What is Ice Hockey? What are the Rules of the Game?

Ice hockey is a competitive sport; two teams compete against each other on the ice. This game is popular in countries like the US and Canada. But hockey has become more widely known. Let’s find out with bookmaker 7JL what are the rules of this sport?

What is Ice Hockey?

Ice hockey is a “branch” of hockey sports. With the international name Hockey, ice hockey is generally a competitive sport. played in teams, and the players’ task is to try to put the hockey ball into the opposing team’s net.

Ice hockey is a type of hockey that is played on a flat ice rink. The number of members of each team is 10, of which 6 are regular players on the field and 4 are reserve players. Each match will last for 3 periods, played continuously, and there may be extra time if the end of 3 periods does not find a team with a leading score.

Previously, ice hockey was mainly played in the winter, but thanks to artificial ice rink technology, ice hockey can be played all year round, in indoor rinks.

Origin of Ice Hockey

The historical origin of ice hockey, experts point out that is a game created based on games that appeared in ancient times. Among them, we can mention the game of hurling that appeared in Ireland from 1272 BC.

In Greece, people also found a relief that is believed to have appeared around 600 BC in ancient Greece. There was a game called kerētízein or kerhtízein – using a curved horn-like head to hit the ball. Among the Daur people of Inner Mongolia, there is also a game similar to field hockey dating back 1000 years.

 

How to play Ice Hockey

An ice hockey match lasts about 20 minutes, and each match has 3 rounds. The players will use ice skates to move on the flat ice surface. Wear competition costumes with protective parts for the head, shoulders, knees, face, and face.

Players of ice hockey teams will be divided into two teams to control half of the ice rink marked with a line in the middle. The two teams will be drawn to determine the team that wins the punk first.

The task of the players is to lead the puck to the opponent’s net together; hitting the net is recorded as a point. During the match, the teams have the right to replace the reserve player on the field. There is no limit to the number of substitutions, and no special conditions are required.

Ice Hockey Rules

The “ball” in this sport is a round disc made of vulcanized rubber, about 3 inches in size, 7.6cm. The rule name is Punk.

Before the game, the puck will be kept in cold conditions to ensure that when the puck is on the ice, it will not bounce and reduce the friction between the puck and the ice floor.

The ice hockey stick is shaped like the letter L, mainly made of wood. The end of the stick must be able to lie close to the ice when the players hold the stick in an upright position. According to the rules, the sticks that are qualified for the game must be able to bend to the left or right.

The ice hockey field is about 61 meters and 30 meters wide, divided into 3 specific areas: Attack, Neutral, and Defense.

Previously, players were only allowed to use their bodies to obstruct the opposing team’s players in the Defensive Zone. But now, according to IIHF rules – International Ice Hockey Federation – players can use their bodies to obstruct opponents in all three zones of the field. The rule has made ice hockey a more aggressive sport, attacking from start to finish and not defending.

For ice hockey matches in the NHL – the world’s largest professional ice hockey league – the linesman has the right to stop the game if he sees a defensive player – not the goalie – touching the puck before the offensive player touches the puck. However, according to IIHF rules, the game can only be stopped if the puck crosses the goal line.

Ice hockey also uses the common rules in team-based combat sports, such as penalty kicks and offside rules. Currently, the IIHF and NHL still disagree on the rules of blocking and continue to propose penalties for punching punks, holding punks.

The 3-point mechanism is something to note. If you win within the prescribed time, you will get 3 points. If you win during overtime, you will get 2 points. If you lose during overtime, you will also get 1 point.