1. An appropriate penalty for checking to the head shall be assessed if one of the following
conditions listed below take place in the process of checking the opposing player:
1. The player directs a check or blow with any part of his body to the head and
neck area of the opposing player
2. The player "drives" or "forces" the head of an opposing player into the protective
glass or boards by using any part of his body listed in # 3 below.
3. The player extends and directs his arm, elbow, forearm or shoulder to contact
the head and neck area of the opposing player.
4. The player by extending his body upward or outward in order to reach his
opponent and using any part of the body listed in #3 to contact his opponent's
head or neck area.
5. The checking player jumping or leaving his skates from the ice in order to
deliver a blow to the head or neck area of the opposing player
6. A cross check action to the head and or neck area
540 – CHECKING
TO THE
HEAD
AND
NECK AREA.
a) A player who directs a check or blow, with any part of his body or equipment to the NEW
head and neck area of an opposing player or "drives" or "forces" the head of an opposing player into the protective glass on boards, shall be assessed at the discretion of
the Referee a:
Minor penalty + Automatic Misconduct penalty
or
Major penalty + Automatic Game Misconduct penalty
or
Match Penalty
(2’+10’)
(5’+GM)
(MP)
b) A player who injures an opponent as result of checking to the Head and Neck Area
shall be assessed, a:
Match Penalty
(MP)
c) This rule supersedes Rules 520, 522, 525, 526 and 537 with regard to all actions NEW
described under articles a) and b).
7. A goalkeeper who uses his blocker glove to punch an opponent in the head,
neck or face area. BUT a Match penalty is to be assessed in this situation.
541 - WOMEN BODY-CHECKING
2. A player is responsible to keep his head up and be aware of his position and the
possibility of being checked. To be checked is a normal part of the game and players should be prepared to protect themselves as approved by the rules.
3. The mere fact that a player may or may not be prepared to protect himself or may
or may not be aware of an impending hit does not change the result that a hit to
the head is to go un-penalized.
In women's ice hockey, if a player makes a direct body-check, she shall be assessed, at
the discretion of the Referee, a:
Minor penalty
or
Major penalty + Automatic Game Misconduct penalty
(2’)
(5’+GM)
4. As a guideline, where the major force of the blow is initially to the body area and
then "slides "up to the head area, this is not classified as "checking to the head".
5. A check delivered by a player on an opponent carrying the puck with his head
down as he approaches the checking player, shall not be ruled as "checking to
the head" if the checking player does not raise, extend or direct his arm, elbow,
shoulder or any part of his body towards the head or neck area of the opponent.
6. If the checking player is maintaining his position in the normal manner as a part
of the game while the opposing player is approaching him, his check will not be
considered as "checking to the head" unless the points listed in #3 or #4 above
apply.
7. A punch or blow to the head and neck area during altercations and fights shall not
be classified as checking to the head but the penalty shall be assessed according
to the Rule 528 - Fisticuffs or Roughing
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