What Is High Sticking in Ice Hockey? Rules, Penalties and Examples

High sticking in ice hockey refers to using or carrying the stick above the permitted height, most commonly when it strikes an opponent. The rule protects players from dangerous contact around the head, face and upper body, but not every puck touched by a raised stick results in a penalty.

How the high-sticking rule works

The exact wording varies slightly between competitions, but officials generally consider the height of the stick and what happened next.

• Stick contact with an opponent: A player who hits an opponent with a stick held above shoulder height can be called for high sticking.
• High-sticking the puck: A player may touch the puck with a raised stick, but play is usually stopped if that action gives the player or a teammate an unfair advantage. This is normally a stoppage rather than a penalty.
• Raised stick without contact: Simply lifting the stick above the shoulder is not automatically a penalty. The action becomes more serious when it creates dangerous contact or affects the play.

Officials judge the position of the stick at the moment of contact. A stick that starts at a legal height but rises into an opponent can still lead to a high-sticking call. A player does not avoid responsibility simply because the contact was accidental, although intent and the result can affect the severity of the decision.

What penalty can a player receive?

A standard high-sticking infraction that contacts an opponent usually brings a minor penalty. In many rule sets, that means two minutes in the penalty box. If the opponent is cut and blood is drawn, the offending player can receive a double-minor penalty, normally four minutes.

More serious contact may lead to a major penalty, misconduct or another disciplinary decision, particularly if the action is reckless, deliberate or causes a significant injury. The exact penalty depends on the league’s rulebook and the referee’s assessment.

High sticking is different from spearing, which involves jabbing with the blade, and from cross-checking, which involves pushing an opponent with the shaft of the stick while both hands are on it. Those actions have separate rules even though they can also cause upper-body injuries.

High sticking versus playing the puck with a high stick

These two situations are often confused. A player who catches or redirects the puck with a stick above shoulder height may trigger a whistle, but that does not necessarily mean the player goes to the penalty box. The usual consequence is a faceoff after the officials stop play.

The decision can change if an opponent touches the puck, possession is established, or the action affects a scoring play. Because details differ between leagues, players should follow the rulebook used in their competition rather than relying on a single professional league’s interpretation.

Can a goal be scored with a high stick?

A goal is generally disallowed when an attacking player deliberately bats or deflects the puck into the net with a stick above the permitted height. Officials also examine whether the stick was above the crossbar or shoulder level under the competition’s rules and whether the puck entered the goal through a legal deflection.

A puck that goes into the net after touching a defending player can be treated differently from an intentional attacking deflection. Video review may be used in competitions that allow it, especially when the height of the stick is difficult to judge.

Common situations that cause confusion

• A follow-through after a shot: A legal shot can become dangerous if the follow-through strikes an opponent. Officials assess the contact and the player’s control of the stick.
• A stick lifted by another player: If an opponent’s action causes the stick to rise, referees may consider that when deciding responsibility.
• Contact near the boards: A raised stick can be difficult to see in crowded play, but contact with the head or face is still treated seriously.
• A puck played above shoulder height: This can stop play without producing a penalty, provided there is no separate foul.

The safest practical rule is simple: keep the blade and shaft under control in traffic, especially near an opponent’s head, hands and upper body. Players should also check the specific rules of their league because NHL, IIHF and amateur competitions can differ in wording and enforcement.

Frequently asked questions about high sticking

Is high sticking always a two-minute penalty?

No. A normal stick-to-player infraction is often a two-minute minor, but drawing blood may result in a double minor, while reckless or dangerous contact can bring a more severe penalty.

Is touching the puck with a high stick illegal?

It may stop play, but it is not automatically a penalty. The main issue is whether the raised stick affected possession or created an advantage.

What height is considered high sticking?

The usual reference is above the player’s shoulder, although some decisions involving a shot or goal also consider the crossbar and the competition’s specific wording.