I remember this like it was yesterday: a crisp Saturday morning, the smell of ice and coffee filling the rink. My son, barely eight, was playing his heart out in a peewee game. The puck was loose in front of our net, a scramble of little sticks and skates. One of our defensemen, bless his heart, dove to block a shot, and in the chaos, ended up lying squarely on top of the puck. Whistle! I could almost hear the collective groan from our side. The referee skated over, pointed to the player, and signaled a two-minute minor. My buddy next to me, a casual hockey fan, turned to me, utterly bewildered. “What was that for?” he asked. “He just fell!”
That, my friends, was a classic, albeit painful, example of Rule 6.7 in hockey. This specific regulation, often cited as “Delaying the Game – Falling on the Puck,” is a minor penalty assessed to any non-goaltender who deliberately falls on or covers the puck with their body or hands to cause a stoppage in play, especially when doing so prevents an opponent from making a legitimate play on the puck. In simple terms, if you’re not the goalie, and you intentionally trap or smother the puck under yourself or with your hands, preventing the game from continuing, you’re likely headed to the penalty box.
The Heart of Rule 6.7: Intent and Impact
At its core, Rule 6.7 is all about maintaining the integrity and flow of the game. Hockey is a fast-paced sport where continuous action is king. Any deliberate action designed to stop play unfairly, particularly when an opponent is in a position to gain possession or score, undermines this fundamental principle. That’s precisely why this rule exists: to prevent players from stifling offensive opportunities by simply falling on the puck when under pressure.
The operative word here is “deliberate.” While it might seem straightforward, distinguishing between an accidental fall and a deliberate act can be tricky, relying heavily on the referee’s judgment. As someone who’s spent countless hours on the ice and in the stands, I’ve seen refs analyze a player’s body language, the immediate aftermath of the fall, and the proximity of opposing players. If a player just tumbles and happens to be on the puck but immediately tries to get up or dislodge it, it’s often overlooked. However, if they land on it and make no real effort to move, or worse, actively draw it under them, that’s when the whistle usually blows. It’s not just about being *on* the puck; it’s about the *intent* to control or conceal it to stop the play.
Why is “Deliberate” So Key?
- Preventing Stalling: Without this rule, defensemen could simply collapse on the puck every time there’s a scoring chance in front of the net, leading to endless stoppages and frustrating the offensive team.
- Promoting Action: It forces players to continue to play the puck, skate, pass, and shoot, keeping the game dynamic and exciting.
- Fair Competition: It ensures that teams earn their offensive chances and aren’t robbed by players employing tactics outside the spirit of the game.
When the Whistle Blows: Scenarios and Applications
While the rule can theoretically apply anywhere on the ice, certain situations are far more common breeding grounds for a Rule 6.7 penalty.
The Goal Crease Conundrum
Perhaps the most frequent application of Rule 6.7 involves non-goaltenders covering the puck within or near their own goal crease. Imagine a mad scramble in front of the net, the goalie is out of position, and the puck is dangerously loose. A defenseman, in a moment of panic or desperation, dives and smothers the puck under their body. Whistle! That’s a textbook Rule 6.7 penalty. The rationale is clear: if a player isn’t the designated goaltender, they cannot act as one by covering the puck in this critical area, thereby denying a potential scoring opportunity.
I’ve personally witnessed countless times how quickly a game can turn on such a call. A power play awarded in the last minutes of a tight game because a defenseman tried to “be a hero” by freezing the puck can be devastating.
Beyond the Blue Paint
Though less common, Rule 6.7 can certainly be called outside the immediate vicinity of the net. Consider a player sliding to block a shot at the point, and after the initial block, they intentionally pull the puck under their body and lay there, preventing an opponent from picking it up. Or perhaps a player battling along the boards falls and then deliberately uses their hand or body to keep the puck trapped, killing time or a developing play. These instances, while rarer, still fall squarely under the umbrella of delaying the game by falling on the puck.
The key factor, regardless of location, is that an opponent was in a position to play the puck, and the penalized player’s actions *prevented* that. It’s a proactive rule designed to keep the offensive threat alive as long as possible.
Distinguishing from Other Plays
It’s important to clarify what Rule 6.7 is *not*. If a player genuinely falls on the puck during a legitimate play or battle and immediately makes an effort to get up or free the puck, that’s usually not a penalty. Hockey is a physical game, and players fall all the time. The intent to stop play is what the officials are looking for. Similarly, if a player simply “ties up” the puck along the boards with their stick and body, that’s generally considered a legitimate battle for possession, not a delay of game, unless they clearly use their hands or deliberately fall on it to cover it.
