What is the Red Line in Hockey? (with pictures)

A hockey ice field is separated into different areas. They are divided into blue and red segments. The blue line aids in determining offside. The red line splits the ice horizontally along the middle. It is essential to many parts of the match.

What do the hockey red lines do in the center and corners? There are 3 red lines on an ice hockey field. There are two narrow target lines at the corners of the field. They are used to evaluate icing and whether a point is achieved. On the other hand, the center red lines’ primary purpose is to aid in the regulation of icing.

What are the purposes of different red lines on the ice hockey field? If you need to know, go ahead!

What is the Red Line in ice hockey?

In ice hockey, there are two lines, a blue line and the red line that separates the rink. The blue line marks the boundaries of the different areas. These areas make up a hockey rink playing surface. But the red line splits the rink down the middle lengthwise. 

The initial take-off of each session and all of the face-offs following scores are held in the center of the rink. It is also called the center line. 

These face-offs occur at the face-off ring, which is at the center of the field. Most significantly, icing calls are made using the red line.

You can read this related post: What is the Hand Pass Rule in Hockey?

Center Red Line

The red line that splits the ground in half in the middle of a hockey rink is very important. The center red line describes this clearly. But the red line in the middle is not only for decoration. Its major objective is to assist in maintaining regulation. It forbids players from blasting the ball onto the ice without any penalties.

When hockey originally began, players used to blast the ball onto the ice. They blast the puck when the opposing team is on the verge of a goal or to help manage a lead in the finale of the match. 

A shootout will occur in the attacking area of the squad that pushed the ball onto the ice when a squad is penalized for icing. The umpire will quickly whistle. As a result, the opponent player will have a big edge. 

Goal Red Lines

The goal lines are the remaining two red lines on the field. The goal lines have two purposes.

First, they aid in determining whether a game is icing or not. That is a part of the regulation. The other requirement for icing is that the ball must cross the goal line. The game will resume if the ball that was hit does not completely cross the target red line on the other side of the rink.

Second, the goal line will aid in determining whether or not the ball has reached the target. The hockey net is positioned in the match in a way that it goes between the two positions and along the goal area. If the ball enters the net, it counts as a goal.

You can read this related post: How Do Line Changes Work In Hockey?

Trapezoid

The trapezoid is determined by a few markings that have been placed on the red goal line behind the goal. The goalkeeper can only touch the ball in this space behind the goal line. 

The specified region is the space to the left and right of the trapezoid where the goalkeepers are not permitted to control the puck. They will be given a 2-minute penalty if they do. This is because goaltenders can now hold the puck in the corners of the ice like a third defenseman.

They would get the ball from the side as it was thrown into the area and throw it to a partner. 

Related: Other rules that involve the Red Line

The goalkeeper can’t hold the ball in the Red Line

Once the ball has passed the center red line into the other team’s side of the ice, the goalkeeper is not permitted to carry or handle the ball. It would be simple and typical for the goalie to push the ball up the ice.

2 Lines Pass

Since 2005–2006, this regulation has been revoked and is no more in the rules. Thus, a 2-line pass occurs when a player transfers the ball from inside their area to a player. The player will be on the attacking side on the opposite side of the center red line.

Conclusion: What is the Red Line in Hockey?

There are three red lines in hockey, two corner lines, and one central line. The NHL created the center red line as a barrier against this. A team would now need to pass the center red line to throw the ball into the other area. Otherwise, they would be penalized for “icing.”