Female Atom and Below Body Checking Rules and Education

1. Leadership Body Checking Female, Atom and Below

2. Rule 6.2 (b) – Body Checking Female, Atom and Below • Minor penalty, or at the discretion of the Referee, a major penalty and a Game Misconduct based on the degree of violence of the body check or if an injury results. • Must be the result of an intentional act to body check, bump, shove or push an opposing player • A body check results when a player changes direction to go in the opposite direction of an opposing player. • Body contact must be the result of the movement of the offensive player

3. Situation 1 - Rule 6.2 (b) –– Body CheckingFemale, Atom and Below • “Angling” or “Closing Off The Boards” • Steering or directing an opposing player into the boards • Must stay the course - The defensive player has the right to close off the boards in order to force the puck carrier to slow down or towards the middle of the ice. • No sudden change in direction by defensive or offensive player

4. Angling Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) carries puck – the defensive player (yellow) angles attacking player along boards. No change of direction – no penalty assessed

5. Changing Direction Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) carries puck – the defensive player (yellow) angles attacking player along boards then changes direction into attacking player Penalty for body checking assessed

6. Situation 1 - Rule 6.2 (b) –– Body CheckingFemale, Atom and Below • Strength on Strength • When two (2) players are leaning into one another battling for position and or control of the puck • No one player can take advantage of the other • If both players are working equally hard to gain position and control of the puck, there should not be a penalty • Do not penalize a player because of size difference

7. Strength on Strength Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) and defending player (yellow) work hard to gain position and control of the puck - neither player is taking unfair advantage Strength on strength is not to be penalized

8. Situation 1 - Rule 6.2 (b) –– Body CheckingFemale, Atom and Below • Boarding • By interpretation: Taking more force than what is necessary to separate the puck from the puck carrier • Not the right call in female, atom and divisions below • The action of boarding is to be communicated as “body checking”.

9. Situation 1 - Rule 6.2 (b) –– Body CheckingFemale, Atom and Below • Changing Direction • Player must stay the course, no sudden change in direction that intentionally administers a body check, bump, push or shove to an opponent • This applies to both offensive and defensive players

10. Changing Direction Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) and defending player (yellow) continue on a similar path with no change in direction by the either player No penalty assessed

11. Changing Direction Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) advances the puck - defending player (yellow) starts along same path but then changes direction into the puck carrier Penalty for body checking to be assessed

12. Change in Direction Attacking Team D A Attacking player (blue) advances the puck - defending player (yellow) starts along same path but then changes direction into the puck carrier Penalty for body checking to be assessed

13. Education • Body Checking vs Body Contact Female, Atom and Below • Body contact is allowed • Body checking is not allowed • We must be diligent in educating fans, players, coaches, time keepers on the difference between body contact and body checking • As an official, if you hear the penalty announced as “body contact”, take the time to educate the timekeeper • Check the score-sheet to ensure the penalty is being recorded properly