Ice hockey is a sport enjoyed by many young people. A high proportion of injuries in hockey appear to result from intentional body contact or the practice of checking. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting checking in hockey players 15 years of age and younger as a means to reduce injuries. Strategies such as the fair play concept can also help decrease injuries that result from penalties or unnecessary contact.
Hockey is classified as a collision sport because of the intentional body contact, called body checking, that occurs. Because collisions in this sport may occur at high speeds, participants are at risk for serious injury. In recent years, an increase in the number of serious head and neck injuries related to body checking has alarmed the hockey community and led to reclassifications of youth hockey.
Being body checked from behind, resulting in a collision with the boards, was the most common mechanism of injury. A recent study showed that body checking accounted for 86% of all injuries occurring during games. The use of face masks and helmets give players a false sense of protection. The players in the age group 14-15 years often suffered the most injuries; related to the variations in size and strength of this age group.
The fair play concept was developed to improve sportsmanship and reduce injuries. Teams and individual players with few penalties are rewarded and teams and individuals with larger numbers of penalties are punished. The authors of this concept believe the system decreases penalties, intimidation, and violence during hockey and creates a climate that promotes fun and player development.
In conclusion, studies have shown that a high proportion of youth hockey injuries are attributable to checking and that limiting checking can reduce injuries. Youth hockey programs need to educate players, coaches, and parents about the importance of knowing and following the rules as well as the dangers of body checking, especially from behind.
~Committee on Sports Medicine & Fitness