Ice Hockey Rules Interpretations - 2025-26
Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2025
NOTES:
• NEW: A puck that rests on the outside of the goal cage on the netting should be considered playable. If it is on top of the net (on the shelf), parallel or above the crossbar, play shall be stopped.
• The 3-Rule Comparison Chart for ice hockey can be found here.
SITUATION 1: During play, a goal cage becomes displaced from its proper position. Must play be immediately stopped? RULING: If there is an imminent or reasonable scoring opportunity in that zone, play must be stopped because a goal scored would be disallowed. Otherwise, play may continue, providing the goal cage can be repositioned without significantly disrupting the focus of the goalkeeper or official. (9-3-3)
SITUATION 2: Team A is controlling the puck, moving out of its defending zone. An official observes that the defensive goal cage is displaced. Shall play be allowed to continue? RULING: Yes, play may continue until Team B gains control of the puck. (9-8-1)
SITUATION 3: The puck is shot onto the outside of the goal cage netting below the crossbar. Opposing players have converged on the puck but have not been able to get the puck off the netting after several attempts. RULING: Although by definition the puck is still in play, the referee may stop play to prevent potentially dangerous interaction between the players or damage to the netting. (8-9-4)