Regel 44: Clipping

“Clipping” or a “low-hit” is the act of throwing the body across or below the knees of an opponent from any direction. A Player may not deliver a check in a “clipping” manner, nor lower their own body position to deliver a check on or below an opponent’s knees.

An illegal “low-hit” is a check that is delivered by a Player who may or may not have both skates on the ice, with their sole intent to check the opponent in the area of their knees. A Player may not lower their body position to deliver a check to an opponent’s knees.
A Player may not crouch down near the Boards to avoid being bodychecked and as a result, causes an opponent to tumble over them.

The Referee shall, at their discretion, assess a Minor Penalty, based on the degree of violence to a Player guilty of “clipping” an opponent.

The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a Major Penalty to a Player guilty of “clipping” an opponent, and who recklessly endangers the fouled Player in a way that at the discretion of the Referee such Player would not be sufficiently sanctioned by imposing a Minor Penalty. Refer to Rule 44.5 for an additional Game Misconduct Penalty.

The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a Match Penalty if, in their judgment, the Player recklessly endangers their opponent by “clipping”. Such assessment of reckless endangerment shall be based on the severity of the infraction, severity of the contact, the degree of violence and the general reprehensibility involved.

A Game Misconduct Penalty must be assessed anytime a Major Penalty is imposed for “clipping”.

If deemed appropriate, Supplementary Discipline can be applied by the Proper Authorities at their discretion.
→ Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline