A minor penalty in ice hockey sends the offending player to the penalty box for two minutes, and their team plays shorthanded during that time. The opposing team gets a power play, and if they score, the minor penalty usually ends early and the penalized player returns to the ice. Common minor penalties include tripping, hooking, holding, slashing, interference, roughing and high sticking, along with bench minors such as too many men on the ice and delay of game. A double minor, often called for high sticking that causes an injury, lasts four minutes and is served as two consecutive minors. Rules vary between the NHL, IIHF and amateur leagues, so check the current rulebook for your league.
Common minor penalties
| Penalty | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tripping | Using the stick, knee or body to trip an opponent |
| Hooking | Using the stick to hook and impede an opponent |
| Holding | Grabbing an opponent or their stick |
| Slashing | Swinging the stick at an opponent |
| Interference | Impeding a player who does not have the puck |
| Roughing | Excessive shoving or punching, often after the whistle |
| High sticking | Stick contact above the shoulders |
| Cross-checking | Hitting an opponent with the shaft of the stick held in both hands |
| Too many men | An extra skater on the ice during play |
| Delay of game | Such as shooting the puck over the glass from the defensive zone in the NHL |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct | Taunting, arguing or other unsportsmanlike actions |
How minor penalties work
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Single minor | 2 minutes in the penalty box |
| Double minor | 4 minutes, served as two 2-minute minors |
| Power-play goal | Ends one minor penalty |
| Shorthanded goal | Penalty continues |
| Coincidental minors | Often result in 4-on-4 play in the NHL |
| Bench minor | Served by a player chosen by the coach |
| Goalie minor | Served by a teammate who was on the ice |
The delayed penalty
When a referee sees a penalty, they raise one arm but do not stop play immediately if the non-offending team has the puck. Play continues until the offending team touches the puck, at which point the whistle blows and the penalty is assessed. During a delayed penalty, the non-offending team usually pulls its goalie for an extra attacker, since it cannot lose possession without the whistle blowing. If the non-offending team scores during the delay, the minor penalty is typically wiped out, although major penalties are still served.
Power play and penalty kill
The team with more players on the ice has a power play, while the shorthanded team is on the penalty kill. Power plays often feature set formations designed to create shooting lanes and passing options. Penalty-killing units focus on blocking shots, clearing the puck and pressuring the puck carrier. In the NHL, a shorthanded team can ice the puck without a stoppage being called for icing. Special teams, meaning power-play and penalty-kill units, often decide close games.
How referees signal minor penalties
Referees use specific hand signals to show which penalty has been called. For example, tripping is shown by striking the leg below the knee with the hand, hooking by a tugging motion with both arms, holding by grasping the wrist, slashing by a chopping motion across the forearm, and interference by crossing the arms in front of the chest. High sticking is signaled by holding both fists one above the other at the side of the head. After play stops, the referee reports the penalty to the scorekeeper, who records the time and the player’s number. Learning these signals helps fans and players understand calls quickly during a game.
Minor penalties and strategy
Coaches think carefully about how minor penalties affect game strategy. Teams with strong penalty-killing units may play a more aggressive, physical style, accepting some penalty risk, while teams with weaker penalty kills often emphasize discipline. Late in close games, some players may take a deliberate penalty to stop a clear scoring chance, although this can backfire if the opponent scores on the power play. Some teams also try to draw penalties by driving to the net and forcing opponents to defend with their sticks. Understanding these dynamics helps explain why special teams play such an important role in hockey outcomes.
Statistics and penalty minutes
Penalty minutes, often shown as PIM, record the total time a player has been penalized. A high PIM total can indicate a physical, aggressive player, but it can also reflect undisciplined play. Coaches track penalties drawn and taken, since a player who draws more penalties than they take gives their team more power plays. Team statistics such as power-play percentage and penalty-kill percentage show how effectively teams take advantage of or survive these situations.
Teaching discipline to young players
Coaches in youth hockey often focus on skating and body position to reduce penalties, since many minors come from players reaching with their sticks after being beaten. Drills that emphasize moving the feet, angling opponents toward the boards and keeping the stick on the ice help build good habits. Talking with players after penalties, calmly explaining what happened and how to avoid it next time, turns mistakes into learning opportunities.
How to avoid minor penalties step by step
- Move your feet instead of reaching with your stick to catch opponents.
- Keep your stick on the ice and under control.
- Use body position to defend rather than holding or hooking.
- Stay disciplined after the whistle, avoiding pushing and shoving.
- Communicate on line changes to prevent too-many-men penalties.
- Clear the puck along the boards rather than over the glass in the defensive zone.
- Control your emotions and let officials handle disputes.
When penalties overlap
Sometimes a team has two players in the penalty box at the same time, creating a five-on-three power play. In the NHL, a team cannot be reduced below three skaters on the ice, so if a third penalty is called, its start is delayed until one of the earlier penalties expires. When penalties expire, players return in the order they were assessed. Understanding these situations helps players and coaches manage their lineups during complicated penalty sequences.
Minor penalties in youth and amateur hockey
Youth and amateur leagues use similar minor penalties, but some rules differ. Many youth categories do not allow body checking, so checking in those levels results in a penalty. Some associations assign stricter penalties for head contact, checking from behind or repeated infractions, and players may be suspended after accumulating certain penalties. Rules note: this summary is based mainly on NHL rules and simplified; minor penalty rules vary between the NHL, IIHF and amateur bodies such as USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, so check the current rulebook for your league.
Common mistakes that lead to minors
- Reaching with the stick when beaten, leading to hooking or tripping.
- Grabbing opponents in front of the net.
- Retaliating after hits and drawing roughing penalties.
- Poor line changes causing too many men on the ice.
- Careless stick work resulting in high sticking or slashing.
- Arguing with officials, which can lead to unsportsmanlike conduct.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a minor penalty in hockey?
Two minutes, or four minutes for a double minor.
Does a minor penalty end if the other team scores?
Yes, a power-play goal usually ends one minor penalty.
What happens if both teams get minor penalties at the same time?
Coincidental minors often lead to 4-on-4 play in the NHL, though rules vary.
