Rule 607 | Charging
(Note) Charging is the action where a player takes more than two strides or travels an excessive distance to accelerate through a body check for the purpose of punishing the opponent. This includes skating or leaving one's feet (jumping) into the opponent to deliver a check, accelerating through a check for the purpose of punishing the opponent, or skating a great distance for the purpose of delivering a check with excessive force.The onus is on the player delivering the check to avoid placing a vulnerable or defenseless opponent in danger of potential injury.
(a) A minor plus a misconduct or a major plus a gamemisconduct penalty shall be assessed for charging an opponent.
(b) A major penalty plus game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who recklessly endangers an opponent as a result of charging.
(c) A minor plus a misconduct or a major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to a player who body checks or charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease or privileged area.
(d) A goalkeeper is NOT “fair game” because he is outside his privileged area. A penalty for interference or charging should be called in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goalkeepers for any infractions they commit in the vicinity of the goal.
(Note 1) For the purpose of this rule, any accidental or unavoidable contact that occurs with the goalkeeper shall be penalized under the Interference rule. Any deliberate body contact or check that is delivered to the goalkeeper shall be penalized as Charging.
(Note 2) The goalkeeper’s “Privileged Area” is an areaoutlined by connecting the end zone face-off spots with animaginary line and imaginary lines from each face-off spotrunning perpendicular to the end boards.
(e) A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for charging.
As a passionate ice hockey enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the game's rules and regulations, I can confidently address the concepts covered in Rule 607 regarding charging penalties in ice hockey.
Charging, as defined in ice hockey, occurs when a player takes more than two strides or travels an excessive distance to accelerate through a body check with the intention of punishing their opponent. This act can involve various actions, such as skating aggressively into an opponent, leaving one's feet (jumping) to deliver a check, or accelerating excessively through a check to cause harm. The primary emphasis of this rule is to hold the player delivering the check responsible for avoiding the potential injury of a vulnerable or defenseless opponent.
The rule delineates several penalties associated with charging:
- (a) A minor penalty plus a misconduct or a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty can be assessed for charging an opponent.
- (b) If a player recklessly endangers an opponent through charging, a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty is mandated.
- (c) When body checking or charging a goalkeeper within their goal crease or privileged area, a minor plus a misconduct or a major plus a game misconduct penalty is warranted.
- (d) Goalkeepers outside their privileged area are not considered "fair game," and penalties for interference or charging are expected for unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper. Goalkeepers can also be penalized for infractions near the goal area.
- (Note 1) Accidental or unavoidable contact with the goalkeeper falls under interference rules, while deliberate body contact or checks directed at the goalkeeper are penalized as Charging.
- (Note 2) The goalkeeper's "Privileged Area" is defined by imaginary lines connecting the end zone face-off spots and perpendicular lines from each face-off spot to the end boards.
- (e) In cases of reckless endangerment through charging, a match penalty may also be issued.
These guidelines aim to maintain player safety, prevent reckless actions leading to potential injuries, and uphold fair play within the context of the game. Understanding the nuances and interpretations of these rules is crucial for players, officials, and fans to ensure a safe and enjoyable ice hockey experience.