The Goaltender Exception: A Crucial Distinction
Here’s where a lot of confusion often crops up for new fans and even some seasoned watchers: the difference in rules for goalies. While any non-goaltender who falls on or covers the puck usually incurs a penalty, goaltenders are, by definition, allowed and even expected to do so. This is a fundamental aspect of their role.
A goaltender’s primary job is to stop the puck, and often, that involves covering it with their glove, body, or pads to create a stoppage in play and prevent a rebound or another scoring chance. The “blue paint” of the goal crease is their sanctuary, their territory, where they have unique privileges. When a goalie covers the puck within their crease, it’s typically a clean whistle, and play restarts with a face-off.
When Even a Goalie Can Face a Delay of Game
However, even goalies aren’t immune to *all* delay of game penalties, though it’s usually not Rule 6.7 directly. They can be penalized for:
- Covering the puck outside the crease: If a goalie ventures far out of their crease and covers the puck when no shot is imminent and no opponent is pressuring them, that can be a delay of game. They’re expected to play the puck, not just cover it.
- Shooting the puck over the glass: If a goalie (or any player) shoots or throws the puck directly over the glass from their defensive zone, it’s a minor penalty for delaying the game. This is a separate rule (often Rule 6.9, but it varies slightly by rulebook), but it highlights how even goalies are restricted from certain actions that stop play.
- Intentionally dislodging the net: If a goalie deliberately knocks the net off its moorings to prevent a goal, they’ll usually get a delay of game, and potentially a penalty shot or even a goal awarded if it occurred during a breakaway.
So, while Rule 6.7 specifically targets non-goaltenders, the broader principle of preventing deliberate game stoppages applies, albeit with different stipulations, to goalies as well.
The Referee’s Lens: Judgment and Consistency
As I mentioned, the application of Rule 6.7 often boils down to the referee’s judgment call, and this is where consistency can sometimes feel elusive to fans. What one ref deems an accidental fall, another might interpret as a deliberate attempt to kill a play. It’s a tough job!
What Officials Look For:
- Body Position: Did the player actively change their body position to cover the puck? Did they lie on it longer than necessary?
- Hand/Arm Movement: Did they use a free hand or arm to pull the puck under their body or glove it? This is almost always a dead giveaway for a penalty, often crossing into “handling the puck” territory, which is also a minor.
- Proximity of Opponents: Was there an immediate threat? Was an opposing player close enough to potentially gain control of the puck? If so, the threshold for a penalty call becomes lower.
- Effort to Play the Puck: Did the player attempt to get up quickly or poke the puck out from under themselves, or did they just lie there, effectively “turtling” on the puck?
From my vantage point, the spirit of the rule is paramount. Referees are trained to observe the entire sequence of events, not just the static image of a player on the puck. They’re looking for actions that demonstrate a clear intention to circumvent continuous play. It’s a call that, when made correctly, keeps the tempo up and rewards aggressive, offensive hockey. When it feels like a soft call, it often stems from a lack of clear intent or an overly zealous interpretation by the official.
Consequences and Strategic Implications
The immediate consequence of a Rule 6.7 violation is a two-minute minor penalty, sending the offending player to the penalty box. This might seem like a small detail in a long game, but its strategic impact can be enormous.
Impact on the Game
- Power Play for the Opposition: The most significant outcome is that the penalized team will be shorthanded for two minutes, giving the opposing team a man advantage. A power play is a prime opportunity to score and can drastically shift momentum.
- Momentum Shift: A penalty can kill a team’s offensive momentum or, conversely, inject life into an opponent’s struggling attack.
- Player Discipline: Repeated penalties for delaying the game, or any other infraction, can frustrate coaches and teammates, leading to reduced ice time or even benching.
Coaching and Player Perspectives
Coaches absolutely drill their players, especially defensemen, on how to avoid this penalty. You’ll hear them shout “Play the puck!” or “Get up!” from the bench. The message is clear: if you fall, get back to your feet and keep battling for the puck legally. Don’t become a human puck cover. It’s an easy penalty to give up, and it’s entirely avoidable with proper technique and awareness.
From a player’s standpoint, getting this penalty can be infuriating, particularly if they felt it was an accident. But professional players, through experience, learn to quickly assess situations and adjust their body positions to avoid giving the referee any reason to blow the whistle. It’s part of the continuous learning curve in hockey.
