How to Get a Clipping Penalty in Ice Hockey

In ice hockey, checking a player literally means keeping an opposing player in check. The physical act of checking, or using your body or stick to push a player onto the ice or boards, can get you a penalty. Clipping is a specific type of checking. Here's how you might get called on a clipping penalty.

Instructions

1. Lower your body by either bending all the way down to the ice in a crouched position or throwing your body onto the ice, such as sliding on your knees or falling on your stomach.

2. Hit an opposing player below the knees with your body, and you will be given a clipping penalty. Remember, clipping is a type of checking. So if you accidentally fall and another player trips over you, you will not be in danger of getting a clipping call. However, you might get a dangerous play or misconduct call.

3. Get comfortable. You'll be spending at least 10 minutes on the bench while you wait out your major penalty. If your clipping injured the other player, you will probably get a game penalty, and spend the rest of the match sitting in the penalty box.

Tips & Warnings

• Clipping is dangerous to the other player as well as yourself. The physical act could cause concussions, broken bones or other problems. Your aggression might also inspire players on the other team to start trying to harm your team. So keep your actions in check at all times.