How are the common penalties signalled?
Rule- Canada
- Hockey Canada
- Playing rules
- Officiating
- All divisions
- 2026-27
- Playing Rules 2026-2028
- Referees
Signals from the Referee's Signals pages of the Playing Rules:
- Boarding: strike the clenched fist of one hand into the open palm of the other in front of the chest.
- Charging: rotate clenched fists around one another in front of the chest.
- Cross-checking: forward and backward motion of both clenched fists, extending from the chest about one foot.
- Butt-ending: a cross motion of the forearms, one moving under the other.
- Checking from behind: forward motion of both arms, palms open and facing away, fully extended from the chest at shoulder level.
- Clipping/tripping: strike the leg below the knee with either hand in a front-to-back motion, keeping both skates on the ice.
- Slew-footing: the same motion, but back-to-front.
- Hooking: a tugging motion with both arms as if pulling something from in front toward the stomach.
- Holding: clasp either wrist with the other hand in front of the chest.
- Holding the stick: the holding signal followed by a signal that you are holding a stick with two hands in a normal manner.
- High-sticking: both fists clenched, one immediately above the other at forehead height.
- Head contact: pat the flat (open palm) of the non-whistle hand on the side of the head.
- Interference: cross arms stationary in front of the chest.
- Kneeing: slap either knee with the palm, keeping both skates on the ice.
- Roughing: clenched fist with arm extended out to the front or side.
- Slashing: a chopping motion with the edge of one hand across the opposite forearm.
- Spearing: a jabbing motion with both hands thrust out in front of the body, then dropped to the sides.
- Too many players: six fingers (one hand open) in front of the chest.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct/diving: both hands forming a 'T' in front of the chest.
- Misconduct: both hands on hips.
- Match penalty: pat the flat of the hand on top of the head.
- Delayed calling of penalty: extend the non-whistle arm fully above the head.
Added 25 Oct 2026