what is hockey even about?
hello there! this carrd is a friendly, easy-to-understand introduction to the best sport in the world (totally not biased).are you curious to get to know more, but don't know where to start? or perhaps the sheer amount of technical details and statistics overwhelms you? don't worry! this guide contains only the basics you need to know in order to follow along while watching a game!use the navigation below to start learning ☻
the structure of a hockey game
a hockey game (typically) lasts 60 minutes and is divided into three periods, each 20 minutes long. between each period, there is an intermission, allowing the players to rest and regain energy.the point of hockey is very simple; the team that scores more goals by the end of the 60 minutes, is the winning team. if the score is tied after 60 minutes, the tie breaker is decided in overtime.*
*although not essential to understanding hockey generally, i highly recommend reading this section of the page, as overtime can happen pretty frequently throughout a season.
the typical 60 minutes of play is referred to as regulation time. if the score is tied after regulation time, overtime is required to break the tie.in the regular season, overtime goes as follows: a small 5 minutes long period is disputed between both teams, and if the score is still tied, shootout rounds ensue.a shootout is when each team alternatively sends out a skater to shoot one-on-one against the opposing goaltender. the team with the most goals after the allotted shootout rounds wins the game. if the score is still tied, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format, until a winner is decided.
the structure of a hockey team
an average hockey team is comprised of 20 players, with up to 23 allowed in total. roster is a term that is commonly used to describe a team. it refers to the list of players that are available to play during the season (or a specific game).typically speaking, a roster is made up of 12 forwards, 6 defensemen & 2 goaltenders (one of which acts as a backup to the primary goaltender). you can learn more about the different positions and roles of a hockey player in the positions tab, in the navigation.
positions in hockey
forwards
a forward in hockey is usually responsible for scoring goals and producing offense during a game. although any player is allowed to score goals (yes, even goalies!), that role is usually the responsibility of a forward.*
*the forward position is divided into three subpositions. if you are completely new to hockey, you do not have to worry about learning each technical roles these subpositions imply, but i will still go over the basics.
a forward can be either a left winger, a center, or a right winger. these names are somewhat self explanatory in terms of physical on-ice placement. wingers are usually positioned along the sides of the ice rink, to support the center.the center is usually regarded as the most versatile player in a formation. they are also responsible for taking faceoffs. (learn more about terms like this in the vocabulary tab!)
defensemen
defensemen, as the name suggests, are in charge of defending their zone. they are the last line of protection before the goalie. they are responsible for stopping the opposing team from scoring goals. a defenseman seeks to reduce pressure on their goalie by either blocking shots or stopping the opposing team from reaching the net in the first place.
goaltenders
a goaltender is in charge of protecting the net and stopping the puck from going in. they are the very last barrier of protection and must ensure to keep the puck from going in, in the case where the defensemen fail at keeping the puck away.this is probably the most straightforward position in hockey, as there isn't much else a goaltender does during a game.
the basic rules of hockey
there are rules in hockey that define how the game can be played and limitations to what actions players are allowed to do. there are certain events during a game that can cause a stoppage of play without resulting in a penalty. this section will go over the most common of these events.situations marked with * are subject to exceptions and may result in penalties depending on certain factors and the context. check out the penalties section of this guide for more details!
this is a hockey rink. the definitions below will mention specific zones in the rink. refer to this image to better understand the definitions!