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.