{"id":1095,"date":"2026-08-11T17:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/?p=1095"},"modified":"2026-08-11T20:40:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T13:40:39","slug":"high-sticking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/high-sticking\/","title":{"rendered":"High-Sticking (\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e22\u0e01\u0e44\u0e21\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"534\"><strong data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"365\">High-Sticking (\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e22\u0e01\u0e44\u0e21\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07)<\/strong> is a stick infraction in ice hockey that occurs when a player carries or uses the stick above the height of the opponent&#8217;s shoulders and makes contact with an opponent.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"536\" data-end=\"826\">Players are responsible for maintaining control of their sticks at all times. Contact above the shoulders is generally prohibited, although the rules recognize certain situations involving accidental contact during a normal shooting motion or face-off.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1lcsd3j\" data-start=\"828\" data-end=\"862\">REFEREE SIGNAL \u2014 HIGH-STICKING<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"864\" data-end=\"978\">The referee signals <strong data-start=\"884\" data-end=\"901\">High-Sticking (\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e22\u0e01\u0e44\u0e21\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07)<\/strong> by raising one arm straight above the head with the hand closed into a fist.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"1092\">This signal indicates that a player has committed a high-sticking infraction and that a penalty may be assessed.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"o4vaie\" data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1130\">WHEN IS HIGH-STICKING PENALIZED?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1132\" data-end=\"1222\">Under the IIHF rules, contact by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1224\" data-end=\"1309\">Depending on the circumstances and severity of the incident, the penalty can include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1802\">\n<li data-section-id=\"15jdwlc\" data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1393\"><strong data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1330\">Minor Penalty (\u0e42\u0e17\u0e29\u0e40\u0e1a\u0e32)<\/strong> \u2014 for prohibited contact with an opponent above the shoulders.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1ihnkq2\" data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1503\"><strong data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1420\">Double-Minor Penalty<\/strong> \u2014 when contact with the neck, face or head results in an injury, such as bleeding.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"ssxp79\" data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1624\"><strong data-start=\"1506\" data-end=\"1541\">Major Penalty \/ Game Misconduct<\/strong> \u2014 where the referee determines that the player recklessly endangered the opponent.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1lqrzjp\" data-start=\"1625\" data-end=\"1802\"><strong data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1644\">Match Penalty<\/strong> \u2014 may be assessed in circumstances involving particularly serious and reckless endangerment under the applicable rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1jcxhkn\" data-start=\"1804\" data-end=\"1827\">IMPORTANT EXCEPTION<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"1917\">Not every instance in which a stick is above shoulder height is automatically a penalty.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"2160\">For example, accidental contact that occurs as part of a <strong data-start=\"1976\" data-end=\"2033\">normal wind-up or follow-through of a shooting motion<\/strong>, or accidental contact with an opposing center who is bent over during a face-off, can be treated differently under the rules.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2162\" data-end=\"2306\">However, a wild or uncontrolled swing that is not part of a normal shooting motion may still be penalized.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2308\" data-end=\"2311\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"d7mpsq\" data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2356\">HIGH-STICKING vs. HIGH-STICKING THE PUCK<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"2397\">These two terms should not be confused.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"19jqiar\" data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2416\">High-Sticking (\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e22\u0e01\u0e44\u0e21\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07)<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2490\"><strong data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2490\">Contact between a player&#8217;s stick and an opponent above the shoulders.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2492\" data-end=\"2554\">\u27a1\ufe0f This is a <strong data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2525\">stick infraction<\/strong> and can result in a penalty.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"v7fsif\" data-start=\"2556\" data-end=\"2582\">High-Sticking the Puck<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2674\"><strong data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2674\">Batting or contacting the puck with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2676\" data-end=\"3050\">Under the current IIHF Rule Book, play is normally stopped when a player high-sticks the puck and the puck subsequently comes into the possession and control of a player from the offending team. There are specific exceptions, including when the puck is batted to an opponent or when a defending player bats the puck into their own goal.