USA HOCKEY RULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED STUDY SOLUTIONS RATED A+
What are the penalty options for boarding? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor plus a misconduct,
major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What happens if a player breaks his stick and does not drop it prior to participating in play? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor penalty for equipment violation shall be assessed.
What are the penalty options for butt ending? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Major plus a game
misconduct or match penalty.
What are the penalty options for checking from behind? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor plus a
misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What are the penalty options for charging? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor plus a misconduct,
major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What are the penalty options for cross-checking? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor, major plus a
game, or match.
What are the penalty options for elbowing? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor, major plus a game,
or match.
When a goal is disallowed as a result of the actions of the attacking team, where is the ensuing faceoff? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-It will take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot.
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-handed. Should the
game be played? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference 201(a). A team is defined as
having six players. If a team cannot put six players on the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered
a "team" and must forfeit the game to its opponent.
,During the game, through injuries and penalties, a team is unable to place four players on the ice. Can
the game proceed? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule References 201(a) and 408(a). Any time a
team is reduced to below four players on the ice during a game for any reason, the game shall be
forfeited. Players in the penalty bench with delayed penalties are not permitted to participate in the
game (on the ice) or leave the penalty bench until their penalties expire.
There is a question of a rule interpretation. The Referee wants to explain the rule to the Captain, but
notices that the Captain and both Alternate Captains are seated on the players' bench. What should the
Referee do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-If the Captain is still participating in the game (they are not
removed from the game because of penalty, injury, etc.), they should be invited from the players' bench
to discuss the interpretation with the Referee. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench to protest the decision
of the Referee. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-If the Captain leaves the
bench for a discussion without being invited to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, they must be
assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under this rule. Rule Reference 202(b).
A team has 16 skaters plus two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. A skater who is not listed on
the scoresheet participates in the game. What action should the Referee take when it is brought to their
attention? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Add the skater's name to the scoresheet, and assess a bench
minor penalty to the player's team. Rule Reference 203(a). All penalties incurred and goals/assists
awarded to that skater shall stand. The team may not elect to send the skater to the dressing room and
forgo the bench minor penalty because the skater has already participated in the game.
A team has eighteen skaters and two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. What happens if a
skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the game and scores a goal? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The goal shall be disallowed. Rule References 203(a), 201(a) and 629(c). Once the
Referee has become aware of the additional skater, they must remove them from the game immediately.
The team already has the maximum number of skaters on the game sheet, so the player is ineligible to
participate in the game.
Both teams are assessed minor penalties at the same time during a stoppage of play after the line
change process has been completed. Is each team entitled to a full line change? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference 204(a). Each team must replace the penalized player but are not
entitled to a full line change. A full line change is allowed only when a penalty or penalties are imposed
that affect the numerical on-ice strength of either or both teams.
, During a player change, the Team A retiring player is in the vicinity of the players' bench and does not
make any effort to play the puck or the body of the opponent. However, their replacement comes onto
the ice at the other end of the bench and immediately engages in play in a manner that changes a 2-1
break for Team B into a 2-2 attack. Is this considered a too many players infraction? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Yes. Rule Reference 204(b). In this situation, Team A has gained a competitive advantage
during the player change, even though neither the retiring player nor the replacement player has directly
played the puck or an opponent. The fact they are still both on the ice and Team A gained a territorial or
positional advantage as a result of the change is considered to be a violation of the rule and should be
penalized.
If a player on the penalty bench remains there after the expiration of the penalty (while the team is
entitled to return to full strength), may the team place another skater on the ice as long as the originally
penalized player remains on the penalty bench? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference
204(c). A team may replace the penalized player only after they have left the penalty bench by way of
the ice and returned to their players' bench. If they elect to remain on the penalty bench, either by
intent or error, the team must continue to skate short-handed until the player returns to the ice. For a
violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty must be assessed to the offending team.
The Team A goalkeeper skates toward their players' bench during play. While they are approximately 30
feet away from the bench, a teammate enters the play as a substitute for the goalkeeper. While the
opposing team has possession of the puck (the goalkeeper is still moving toward the bench and their
replacement is now involved in the play) the goalkeeper turns and skates back toward the goal to defend
against an opposing shot on goal. Does this infraction of the rules constitute "premature substitution" or
"too many players on the ice?" - CORRECT ANSWERS-Too many players on the ice. Rule
References 205(a) and 204(b). Once the substituting player enters the ice, the goalkeeper is considered
to be substituted for. If the goalkeeper participates in play while this condition exists, a penalty for "too
many players on the ice" shall be assessed to the offending team.
Team A, losing late in the game, substitutes its goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Before the change is
completed, Team B gains possession of the puck and carries it into Team A's Defending Zone. The
substitute player for the goalkeeper goes onto the ice before the goalkeeper is at the players' bench and
out of play (noted by the back Linesman). A Team A player gains possession of the puck behind their own
goal and the whistle stops play. Are any penalties to be assessed and where is the ensuing face-off to
take place? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No penalties are to be assessed, as this is a "premature
substitution for the goalkeeper" violation. The ensuing faceoff must take place at the nearest end zone
face-off spot. Rule Reference 205(a). No penalty is assessed for premature substitution of the
goalkeeper. Normally, the puck will be in the offending team's attacking half of the ice when premature
substitution occurs, in which case the ensuing face-off will take place at center ice. If the puck is in the
offending team's defending half of the ice, as in this situation, the ensuing face-off will become a last
play face-off.
