The game of hockey and its rules are both simple and complicated.  The object of the game is simply to score more goals than your opponent.  However the various strategies and team dynamics to achieve this objective are complex and the rules and the rink itself can be a important part of winning.

A complete understanding of the rules of  the game and the environment in which it is played can give a player an edge.  Even if you have played the game for  years, you may not have a complete understanding of the rules.  We recommend that even experienced players review this chapter.

This section contains information on:
The Rink, Rink Markings, Rink Zones, The Goal, Outdoor ice rinks, Periods, Players, Uniforms and Captains, Stopping play and the  Off sides ruile

Additional topics covered on our next web page:

The Rink

 
Ice hockey is played on standard size rink which measures 200 feet by 85 feet.   Some colleges and sports facilities are now installing Olympic sized rinks which are 100 feet wide and have additional room behind the net.  Figure-1 shows a standard size rink.  If you have the opportunity to play on an Olympic sized rink, you will notice that the passing lanes open up.  A good passing team will has an advantage on a bigger rink.

Figure 1   Standard Ice Hockey Rink

The rink is surrounded by boards that are 4 feet tall and usually have Plexiglas that extends another 4 feet above the boards.  The boards should all be joined together smoothly and the doors to the rink should close securely.  Poorly maintained boards can be dangerous and you should think twice about playing on this type of rink.

The ice surface on indoor rinks is usually maintained with a special vehicle - predominantly made by the Zamboni company.   The Zamboni machine has blades that removes about 1/4 of an inch of ice and then applies an even coat of water to resurface the ice.

To help the rink maintenance staff (and to get onto the ice as quickly as possible) it a good idea to help in moving the nets when resurfacing begins.  Push the nets into the center of the rink as the Zamboni makes its first pass along the boards.  Then move the nets onto the ice that has surfaced and leave the rink.  After the Zamboni is done, you should not enter the ice until after the maintenance crew has shoveled all the Zamboni ice off the rink and closed up the boards.  If the rink is not extremely cold, the ice may not set up quickly.  If you can wait a few minutes before beginning skating, you will have a better surface for your game.

If your rink has been used by figure skaters, you should look for holes as you first skate on a newly resurfaced rink.  Figure skaters jumps can gouge fairly large holes in the ice.  These holes  can be filled with ice shavings and water and then smoothed with a puck.  Figure skaters prefer the ice temperature to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit to cushion their jumps.  25 degrees is better for hockey.

Rinks will have the players benches, penalty boxes and the scorer's tables located in a variety of locations around the rink.  Be aware of their location as this can be used to a team's advantage when a penalized player returns to the rink.

In-line hockey rinks are more varied in size and can range from 200' by 100' to 145' by 65'.  The surface needs to be smooth and may be asphalt,  wood, concrete or interlocking tiles.  Because many in-line rinks are installed in spaces used for other activities, many have temporary boards that can be easily moved and stored.  These boards can be as small as 8" high to the full 48" regular sized boards.

Blank  rink diagrams are included on this site -  Click here for Ice Hockey and click here for In-line diagrams.   Make copies of these diagrams and use them to draw plays with your teammates.