Rule 8.6 – Tripping

Rule 8.6 – Tripping 

Tripping is where a player places their stick or body in such a way that causes an opposing player to trip or fall. This includes where a player deliberately slides across the ice, causing the puck carrier to trip, unless they make contact with the puck prior to contacting their opponent.

This rule does not apply to actions defined under Rule 8.7 – Clipping or Rule 8.8 – Slew-Footing.

  1. A Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who trips an opposing player. 

    A Penalty Shot will be awarded to the non-offending team, in lieu of a Minor penalty, when a player who is in control of the puck on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is tripped, otherwise fouled from behind or fouled by the opposing goaltender, and thus prevented from having a reasonable scoring opportunity, having no other opponent to pass other than the goaltender (see Rule 4.11 – Penalty Shots).

  2. A Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed to any player who injures an opponent by a tripping infraction that would otherwise call for a Minor penalty.

  3. No Match penalty may be assessed for tripping.

  4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for tripping.

  5. A Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed any time a Major penalty is assessed for tripping, as detailed under Rule 8.6 (b).

INTERPRETATIONS 

Interpretation 1

Rule 8.6 (a) 

A penalty will NOT be assessed if, in the Referee’s opinion, a player gains possession of the puck and, with the same action, trips the puck carrier after gaining possession of the puck. 

Interpretation 2

Rule 8.6 (a) 

A penalty will NOT be assessed if, while falling or sliding along the ice, a player contacts the puck prior to contacting the body of their opponent and within that same motion causes the opponent to fall.