Hand pass in USA Hockey, NFHS, NCAA and ACHA rules
Every code lets a player stop the puck with a hand. Passing it by hand to a teammate is limited, and the codes differ on where it is allowed.
USA Hockey Hand pass under USA Hockey rules
USA Hockey 2025-29 rules (2026-27 season)
- A hand pass to a teammate is allowed only when it starts and ends in the passing team's defending zone. USAH 618(b) p. 193 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- A goal can never be scored when the puck was propelled by an attacking player's hand, whether it goes in directly or off another player. USAH 618 p. 193 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Rule of the Week cards
NFHS Hand pass under NFHS rules
NFHS 2026-27 (page cites from the 2024-25 book where noted)
- Players may pass the puck by hand to a teammate only when both are in their own defending zone. A hand-pass violation brings a faceoff at the offending team's defending-zone spot. NFHS 9-4 p. 47 (2024-25 book) NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
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- Hand passes, control and possession NFHS 9-4-1, NFHS 9-4-3, NFHS 9-4-4, NFHS 9-4-5, NFHS 9-4-6
NCAA Hand pass under NCAA rules
NCAA 2026-28 rules (IH28)
- Changed in 2026-28: play is no longer stopped for a hand pass between players in their own defending zone. The zone is judged by where the puck is when each player touches it. NCAA 84.1-84.3 pp. 100-101 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- A puck that simply deflects off a hand, with no advantage gained, is not a hand pass. NCAA 84.1-84.3 pp. 100-101 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
Rule of the Week cards
- Hand passes in your own defending zone no longer stop play NCAA 84.1, NCAA 84.2
ACHA Hand pass under ACHA rules
ACHA 2026-27 (NCAA Men's D-I rules + ACHA additions)
- ACHA plays the NCAA 2026-28 hand-pass rule. NCAA 84.2 pp. 100-101; ACHA additions pp. 4-5 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Rule of the Week cards
- Hand passes and high sticks: the ACHA version NCAA 84.2, NCAA 84.4, ACHA Additions 84, 84.3/84.4