The stopconcussions.com guidelines were created as a “code of conduct” for players to follow in order to play with respect for themselves and others.

The following guidelines, if adhered to, will help prevent serious injury resulting from body contact:

1. Avoid hitting another player from behind

• Respect everyone’s safety
• Avoid hitting from behind when near the boards
• Never hit to the head

2. Be aware of the checking perimeter

• Checking perimeter = 1 metre from the boards
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings when in this area
• Be cautious at all times

3. Be ready to take a hit

• Communicate with teammates
• Be ready, keep your legs moving, drive through the check and don’t slow down
• Look over your shoulders when going into the boards to know where people are

4. Keep your arms up when going into the boards

• Get your arms up to absorb the impact
• Keep two hands on your stick, absorb impact with shoulders and legs
• Avoid going head first into the boards – keep your chin up

5. Always approach the boards at an angle

• Avoid skating straight into the boards
• Look over your shoulders
• Retrieve puck by approaching at an angle
• Keep moving

6. Keep your head up while handling the puck

• Always have your head up while skating and stickhandling
• Control your stick at all times
• Avoid making bad passes and try to create optimum passing angles that allow your teammates to keep their heads up

7. Be the best skater you can be

• Develop strong skating and good acceleration
• Always work on your backwards skating skills
• Increase balance and agility to improve turning and pivoting skills

Please help support our research initiatives so we can better understand the injury and help Make Hockey Safer.

www.playitcoolhockey.com