Many hockey fans know what a goal is and how it’s scored. For others, the rules of the game may as well be written in a foreign language and the puck has a will of its own.
Even those who grasp the basics of the game may be confused by the term half board. What is a half board in hockey and what do you need to know about it?
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What Is A Half Board?
A half board is simply the term for when one team is on offence and the other is defending. During these five minutes, only the puck is allowed in the rink. There are no players on the ice and no fighting either. A half board is therefore the perfect time to watch the puck zoom around the ice and marvel at the skill of the players.
In hockey, a full board is when both teams are on offence at the same time. In that case, players are moving around the ice and can hit and be hit by passing pucks as they hunt for the puck or try to block another player’s shot.
Why Are Half Boards Necessary?
In ice hockey, the centre ice area is divided into two by a white line. The half boards ensure that the teams only have access to the area within their own zone. This prevents defenders from entering the offensive zone before the puck is turned over, or prevents the puck from being turned over in the first place.
Hockey is a contact sport and contact is inevitable. Since there are no protective screens like in other sports, injuries are common. The use of half boards helps to minimize the number of injuries by keeping the players a safe distance apart, especially during a tight game where chances of a collision are high. Since the puck isn’t touched by any player once it’s on the board, it stays in play and can be retrieved by anyone at any time, even by the other team. This adds an extra element of unpredictability to an already unpredictable game.
When Do You Switch The Puck?
The rule in hockey is that the puck must be switched once the offence has crossed the white line or the goal line. This rule exists to ensure that the offence has adequate time to set up for the play and that the other team doesn’t get the puck first.
In rare cases, the offence may cross the white line without the puck being switched. In those situations, the play is ruled complete and the goal will not be awarded. If a goal is awarded in this case, it’s usually because the puck crossed the goal line after making direct contact with an opposing player and was put in play by him or her. This is generally considered a bad break for the team that wasn’t actively trying to stop the puck.
Differences Between Full And Half Boards
While the rules are the same, the game isn’t exactly the same when playing with half as many players. The rink is a bit smaller and there’s only so much space for everyone to play in. It can feel a little crowded even when there are no more than two players on the ice at any given time. The puck is also slightly larger and heavier, which makes it easier to control and move around the ice. The result is that the puck can be controlled with one hand instead of two. It can also be carried more easily by one person, especially when compared to the full board situation.
These aspects make controlling the puck with one hand easier for the player and can lead to more tricks and more fancy moves. If you’re new to the game or have a low hand-eye coordination, it may be difficult to control the puck with just one hand. However, with some practice, it’s easy to see how making the puck harder to handle can make the game more exciting. As always, practice makes perfect.
Playing On A Half Board
When you play hockey on a half board, it’s important to follow the rules. Once the puck is turned over to the team in the defensive zone, all play stops and no offensive action is allowed for the remainder of the period. In theory, this means the team in the defensive zone gets a free pass for the rest of the game. In practice, it just means they’re free to sit and wait for the other team to mess up so they can capitalize on the mistake.
There’s more to playing hockey on a half board than following the rules and doing what you’re supposed to do, which is what makes the game so much fun. You have complete control over the action and can make a play at any time. You can even surprise your opponent by making a play when they didn’t expect one.
The Conclusion
Playing hockey on a half board is a great way to learn the game. It’s a quick, easy way to understand the rules and how the game works. Since there are only five minutes of action per period, it also means you only have 45 minutes to learn the basics and become familiar with the game. Plus, you get to see how the game looks from a different perspective.
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