Checking (ice hockey)

Checking in ice hockey refers to defensive techniques used to disrupt a puck carrier or separate them from the puck. Most checking methods are legal and do not result in a penalty. Body checking involves driving the shoulder, upper arm, hip, and elbow into an opponent to knock them off the puck, often into the boards or onto the ice. It is only allowed against a player in possession of the puck.

Reckless body checking can be penalized. In women’s IIHF hockey and non-checking leagues, it is considered an illegal hit and carries penalties ranging from a minor to a match penalty. Body checking was permitted at the first women’s world championship in 1990 but has since been banned in almost all leagues. The Swedish Women’s Hockey League reintroduced it in 2022–23, the Professional Women’s Hockey League in North America allowed it from its start in January 2024, and the PostFinance Women’s League in Switzerland will allow it from the 2025–26 season, though it remains heavily regulated.

Hip-checking sees a player drop into a crouch and swing their hips into an opponent, causing them to lose balance and often fall, typically near the boards. A hip-check at or below the knees is called clipping and is an infraction in the NHL. Shoulder-checking uses the shoulder to muscle an opponent out of position. The elbow must stay tucked in; otherwise, it may be called elbowing and result in a penalty.

Poke checking

Poke checking uses the stick to poke the puck away from an opponent, often before physical contact occurs. Goalies commonly use this against close opponents to avoid leaving the net. Hook checking involves using the stick in a hooking motion on the ice to retrieve the puck. It should not be confused with the penalty of hooking.

Sweep checking uses the stick in a sweeping motion to knock the puck away or disrupt passes. Stick checking interferes with an opponent’s stick using one’s own stick. Forechecking is skating in the offensive zone to regain puck possession after a dump-in or turnover. Backchecking is rushing back to the defensive zone in response to an opponent’s attack.

Cross-checking

A defender behind the attacker may try to make physical contact to check and help regain control. Cross-checking is checking an opponent with the stick shaft held in both hands. It is illegal and can result in a minor, major, misconduct, or match penalty.