Can the goalie use any of his body parts to block the puck?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 22, 2026
He wears special goaltending equipment that is different from that worn by other players and is subject to specific regulations. Goaltenders may use any part of their bodies to block shots. The goaltender may legally hold (or freeze) the puck with his hands to cause a stoppage of play.
What can the goalie use to block the hockey puck?
NHL goalies, of course, use their hands to defend shots with a stick-hand "blocker" glove and other hand "catch glove." They can "freeze" the puck or stop play by covering up on the puck or keeping it in the catch glove to get a referee's whistle and a subsequent nearby faceoff.
Can a goalie cover the puck anywhere?
The rules allow a goalie to cover the puck outside the crease if it is part of blocking a shot then freezing the puck immediately. Otherwise, a goalie who comes outside of the crease to freeze the puck will be assessed a 2 minute penalty for delay of game.
Can you block a puck with your hand?
67.1 Handling Puck - A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has deliberately directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone, in which ...
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Can a goalie throw the puck?
The NHL rulebook specifies that a goaltender is not permitted to throw the puck forward.
Can a hockey player throw the puck?
Hockey players are not allowed to catch or throw the puck at any time during a hockey game. Catching a puck with a closed hand can result in a minor penalty for closing your hand on the puck.
Can you touch the puck in the crease?
The rule, firstly: "No defending player, except the goalkeeper, will be permitted to fall on the puck, hold the puck, pick up the puck, or gather the puck into the body or hands when the puck is within the goal crease.
Can a goalie freeze the puck outside the crease?
A goaltender may freeze the puck in the goal crease when under pressure from attacking players. The goaltender comes out of their crease to cut down the angle and, after stopping the shot, covers the puck or catches the shot. This is legal.
Can a skater freeze the puck?
(a) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper who deliberately freezes the puck along the boards or goal frame for the purpose of delaying the game.
When can a goalie not freeze the puck?
A goaltender may not come out of their crease to deliberately freeze the puck. If the goaltender's body is completely outside the crease, a delay of game penalty will be given to that goaltender. If the goaltender comes out of their crease to stop a shot and in so doing, freezes the puck, this will not be a penalty.
Can a goalie leave the crease?
Goaltenders can leave their crease to make a save or play the puck – as long as it's not in the trapezoid or beyond center ice. If they leave the blue paint to join a scrum, they'll be serving time.
Can you put a goalie back in after pulling him?
Once pulled, can a goalie come back in? Yes. Goalies are allowed to return to the game if they are pulled. There is no rule against this.
Why is it called five hole?
According to Merriam-Webster, “The concept of the five-hole likely originated with Jacques Plante, NHL goalie and author of the 1972 book On Goaltending. Plante numbered five 'holes' in the net that goalies needed to protect: four at the corners of the net, and the hole between the goalie's legs.
Can a goalie hand pass?
They can also push it along the ice. However, if the puck is deliberately directed to a teammate in any zone on the ice other than the defending zone play will be whistled dead by an official . This is ruled as a hand pass but it is allowed if a player directs the puck to a teammate in their own defending zone.
Can a goalie get called for high sticking?
Yes, a goalie can get a penalty in hockey, and it happens all the time. The goalie can pretty much be called for a penalty on anything a player can be called for: slashing, high-sticking, tripping, roughing, fighting, delay of game etc.
Can a goalie throw his stick?
A goalie doesn't usually get the same treatment as the skaters in front of him. But, a goalie cannot let go of his stick either. Some times, a goaltender will try and poke the puck away from a skater with his stick. To do that, he has to loosen his grip on the “paddle” and let it slide all the way to top.
Can a goalie ice the puck?
Yes, a goalie can ice the puck. If the goalie shots the puck down to the other end of the ice like any other player it will still be called icing.
What are 4 goals in hockey called?
What is scoring 4 goals in hockey called? Scoring four goals in a hockey game is much less common than a hat trick. If a player scores four goals in a single game, it is sometimes referred to as a "Texas hat trick." This term is less commonly used than a hat trick, and its origins are uncertain.
What is the 7 hole in hockey?
'Six and Seven Hole': the six and seven holes are relatively new terms to identify the areas under either armpit of the goalie. Goaltenders who hold their trapper high or blocker further out to the side of their body are said to have six and seven holes.
How do you stop the puck from behind the net goalie?
Finally, when stopping the puck behind the net, the goaltender should always attempt to set the puck to the forehand of the defenceman that is retrieving the puck. This allows the players to retrieve the puck with greater speed and comfort so they can begin the breakout more rapidly.