NHL Interference Rule Explained (The Ultimate Guide)

Ice hockey always has and always will be a physical game, with punishing body checks and players rubbing each other out against the boards and in front of the net. Not all of the physical contact we see on the rink is laid out strictly by the book though and that’s why the interference penalty exists.

What is Interference in Hockey?

The short version of Interference in hockey is when a player makes physical contact with his stick or body on an opponent who isn’t in possession of the puck.

NHL Player Interference Rule Explained:

Interference is covered by rule 56 of the NHL rule book and states that a player isn’t allowed to restrain or impede an opponent with any part of the body or stick if the opponent isn’t in possession of the puck.

See the rule in the NHL 2022-23 rulebook here.

However, a player can stand his ground and isn’t required to move in order to let an opponent pass by and is allowed to block the opponent’s path as long as he is moving in the same direction as the opponent and is in front of him.

As far as determining which player is in possession of the puck, the NHL considers the player who currently has the puck or the last player to touch the puck to be in possession of it, other than the netminder. This means a player may be hit legally when he has the puck or immediately after losing possession of it.

You aren’t allowed to physically force a player offside if he doesn’t have the puck, knock the stick out of somebody’s hand or prevent an opponent from picking up a dropped stick or any other piece of equipment.

Also, you can’t shoot or knock a broken or abandoned stick or any other piece of equipment which is laying on the ice toward an opposing puck carrier. Players who aren’t on the ice may also receive an interference penalty if they interfere with an opponent or the puck from either the player’s bench or penalty box.

A player who has at least one skate on the bench is considered to be on the bench. The rule also applies to the coaching and training staff while on the bench.

How Long Do Players Sit for an Interference Penalty?

A routine interference call will result in a two-minute minor penalty. This also includes interfering with the goaltender. If a non-playing member of the team such as a coach or trainer receives an interference penalty for impeding a player the team will be handed a two-minute bench minor.

A five-minute major penalty for interference can also be called if the referee judges the physical contact to be violent. If a player receives a major penalty for interference he may also be handed a game misconduct if the illegal hit resulted in an injury to the opponent.

If a player/coach or trainer interferes with a puck-carrier on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone by shooting or throwing a stick or piece of equipment towards him, it will result in a penalty shot.

If a non-playing member of the team such as a coach or trainer committed the infraction, they will be tossed from the game and could receive further disciplinary action. The rule also states that a goal will automatically be awarded to the opposing team if a player or the puck is interfered with while on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone from the bench while the defending team has pulled its goalie for an extra skater.

How Long After a Player Rids the Puck Can they Be Body Checked?

interference hockey
Matthew (Matts) Thielemann and Kevin Lundin“, by mark6mauno, licensed by (CC BY 2.0)

The NHL rule book states that a player may be legally hit immediately after losing possession of the puck, so this is really a discretionary call by the referee. In general, referees usually allow players to be hit up to approximately 1.5 to 2 seconds after losing possession of the puck.

It’s up to the referee and the level of contact is usually taken into consideration as well. If a player is slightly bumped or ridden into the boards after losing the puck by an opponent who is finishing their check  the referee might let it go. However if the player is leveled by a thunderous body check a penalty will likely be called.

NHL Goalie Interference Rule Explained:

Goalie interference is covered by rule 69 of the NHL rule book and it states that an attacking player may not impair the goalie’s ability to defend the net or move freely in the crease by using his stick or body.

Also, a player may not deliberately initiate contact with the netminder when he’s either inside or outside of the crease. Doing so, will result in a minor penalty. However incidental contact is permitted and resulting goals should be allowed when the contact takes place outside of the crease as long as the attacker made a reasonable attempt to avoid contact with the goalie.

If a player hinders the goalie’s movement in the crease either intentionally or unintentionally and it results in a goal, it will be disallowed. If the attacker has been shoved, pushed or knocked into the goaltender by a defender the goal will count as long as the attacker tried to avoid contact with the goalie.

In addition, the defending player may also be assessed a minor penalty. If the defender is knocked into his own goalie by an opponent and a goal is scored it will be disallowed and the culprit may also be penalized.

Read more about the goalie interference rule here in the full guide.

Can Coaches Challenge Goalie Interference Calls?

When a team has been scored upon and its coach believes the goal was the result of goaltender interference a coach’s challenge may be made before the puck has been dropped to resume play.

Basically, any time a player is in the crease and contact is initiated by himself or the goaltender, the goal should be disallowed and it should also be disallowed if the attacker initiated contact with the goalie while he was out of the crease as well.

Here is a video on twitter of the Boston Bruins successfully challenging goalie interference, check out the play here:

NHL Goalie Interference Challenges Explained:

When a coach makes a challenge for goalie interference the on-ice officials will review the play on a video monitor. All possible camera angles are looked at and the officials must decide whether or not to overturn the original call on the ice.

If the incident takes place in the last minute of play in the third period or at any point of an overtime period a challenge isn’t needed as the NHL Situation Room reviews all goals that are scored in those time periods.

If a coach loses the goaltender interference challenge his team will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game. If a challenge is successful and the goal is waved off, the faceoff takes place in the neutral zone.

If a team has already lost a coach’s challenge during the game and is unsuccessful in one or more challenges in the same game it will receive a four-minute double minor penalty for delay of game.

Was Interference Always Part of the Game?

Interference has always been a part of hockey as players try to slow their opponents down, deliver body checks and impede them whenever they can. Many times they do so when the opponent doesn’t have the puck and what’s why interference penalties are quite common.

Hockey Interference FAQs

What is the Referee Signal for Interference?

When the referee calls an interference penalty he/she will clench both fists and then cross both of their arms to create an X shape in front of the chest. The right fist will be touching the left shoulder and the left fist will be touching the right shoulder when the referee makes the X sign.

What is Face-off Interference in Hockey?

Faceoff interference should be called when the centre taking the faceoff initiates contact with the opposing centre with his stick or body before or during the faceoff instead of attempting to play the puck. This infraction will see the player replaced in the faceoff circle by a teammate and it could result in a minor penalty.

Is Interference a Common Penalty During an NHL Game?

Interference penalties are quite common in hockey and it’s not unusual to see at least one called very game. However, five-minute majors for interference are on the rare side.

Final Thoughts

Hockey fans will never see an end to interference as players are trained to hit, slow down and impede their opponents whenever they can get away with it…and of course this includes those who don’t have the puck.

In addition, a player may simply mis-time a body check and hit a player a split second too late after they have released the puck. Interference penalties are typically punishment enough for players who commit the foul while violent interference hits are rare and dealt with more harshly.

Learn about other hockey penalties in my related post “33 Types of Penalties in Hockey (Each Explained)” here.

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