How to Get an Offside Penalty in Ice Hockey

An offside penalty is called if any player on the offensive hockey team is too far ahead of the puck. In order to avoid an offside penalty, you must always stay between the puck and your team's goal. Here's how you might get called for an offside penalty during an ice hockey game.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Cross the blue defensive line on the other team's half of the rink. There is blue line on both sides of center ice, where faceoffs take place. If your skates cross the blue line before the puck does, you could get an offside penalty.

2. Washout an offside penalty by backing up to the blue line until the puck crosses it. (A washout means that a penalty will not be called.) If you are waiting for a pass and realize you crossed the blue line, don't worry. Quickly back up, and keep your skates within the blue line until the puck crosses.

3. Avoid an offside penalty by keeping your skates on the blue line but stretching your hockey stick over the line into your opponent's defensive zone. Because offside penalties are only called based on where your skates are, your hockey stick can be anywhere over the blue line without your getting called for an offside penalty.

4. Have a faceoff on the blue line where the offsides took place. Unlike many other penalties in hockey, offsides will not result in time in the penalty box. However, it does slow the play and give your opponents a chance to gain control of the puck.