- It's interesting because when I was reviewing the film and wrote the paragraph about not thinking it was a charging penalty, I did think to myself and almost wrote that it was maybe closer to a boarding call as the player from your team that got hit was about a foot or so from the boards and his head was driven into the boards but I still thought that the main penalty was a check directly to the head but I would not argue against a boarding call, the match penalty, etc.
- After the player passes the puck, he technically shouldn't be checked or it's interference but there is always that split second after the pass that the refs will allow a legal check ...... the check here was probably a little late after the pass.
- It's been a long time since my sons were involved in youth hockey but when they got to the level where checking was allowed, the coaches had to go to a seminar on checking so they could teach it properly and the players and parents watched a video on checking (what was proper and what was not) ....... then for parts of several practices checking was taught and practiced before scrimmages or games started..... even then it was a work in progress for awhile.
- As far as a player defending themselves, you always have to be prepared/expect when you have the puck and shortly after you pass it for a possible check ...... the player on your team was vulnerable because he got caught in a bad position to take a check as when you are close to the boards and a checker is coming you don't want to be facing the checker directly with your chest/stomach and also not be on the boards to brace yourself ..... you can't defend yourself in that position ....... it's a matter of best positioning the body to take the force of the check ..... generally you should rotate so that your shoulders/arm/hips are facing the oncoming checker and take the force of the hit while your opposite shoulder/arm/hips are braced against the boards with your head up .... of course, the defender was head hunting so there still may have been injury..... but you have to always be aware and protect yourself as best you can..... maybe some of these other very knowledgable posters who were forwards or defenseman can give better advice about checking then an old goalie .... LOL !
- Here is a video below from USA Hockey about some basics of checking and taking a check ...... read it, I think the part about taking a check starts at the 7:24 point and it tells some off-ice drills to practice checking and taking a check ..... maybe it will be helpful .... I believe they have some on-ice video's also but just found this one quickly ......
