Bodychecking in ice hockey

Body-checking in ice hockey: What are the risks?

:: Highlights

• The most common reason for hockey injury is body checking.
• Body checking should be banned from recreational (non-competitive) ice hockey for all children and youth.
• In competitive leagues, body checking should be delayed until players are at least 13 to 14 years old.
• Everyone involved in hockey should know the risks, symptoms/signs and how to manage a concussion.

Hockey is a very popular sport among all age of children and youth. But while there are many health benefits to physical activity and playing sports, hockey-related injuries are on the rise, especially concussion. The most common reason for hockey injury is body checking.

No. Body contact and body checking are different:

• Body contact is a player’s defensive move to block someone from the other team who has the puck (puck carrier). The player moves to stop the puck carrier anywhere on the ice by skating, angling, stick checking or with body-positioning. The defensive player does not hit the puck carrier but places his body in the way of the puck carrier. The puck carrier cannot be pushed, hit or shoved into the boards.
• Body checking is a defensive move where a player tries to separate the puck from a player on the other team. During a check, the defensive player purposefully uses his upper body to hit the puck carrier with force while moving in the opposite or same direction.

Body checking is taught based on a four-step skills.

At what age is body checking allowed?

• Hockey  policy says that body checking should be introduced in peewee leagues (11 to 12 years of age).
• Quebec has delayed body checking until the bantam level (13 to 14 years of age).
• Body checking is not allowed in girls’ or women’s hockey.

How can I protect my child or teen?

• Your child or teen should always wear a  hockey helmet while playing hockey.
• Talk to your children about the importance of fair play and non-violence in sport.
• Read our detailed information for parents, trainers and coaches on sport-related concussion. It’s important that everyone involved in sport know the risks, symptoms/signs and how to manage a concussion.