How to Get an Interference Penalty in Ice Hockey
Hockey is a faced-paced game filled with many subtleties that the common eye may not catch. One of these is knowing when to get an interference penalty to stop a goal from occurring. This can happen toward the end of a game with an empty net or when the other team's star player has broken away toward your lowly goalkeeper. Here are tips.
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Instructions
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Understand the definition of what an "interference penalty" is according to the rules of hockey. It is called when a hockey player tries to impede the motion of another player not in possession of the puck. It should be noted that there is an arm length, plus stick length rule that is usually applied. This means that if you are within that range and the offensive player gets rid of the puck, you may legally still check him since you were within striking distance when he tossed the puck.
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Learn the situation where an interference penalty would be helpful for your team. Don't just accrue penalties for fun--that will only hurt your team. The primary situation would be if you think the other team has a surefire chance at scoring. (Though the ref may choose to ignore you, because he knows why you're committing interference.) Or if your line has been on the ice way too long and you have a sizable lead. Or you want to get close enough to the other team's player to tell him what you really think of him and his mother.
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Position yourself squarely in front of the ref. The ref only has two eyes (and the way the fans see it, that may be giving him too much credit). Make sure that you are in his field of vision.
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Wait for the offensive player to build momentum coming in your direction. It will be most obvious if you stop his momentum. While you can certainly skate to another player and impede him at a standstill, that will look more like you're merely guarding him.
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Skate in front of the offensive player and completely block his every move. Don't let him skate around you, just become a giant wall to his progress. You may want to grasp his shirt on the inside for good measure since you're going for the penalty anyway.
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Keep it up until the ref blows the whistle. Then go serve your 2 minutes in the penalty box and cheer your team on.
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Tips & Warnings
Interference can also be called during a faceoff. According to the rules, players are not allowed to use their stick or hands to encroach on an opponent in pursuit of the puck or trying to obtain a defensive stance.
