As children all over the United States ready themselves to play the best games of hockey around their local area, they are also reminded by their coaches that grassroots hockey is played under different standards than the games that are played by members of the National Hockey League. The rules of the game are very similar to those that are adhered to by the National Hockey League but certain standards had to be changed to protect the innocent.



Clarifying these standards in terms where children can understand them though has been rather difficult at times. Some managers of grassroots hockey teams have found that only by putting those standards to paper will help aspiring hockey players learn the game correctly. When children are learning to play hockey, it helps to be able to have a ready reference point to turn to so that they can remember the new standards and ensure that they are playing fairly no matter what time of the year the hockey game is being played. The standards for USA Hockey teams serve as a guide for youth hockey teams all across the United States.

USA Hockey teams train extensively throughout the year in hopes of winning a spot at the USA Hockey National Championships. Five sites have been selected to hold championship games for all USA Hockey youth, includes championships for Girls' and Women teams. If all of these groups follow the new standards then there is a good possibility that they will enjoy playing hockey competitively at a playing level that is meant to offer them the best protection.

Enforcement of rules has been given priority one ranking in the standards that youth play hockey by. All eyes will be trained on how youth are skating on the ice and how they handle the puck when it is in their possession. This rule enforcement standard will ensure that all players are playing hockey according to the rules of the game in every sense of the word. All youth hockey players will be scrutinized as to how they choose to use their body during all periods of play.

Other areas that will also be under scrutiny during a youth hockey game will be how the player uses the hockey stick. There are severe penalties awaiting an individual that participates in hooking, tripping, holding, or causing any type of interference between themselves and another player during a hockey game. Any use of the stick is restricted to contact with the puck and other forms of contact with this piece of equipment will be penalized.

With so many areas under scrutiny, parents are comforted by the fact that the new standards have been put in to writing. Children cannot be expected to remember so many especially when the action on the ice gets intense. While they are trying to remember to avoid contact with another hockey players head, and remembering not to check from behind or cross checking, it will be a marvelous achievement if every youth hockey player will actually be able to leave the game without scoring any penalties. The hockey game will be a safe game with these new standards.