What is hip check?

A hip check is a defensive ice hockey move in which a player uses their hip to knock an opponent off balance or knock them to the ice. It is a legal move in ice hockey, as long as it is executed properly and not excessively or with the intent of injuring the opponent. Hip checks are commonly used to separate a player from the puck, disrupt their positioning, or take them out of the play. Players who are skilled at executing hip checks can be valuable contributors to their team's defense. However, it is important to note that hip checks can be risky, as a poorly timed or executed check can result in a penalty or a serious injury to the player attempting the check.