What is high-sticking in hockey?

High-sticking in hockey refers to a penalty that occurs when a player's stick makes contact with an opponent above the shoulders. This rule is designed to ensure player safety and prevent injuries.

1. Definition: High-sticking is generally defined as when a player strikes an opponent above the normal height of the shoulders with their stick. If a player carries their stick above shoulder height and hits an opponent, even accidentally, it leads to a high-sticking penalty.

2. Penalties: High-sticking results in a two-minute minor penalty, meaning the offending player must spend that time in the penalty box, leaving their team shorthanded. If a player causes an injury with a high stick, a double minor (four minutes), major (five minutes), or even a match penalty (ejected from the game) can be assessed, depending on the severity.

3. Avoiding Penalties: Players are responsible for maintaining control of their sticks and ensuring they do not pose a danger to opponents. Playing with a lowered stick helps minimize the chances of high-sticking penalties. A player is often instructed to keep their stick to their waist or lower to avoid accidental high-stick contact.

4. Exceptions: There are a few exceptions to high-sticking penalties. If a player is attempting to bat a puck out of the air and makes contact with another player's face or head in a non-threatening or careless manner, it may be ruled as accidental and not a penalty. Additionally, a player is allowed to hit the puck above the shoulder level if it is at shoulder level or lower when struck.

5. High-sticking the puck: High-sticking can also refer to the action of a player striking the puck with their stick above the normal shoulder height. If a player is deemed to have hit the puck with a high stick, the play is whistled down, and the ensuing faceoff takes place at the nearest faceoff dot in the defending zone of the offending team.

Overall, high-sticking is an important rule in hockey to ensure player safety and prevent serious injuries caused by accidental or intentional stick contact to the head or face area.