Rule 7.3 – Body-Checking

This rule applies only in divisions of U13 and below, in female hockey, and any other divisions approved by a Member of Hockey Canada.

Body contact is incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck on the ice in the same direction. If, in the opinion of the Referee, incidental contact has occurred, no penalty will be assessed.

Body-checking is an attempt by a player to gain an advantage on their opponent with the deliberate use of the body. Body-checking results when a player makes deliberate contact with an opposing player with opposite-directional force, when a player leaves their skating lane to make contact, or when a player extends an arm, shoulder, or hip after angling an opponent.

1. A Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who, in the opinion of the Referee, intentionally body-checks, bumps, shoves, or pushes any opposing player, in divisions of U13 and below, female hockey, and any other divisions approved by a Member of Hockey Canada.

2. At the discretion of the Referee, based on the degree of violence of the impact, the Referee may assess a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty for body-checking.

   If a player is injured, as the result of a body-checking infraction that would otherwise call for a Minor penalty, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed.

3. A Match penalty will be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent by body-checking.

4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for body-checking.

5. A Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed any time a Major penalty is assessed for body-checking, as detailed under Rule 7.3 (b).