Calling Off-Side
Violations
Presentation Designed by
Illinois Hockey Officials
Association
Positioning on the blue line
• Official on the blue line
– Inside the line as play enters attacking zone
• Provides proper angle on play
– Must get a clear view of the determining edge of the
line
• Partner moves into position
– Must be ready to cover in case official is knocked off
line
Signals
• Blow Whistle - Point to face-off
– Full palm point with fingers together
• Washout
– Signal comes from chest then out
Stopping Play for Off-Sides
• Blue line is part of zone from where the puck comes
– Determining edge
– Instant puck completely crosses line
• Puck carried into Attacking Zone with teammate(s) off-side
or Puck Shot into Attacking Zone with teammate(s) off-side
– Immediate whistle and point to location of face-off
– Official calling violation skates to spot of the face-off
– Partner retrieves puck, hands it off and returns to position
Stopping Play for Off-Sides
• Calling Violation
– Official calling violation skates to the spot of the
face-off ( where the puck was shot )
– Partner retrieves puck, hands it off and returns to
position
• Intentional off-sides
– Should be called in every case where the official
deems that there was no opportunity to complete a
legal play
– Regardless of the actions of the defending team
Special Situations
• Defending team shoots the puck back into zone
– Players on the attacking team are considered to be
on-side
• Deflections back into zone with members of attacking
team in the attacking zone
– Always off-sides
• Off referee
• Off defending player
• Off defective boards