The NHL and Checking from Behind

[El Travo]

Rule 43 - Checking from Behind​

43.1 Checking from Behind – A check from behind is a check delivered on a player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend himself, and contact is made on the back part of the body. When a player intentionally turns his body to create contact with his back, no penalty shall be assessed.
43.2 Minor Penalty - There is no provision for a minor penalty for checking from behind.
43.3 Major Penalty – Any player who cross-checks, pushes or charges from behind an opponent who is unable to protect or defend himself, shall be assessed a major penalty. This penalty applies anywhere on the playing surface (see 43.5).
43.5 Game Misconduct – A game misconduct penalty must be assessed anytime a major penalty is applied for checking from behind.

I remember in minor hockey there was major emphasis put on checking from behind, to the point that we couldn't go on the ice if our jersey didn't have that little stop sign patch on the back. Why is it that this rule is non-existent in the NHL? When was the last time you've seen this rule being called for what it is (and not being called boarding)? I don't think I have ever seen it.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Because they just call it boarding? That’s not to minimize the issue though- in recent years they’ve called some major infractions minors, which is bullshit. At the same the same time I get the argument that “players turn and put themselves in danger,” but unfortunately the same hip turn used to confuse a defender also puts the puck-carrier in a dangerous position. To my mind the onus is on the hitter, that’s just how it is now, and you shouldn’t hit a guy unless he’s clearly shoulder-to-shoulder with you. The NHL needs to be more serious in their suspensions, but whether they call it boarding or a hit from behind is unimportant to me.

 

[El Travo]

Because they just call it boarding? That’s not to minimize the issue though- in recent years they’ve called some major infractions minors, which is bullshit. At the same the same time I get the argument that “players turn and put themselves in danger,” but unfortunately the same hip turn used to confuse a defender also puts the puck-carrier in a dangerous position. To my mind the onus is on the hitter, that’s just how it is now, and you shouldn’t hit a guy unless he’s clearly shoulder-to-shoulder with you. The NHL needs to be more serious in their suspensions, but whether they call it boarding or a hit from behind is unimportant to me.

Boarding can be called as a minor penalty. Checking from Behind cannot. There is quite a difference.

 

[txpd]

Nah. Boarding can be a major penalty. You can be suspended for boarding. Boarding and/or checking from behind comes with various degrees of violation. In minor hockey you are not being coached to turn your back on the defender to protect the puck.

Reality is that boarding is what they call checking from behind. Its very rarely called for any other reason. Last time I saw a boarding suspension for not hitting a guy in the numbers, it was Tom Wilson

 

[BostonBruins11]

IMO theres 3 types of "checking" from behind

• Skating/gliding shoulder first into and opposing players back near or on the boards (the most dangerous play in hockey IMO, especially withing 2-3 feet of the board) . I feel like this doesn't get called enough
• Skating/gliding "pushing" from behind usually with both fists or stick, not as violent but still dangerous. This should be called boarding
• Stationary push from behind (usually fighting on the boards/corner), this would be the hardest to call because I feel half the time the defending players flops to the ground, its very easy to draw a penalty.

 

[Il Stugotz]

One primary point of contention is this idea “When a player intentionally turns his body to create contact with his back, no penalty shall be assessed.”

I think this means you can’t turn right before the hit. Many people on here seem to think that you can just never face the boards or it’s always your fault if you do and get boarded.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

I remember “Checking From Behind” penalties being in NHL ‘99 on the PS1.

 

[Iapyi]

Hitting from behind is one of my most despised actions in hockey. Take the steps to eliminate it because it can be done. I know it's all relevant but when I play I just don't do it. I know it's not that simple. It's a cowardly move.

 

[MadLuke]

A check from behind is a check delivered on a player who is not aware of the impending hit,

In that list there is some case where that would be the good call, but a long list it is an nhler in possession of the puck (sometime engaging with an other one for it), there some should protect yourself in all time if you are legal to hit (i.e. possession or near the puck).

But, I feel nhler got so well paid and scrutinized over time that they got more and more ready to play the puck in a way that they cannot protect themselve feeling they have to, sacrificing their body, that league had too do it for them with those rules.

 

[Dexter Colt]

That Logan Shaw - Derek Stepan hit around the 1 minute mark had shades of Lemieux on Draper. Disgusting.

 

[Mikeshane]

Minor hockey is more about fun and development(both as a person and a player). NHL is an entertainment league and players have to take risks to maintain that entertainment level.

 

[Super Hans]

Thought this was a sequel to the infamous "NHL Dogs" thread.

 

[Eisen]

Rule 43 - Checking from Behind​

43.1 Checking from Behind – A check from behind is a check delivered on a player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend himself, and contact is made on the back part of the body. When a player intentionally turns his body to create contact with his back, no penalty shall be assessed.
43.2 Minor Penalty - There is no provision for a minor penalty for checking from behind.
43.3 Major Penalty – Any player who cross-checks, pushes or charges from behind an opponent who is unable to protect or defend himself, shall be assessed a major penalty. This penalty applies anywhere on the playing surface (see 43.5).
43.5 Game Misconduct – A game misconduct penalty must be assessed anytime a major penalty is applied for checking from behind.

I remember in minor hockey there was major emphasis put on checking from behind, to the point that we couldn't go on the ice if our jersey didn't have that little stop sign patch on the back. Why is it that this rule is non-existent in the NHL? When was the last time you've seen this rule being called for what it is (and not being called boarding)? I don't think I have ever seen it.

I wonder that all the time.

 

[frisco]

One of the many rules "on the books" that is ignored for the most part.

My Best-Carey

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Arguably the most dangerous infraction (ie. most dangerous result) and the NHL lets it go more often than they do hooks into the hands or mid-section.

 

[txpd]

Hitting from behind is one of my most despised actions in hockey. Take the steps to eliminate it because it can be done. I know it's all relevant but when I play I just don't do it. I know it's not that simple. It's a cowardly move.

So....you are preparing to hit a player who is not showing you his back. The player turns his back on you to protect the puck or change directions when you have past the commitment point. You would drill him in the numbers or you are someone not that interested in hitting. If you do drill him in the numbers, is it cowardly?

 

[ES]

IIHF has recently made more rule changes so that rules would be similar everywhere in the world. And I would say in this case IIHF has had better options, with two minute minor + 10-minute misconduct for checking from behind as the minimum penalty.

The same rules apply for checking to the head and more recently boarding.

 

[Iapyi]

So....you are preparing to hit a player who is not showing you his back. The player turns his back on you to protect the puck or change directions when you have past the commitment point. You would drill him in the numbers or you are someone not that interested in hitting. If you do drill him in the numbers, is it cowardly?

Take a picture and I'll be better able to visualize your hypothesis.

 

[RandV]

So....you are preparing to hit a player who is not showing you his back. The player turns his back on you to protect the puck or change directions when you have past the commitment point. You would drill him in the numbers or you are someone not that interested in hitting. If you do drill him in the numbers, is it cowardly?

The head shot equivalent is when a the hitter lines up a shoulder to shoulder hit and the receiver lowers his head at the last moment. This still gets penalized as a headshot so wouldn't be without precedent.

Also I'm trying to visualize it in my head the scenario's where these happen here but I feel like this it should be easier to avoid an unintended hit from behind than an unintended head shot. The one tends to happen on open ice at game speed, while against the boards you already have boarding penalties to tone things down.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Because boarding isn't a real penalty, apparently, so they just call checking from behind "boarding".