VERIFIED STUDY SOLUTIONS RATED A+
What are the penalty options for boarding? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor plus a misconduct,
major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What happens if a player breaks his stick and does not drop it prior to participating in play? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor penalty for equipment violation shall be assessed.
What are the penalty options for butt ending? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Major plus a game
misconduct or match penalty.
What are the penalty options for checking from behind? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor plus a
misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What are the penalty options for charging? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Minor plus a misconduct,
major plus a game misconduct, or match.
What are the penalty options for cross-checking? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor, major plus a
game, or match.
What are the penalty options for elbowing? - CORRECT ANSWERS-minor, major plus a game,
or match.
When a goal is disallowed as a result of the actions of the attacking team, where is the ensuing faceoff? -
CORRECT ANSWERS-It will take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot.
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-handed. Should the
game be played? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference 201(a). A team is defined as
having six players. If a team cannot put six players on the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered
a "team" and must forfeit the game to its opponent.
,During the game, through injuries and penalties, a team is unable to place four players on the ice. Can
the game proceed? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule References 201(a) and 408(a). Any time a
team is reduced to below four players on the ice during a game for any reason, the game shall be
forfeited. Players in the penalty bench with delayed penalties are not permitted to participate in the
game (on the ice) or leave the penalty bench until their penalties expire.
There is a question of a rule interpretation. The Referee wants to explain the rule to the Captain, but
notices that the Captain and both Alternate Captains are seated on the players' bench. What should the
Referee do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-If the Captain is still participating in the game (they are not
removed from the game because of penalty, injury, etc.), they should be invited from the players' bench
to discuss the interpretation with the Referee. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench to protest the decision
of the Referee. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT ANSWERS-If the Captain leaves the
bench for a discussion without being invited to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, they must be
assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under this rule. Rule Reference 202(b).
A team has 16 skaters plus two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. A skater who is not listed on
the scoresheet participates in the game. What action should the Referee take when it is brought to their
attention? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Add the skater's name to the scoresheet, and assess a bench
minor penalty to the player's team. Rule Reference 203(a). All penalties incurred and goals/assists
awarded to that skater shall stand. The team may not elect to send the skater to the dressing room and
forgo the bench minor penalty because the skater has already participated in the game.
A team has eighteen skaters and two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. What happens if a
skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the game and scores a goal? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-The goal shall be disallowed. Rule References 203(a), 201(a) and 629(c). Once the
Referee has become aware of the additional skater, they must remove them from the game immediately.
The team already has the maximum number of skaters on the game sheet, so the player is ineligible to
participate in the game.
Both teams are assessed minor penalties at the same time during a stoppage of play after the line
change process has been completed. Is each team entitled to a full line change? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference 204(a). Each team must replace the penalized player but are not
entitled to a full line change. A full line change is allowed only when a penalty or penalties are imposed
that affect the numerical on-ice strength of either or both teams.
, During a player change, the Team A retiring player is in the vicinity of the players' bench and does not
make any effort to play the puck or the body of the opponent. However, their replacement comes onto
the ice at the other end of the bench and immediately engages in play in a manner that changes a 2-1
break for Team B into a 2-2 attack. Is this considered a too many players infraction? - CORRECT
ANSWERS-Yes. Rule Reference 204(b). In this situation, Team A has gained a competitive advantage
during the player change, even though neither the retiring player nor the replacement player has directly
played the puck or an opponent. The fact they are still both on the ice and Team A gained a territorial or
positional advantage as a result of the change is considered to be a violation of the rule and should be
penalized.
If a player on the penalty bench remains there after the expiration of the penalty (while the team is
entitled to return to full strength), may the team place another skater on the ice as long as the originally
penalized player remains on the penalty bench? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No. Rule Reference
204(c). A team may replace the penalized player only after they have left the penalty bench by way of
the ice and returned to their players' bench. If they elect to remain on the penalty bench, either by
intent or error, the team must continue to skate short-handed until the player returns to the ice. For a
violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty must be assessed to the offending team.
The Team A goalkeeper skates toward their players' bench during play. While they are approximately 30
feet away from the bench, a teammate enters the play as a substitute for the goalkeeper. While the
opposing team has possession of the puck (the goalkeeper is still moving toward the bench and their
replacement is now involved in the play) the goalkeeper turns and skates back toward the goal to defend
against an opposing shot on goal. Does this infraction of the rules constitute "premature substitution" or
"too many players on the ice?" - CORRECT ANSWERS-Too many players on the ice. Rule
References 205(a) and 204(b). Once the substituting player enters the ice, the goalkeeper is considered
to be substituted for. If the goalkeeper participates in play while this condition exists, a penalty for "too
many players on the ice" shall be assessed to the offending team.
Team A, losing late in the game, substitutes its goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Before the change is
completed, Team B gains possession of the puck and carries it into Team A's Defending Zone. The
substitute player for the goalkeeper goes onto the ice before the goalkeeper is at the players' bench and
out of play (noted by the back Linesman). A Team A player gains possession of the puck behind their own
goal and the whistle stops play. Are any penalties to be assessed and where is the ensuing face-off to
take place? - CORRECT ANSWERS-No penalties are to be assessed, as this is a "premature
substitution for the goalkeeper" violation. The ensuing faceoff must take place at the nearest end zone
face-off spot. Rule Reference 205(a). No penalty is assessed for premature substitution of the
goalkeeper. Normally, the puck will be in the offending team's attacking half of the ice when premature
substitution occurs, in which case the ensuing face-off will take place at center ice. If the puck is in the
offending team's defending half of the ice, as in this situation, the ensuing face-off will become a last
play face-off.