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3052\" data-end=\"3055\" \/>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"7h66ag\" data-start=\"3057\" data-end=\"3087\">WHY THE SIGNAL IS IMPORTANT<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3089\" data-end=\"3146\">The referee signal provides a clear visual indication to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3230\">\n<li data-section-id=\"w8txe0\" data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3157\">Players (\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e40\u0e25\u0e48\u0e19)<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"5snorc\" data-start=\"3158\" data-end=\"3167\">Coaches<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"alv5mb\" data-start=\"3168\" data-end=\"3180\">Team staff<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"u9w5pb\" data-start=\"3181\" data-end=\"3195\">Scorekeepers<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1ps52wy\" data-start=\"3196\" data-end=\"3208\">Spectators<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1grbm9c\" data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3230\">Broadcast audiences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3298\">that the officials have identified a <strong data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3297\">High-Sticking infraction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3300\" data-end=\"3437\">Understanding referee signals helps everyone follow the game and understand why play has been stopped or why a penalty has been assessed.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1trlpwo\" data-start=\"3439\" data-end=\"3458\">QUICK REFERENCE<\/h3>\n<div class=\"group TyagGW_tableContainer\">\n<div class=\"TyagGW_tableWrapper flex flex-col-reverse w-fit\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3876\">\n<thead data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3484\">\n<tr data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3484\">\n<th class=\"last:pe-10\" data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3467\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Item<\/th>\n<th class=\"last:pe-10\" data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3484\" data-col-size=\"md\">High-Sticking (\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e22\u0e01\u0e44\u0e21\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e39\u0e07)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"3495\" data-end=\"3876\">\n<tr data-start=\"3495\" data-end=\"3526\">\n<td data-start=\"3495\" data-end=\"3506\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3497\" data-end=\"3505\">Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3526\" data-col-size=\"md\">Stick infraction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3527\" data-end=\"3606\">\n<td data-start=\"3527\" data-end=\"3549\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3548\">Basic violation<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"3549\" data-end=\"3606\" data-col-size=\"md\">Stick makes contact with opponent above the shoulders<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3607\" data-end=\"3670\">\n<td data-start=\"3607\" data-end=\"3628\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3609\" data-end=\"3627\">Referee signal<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"3628\" data-end=\"3670\">Arm raised above the head, closed fist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3671\" data-end=\"3787\">\n<td data-start=\"3671\" data-end=\"3694\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3673\" data-end=\"3693\">Possible penalty<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"3694\" data-end=\"3787\" data-col-size=\"md\">Minor \/ Double-Minor \/ Major &amp; Game Misconduct \/ Match Penalty depending on circumstances<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"3876\">\n<td data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"3812\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3790\" data-end=\"3811\">Key consideration<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-start=\"3812\" data-end=\"3876\" data-col-size=\"md\">Height, nature of contact, injury and degree of recklessness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3878\" data-end=\"4087\"><strong data-start=\"3878\" data-end=\"3892\">Reference:<\/strong> IIHF Official Rule Book 2026\/27, Rule 60 \u2014 High-Sticking. The IIHF identifies the latest published Rule Book as the applicable ruleset for its competitions.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High-Sticking is a stick infraction in ice hockey that occurs when a player carries or uses the stick above the height of the opponent&#8217;s shoulders and makes contact with an opponent. Players are responsible for maintaining control of their sticks at all times. Contact above the shoulders is generally prohibited, although the rules recognize certain &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/high-sticking\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;High-Sticking&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_regular_price":[],"currency_symbol":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-referee-signals"],"post_slider_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post_slider_layout_landscape_large":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1.jpg",750,600,false],"post_slider_layout_portrait_large":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1.jpg",750,600,false],"post_slider_layout_square_large":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1.jpg",750,600,false],"post_slider_layout_landscape":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1-600x400.jpg",600,400,true],"post_slider_layout_portrait":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"post_slider_layout_square":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"full":["https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/High-Sticking-1.jpg",750,600,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1095"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1134,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095\/revisions\/1134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icehockeyfamily.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}