Hockey Holding the Stick Penalty
Holding the stick in hockey is a penalty committed by one player using a hand or other body part to grab, limit motion, or otherwise negatively affect the control of an opponent’s stick. Holding the stick is a holding penalty, and like most holding violations, it results in a minor penalty being assessed on the offender.
Definition
Holding the stick is a penalty that occurs in hockey when one player uses a part of their body to restrain or otherwise negatively affect the control of an opponent’s stick. Any body part may be used to commit this violation, including hands, arms, legs, or a part of a player’s uniform.
A holding the stick violation typically occurs when a player clasps an opponent’s stick with their hand and continues to restrain it, preventing the opponent from fully controlling their stick. However, other actions that interfere with an opponent’s stick also constitute a holding the stick penalty. For instance, grabbing an opponent’s stick and pulling it away from them or using a body part to knock a stick out of an opponent’s hands deliberately are both holding the stick violations.
Holding the stick is a type of holding penalty, and like most holding violations, it results in a minor penalty being assessed on the offender. When a holding the stick penalty is called, it is distinguished from other holding violations by a second signal from the referee that indicates the stick is what is being held. If a player uses their stick instead of a body part to similarly restrain an opponent’s stick, the resulting penalty called will be slashing and not holding the stick.
When one player uses their stick to strike toward an opponent’s body, that opponent may use their non-stick hand to defend against the striking stick without committing a violation. However, the stick must be released immediately, or a holding the stick penalty will be called.
Result
The result of a holding the stick penalty being called is a stoppage in play, followed by a minor penalty being assessed on the offender. The stoppage will be immediate if the offender’s team is in possession of the puck at the time of the violation or delayed until a possession change if the opposing team is in possession. The offender will be forced to serve a two-minute time penalty in the penalty box as a result of the minor penalty being assessed. This result is the same in amateur and professional leagues.
Referee Signal
The referee signals holding the stick using a two-part signal. The first part is the standard holding signal, which consists of one arm extended at chest height with the hand forming a fist with the other hand wrapped around the wrist of the extended hand. Then the referee moves into the second part of the signal, in which they unclasp their wrist and move their hands downward into an imitation of holding a hockey stick.
Examples
- While two players are competing over the puck during play, one grabs their opponent’s stick, preventing them from being able to make a play on the puck. A holding the stick violation has occurred.
- A player uses their hand to bat an opponent’s stick away, out of their hands, and onto the ice. A holding the stick violation has occurred.
- A skater brings their stick down toward an opponent’s body as if to hit them with their stick. That opponent raises their hand to defend themselves but grabs and continues to hold the stick for several seconds. A holding the stick violation has occurred.
Helpful Links
Similar Penalties to Holding the Stick
- Holding
- Hooking
- Slashing
FAQ
What is a holding the stick penalty in hockey?
A holding the stick violation in hockey is a penalty that occurs when one player uses their hands, arms, or legs to grab or otherwise detain the control of an opponent’s stick. A player is permitted to defend their body against a strike from an opponent’s stick using their non-stick hand. However, the stick must be released immediately, or a holding the stick penalty will occur. A holding the stick violation results in a minor penalty being assessed on the offender.
What are the consequences of being called for a holding the stick penalty in hockey?
The consequences of being called for a holding the stick penalty in hockey include a stoppage in play and a power play for the opponent while the player is serving their two-minute time penalty. Play will be stopped immediately or at a possession change, depending on if the offending team possesses the puck. The opposing team will have a power play advantage while the offending player is serving their time penalty.
What kind of penalty is a holding the stick violation?
A minor penalty is assessed on the offending player when a holding the stick violation is committed. Holding the stick is a type of holding penalty, and like other holding violations, it is punished with a minor penalty. As a result of the minor penalty, the offending player must serve a two-minute time penalty in the penalty box. If a player on the defending team commits a holding the stick penalty, the minor penalty will be assessed as a delayed penalty until the puck changes possession.