USA Hockey Playing Rules
A player is assessed a minor penalty for tripping and does not proceed immediately to the penalty bench
while disputing the call. Should any additional penalty be called? - Yes, in addition to the original
tripping penalty, the player must be assessed a minor penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Rule
Reference 601(a.1).
The misconduct penalty (601(c.4)) for failure to proceed directly and immediately to the penalty bench
applies in all other situations. In this instance, the fact the player is disputing the ruling of the Referee
calls for the unsportsmanlike minor penalty to be assessed.
Under 601, what constitutes a misconduct penalty for abuse of officials? - 1.Persists in any
conduct where they were previously assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
2.Using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person anywhere in the rink before, during or after
the game.
3.Intentionally knocking or shooting the puck out of the reach of an official who is retrieving it during a
stoppage of play.
4.Not proceeding directly and immediately to the penalty bench or to the dressing room, after being
penalized and ordered to do so by the officials (equipment shall be delivered to him by a teammate, if
necessary).
5.Entering or remaining in the Referee's Crease, unless invited to do so.
6.Interfering in any non-physical manner with any Game Official including the Referee, Linesman,
Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties
Under 601 what constitutes a minor penalty for Abuse of Officials - 1. Disputes the rulings of any
official.
2. Taunts or incites an opponent.
3. Creates a disturbance during the game.
4. Shoots the puck after the whistle, if in the opinion of the Official such shot was avoidable.
Under 601 what constitutes a bench minor penalty? - A bench minor penalty shall be assessed to
any team whose players or team officials commit the following actions while on the player's bench:
1.Using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person.
,2.Using the name of any official in a loud or abusive manner.
3.Throwing any object onto the playing area during the progress of the game or during a stoppage of
play.
4.Banging the boards with a stick or other object at anytime.
5.Using threatening or abusive language or gestures directed at an opponent.
6.Interfering in any non-physical manner with any game official, including off-ice officials, in the
performance of their duties.
.What constitutes a misconduct or game misconduct, at the discretion of the Referee and based on
severity under Abuse of Officials (601A)? - 1.Touches or holds any official with his hand or stick.
2.Attempts to continue an altercation after been ordered to stop, or resists the linesman in stopping the
altercation.
3.Intentionally bangs the boards or protective glass or goal frame with his stick or any other object at
anytime. If done in protest of an officials' decision, an additional minor penalty for unsportsmanlike
conduct shall also be assessed.
A game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official under Abuse of Officials for: -
1.Persists in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a misconduct
penalty (player) or bench minor penalty assessed to the team (Team Official).
2.Uses obscene gesture or a racial/ethnic slur anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.
3.Interferes in any physical manner with any game official, including off-ice officials, in performing their
duties.
4.A player who receives their second misconduct penalty during the same game shall be assessed a
game misconduct penalty in lieu of the second misconduct penalty.
What constitutes a match penalty under abuse of officials? - 1.Deliberately inflicting physical
harm, or attempting to do so, to any game official, including off-ice officials.
(Note) Any match penalty assessed under this rule must be reported via written game report by the
officials to the USA Hockey District Referee-in-Chief within 48 hours.
2.Deliberately injuring, or attempting to do so, any opposing player or team official.
3.Behaving in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including spitting
at an opponent, spectator, game or team official, or verbally threatening a Game Official, opposing Team
Official or opposing player with physical harm.
,A player sitting on the players' bench uses profanity towards an Official. If the Official can recognize the
player using this language, may he assess a misconduct penalty rather than a bench minor? - Yes.
Rule References 601 (Note), 601(b. Note) and 601(c.2).
The Officials shall assess a misconduct to a player if the player can be readily recognized. If the Official
cannot determine the identity of the player, he must impose a bench minor on the team. This
interpretation only applies to players on the players' bench or penalty bench.
What is the proper sequence of penalties to be assessed to a player who continues to verbally abuse an
Official or who persists in disputing a call? - Minor, misconduct, game misconduct, warning to the
Captain, bench minor penalty. Rule References 601(a.1, c.1 and e.1) and 633(a).
This sequence must be followed in every instance as the rules are clear that a match penalty is not an
option in this situation. Once the Abuse of Officials progression has been exercised, the proper sequence
is shifted to Refusing to Start Play.
At a stoppage of play, two players are circling each other and trying to incite the other into getting a
penalty. The Referee deems that penalties are warranted (taunting). What penalties, if any, shall be
assessed? - Minor penalties for Unsportsmanlike Conduct shall be assessed to each player. Rule
Reference 601(a.2).
The head coach is assessed a bench minor penalty for improper conduct during the first period. During
the second period the coach again exhibits improper conduct. Is the coach assessed a game misconduct
because the improper conduct has been repeated? - The spirit and intent of the rule is to treat
each incident separately. If the coach is assessed a bench minor penalty, he would only be assessed a
game misconduct penalty provided he continues his actions regarding this incident. This would also
apply in cases where one coach receives the bench minor and different coach continues the abuse.
If the coach refrains from continuing his behavior and then engages in improper conduct later over a
separate incident, he would need to be assessed another bench minor penalty to start the sequence
over.
, A good rule of thumb is once the original bench minor penalty has been served, that incident is over and
the new sequence would begin with the assessment of a bench minor penalty.
A Coach verbally abuses an Official on the way to the dressing room at the end of a period. What is the
sequence of penalties assessed to the Coach? - A bench minor penalty followed by a game
misconduct penalty if the abuse continues. Rule References 601(b.1 and e.1).
Just as if it was during play, the proper sequence of penalties as outlined in the rules must be followed
by the Referee. Rule 633 Refusing to Start Play would kick in if the situation were to persist at the start of
the next period.
What penalty is imposed on a player who collides with a Linesman and verbally abuses him for being in
the way with no reference made to a previous decision? - A misconduct penalty. Rule Reference
601(c.2).
Since the player was not disputing a ruling, the verbal abuse falls under the misconduct rule.
A player verbally abuses an Official on the way to the dressing room at the end of a period or the end of
the game. What is the sequence of penalties assessed to the player? - A misconduct penalty
followed by a game misconduct penalty if the abuse continues. Rule References 601(c.2 and e.1).
Just as if it was during play, the proper sequence of penalties as outlined in the rules must be followed
by the Referee.
A player on the ice makes physical contact with an Official following a decision made by that Official.
What penalty or penalties shall be assessed? - A misconduct, game misconduct or match penalty,
depending on the severity of the offense. Rule References 601(d.1, e.3 and f.1).
The officials must be able to distinguish between the severity of the contact and the intent of the player
in order to assess the appropriate penalty. Simply touching an official does not constitute a physical
assault calling for a match penalty.
A player on the players' bench interferes with a Linesman. The Linesman does not have the authority to
stop the play. Play continues and the offending team scores a goal. What penalties are imposed and
