IHM Knowledge Center
Can a Player Deflect the Puck with Their Body in Ice Hockey?
Can hockey players legally redirect the puck with their body, and what body movements become illegal during scoring plays?
Editor: Coach Mark • Updated: May 21, 2026
Short Answer
Yes. Players may legally deflect the puck with most parts of their body as long as they do not use illegal motions such as kicking or throwing the puck into the net intentionally.
Full Explanation
Hockey rules allow many types of accidental or controlled body deflections during active play.
Players often redirect pucks off their chest, legs, hips or torso while screening goalies or battling near the crease.
These deflections are usually legal if they happen naturally within normal hockey movement.
Illegal body actions generally involve deliberate kicking motions or intentionally directing the puck illegally with the hands.
NHL vs IIHF Rule Differences
Both NHL and IIHF allow legal body deflections.
The overall standards regarding natural redirections are very similar internationally.
Differences mainly involve interpretation of kicking motions and intentional body propulsion.
Video review is commonly used during controversial goals.
Common Legal Body Deflections
Legal body deflections often involve:
- Chest redirects
- Leg or shin-pad deflections
- Hip redirects near the crease
- Accidental puck bounces during screens
Natural positioning is usually considered legal.
What Makes the Deflection Illegal?
A goal may be disallowed if:
- The player kicks the puck deliberately
- The puck is intentionally thrown with the hand
- The movement clearly propels the puck illegally
Officials focus heavily on active motion and intent.
Why These Situations Are Controversial
Body-deflection goals are controversial because small movements can completely change whether the play is considered legal.
Debates usually involve:
- Natural positioning vs active redirection
- Kicking-motion interpretation
- Intentional body angle adjustments
- Slow-motion replay analysis
Very subtle movements can create major controversy.
Edge Case: Skate and Body Combination Deflection
A major edge case occurs when the puck changes direction off multiple body parts during one sequence.
For example, the puck may hit the shin pad and then redirect off the skate before entering the net.
Officials must determine whether any illegal kicking motion occurred during the sequence.
Multi-contact plays often require video review.
IHM Signal System: How to Read the Situation
To evaluate body-deflection situations, focus on these signals:
- Motion signal: Was there active propulsion?
- Positioning signal: Was the player naturally set?
- Direction signal: Did the body intentionally redirect the puck illegally?
Trigger-level rule:
Natural deflections are usually legal, but deliberate kicking or illegal propulsion motions create immediate review risk.
Officials separate redirection from intentional force generation.
IHM Insight: Why This Rule Is Misunderstood
Many fans think all body-contact goals are suspicious or illegal.
In reality, hockey rules allow a wide range of natural puck deflections during offensive play.
The key issue is not the body contact itself, but how the puck was directed.
Understanding natural redirection vs illegal propulsion is key.
Mini Q&A
Can players deflect the puck with their body?
Yes.
Are all body deflections legal?
Not always.
What makes a deflection illegal?
Kicking or illegal intentional propulsion.
Do referees review these goals often?
Yes.
Why is this rule important?
To balance legal redirections with fair scoring standards.
Why This Rule Exists
This rule exists to allow natural hockey movement while preventing illegal methods of directing the puck into the net.
Fair scoring standards are the primary goal.
Key Takeaways
- Many body deflections are legal
- Natural redirections usually count
- Kicking motions are illegal
- Video review is often important
- Intent and movement determine legality