An offside in hockey occurs when a player crosses the opposing team’s blue line before the puck does. If an offside is called, play is stopped and a faceoff occurs outside the offending player’s defensive zone.
5 Supporting Facts:
1. Offside is one of the most common penalties in hockey. It occurs when a player or players from the attacking team enter the offensive zone before the puck.
2. The blue line marks the boundary between the neutral zone and the offensive zone. Players must have both of their skates completely crossing the blue line at the same time as, or after, the puck crosses the blue line to be considered onside.
3. The purpose of the offside rule is to prevent players from cherry-picking or gaining an unfair advantage by being in the offensive zone before the puck. It helps maintain fairness and balance in the game.
4. Offside is a complex call that requires the referees or linesmen to have good positioning and quick judgment. They use their visual assessments to determine if a player crossed the blue line too early and whether they touched the puck or not.
5. If a team is called offside, they lose possession of the puck, and the play is stopped. A faceoff then takes place outside the offending team’s defensive zone, giving the defending team an opportunity to regain control.
FAQs:
1. Can a player be offside if they are already in the offensive zone before the puck crosses the blue line?
No, as long as the player had both of their skates completely crossing the blue line at the time the puck crossed, they are considered onside.
2. Does the offside rule apply during faceoffs?
No, the offside rule does not apply immediately after a faceoff. Once the players engage in play after a faceoff, the offside rule comes into effect again.
3. Can the linesmen use video replay to determine offside?
In most professional leagues, including the NHL, linesmen do not have the authority to review offside calls using video replay. However, the referee can choose to consult with the video replay officials if they have doubts or if the situation calls for it.
4. What happens if a play is close, and the linesmen are unsure if it was offside or not?
If the linesmen are unsure if a play was offside or not, they will usually try to make the best call based on their judgment. However, in situations where the game outcome could be affected, the referee may choose to review the play using video replay if it is available.
5. Can the defending team intentionally cause an offside to be called?
Yes, the defending team can try to force the attacking team to go offside by pressuring them near the blue line. This strategy is often used to disrupt the flow of the game and force a faceoff in a less advantageous position for the attacking team.
6. If a player’s skate is still touching the blue line while the puck crosses, is it considered offside?
If any part of the player’s skate remains in contact with the blue line while the puck completely crosses the line, they are considered to be onside. Both skates need to completely clear the blue line to be offside.
7. Can a delayed offside be called in certain situations?
Yes, a delayed offside occurs when an attacking player is offside but immediately returns to the neutral zone without affecting the play. In this case, the linesmen may wave off the offside call if the attacking team regains possession of the puck and fully clears the offensive zone before re-entering with control.
BOTTOM LINE:
An offside in hockey happens when a player crosses the opposing team’s blue line before the puck does. This rule ensures fair play and prevents cherry-picking. If offside is called, play is stopped, and a faceoff occurs outside the offending player’s defensive zone. Referees and linesmen use their judgment to make the call, and video replay may be consulted in certain situations. Understanding and adhering to the offside rule is crucial for players, as it significantly impacts the flow and outcome of the game.
