How Hockey Hand Passes Work Explainer
A hockey player may use an open hand to stop, bat, or push the puck, but cannot simply close a hand on it and carry it as normal play. A hand pass is judged when a teammate gains an advantage by being the next player on that team to possess or control the deliberately directed puck.
In the NHL, play is generally allowed to continue when the hand pass is completed entirely within the defending team's own defensive zone. That exception helps defenders control pucks near their goal. A hand pass completed in the neutral or attacking zone normally brings a whistle.
If an opponent touches or controls the puck before the passer's teammate, the potential hand-pass violation can be washed out. Officials track the sequence and the zones where both the hand contact and teammate possession occur. The faceoff location follows the rule designed not to reward the offending team territorially.
A goal cannot be legally scored by directing the puck into the net with a hand. Separate rules also cover closing the hand on the puck, throwing it, or a goaltender's handling. The visible batting motion is only the beginning of the ruling; who plays the puck next often determines the whistle.
No. A player may stop or bat the puck with an open hand in permitted circumstances.
NHL play may continue when it is completed wholly within the defending team's defensive zone.
No. A goal may not be scored by deliberately directing the puck in with a hand.
Explore more "Explainers"
Discover additional explainers across politics, science, business, technology, and other fields. Each explainer breaks down a complex idea into clear, everyday language—helping you better understand how major concepts, systems, and debates shape the world around us.