TABLE OF CONTENTS IIHF OFFICIAL RULE BOOK 2023/24 – SECTION 06 82 PHYSICAL FOULS violently checks an opponent in any manner. A “charge” may be the result of a check into the Boards, into the goal frame or in open ice. Any unnecessary contact with a Player playing the puck on an obvious “icing” or “off-side” play which results in that Player hitting or impacting the Boards is “boarding” and must be penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact with the Boards, it should be treated as “charging.” This rule is superseded by all similar actions regarding an “illegal hit to the head”, except those related to “fighting”. A penalty shall be imposed on a Player who charges a Goalkeeper while the Goalkeeper is within their Goal Crease. A Goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because they are outside the Goal Crease area. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an opposing Player makes unnecessary contact with a Goalkeeper. However, incidental contact, at the discretion of the Referee, will be permitted when the Goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside their Goal Crease, provided the attacking Player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. 42.2. MINOR PENALTY The Referee shall, at their discretion, assess a Minor Penalty, based on the degree of force and violence of the check, to a Player guilty of “charging” an opponent. 42.3. MAJOR PENALTY The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a Major Penalty to a Player guilty of “charging” an opponent, and who recklessly endangers the fouled Player in a way that at the discretion of the Referee such Player would not be sufficiently sanctioned by imposing a Minor Penalty. 42.4. MAJOR PENALTY AND GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a Major Penalty and an automatic Game Misconduct Penalty if, in their judgment, the Player recklessly endangers their opponent by “charging” and the player would not be sufficiently sanctioned by imposing a Major Penalty. Such assessment of reckless endangerment shall be based on the severity of the infraction, severity of the contact, the degree of violence and the general reprehensibility involved. 42.5. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES If deemed appropriate, Supplementary Discipline can be applied by the Proper Authorities at their discretion. ➔ Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline. RULE 43 CHECKING FROM BEHIND 43.1. CHECKING FROM BEHIND A check from behind is a check delivered to a vulnerable Player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend themself from such a hit and contact is made on the back part of the body. A Player who hits an opponent from behind into the Boards, the Goal Net, or on open ice in any manner (i.e., high-sticking, crosschecking, etc.) shall be penalized according to this rule. When a Player being bodychecked, intentionally turns their back towards an opponent and puts themself in a vulnerable position 06 SECTION · PHYSICAL FOULS
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