re: My kid is suddenly a HOCKEY FAN...(update-sort of)

quote:

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I wouldn't worry too much about the rules when you first start watching. Just watch and you'll pick up a team on your own. Just don't let it be the Penguins unless you are a soulless front-runner.

The one rule you really do need to know is offside. That big blue line? The puck has to cross it before any offensive player can. And once you are in zone, if the puck crosses the blue line again, all of the offensive players have to leave and start over. Almost all tactics start with the blue line.

But ironsides' guide is pretty spot on. No hits from behind, stay on your feet, and don't use the stick as a weapon.

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This. Hockey's a really easy sport to follow. Icing and offsides are basically the only rules you need to know, besides different penalties (and when a penalty occurs is normally pretty obvious, even if you know nothing about the game). I always laugh when people say they can never get into hockey because they don't know the rules, yet they're able to follow sports like baseball and football. Because those have much, much more simpler rules.