Body checking A player drives the shoulder, upper arm and hip and elbow, equally into the opponent to separate them from the puck, using the body to knock an opponent against the boards or to the ice. This is often referred to as simply
checking or
hitting and is only permitted against an opponent with possession of the
puck. Body checking can be
penalized when performed recklessly. In women's IIHF ice hockey and in non-checking leagues, body checking is considered an "illegal hit" , and is punishable by a minor penalty, major penalty and automatic game misconduct, or
match penalty. Body checking was allowed at the
first women's world ice hockey championship in 1990 but has been considered illegal since in almost all leagues. The
Swedish Women's Hockey League began allowing body checking in its
2022–23 season, the
Professional Women's Hockey League in North America has allowed it since that league began play in
January 2024, and the
PostFinance Women's League in Switzerland has allowed it as of its
2025-26 season. Even in those leagues, body checking is heavily regulated.
Hip-checking A player drops to a near-crouching stance and swings his hips toward an opposing player, sending the opponent off balance, often falling to the ice. This is performed most commonly against the boards. A hip-check at or below the knees is called "clipping"; it is considered an infraction in the
National Hockey League.
Shoulder-checking A player puts a shoulder into an opponent to muscle the other player out of position. The elbow must be tucked in or the act may be considered
elbowing, which is against the rules and can result in a penalty.
Poke checking Using the
stick to poke the puck away from an opponent. For example, a defensive player may hit the puck out of the puck carrier's possession before making physical contact. This is a common form of checking for
goalies to use against opponents that approach closely, since they must avoid moving their bodies far from the goal. displaying the hook check while with the
Calgary Tigers.
Hook checking Using the stick in a hooking manner on the ice surface to retrieve the puck from opponent players. Hook checking should not be confused with the other infraction
hooking.
Sweep checking Using the stick in a sweeping motion to knock the puck away from opponents or deter them from passing.
Stick checking Using the stick to interfere with an opponent's stick. ===
Forechecking=== Skating done in the offensive zone, often to recover possession of the puck after a dump in or turnover. ===
Backchecking=== Rushing back to the defensive zone in response to an opposing team's attack. While behind the attacker, a defender may try to make physical contact with the puck carrier to check so that the opposing team may regain control of the puck. ===
Cross-checking=== The act of checking an opponent with the shaft of the stick held in both hands. This is illegal and earns a minor, major, misconduct, or match penalty depending on the severity of the infraction.
Lift checking Using the stick to lift or knock an opponent's stick upwards followed immediately by an attempt to steal the puck. This may also be used by a defender to keep an attacker from deflecting shots when both players are positioned in front of the net.
Press checking Using the stick to stop or control the movement of an opponent's stick by placing pressure over the top of the opponent's stick. == Body checking in other winter team sports ==