Cincinnati Amateur Hockey Assocation - Basic Information

Ice hockey is played on a sheet of ice 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. There is a net at each end, five lines and five circles. These lines and circles are important (but more about them later in rules).

The game of hockey is played in three periods.  Depending on the age level, the periods can be 10, 12, 15 or 20 minutes long.  There are few stoppages in play so player changes are made "on the fly."

Each team has 6 players on the ice.  One player, the goalie, normally plays the entire game.  The other 5, 2 defensemen and 3 forwards, change several times each period.  Youth teams might have 3 forward lines, 2 defensive lines and two goalies.  Therefore, youth teams would have 14 or 15 players.

Be aware that it is generally cold inside a hockey rink. While the cold doesn't normally bother the players, parents should dress appropriatly.