Comparing Rule 6.7 with Other Delay of Game Penalties
It’s easy to lump all “delay of game” penalties into one bucket, but Rule 6.7 is distinct from others. Understanding these differences helps provide a more nuanced appreciation of hockey’s rulebook.
Other common types of delay of game penalties include:
- Puck Over the Glass (Rule 6.9): This is a very common minor penalty. If a player, from their defensive zone, shoots or bats the puck directly over the glass without it deflecting off another player or the boards, it’s a delay of game. The intent here is usually not to delay but to clear the zone; however, the rule prevents players from routinely killing plays by launching the puck into the stands. It doesn’t typically involve falling on the puck.
- Dislodging the Net (Rule 6.10): If a player deliberately moves the goal net off its moorings to create a stoppage or prevent a scoring chance, it’s a delay of game. If this happens on a breakaway, it can result in a penalty shot or even a goal awarded. Again, this is about the net, not the puck being covered by a player.
- Adjusting Equipment (Rule 6.11): A rare but possible penalty, if a player is deemed to be deliberately delaying the game by adjusting or fixing equipment when they could be playing, a delay of game can be called. This is more about an abuse of a stoppage, not an on-ice play with the puck.
- Handling the Puck (Rule 6.2): While often called for similar actions, this specifically refers to a player closing their hand on the puck, picking it up, or batting it with a closed hand, especially to delay the game or prevent an opponent from playing it. While “falling on the puck” sometimes involves the hands, 6.7 focuses on the body covering, whereas 6.2 focuses on direct manipulation with the hand. Often, if a player covers the puck with their hand, it will be called as “handling the puck” rather than 6.7, though both result in a minor for delaying the game. The distinction is subtle but important for strict rulebook adherence.
As you can see, while all these infractions lead to a “delay of game” penalty, the specific actions and circumstances that trigger them are quite different. Rule 6.7 is uniquely focused on a player’s body physically covering or trapping the puck to stop play.
Common Delay of Game Penalties vs. Rule 6.7
| Penalty Type | Rule Number (Approximate) | Typical Scenario | Intent Required? | Key Distinction from 6.7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falling on the Puck | 6.7 | Non-goalie deliberately covers puck with body/hands, preventing active play. | Often inferred (deliberate action) | Involves a player’s body/hands directly on the puck. |
| Puck Over the Glass | 6.9 | Player shoots puck over the glass from their defensive zone without deflection. | No (unless clearly deliberate to delay) | Puck leaving playing surface; not body covering puck. |
| Dislodging the Net | 6.10 | Player deliberately moves goal net off its moorings. | Yes (deliberate) | Focuses on the net’s position, not puck coverage. |
| Handling the Puck | 6.2 | Player closes hand on puck, picks it up, or bats it with a closed hand. | Yes (deliberate action) | Specific use of hands/glove to manipulate puck. |
Historical Context: Evolving Fair Play
Rules in hockey, like in any sport, aren’t static; they evolve to make the game safer, fairer, and more exciting. Rules like 6.7 are a testament to this evolution. In the early days of hockey, before such specific rules were codified, tactics that stalled the game might have been more prevalent. Imagine a game where a defensive player could simply fall on the puck every time there was a threat. It would be a nightmare for fans and a constant source of frustration. The rule, therefore, emerged out of a necessity to codify what constitutes fair play and to ensure that the game remains fluid and dynamic.
It’s not about punishing players for trying hard or for accidental falls, but about drawing a clear line where defensive desperation crosses into unsportsmanlike tactics that unduly halt the flow of play. This kind of refinement keeps the game moving forward, literally and figuratively.
Checklist: When is Rule 6.7 Likely to be Called?
While every situation is unique, here’s a handy checklist of factors that significantly increase the likelihood of a Rule 6.7 penalty being called:
- Non-Goaltender Involved: The player committing the action is not the designated goaltender.
- Player Falls or Slides on the Puck: The player’s body (or a significant part of it) ends up on top of or wrapped around the puck.
- Puck is Covered or Trapped: The puck is no longer visible or playable due to the player’s position.
- Opposing Player Was Threatening: An opposing player was in close proximity and had a legitimate chance to gain possession or make a play on the puck before it was covered. This is a huge factor.
- Action Appears Deliberate: The player’s movements suggest they intentionally covered the puck, rather than it being a purely accidental consequence of falling. This often involves the player actively pulling the puck under them or making no immediate attempt to free it.
- Lack of Immediate Effort to Play the Puck: After falling, the player does not make a prompt, visible effort to get up or release the puck, effectively lingering on it.
