Clipping Penalty in Hockey
Hockey is a fascinating sport filled with adrenaline, competitiveness, and heavy hits. These hard hits can sometimes result in dangerous plays, such as clipping.
The act of clipping is when a player deliberately hits their opponent from behind, below the waist, with the intent of taking them out of the play. This type of play is not only dangerous but also strictly prohibited in the game.
A clipping penalty is called when a player commits this offense. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what clipping is, the associated penalties, and the history of the clipping rule in hockey.
What is Clipping Penalty? A clipping penalty is called when a player hits an opposing player from behind, below the waist, with the intent of taking them out of the play.
This type of hit is usually unexpected and can result in severe injuries, such as knee or back injuries. A clipping penalty is a minor or major penalty, depending on the severity of the hit.
Penalties for Clipping Offense
A minor penalty is called for a clipping offense when the player hits the opponent with any part of their body or stick. A major penalty is called when a player deliberately and forcefully clips their opponent.
The player who commits the offense must sit in the penalty box for two to five minutes, depending on the severity of the hit. A major penalty can have significant consequences for the team committing the offense.
A major penalty not only results in the player being out of the game for a more extended period, but their team is also short-handed for the duration of the penalty. This can mean that they’ll be playing with only four skaters for at least five minutes, making it much harder for them to defend their goal.
History of Clipping Rule
The history of the clipping penalty in hockey goes back a long way. The first written rule prohibiting clipping was introduced in 1927 in the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s rulebook.
The rule stated that any player who deliberately threw themselves at their opponent’s legs or caused them to trip would receive a penalty. Over the years, various amendments have been made to the rule to make the game safer for everyone involved.
However, it wasn’t until the 2002 playoffs that the ruling on clipping changed significantly. The playoffs saw a collision between Darcy Tucker and Michael Peca that resulted in Peca suffering a career-ending injury.
This incident brought attention to the severity of clipping and led to stricter enforcement of the rule.
Referee Signal for Clipping Penalty
A clipping penalty is signaled using the swing arm signal. The referee will swing their arm from their hip to their shoulder, using an open palm to indicate that a player has committed a clipping offense.
The signal is made from the scorer’s box, off-ice officials, or the main referee. The signal is crucial as it indicates to everyone involved, including the players, officials, and spectators, that a penalty is being called for a specific offense.
It is essential that everyone knows what the signal means to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
In Conclusion
Clipping is a dangerous play in hockey that can lead to severe injuries, and the game’s rules prohibit it. A clipping penalty is called when a player hits their opponent from behind, below the waist, with the intent of taking them out of the play.
The penalties for clipping offenses are minor and major penalties, depending on severity. The history of the clipping penalty dates back to 1927, with various amendments over the years to make the game safer.
The referee signal for clipping is the swing arm signal, and it is used to indicate that a player has committed a clipping offense. Everyone involved in the game needs to understand the signal to avoid any confusion.
Examples of Clipping Penalty
Hockey involves a substantial amount of physical play with players often involved in collisions, which can result in injury. Certain types of plays, such as clipping, are prohibited to ensure player safety.
Clipping is when a player hits an opponent below the waist, in a way that risks injury, and with the intent of taking them out of the play. In this article, we will look at some examples of clipping penalty in detail.
Intentional Leg Stick-Out
One of the common examples of clipping involves sticking out the leg of the opponent while they skate. This is also referred to as a leg check, which can result in the opponent losing their balance and potentially sustaining an injury.
This offense is usually committed intentionally and is typically a clear violation of the rules of the game. When a player sticks out their leg or foot to prevent an opponent from continuing their stride or impedes their progress by tripping them, it results in a clipping penalty.
This type of penalty is usually called a minor penalty, typically lasting for two minutes. Crouching Low For Checking Opponent’s Legs
Another example of clipping penalty is when a player checks their opponent’s legs while crouching low, thereby limiting their opponent’s movement range.
This maneuver is also commonly referred to as a low check. Though it is an effective way to take an opponent out of the play, it is prohibited in the game as it endangers the safety of the player being checked.
Such an act can cause serious injury, such as knee or back injuries, which can result in the player being out of the game for an extended period. A player who deliberately checks an opponent’s legs while crouching low will be subject to a clipping penalty.
Such an offense usually draws a minor penalty lasting for two minutes. Dropping to Ice to Block Opponent’s Path
Another example of clipping is when a player drops to the ice to take out their opponent.
This maneuver can be a dangerous play and can result in a player sustaining an injury. By dropping to the ice, a player creates a collision risk, which can lead to both players getting injured.
This deliberate move to block an opponent’s path, therefore, violates the rules of the game and is usually called a clipping penalty. Such an offense can result in the player receiving a minor penalty, which lasts for two minutes.
In Conclusion
Clipping is a dangerous play that is prohibited in hockey because it endangers the safety of players. Examples of clipping include sticking out an opponent’s leg intentionally, crouching low to check an opponent’s leg, and dropping to the ice to block an opponent’s path.
Such offenses usually result in a minor penalty, lasting for two minutes, and may also result in other penalties depending on the severity of the situation. It is essential for players to understand the rules of the game, including those that deal with player safety, and to play within those rules.
Coaches and referees also have an essential role to play in enforcing these rules and empowering players to make safe decisions on the ice. With stringent enforcement, players will keep their opponents safe from any dangerous play, including clipping, and reduce the likelihood of any unnecessary injuries on the ice.
In this article, we have discussed the importance of enforcing clipping penalties in hockey to prevent dangerous plays that can lead to injuries. Clipping is when a player hits their opponent below the waist, with the aim of taking them out of the play, and the consequences of such offense can range from minor to major penalties depending on the severity of the play.
Examples of clipping include a leg check, crouching low to check an opponent’s leg, and dropping to the ice to block the opponent’s path. It is crucial for players, coaches, and referees to understand and enforce the rules of the game to ensure player safety and prevent unnecessary injuries on the ice.
FAQs:
1. What is clipping in hockey?
Clipping is an offense where a player hits their opponent below the waist, with the intent of taking them out of the play. 2.
What is the penalty for clipping in hockey? A clipping penalty is usually a minor penalty or major penalty lasting for two to five minutes, depending on the severity of the offense.
3. What are some examples of clipping penalties in hockey?
Examples of clipping penalties in hockey include sticking out an opponent’s leg intentionally, crouching low to check an opponent’s leg, and dropping to the ice to block an opponent’s path. 4.
Why is clipping dangerous in hockey? Clipping is dangerous in hockey because it can result in serious injuries such as knee or back injuries that can sideline a player for an extended period.
5. How can players, coaches, and referees prevent clipping in hockey?
Preventing clipping in hockey involves enforcing the rules of the game, understanding the penalties for violating them, and promoting safe play on the ice.