The Rink

Checking(shoving an opponent so that he is thrown violently against the boards.

Official signal: Pounding the closed fist of the non-whistle hand into the palm of the other open hand.

Taking more than three skating strides prior to checking an opponent.

Official signal: Rotating clenched fists around one another in front of chest.

Checking from Behind: Checking or hitting an opponent whose back is facing you, often into the boards.  This penalty is a two minute minor and a 10 minute major.  Two players go to penalty box. This can be the MOST dangerous check!

Official Signal: Non-whistle arm placed behind the back, elbow bent, forearm parallel to the ice surface.

Cross-Checking: Hitting an opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the oce.

Official Signal: A forward motion with both fists clenched extending fronm the chest.

Using an elbow in any way to foul an opponent.

KEEP ARMS TO YOUR SIDE, WHICH KEEPS THEM DOWN!

Official Signal: Tapping the elbow of the whistle hand with the opposite hand.

Hand Pass: Called when a player uses his hand to direct the puck to another player from the same team in the offensive or neutral zone. Hand passes are allowed in defensive zone.

Official SIgnal: Holding both fists, clenched,one immediately above the other, at the side of the head.

High Sticking: Striking your opponent while carrying the above shoulder level.

Official Signal: Holding both fists, clenched, on immediately above the other, at the side of the head.

Holding: Holding an opponent from moving with hands or stick or any other way.

Official Signal: Clasping the wrist of the whistle hand well in front of the chest.

Hooking: "Hooking" a stick around an opponent to try to block his progres

Official Signal: A tugging motion with both arms, to block his progress.

Icing: Intentionally shooting the puck from behind the center red line over your opponent's goal line. Not technically a penalty, Icing results in a faceoff in the offending team's zone.

Official Signal: The instant that the conditions required to establish "icing the puck" have occurred, the referee will blow his whistle to stop play, and raise his non-whistle hand held over his head. The back official will move to the resulting face-off spot and give the signal.

Interference: Illegal body contact with an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or knocking an opponent's fallen stick out of his reach.

Official Signal: Crossed arms staionary in front of chest with fists closed.

Penalty Shot: When an attacking player has been clearly pulled down preventing a breakaway shot on the goalie.

Official Sognal: Crossed arms stationary in front of chest with fists closed.

Slashing: Hitting an opposing player with the stick or swinging the stick at an opposing player.

Official Signal: One chop with the non-whistle hand across the straightened forearm of the other hand.

Spearing: Stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried in one or both hands.

Official Signal: A single jabbing motion with both hands together, thrust forward from in front of the chest, then dropping hands to the side.

Tripping: Using a stick, knee,foot,arm, hand, or elbow to cause an opponet to trip or fall.

Official Signal: Strike the side of the knee(non-whistle side) and follow through once, keeping the head up and both skates on the ice.

Washout: When used by a referee it means the goal does not count; when used by a linesman, it means there is no icing or offsides.

Official Signal:Both arms swung laterally across the body at shoulder level with palms down.