goal crease but an attacking player preventing the goalkeeper from playing his position will cause a goal to be disallowed play is stopped if an attacking player stands in the goal crease. This book is the singular source for the rules of the game.

Any violation of this will result in a two minute minor. Substitutions can be made at any point during the game. This area is defined by the goaltender s arm and catcher on the bottom mask on the inside and the. Here is a brief guide to the essential ice hockey rules.

The goaltender also known colloquially as goalie or netminder in ice hockey is the player who defends his team s goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team s net thus preventing the opposing team from scoring and arguably the most important player on at team. Not so with goaltenders. This area is defined by the goaltender s arm and catcher on the top the ice on the bottom and the. Hitting in hockey is an art form timing points of contact and technique are all scrutinized by officials closely.

The official rules of ice hockey is the essential resource for players coaches referees parents and fans. Three forwards and two defensemen. Here s three of the places they re not allowed to play.