- Occurs in a Critical Area: While it can happen anywhere, the penalty is most frequently called in the high-danger areas around the net, especially in the defensive zone, where covering the puck has the greatest impact on potential scoring.
If several of these points line up, you can bet the referee’s hand is likely going up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a player covering the puck with their hand considered Rule 6.7?
While Rule 6.7 specifically mentions “falling on the puck,” covering it with a hand, arm, or glove, especially to prevent an opponent from playing it, falls under the broader umbrella of “delay of game” and is typically penalized. More often than not, this particular action is explicitly cited under Rule 6.2, “Handling the Puck,” which also results in a minor penalty. The spirit of the rule, however, is identical: to prevent a player from deliberately stopping play unfairly by manipulating or concealing the puck with anything other than their stick or skates.
So, while the rule number might be slightly different depending on the specific method of covering, the consequence and the underlying principle—preventing a deliberate stoppage of play—are consistent. If a non-goaltender covers the puck with their hand in a scramble, expect a whistle and a trip to the sin bin.
What if a player genuinely falls on the puck by accident?
This is where the referee’s judgment and interpretation are absolutely paramount. If a player genuinely trips, collides with another player, or is simply off-balance and happens to fall with the puck ending up beneath them, it’s usually not a penalty, provided they make an immediate, sincere effort to get up or dislodge the puck. The penalty arises when the player *lingers* on the puck, pulls it in further, or clearly makes no attempt to release it, implying an intent to delay the game.
Refs look for that conscious decision to use their body to kill the play. If a player is legitimately trying to regain their feet and play the puck, most officials will allow a brief moment before making a call. It’s a fine line, but experienced referees are generally quite good at reading these situations.
Can a goalie ever get a delay of game penalty related to covering the puck?
Absolutely, but as discussed earlier, it’s usually not for Rule 6.7 itself, which targets non-goaltenders. Goalies have specific privileges within their crease. However, they can and do receive delay of game penalties for other actions. For instance, if a goalie covers the puck unnecessarily when no opponent is near and no immediate shot is coming (e.g., behind the net or far outside their crease), that can be called. The referee might deem this as the goalie deliberately causing a stoppage without justification.
Furthermore, goalies are subject to other delay of game penalties, such as shooting the puck over the glass from their defensive zone (a common one) or intentionally dislodging the net. So while they can cover the puck as part of their job, they cannot use it as a general tactic to arbitrarily stop play without consequence.
Why is this rule considered so important for the game’s flow?
Without Rule 6.7, hockey would be a much slower, less exciting sport, plagued by constant stoppages. Imagine a scenario where every time an offensive player created a scoring chance in front of the net, a defensive player could simply dive on the puck and freeze it. This would effectively neutralize dangerous offensive plays and turn the game into a series of short bursts followed by frustrating pauses.
The rule forces players to continue to battle for possession legally, using their sticks and skates. It ensures that offensive creativity is rewarded and that defensive players must use skill, positioning, and legitimate stick work to break up plays, rather than simply lying on the puck. By keeping the puck in play, Rule 6.7 maintains the high tempo and continuous action that makes hockey so thrilling to watch.
Does this rule change between different leagues (NHL, youth hockey, etc.)?
The core principle of Rule 6.7 remains remarkably consistent across almost all organized hockey leagues, from youth levels all the way up to the professional ranks like the NHL. The fundamental objective—to penalize non-goaltenders for deliberately falling on or covering the puck to stop play unfairly—is a universal tenet of hockey’s rulebook.
While the exact wording or numbering might have minor variations between different rulebooks (e.g., USA Hockey vs. Hockey Canada vs. NHL Official Rulebook), the intent and application are essentially the same. The primary difference you might observe is in the *consistency* and *strictness* of its enforcement. Higher-level leagues typically have stricter officiating and less tolerance for actions that could be interpreted as deliberate delays, whereas in younger or recreational leagues, officials might give more leeway, especially if they perceive the action as truly accidental or an innocent mistake by an inexperienced player.
Conclusion
Rule 6.7, the “Delaying the Game – Falling on the Puck” penalty, is a crucial piece of the hockey rulebook, designed to keep the game moving, fair, and exciting. It draws a clear line, reminding non-goaltenders that while defensive desperation is admirable, it cannot extend to unfairly stopping the play by using their bodies to smother the puck. The next time you’re watching a game and see a player head to the box for this seemingly innocuous action, you’ll know it’s not just about falling down; it’s about the deliberate act of preventing the opponent from playing the puck. Understanding these nuanced rules truly enhances the enjoyment and appreciation of our great game.