IHM Knowledge Center
What Is the Difference Between Charging, Boarding, and Elbowing in Ice Hockey?
How do charging, boarding and elbowing differ in hockey, and why are these penalties considered especially dangerous?
Editor: Coach Mark • Updated: May 21, 2026
Short Answer
Charging involves excessive skating distance or force before contact, boarding targets vulnerable players dangerously into the boards, and elbowing involves illegal contact made primarily with the elbow.
Full Explanation
Charging, boarding and elbowing are all dangerous-contact penalties designed to protect players from unnecessary injury risk.
Although these penalties sometimes overlap during physical plays, each focuses on a different type of dangerous action.
Referees evaluate body position, force, intent and player vulnerability when making these calls.
Player safety is the central factor behind all three rules.
NHL vs IIHF Rule Differences
Both NHL and IIHF enforce charging, boarding and elbowing aggressively.
IIHF hockey often applies stricter standards regarding dangerous contact and head safety.
The NHL may allow slightly more physical tolerance in some situations.
The overall definitions remain very similar internationally.
What Is Charging?
Charging occurs when a player takes excessive strides, jumps or builds dangerous momentum before delivering a hit.
Common charging situations include:
- Long-distance acceleration into contact
- Leaving the skates before impact
- Explosive hits with excessive momentum
Referees focus heavily on force generation.
What Is Boarding?
Boarding occurs when a player dangerously hits an opponent into the boards, especially when the opponent is vulnerable or facing away.
Common boarding situations include:
- Hits from behind near the boards
- Dangerous angle collisions
- Violent impact into the glass
Player vulnerability is critical in boarding decisions.
What Is Elbowing?
Elbowing occurs when a player uses their elbow illegally to make contact with an opponent.
Examples include:
- Raised elbow during hits
- Direct elbow strikes to the head
- Extended-arm contact
Head-contact risk greatly increases penalty severity.
Why These Situations Are Controversial
These penalties are controversial because many hits involve multiple dangerous elements simultaneously.
Debates usually involve:
- Clean hit vs dangerous hit interpretation
- Player intent
- Head-contact severity
- Positioning changes before impact
Replay angles often influence public opinion heavily.
Edge Case: One Hit Creating Multiple Penalties
A major edge case occurs when a single hit contains elements of charging, boarding and elbowing simultaneously.
Referees must determine which infraction best represents the primary dangerous action.
Supplementary discipline may still follow afterward.
Dangerous-impact evaluation becomes extremely important.
IHM Signal System: How to Read the Situation
To evaluate dangerous-contact penalties, focus on these signals:
- Momentum signal: Did the hitter generate excessive force?
- Vulnerability signal: Was the opponent exposed near the boards?
- Contact signal: Did the elbow become the primary point of impact?
Trigger-level rule:
The more vulnerable the receiving player becomes before contact, the more likely officials are to escalate dangerous-contact penalties.
Force plus vulnerability drives most rulings.
IHM Insight: Why This Rule Is Misunderstood
Many fans think these penalties are determined only by how hard the hit looks.
In reality, referees focus more on mechanics, player vulnerability and contact point.
A lighter dangerous hit may still receive a severe penalty.
Understanding danger mechanics vs visual impact is key.
Mini Q&A
What is charging in hockey?
Dangerous momentum-based contact.
What is boarding?
Dangerous contact into the boards.
What is elbowing?
Illegal contact primarily using the elbow.
Can one hit involve multiple penalties?
Yes.
Why are these rules important?
To reduce dangerous collisions and injuries.
Why This Rule Exists
These rules exist to reduce high-risk collisions and protect players from dangerous physical contact situations.
Player safety remains the primary objective.
Key Takeaways
- Charging focuses on dangerous momentum
- Boarding focuses on vulnerable board contact
- Elbowing focuses on illegal elbow use
- Player safety drives enforcement
- Multiple dangerous elements may overlap