How to Get a Fighting Penalty in Ice Hockey

Fighting is as much a part of hockey as spitting is a part of baseball. Both are decried, but without these "vulgar" displays, the games would probably be unrecognizable. Baseball has no formal penalty for spitting unless it's done in the direction of an umpire. Then, it's a quick trip to the showers. Hockey penalizes fighting by sending the combatants to prison--the penalty box--where sentences must be served sitting within feet of each other.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand the euphemism "taking the gloves off." Pushing, shoving, face washing, elbowing, and acting like a brute may draw a roughing penalty, but once your gloves come off, it's fighting.

    • 2

      Know whether your league has an instigator penalty, an extra two-minute penalty if a referee thinks you started a fight. If a referee thinks it was "just a fight," both players get five minutes for fighting. The instigator penalty is two minutes on top of the five.

    • 3

      Try to bait the target of your anger into starting the fight if there is an instigator penalty. Criticize his hairstyle or the way he dresses. Call him a name he probably doesn't understand--like "jackanapes."

    • 4

      Get your punches in early when your opponent drops his gloves. Drop yours quickly after he drops his but then get in as many combinations as you can.(Remember--body punches are for sissies.)

    • 5

      Break off the fight when you've done your damage and retreat with grace. If the other player comes after you, he stands a greater chance of drawing the extra two minutes.

    • 6

      Watch film of Gordie Howe. Nobody fought smarter than Mr. Howe.