High sticking in ice hockey covers two different situations. The first is hitting an opponent with a stick carried above the height of the shoulders, which is a penalty. In the NHL, this is usually a two-minute minor, a four-minute double minor if the referee judges that it caused an injury, and a major or match penalty for severe or deliberate cases. The second is playing the puck with a stick above shoulder height, which is not a penalty but stops play if the offending team regains control, while a goal deflected in with a stick above the crossbar is disallowed. Rules vary between the NHL, IIHF and amateur bodies, so always check your league’s current rulebook.
High sticking an opponent
| Result | Typical penalty (NHL) |
|---|---|
| Stick contact above the shoulders | Minor penalty (2 minutes) |
| Contact causing an injury, in the referee’s judgment | Double minor (4 minutes) |
| Deliberate or severe contact | Major or match penalty |
| Contact from a normal shooting windup or follow-through | Generally not penalized under NHL rules |
Players are responsible for controlling their sticks at all times. Even accidental contact can be penalized, because the rule is designed to protect players’ heads and faces. In the NHL, contact that results from a normal windup or follow-through of a shot is treated differently, but carelessness in other situations, such as passing, battling or lifting an opponent’s stick, can still result in a penalty.
Playing the puck with a high stick
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Player bats the puck above shoulder height and their team gains control | Play stops for a faceoff |
| Player bats the puck above shoulder height and the opponent gains control | Play continues |
| Attacker deflects the puck into the net with a stick above crossbar height | Goal disallowed |
| Defender directs the puck into their own net with a high stick | Goal usually counts |
The faceoff location after a high-stick stoppage depends on the league’s rules, and it is often placed to deny any territorial advantage to the offending team. Rules note: these summaries are based on NHL rules and simplified; high-sticking rules vary between the NHL, IIHF and amateur bodies such as USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, so check the current rulebook for your league.
Why high sticking is penalized
Hockey sticks can cause serious facial and eye injuries, especially when they rise above shoulder height in crowded areas like the front of the net or along the boards. High-sticking rules encourage players to keep their sticks down and under control. The double minor for causing injury reflects the added seriousness of contact that draws blood or causes visible harm. These rules, along with helmet and visor requirements, help reduce head and face injuries.
How referees judge high sticking
Referees watch the height of the stick relative to the shoulders of the player carrying it, not the player who is hit. They consider whether the contact was careless or reckless, whether it resulted from a normal shooting motion, and whether an injury occurred. In many leagues, video review may be used to confirm whether a goal was scored with a high stick, while penalties are generally called on the ice based on what officials see.
How to avoid high-sticking penalties step by step
- Keep your stick on or near the ice when not handling the puck.
- Control your follow-through on passes and shots in traffic.
- Be careful in board battles, where sticks often rise.
- Avoid lifting sticks carelessly when trying to strip an opponent.
- Watch your stick when turning quickly near other players.
- Practice knocking down pucks with your glove or body rather than a high stick.
- Stay composed after hits so frustration does not lead to careless stick work.
High sticking and goals
Tipping or deflecting the puck into the net is a skill, but the stick must be at or below the height of the crossbar when it touches the puck. If an attacking player deflects the puck into the goal with a stick above the crossbar, the goal is disallowed. Officials often review these plays closely because deflections happen fast. Players who specialize in tipping shots practice keeping their stick blades low and angled to redirect pucks legally.
High sticking the puck in the defensive zone
Defenders sometimes try to knock down clearing attempts or high passes with their sticks. If the stick is above shoulder height and their team gains possession, play is stopped. In the defensive zone, this can give the opponent an offensive-zone faceoff, depending on league rules. Using the glove or body to knock down pucks is often safer and avoids unnecessary stoppages.
High sticking in youth and amateur hockey
Youth and amateur leagues often apply high-sticking rules more strictly than professional leagues, reflecting their emphasis on safety and development. Some amateur rulebooks define high sticking in relation to the shoulders of the player being struck or treat any stick contact to the head more severely. Penalties may escalate more quickly for injuries or repeated offenses, and some associations add game suspensions for major infractions. Coaches in youth hockey often teach stick control from an early age, using drills that emphasize keeping sticks low in traffic and controlling follow-through after passes. Checking your league’s specific rules is important, since the details can differ significantly from what fans see in professional games.
How the power play changes the game
A high-sticking penalty gives the opposing team a power play, and a double minor gives them four minutes with a man advantage, which can be split into two separate two-minute penalties if they score. In the NHL, if the non-penalized team scores during the first minor of a double minor, the first penalty ends and the second begins. This makes double minors especially costly, since the opponent gets two chances to score on the power play. Avoiding careless stick work is one of the easiest ways for players to keep their team out of the penalty box.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Careless follow-through on passes in close quarters.
- Raising the stick to block shots or passes near opponents’ heads.
- Batting pucks with a high stick instead of using a glove.
- Retaliating with stick work after a hit.
- Assuming accidental contact is not a penalty. Players must control their sticks.
- Tipping pucks too high in front of the net, leading to disallowed goals.
Health and safety note
Stick contact to the face can cause cuts, eye injuries and dental damage. Wearing a helmet with a visor or cage, as required by your league, greatly reduces the risk. Health note: this article is general information, not medical advice. Any player hit in the face or eye should be assessed by trained medical staff before returning to play.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for high sticking in the NHL?
Usually a two-minute minor, or a four-minute double minor if the referee judges that it caused an injury.
Is it a penalty to hit the puck with a high stick?
No, but play stops if the offending team regains control, and goals scored with a stick above the crossbar are disallowed.
Does accidental high sticking count?
Yes. Players are responsible for their sticks, although NHL rules treat contact from a normal shooting motion differently.
