USA Hockey's Board of Directors overwhelmingly passed all aspects of the Progressive Checking Skill Development Program at its 2011 Annual Congress. The new rules will impact all divisions of play, but will have the greatest impact on the Pee Wee level where legal body checking will no longer be permitted.
The program includes the following elements:
It encourages more body contact in the pre-body checking age categories by providing more training and support for coaches and referees; and encouraging more legal body contact in the pre-body checking age categories through “Point of Emphasis” rule #1 passed by the Board.
It tightens the standard of play for intimidation hits in the legal body checking age categories. Beginning in the 2011-12 season, legal body checking in games will begin at the Bantam age level (ages 13-14).
