In hockey, the area in front of the goalie-known as the “crease”-is a critical zone that demands fierce protection. The crease in hockey is an incredibly important part of the ice rink, especially if you’re a goalie. The hockey crease is the shaded (usually blue) semi-circle area in front of each goal. You will usually find a hockey crease filled in with blue paint and outlined with red paint.
For defensive players, clearing opponents from this space is crucial to ensure the goaltender has room to operate without interference, but doing so comes with a set of rules designed to balance physical play with safety. This article examines the intricacies of crease protection, highlighting what is permissible for defensemen and what crosses the line into penalties.
We start this article off by describing its main function and what exactly its used for. In this article, we’ll cover:
- What is the Crease in Hockey?
- Where is the Crease in Hockey?
- What is the Purpose of the Crease in Hockey?
- Hockey Crease Rules
- Have Hockey Crease Rules Changed Over Time?
- Hockey Crease FAQs
The crease in hockey is a goalie's paradise. It extends frontward from the net and is painted blue for a skeptic of where the goalie needs to be positioned. He also cannot be touched in this area by opposing players, which will result in a penalty. The goalie lives in this area of the ice where his sole duty is to stop the puck.
What is the Crease in Hockey?
The crease is the goaltender’s domain. Marked by a blue, semi-circular zone in front of the net, it is the space where the goalie needs to be able to move freely to track the puck and make saves. Opposing players, especially power forwards and net-front presences, often try to establish themselves in this area to screen the goalie or look for deflections. Defensive players have the responsibility of clearing these attackers away from the crease to give their goalie the best chance to stop pucks.
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Where is the Crease in Hockey?
The crease extends 8 feet wide across the net and 4.5 feet vertically. It is shaded blue so players know not to access the area without the puck, which can result in a penalty. In 2005 they extended a trapezoid behind the net for goalies to be able to play the puck and feed it to the defense or wingers for a quick break out. This has drastically changed the way the position is played.
Goalies are forced to play the puck behind the net when nobody else is back to receive a dump in or lose play. The NHL set the standard that goalies need to be able to play the puck confidently behind their net as the game is progressively moving faster every year.
What is the Purpose of the Crease in Hockey?
The main reason the crease was invented was to protect the goalie from opposing players running into them. Over the years the crease has changed shapes and size due to the speed of the game increasing. They may also use this to judge where they stand for faceoffs, one timers, breakaways, and odd man rushes.
Attackers on the opposing teams may not access the crease unless they have the puck or received a pass through the crease. It is an unspoken rule that if the goalie is touched in the crease by the other team, the goalie along with his squad will most likely try to start a fight with you.
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Navigating Crease Protection: Acceptable Actions for Defensemen
One of the primary ways a defenseman can protect the crease is by using their body. Hockey allows for legal body contact, especially in battles in front of the net. This means a defender can use their hips and shoulders to gently nudge or shove an opponent, establishing superior positioning. The goal is to make it uncomfortable for the attacker to remain in front of the net without crossing the line into dangerous or illegal play. The key is maintaining control-shoving, angling, and using strength to push the opponent out of the crease without reckless or aggressive force.
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A defenseman’s stick is another tool in their arsenal for clearing the crease, but improper stick use is one of the quickest ways to land in the penalty box. Using the stick to push against an opponent’s hips or torso to steer them away from the crease is typically considered legal, as long as it’s done with control. Cross-checking, which involves forcefully shoving an opponent with both hands on the stick, is illegal when used excessively or in a dangerous manner.
A light push on the lower back may be tolerated by referees, but repeated or heavy cross-checks-especially into the boards or near the goalie-are almost certain to result in a penalty. Defensemen must also avoid slashing, which involves swinging the stick at an opponent’s body or stick. Hooking is another common infraction that can occur in front of the net. This happens when a defenseman uses their stick to impede an opponent’s movement by wrapping it around their body or stick. Even if the intention is to gain leverage, if the stick gets caught on an opponent’s jersey or arms, the referee is likely to call a hooking penalty.
Common Penalties in Crease Battles
One of the most common penalties associated with crease-clearing is interference. Hockey is a game of timing, and interference penalties are assessed when a player impedes an opponent’s movement or ability to play the puck when the puck is not in their possession. For example, if an opposing player is camped in front of the crease but the puck is in the corner, a defenseman cannot simply grab, hold, or shove the offensive player out of the way. They must wait until the player is part of the play, at which point legal body contact becomes acceptable.
Goalie interference is a particularly sensitive issue in hockey. While clearing the crease is essential, defensive players must be cautious not to push opponents into their own goalie. When a defenseman’s actions result in contact with the goalie, referees may call goalie interference, even if the attacking player was initially positioned legally. Smart defenders clear the crease by steering attackers away from the goalie, using controlled body and stick positioning to avoid incidental contact with their netminder.
