Adult Hockey 101
Beginner Adult Hockey Rules
Unless otherwise noted, any rules mentioned here are from the USA Hockey Rulebook (2026-2030), and are following rules for recreational adult hockey only.
The most important 2025-2029 USA Hockey rule changes
Every five years, USA Hockey updates their rules, and their 2025-2029 rulebook changes are out now. Although some rules are mostly administrative...
Hockey save percentages: Every goalie’s favorite statistic
If you ask any hockey goalie, they will probably be able to tell you what their save percentage is. This is a very important statistic for hockey...
Ice hockey definitions: What is a shot on goal?
If you are new to hockey, you will be hearing the term "shot on goal" or "shot on net" often. But what is a shot on goal? And what is the common...
Beer league hockey lessons we can learn from Ted Lasso
Whether you are learning to play hockey or have been playing your whole life, there are some important lessons about playing a sport you should...
Hockey rules: Abuse of Officials
Abuse of Officials is becoming more of an issue, especially in rec league hockey. But what are the actual rules, what is the line you should not...
How to get rid of that hockey smell from your gear
Hockey is a smelly sport — no matter how good you smell. You will be exercising, and wearing the same gear over-and-over. So how do you avoid that...
12 things to do before the upcoming hockey season
The hockey season is just around the corner, which means you should start getting ready. Here are 12 tips to make sure you are ready for the...
12 unwritten rules of hockey: Beer league hockey etiquette
Whether you are learning to play hockey or are a pro, the unwritten rules of adult hockey can be a lot more confusing than the written rules of...
11 tips for your first beer league hockey game
If you are just learning to play hockey as an adult, showing up to your first game can be really scary. So before you show up, here are some things...
Hockey penalty shots: The 5 steps to determining a penalty shot
A hockey penalty shot is a rare situation in any hockey league where a player is allowed a one-on-one shot with the goalie. There are a few...
Hockey line change rules: Learn how to change lines in adult hockey
Changing lines in hockey is pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but it can be a little daunting in the beginning. Changing lines is when one...
Hockey rules: Handling the hockey puck with your hands
Hockey is a game played with sticks, which means there are very few circumstances when you should be using your hands to touch the puck. But what...
How to find your hockey skate size
If you are looking to play hockey for the very first time, you might think that your shoe size will be the same as your hockey skate size. But of...
#2 rule of beer league hockey
There are not many rules of beer league hockey, but there are a few. The #1 rule of beer league hockey is: Don't Be a Jerk. Everyone is here to have...
Hockey rules: What is hockey embellishment (or diving)?
Embellishment is a widely discussed topic in hockey. If you have ever watched soccer, you may see embellishment every time someone is touched. But...
Hockey rules: Delay of game
A rule in hockey that has many different parts is USA Hockey Rule 610: Delaying the Game. A delay of game penalty can be called in a number of...
Hockey rules: Broken hockey stick
A broken stick, or any broken equipment, can be a serious issue when playing hockey. Because of this, USA Hockey has specific rules related to what...
Ice hockey rink dimensions
Although there are different sizes of ice hockey rinks across the world, you will find that most rinks in North America have a standard size and...
5 steps to find your first beer league hockey team
If you are looking to learn to play hockey as an adult, you may be confused as to what steps you need to take. As a beginner hockey player, there...
Women’s hockey: Getting started as a beginner adult hockey player
I talk a lot about learning to play hockey as an adult, but it can be especially intimidating to learn to play hockey if you are a woman. Hockey is...
9 basic rules of hockey
If you are just learning to play hockey, there are a lot of different rules to remember. There are slight variations of rules in adult hockey, youth...
Tips for packing your hockey travel bag
If you are traveling for hockey any time soon, you may be confused about how to pack and what you can bring on an airplane and how to pack for your...
Airline rules for your travel hockey bag
Different airlines will have different rules for how to pack your hockey bag for travel, but luckily they are all very similar. Please note that you...
Complete list of all ice hockey penalties
There are a lot of penalties in hockey, although you will usually see the same ones called over and over (tripping, interference, hooking, etc. We...
14 hockey tips for beginner adult hockey players
When you are just learning to play hockey as an adult, there are a lot of things you will be learning all at the same time. But some things no one...
Hockey rules: What is the hockey crease?
The crease in hockey is an incredibly important part of the ice rink, especially if you're a goalie. The rules of the hockey crease have changed...
Hockey rules: What is icing in hockey?
When you are learning to play hockey as a beginner, there are a lot of rules to remember. Besides offsides, hockey icing may be one of the most...
Hockey rules: What is hockey offsides?
There are a lot of rules in hockey — but if you are just starting out, hockey offsides is one of the first rules you should learn. The point of the...
Playing in your first hockey tournament
When you are first learning to play hockey, there are so many things to remember — starting with improving your skills and finding a team. But once...
Hockey locker room rules: Etiquette for coed beer league hockey
Hockey locker rooms are their own special environments, and it's so important to know some of the rules of beer league hockey locker rooms. Whether...
How to become a hockey referee with USA Hockey
If you are looking to become a hockey ref with USA Hockey, there are a few steps you need to follow in order to receive your crest. Do not expect...
How to find an adult hockey league near you
If you are learning to play hockey as an adult, the scariest step can be actually joining your first team. If you are new to hockey, or want to play...
Learn to play hockey as an adult: The skills you need to get started
Playing ice hockey as a beginner can be intimidating, especially if you are just learning now. There are a few skills you will need to get started...
Becoming a hockey referee: Things to know about reffing your first game
I have been playing hockey for about 3 years, and decided to sign up as a ref. I did this partially because our area has a lack of refs and...
How to clean hockey gear at home
If you play hockey, or have a child who plays hockey, you probably understand how important it is to clean hockey gear on a regular basis. There are...
What is beer league hockey?
Beer league hockey is the term for any adult recreation hockey league. There are variations across the United States, and even across the world, but...
Equipment for ice hockey: A beginner’s hockey gear list
Playing ice hockey can be an investment (at least in the beginning), and there are a lot of things you need to buy to get started. Learning the long...