Hockey is a game that has been around for more than a century and has been played internationally since before World War I. It was initially played in the winter to be able to continue playing in the streets when the temperatures outside were getting dangerously low. Over the years, a number of rule changes have been made to make the game more exciting to watch. These have included things like increases in the number of players on the ice and the addition of more equipment to make the game faster and more violent.
The most recent major rule change was implemented in 2005. This involved the removal of fighting in hockey, with the idea being to make the game safer to watch (and participate in). Nowadays, fighting is only allowed in certain situations and can even be considered unsportsmanlike. Many people believe that this has made the game less exciting to watch and play—but the opposite has actually happened. Since the implementation of these new rules, the amount of fighting in the game has increased, not decreased. In fact, since 2005, there have been seven matches that included fighting.
The increase in the sport’s popularity can be partially attributed to the fact that it is safer to participate in than many other sports. While there have been some serious injuries over the years, the game has largely remained safe to play. This is likely due to the fact that there are stringent rules in place to protect players from getting seriously hurt. One would have to watch closely to see how hockey players carry themselves, as most of them are taught from a young age to avoid getting hit. They also wear protective gear which makes it harder for opponents to hurt them. Furthermore, unlike other contact sports, there is very little head injury in hockey. The low amount of head trauma makes the sport less likely to leave players disabled. Finally, parents usually keep an eye on their children playing hockey, so it’s more likely that they’ll be caught and penalized if they do anything wrong.
Despite all that, there is a big question as to whether or not these new rules of non-fighting have made the game better or just made it safer to watch. While there certainly are positive aspects to removing fighting from hockey, it’s also important to remember that the game still has many traditional elements that make it what it is. One of these is the frequent use of fighting to resolve disputes. Before the implementation of the new rules, fights were common in the hockey world and were even considered a part of the game. It is likely that the new rules have made these elements less prominent, but have not eliminated them altogether.
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Fights Help Build Character
One of the main reasons why there is so much fighting in hockey is because the game is considered to be a bit of a self-defense mechanism for children and young adults. As mentioned before, most hockey players are taught to avoid getting hit, and to protect themselves from injury. This generally means that they have to be the ones to initiate the contact in order to avoid being countered or being hit by a swinging stick or puck.
Older players know that it is important to protect the younger ones who are playing alongside them, so they will often step in to prevent a fight from breaking out. This is why there is a large amount of respect between the players in the game as they grow up with the sport as part of their life. They learn to appreciate the skill and talent it takes to play and how to deal with physicality and aggression. These are critical life lessons that the game teaches.
They Keep Score
One of the main reasons why there is so much fighting in hockey is because the game is considered to be a bit of a scoreboard for children and young adults. As mentioned before, most hockey players are taught to avoid getting hit, and to protect themselves from injury. This generally means that they have to be the ones to initiate the contact in order to avoid being countered or being hit by a swinging stick or puck.
Older players know that it is important to protect the younger ones who are playing alongside them, so they will often step in to prevent a fight from breaking out. This is why there is a large amount of respect between the players in the game as they grow up with the sport as part of their life. They learn to appreciate the skill and talent it takes to play and how to deal with physicality and aggression. These are critical life lessons that the game teaches.
These are just some of the reasons why there is so much fighting in hockey. It would be a missed opportunity if the sport does not at least try to rid itself of this tradition. While there is no question that the game has moved on from its early days, there is still much about it that is worth preserving.