Your player has the puck and is breaking down the ice. It appears that he has a clear shot at the goalie but is penalized from behind. The referee’s arm shoots up signifying a delayed penalty. Will it be a penalty or a penalty shot? How can we tell? This edition of “Ask a Ref” looks more closely at the criteria that should be used in awarding a penalty shot.

The Penalty Shot – USA Hockey Rule 406 

This one is relatively straightforward and simple. The Basic Officials Manual outlines the five key criteria used in distinguishing between a penalty and awarding a penalty shot. In order to be awarded a penalty shot, all five of the following criteria must be met:

1. The player must be in possession and control of the puck. The key word here is control. For example, a player who shoots the puck slightly ahead in a controlled manner in order to skate faster is still considered in possession and control of the puck whereas a player who is trying to dig the puck out from between his skates while he is moving may not be considered to have enough control.
2. The player must be beyond his/her defending blueline.
3. There is no opponent present between the player and the opposing goalkeeper. (Note, the opposing defensemen does not have to be directly in the player’s path but simply between the player and the opposing goalkeeper.)
4. The player must be fouled directly from behind. an opponent who has an angle on the breakaway player and commits the foul from the side should be penalized, but no penalty shot shall be awarded.
5. The player must have been deprived of a reasonable scoring opportunity. (Note, a player who still has a reasonable scoring opportunity, even though fouled from behind, should not be awarded a penalty shot.)

Like most rules, these criteria are somewhat subjective and while USA Hockey does provide additional guidance on defining the terms “possession,” “control,” and from “behind,” (meaning outside of a reasonable peripheral view), the term “reasonable scoring opportunity” is left to the official’s discretion. By the way, you can download a complete version of the USA Hockey Rule book and the USA Hockey Rules and Casebook (much more detailed “what if scenarios”) from the USA Hockey Website.

EXTRA Credit

Did you know that a team is allowed to change goalies just for a penalty shot?

Did you know that in cases where the infraction would normally have resulted in a minor penalty, the coach of the non-penalized team can opt to have the penalized player serve a 2-minute penalty instead of taking a penalty shot?

You Make the Call

During a penalty shot attempt, the puck is shot over the goal, rebounds off the glass, hits the goalkeeper in the back and enters the goal. Should the goal be allowed? (Answer will be posted in the next DCYHA newsletter. Click here to subscribe.)

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