Billings Amateur Hockey League  

HOCKEY 101

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Hockey 101

A quick guide for new players, parents, and fans. The old graphic information is now readable page text.

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Top-down hockey rink showing goals, creases, face-off circles, center red line, and blue lines. Defending Zone Neutral Zone Attacking Zone
Rink Map Blue lines create the three zones. The center red line divides the rink. Face-off spots restart play, and each net is protected by a blue crease.
Blue LineCenter Red LineCreaseFace-Off SpotsNet

Playing Surface

  • The ice sheet is called the rink.
  • The rink is divided by a red center line and two blue lines.
  • A standard North American rink is 200 feet by 85 feet.
  • The rink is enclosed by boards and Plexiglass.

Rink Zones

  • The area with your team's net is the defending zone.
  • The middle area between the blue lines is the neutral zone.
  • The area with the opposing net is the attacking or offensive zone.

The Puck

  • The puck is made of black vulcanized rubber.
  • A standard puck is 1 inch thick, 3 inches in diameter, and weighs 5.5 to 6 ounces.
  • The puck can be moved with the stick or feet. Picking it up with hands is illegal.

The Hockey Stick

  • Players use sticks to retrieve, control, carry, pass, and shoot the puck.
  • Goals are scored by shooting the puck into the opponent's net.
  • A shot that deflects into the net off another player can still count.

The Net

  • The net is 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
  • It has a nylon mesh back.
  • There are two nets, one at each end, and each is guarded by a goaltender.

Teams

  • Each team has 6 players on the ice: 1 goaltender and 5 skaters.
  • The 5 skaters are usually 3 forwards and 2 defensemen.

Substitutions

  • Substitutions are unlimited and can happen at any time.
  • Players can change on the fly during play.
  • The departing player must be within 5 feet of the bench and not involved in play.

Face-Offs

  • The game starts when the referee drops the puck between two opposing forwards.
  • Face-offs restart play after stoppages.
  • Other players line up on the defensive side of the puck.
  • There are 9 designated face-off spots on the ice.

Game Clock

  • The game is played in 3 periods.
  • Standard periods are 20 minutes.
  • The clock stops during stoppages in play.

Body Checking

  • A player may use the shoulder, hip, or torso to hit or impede an opponent with the puck.
  • A body check targeting the head is illegal.
  • A body check from behind into the boards is illegal.

The Lingo

  • Bar down: the puck hits the bottom of the crossbar and goes in.
  • Barn-burner: a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
  • Bucket: another word for helmet.
  • Celly: a goal celebration.
  • Crease: the blue semicircle in front of the net.
  • Flex: a measurement of stick stiffness.
  • Iron: the red metal frame of the net.
  • Natural hat trick: three consecutive goals by one player.
  • Pylon: a very slow player who is easy to skate around.
  • Saucer pass: an elevated pass used to avoid a defender's stick.
  • Twig: another word for hockey stick.
  • Wheels: a player's speed and skating ability.
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