How to Body Check in Ice Hockey

Body contact is a necessary part of hockey. For this reason, it is imperative you wear full hockey equipment when playing, so you do not get injured during play. Even non-checking leagues usually allow "incidental contact," which is not full checking, but rather you can play the body in order to get the puck.

Instructions

    • 1

      Focus on the body of the puck carrier, not the puck itself. You must ensure you are playing hockey in a checking league before delivering checks, or you will find yourself in the penalty box.

    • 2

      Watch the puck carrier and figure out which way he is going, then work to angle him off to the side by skating toward him at an angle. This will drive him out of the center shooting lane and towards the boards. The whole idea of delivering a check is to pop the puck carrier off the puck, so you can gain control of the puck. Don't skate head-on toward your opponent. You want to take away all angles of escape and check him into the boards. A head-on collision could result in injury for one or both parties involved.

    • 3

      Keep your skating stance low, and make sure you are well-balanced on your skates. If you are not well-balanced, you risk injuring yourself when you deliver the check.

    • 4

      Keep your hands and elbows down, or else your check might result in an elbowing or cross-checking penalty. You want the check to be body to body, resulting in a clean hit. Also, make sure you are close to the boards, or out in open ice. The section of the ice that is 2-4 feet from the boards is considered a "danger area" since the risk of checking someone in that range and the opponent falling into the boards and injuring their neck, head or back is high.

    • 5

      Drive your body into your opponent's body at approximately the same speed, or a slightly greater speed, then your opponent's speed. This will ensure you don't plow over your opponent, causing unnecessary injury. It also will ensure that you have the upper hand in delivering the check, and that you will not bounce off the opponent and injure yourself.