A late hit situation during an IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
photo: Matthew Manor / HHOF-IIHF Images
The IIHF Player Safety Committee has introduced a new rule which is in effect for all IIHF tournaments starting from the 2018/19 season.
The committee has created a video designed to provide information and examples of the new Late Hit Rule #153 and how it will be enforced in the upcoming season.
The committee has created a video designed to provide information and examples of the new Late Hit Rule #153 and how it will be enforced in the upcoming season.
Late Hit Example
The IIHF Player Safety Committee has introduced a new rule which is in effect for all IIHF tournaments starting from the 2018/19 season. The committee has created a video designed to provide information and examples of the new Late Hit Rule #153 and how it will be enforced in the upcoming season.
Rule 153-Late Hite was proposed as a means of differentiating between a player committing a late hit versus a player committing an interference penalty or finishing a check, as well as making a clear emphasis of what constitutes a “clean hit” versus a “late hit”.
From the IIHF Rule Book:
A late hit constitutes a bodycheck to an opponent who no longer has control or possession of the puck. The opponent may have been in control or possession of the puck when the defending player committed to making a bodycheck, but the checking player risks a penalty if the flow of the game is such that the opponent is no longer in control or possession of the puck and has completed his action with the puck by the time the bodycheck is made. A late hit can be delivered to an opponent who is either aware or unaware of the opponent making the late hit.
i. A player who is not in the immediate vicinity of an opponent in possession or control of the puck and still delivers a check to that opponent, who is aware of the impending contact, will receive a minor penalty.
ii. A player who delivers a late hit to an unsuspecting opponent will receive a major and automatic game-misconduct penalty.
iii. A player who recklessly endangers a vulnerable opponent by a late hit will be assessed a match penalty.
A skater is considered to be in a vulnerable position when he is no longer in possession or control of the puck and he is not aware or not prepared for an impending hit.
A new rule point was also added to the Interference Rule 149 vi:
A player who anticipates an opponent receiving a pass or gaining possession or control of the puck but who makes contact in any manner before this possession or control will receive an interference penalty.
For additional information on the Late Hit rule consult the 2018-2022 IIHF Rule Book.
From the IIHF Rule Book:
A late hit constitutes a bodycheck to an opponent who no longer has control or possession of the puck. The opponent may have been in control or possession of the puck when the defending player committed to making a bodycheck, but the checking player risks a penalty if the flow of the game is such that the opponent is no longer in control or possession of the puck and has completed his action with the puck by the time the bodycheck is made. A late hit can be delivered to an opponent who is either aware or unaware of the opponent making the late hit.
i. A player who is not in the immediate vicinity of an opponent in possession or control of the puck and still delivers a check to that opponent, who is aware of the impending contact, will receive a minor penalty.
ii. A player who delivers a late hit to an unsuspecting opponent will receive a major and automatic game-misconduct penalty.
iii. A player who recklessly endangers a vulnerable opponent by a late hit will be assessed a match penalty.
A skater is considered to be in a vulnerable position when he is no longer in possession or control of the puck and he is not aware or not prepared for an impending hit.
A new rule point was also added to the Interference Rule 149 vi:
A player who anticipates an opponent receiving a pass or gaining possession or control of the puck but who makes contact in any manner before this possession or control will receive an interference penalty.
For additional information on the Late Hit rule consult the 2018-2022 IIHF Rule Book.