What are the lines on a hockey rink? Accurate dimensions of the skating rink surface in each zone

Have you ever been curious about what are the lines on a hockey rink? Do you find that there are certain lines, circles, or locations that make you scratch your head? If you answered yes to either question, you are not the only one.

In this blog, Adam Matter will show you know the answer as well as provide you know accurate dimensions of the skating rink surface in each zone. What are you waiting for? Let’s explore right now!

What are the lines on a hockey rink?

The lines on a hockey rink are the boundaries of the playing field. They are also called the boards or “ice”. The outside boundary of the rink is referred to as the blue line. It is 12 feet from each end zone. The center line is 9 feet from each end zone, and it runs through the middle of the rink.

There are two blue lines and one red line on a hockey rink. The red line cuts the rink in half, and each of the blue lines is 25 feet from the red line. This makes a “neutral zone” of 50 feet between the blue lines and the red line. On each end of the ice, there is a thin red line that goes all the way across the width of the rink. For a score, the puck must completely cross this “goal line” (into the goal). At each end of the rink, the goal lines are 11 feet from the boards and about 64 feet from the blue lines.

Detail information about the hockey rink’s zones

The playing surface of a hockey arena is divided into thirds. The “defense zone” is the area between the boards behind your goal and the first blue line, as seen from in front of one goal and looking at the other

It’s a strip of land around 75 feet long that your squad is tasked with protecting. The 50 feet inside the blue lines are known as the “neutral zone,” and the 75 feet past the second blue line toward the far end of the rink are your “offensive zone” or “attacking zone,” where your offensive players are more likely to score.

The goaltender is allowed to touch the puck in a trapezoidal space directly behind each net. There are two lines that go in a diagonal from the goalposts to the railings in the back. This space is 28 feet wide at the sidelines and 18 feet wide at the goal line.

Accurate dimensions of the skating rink surface in each zone

The skating rink surface divides the hockey rink into three zones: the defensive zone, the neutral zone, and the attacking zone.

The defensive zone is the area closest to the blue lines. It is 20 feet wide and it extends 8.5 feet into the attacking zone. The neutral zone is the area in between the blue lines and the red line. It is 25 feet wide, and it extends to either side of the attacking zone. The attacking zone is the area closest to the goal. It is 25 feet wide and it extends from each end of the rink to 3 feet inside of each goal line.

The dimensions for each zone are as follows:

Center line

The center line is the line that goes across the middle of the ice. All face-offs at the start of the period and after a goal take place along the line in the neutral zone face-off circle.

The center line also has a role in icing. If you don’t know what that is, we explain it below under the Goal Line subheader here.

Basically, if you shoot the puck into the opposing team’s zone behind the center line, your team could be called for icing. The next face-off would take place back in your zone.

Face-off locations

All face-offs in the defensive zone and the neutral zone take place along the blue line. The center line is 3 feet from the blue line, and all face-offs in the attacking zone take place along the red line.

Goal line

The goal line is at each end of the rink, and it’s 11 feet from the boards. The goal line is also 3 feet inside of each red line.

The goal line is horizontal across the net. This line divides a goal from a non-goal as the ball enters the net.

A goal is scored when the puck crosses the goal line. It’s not a goal if the puck touches the goal line.

Icing calls are made at the goal line. Icing occurs when a team clears the puck behind the center line. If a defending player reaches the end zone face-off dots first and is closest to the puck, the play is dead.

In the offending team’s zone, the face-off follows. The offending team cannot change lines before the face-off either.

Blue lines

The blue lines are the dividing line between the zones. They’re 25 feet from the red line. They’re also 3 feet from the center line.

The blue lines are used for face-offs, and they’re also where pucks that cross the goal line end up when they’re played in your zone.

Red and yellow lines

The red and yellow lines are the lines that go across the top of the ice. They’re also 2 feet from the red line and 1 foot from the yellow line.

These lines are used for face-offs, but they’re also where pucks that cross the goal line end up when they’re played in your zone.

Face-off circles

A total of 5 face-off circles can be found on the ice: 4 in-zone and 1 in the neutral zone. Each participant, with the exception of the two centermen, is separated from one another by a circle 30 feet in diameter.

The circles are used for face-offs, and they’re also where pucks that cross the goal line end up when they’re played in your zone.

Goal crease

The goal crease is the area in front of the net. It’s 12 feet wide and it extends to each side of the net. It is used to protect the goalie, and any player who enters it could be called for interference.

It’s also important to note that a goal is not counted if the puck goes into the net while a player is in the crease.

Confined space for goalkeepers

The area in front of the goalie’s net is a confined space. This means that the goalie can’t cross the red line to help out on defense, and he can’t go behind the net. It’s also important to note that a goal is not counted if the puck goes into the net while a player is in the crease.

How large is the NHL ice?

A standard National Hockey League rink measures a little over 200 feet in length and 85 feet in width. The rink has rounded corners and “boards” (walls) that are 40 to 48 inches high to keep the game moving smoothly.

A set of plexiglass sheets rests on top of the boards. (Because to safety concerns with the older, less forgiving tempered glass systems, the NHL mandated that all teams upgrade to plexiglass systems for the 2011–12 season.) Fans can get a good look at the game without having to worry about being hit by stray pucks thanks to the protective glass.

Over the sideboards, it rises an extra five feet, and at both ends, it soars up eight. Shots that are tipped or deflected can travel high over the glass and out of play, thus there is additional netting at both ends of the rink to protect the spectators behind the goals.

Unlike ice skating rinks, which can have a wide variety of sizes, hockey rinks in North America, including those used by the NHL, are all the same size.

Ice skating rinks are typically open from late December – mid-February, depending on weather. Warming houses will close when unsafe ice conditions exist or the temperature is 10 degrees below zero or colder or a minus 10 degree wind chill is present.

Source: https://www.blainemn.gov/

FAQs: What are the lines on a hockey rink?

How are the lines on a hockey rink created?

The lines are hand-painted, and the Hardee’s star and Hurricanes insignia are stenciled. After applying a third layer to seal the paint, the remainder of the ice surface is dispersed.

What are the three different types of lines on a hockey rink?

The center-ice line serves to divide the rink in half. Each team’s defensive zone is denoted by the bluelines. The area bounded by the blue lines is known as the neutral zone. At the extreme ends of the rink, a red line stretches across the width of the ice.

How far away is the blue line in hockey from the goal line?

The neutral zone side of the blue lines must be 64 feet from the back of the goal lines. The blue lines shall run horizontally across the width of the rink, parallel to the goal lines, and vertically up the entire height of the side boards. regarded to be within the zone where the puck is.

Are defenders permitted to cross the blue line?

Often, defense skaters “play the blue line” in the attacking zone. It is their responsibility to maintain the puck in the offensive zone by preventing it from crossing the blue line that marks the beginning of the offensive zone.

Conclusion

In sum, hockeyheritage.org has covered what are the lines on a hockey rink, the role of face-offs, the goal line, and the crease. Understanding these lines and their rules can help you understand the game of hockey better and help you become a better player.