Bodychecking in youth ice hockey

Question 1

What is body contact?

Answer 1

Individual defensive tactic designed to legally block or impede the progress of an offensive puck carrier. The defensive player moves to restrict action by the puck carrier anywhere on the ice but skating, angling and positioning. The defensive player cannot hit the offensive player by travelling in an opposite direction to him or by physically extending toward him in an effort to initiate contact. There must be no action where the puck carrier is pushed, hit, or shoved into the boards.

Question 2

What is bodychecking?

Answer 2

An individual defense tactic designed to legally separate the puck carrier from the puck. The defensive player physically extends his body toward the puck carrier while moving in an opposite or parallel direction, a deliberate and forceful move not solely determined by the movement of the puck carrier.

Question 3

What are the age groupings for hockey Canada?

Answer 3

Initiation 5-6yo
Novice 7-8yo
Atom 9-10yo
Peewee 11-12yo
Bantam 13-14yo
Midget 15-17yo

Question 4

When did Hockey Canada mandate the introduction of bodychecking in boys leagues?

Answer 4

Peewees 11-12yo since 2009

Quebec delayed until 13 since 2002

Question 5

What is the rate of injury in hockey in Canada?

Answer 5

8-11% of all adolescent sport-related injuries

Question 6

What percentage of all injuries are due to bodychecking?

Answer 6

45-86%

Question 7

Does early introduction of bodychecking reduce future injuries?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What are some injury prevention programs?

Answer 8

1. STOP (safety towards other players) reminds players not to hit from behind
2. Fair Play awards points for sportsman like play showed a 60% reduction in the risk of injury

Question 9

What are the CPS recommendations?

Answer 9

1. Eliminate bodychecking from all organized recreational/non-elite competitive male ice hockey
2. Delay introduction of bodychecking in elite male competitive leagues until players are 13-14yo (bantam level) or older
3. Implement Hockey Canada’s four stage skill development program for bodychecking (body positioning, angling, stick checking, and body contact) for all leagues
4. Educate coaches, trainers, schools and policy makers about signs and symptoms of common hockey injuries esp. concussion
5. Improving injury surveillance to better identify the risk factors and mechanism of hockey injuries
6. Introduce policies to reduce injury and promote fair play in hockey, for all age groups and league levels
7. Girls and young women should continue participating in non-bodychecking leagues