Rule 626. Off-Sides

1. Players of an attacking team may not precede the puck into the Attacking Zone.

   (Note) A player actually propelling and in possession and control of the puck who shall cross the line ahead of the puck shall not be considered ``off-side''.

2. For a violation of this rule, play shall be stopped and a face-off conducted.

   If the puck was carried over the blue line at the time of the violation, the face-off shall take place at the nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot to where the puck crossed the line. If the puck was passed or shot over the blue line, the face-off shall take place where the pass or shot originated.

3. The position of the player's skates and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in deciding an ``off-side'' violation. A player is off-side when both skates are completely over the outer edge of the blue line into his Attacking Zone.

   (Note 1) A player is ``on-side'' when ``either'' of his skates are in contact with the Neutral Zone ice, or when the entire player, including both skates, is completely behind the determining edge of the blue line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the outer edge of that line, regardless of the position of his stick.

   (Note 2) The position of the player's skates is what determines whether a player is ``off-side''. However, the question of ``off-side'' never arises until the puck has completely crossed the line into the Attacking Zone, at which time the decision is to be made.

4. If an attacking player precedes the puck which is shot, passed or deflected into the Attacking Zone, but a defending player is able to play the puck at or near the blue line, the Linesman shall signal a delayed off-side. The Linesman shall drop his arm to nullify the off-side violation and allow play to continue if the defending team passes or carries the puck into the Neutral Zone.

   For Junior and Adult (male and female) games - The off-side violation will also be nullified if all attacking players in the Attacking Zone clear the Attacking Zone by making skate contact with the blue line. The Attacking Zone must be completely clear of attacking players before a delayed off-side can be nullified with the puck still in the Attacking Zone.

   During the delayed off-side, the Linesman shall stop play for the off-side violation if ANY attacking player touches the puck or attempts to gain possession of a loose puck while the puck is still in the Attacking Zone or forces the defending puck carrier further back in the Attacking Zone.

5. If a player legally carries or passes the puck back into his own Defending Zone while a player of the opposing team is in such Defending Zone, the ``off-side'' shall be waived and play permitted to continue. (No ``delayed whistle''.)

6. If, in the opinion of the Linesman, a player has intentionally caused an off-side play (including a puck shot on goal), the Linesman shall stop play immediately and the puck shall be faced-off at the nearest end zone face-off spot in the Defending Zone of the offending team.

   (Note) An intentional off-side is one which is made for the purpose of deliberately securing an immediate stoppage of play, regardless of the reason, or where an off-side play is made under conditions where there is no possibility of completing a legal play.

7. If the Linesman shall have erred in stopping play for an off-side infraction, the ensuing face-off shall take place at the nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot to the blue line where play was stopped in error.