Hockey Crease Rules
There are many rules involving the crease in hockey. Even some unwritten rules that involve major ego’s. A player on the opposing team may not stand still in the crease without the puck, this will result in an infraction. A player may not deliberately cover the puck in the crease, this will result in a penalty to both teams. However, if there is a scrum in the crease and the referee cannot visually see the puck, the referee may blow the play dead whenever the time arises. The goalie can use his stick to push attackers out of his crease but cannot trip or hook.
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The Referee's Role
Referees play a crucial role in maintaining the balance between physical play and illegal interference. Crease battles can be chaotic, with players jostling for position while the puck is in play. Referees must quickly assess the situation and determine whether contact is legal or crosses the line. To avoid unnecessary penalties, defensemen should be aware of how the game is being called. If referees are cracking down on cross-checking, it’s important to dial back the physicality and focus on positional play. On the flip side, if referees are allowing more physicality in front of the net, defensemen may have more leeway to clear opponents aggressively.
Have Hockey Crease Rules Changed Over Time?
In the past 100 years of this game we love it has transitioned into something the past couldn't fathom. From wooden sticks to completely hollow carbon fiber. From goalies not wearing masks to a complete helmet around the head. Straight stick blades to curved ones. Furthermore, the crease rules have had significant changes as well.
Up to 1917 goalies were not able to drop down on the ice and cover the puck. In 1921 goalies were able to play the puck and pass up to the blue line. It took till 1931 to introduce goalie interference, an opposing player may not obstruct the goalies view or stance in the crease. Although, just five years later they changed the dimensions from 5x8 to 3x7. But in 1951 they again changed the size back to 4x8 and the goalies were once again able to play the puck if the opposing team tried to ice it. Then in 1961 goalies were not able to skate out past their own blue line, this would call for an infraction. It wasn't till the 90’s when they changed it to the shape we see today. In 99’ they revised a rule to implement a no harm, no foul, no video review standard. In the early 00’s they changed the specs on sizes of pads goalies can use and what we see today.
| Year | Rule Change |
|---|---|
| Up to 1917 | Goalies could not drop down to cover the puck. |
| 1921 | Goalies could play the puck and pass up to the blue line. |
| 1931 | Introduction of goalie interference rule. |
| 1936 | Crease dimensions changed from 5x8 to 3x7. |
| 1951 | Crease size reverted to 4x8, goalies could play the puck if the opposing team tried to ice it. |
| 1961 | Goalies could not skate past their own blue line. |
| 1990s | Crease shape changed to the modern form. |
| 1999 | Revised rule for no harm, no foul, no video review. |
| Early 2000s | Changes to goalie pad size specifications. |
Hockey Crease FAQs
Who is allowed in the crease in hockey?
The goalie is the only player allowed in the crease, unless the puck has traveled into the blue paint. Which at anypoint any player from both sides may enter the crease to fight for the loose puck if the goalie does not maintain possession of the puck.
Are players allowed in the crease?
The only point in time where a player may enter the goalies crease is when the puck is in a playable position when the goalie does not have full control over the puck.
How far can a goalie come out of the crease?
The rules have changed significantly for goalies and the crease in the past hundred years. In todays game the goalie may have access of the puck anywhere from his blue line to goal line to make a pass or play. Behind the goal line is a trapezoid, where the goalie can make contact with the puck. When behind the goal line and outside of the trapezoid the goalie will be penalized for making contact with the puck.
Who is the only player that can go into the crease?
The only player that may have access to the crease is a player with full control of the puck. He may shoot, pass, or deflect a shot with his stick in the blue-painted area.
Why is it called the crease in hockey?
The crease originated in different games long before hockey came along. There were dug-out lines in lacrosse and cricket that would eventually get the name crease.
Can you be in the crease and score a goal?
Ultimately, yes you can. You may enter the crease at the same time the puck crosses over the red line into the blue paint. Thus, giving you the go-ahead to enter the crease and tuck the puck in the back of the net. However, you may not interfere with the goalie when he takes possession of the puck.
Can you hit the goalie out of the crease hockey?
This has been a grey area for some time in hockey. It is frowned upon to hit the goalie anytime anywhere. This will result in a penalty, even if the goaltender has possession of the hockey puck.
Is it still icing If the puck goes through the crease?
If the puck enters through the sides of the crease barely missing the net it is still considered icing. Most of the time when the puck is traveling through the crease on an icing the goaltender will have to play the puck to defend their net.
Clearing the crease is an essential defensive skill that requires a combination of physicality, positioning, and game awareness. While hockey is a fast, hard-hitting game, defenders must learn to play within the rules to avoid penalties. Mastering crease-clearing takes time and practice, but when done effectively, it can disrupt an opponent’s offensive strategies and give the goalie the room they need to make crucial saves.