This Rule shall be a point of emphasis for the 1998-99 season.

(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.

(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who restrains an opponent who is attempting to "forecheck."

(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player who deliberately checks a defensive player who is not in possession of the puck.

(d)A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who shall cause an opponent who is not in possession of the puck to be forced off-side, causing a stoppage in play.

(e) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent's hand, or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.

(f) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause him to be distracted. (See also Rule 88(a) - Throwing Stick.)

(g) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the players' bench or penalty bench who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with the movements of the puck or any opponent on the ice during the progress of the play.

(h) If, when the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, any member of his Team (including the goalkeeper) not legally on the ice, including the Manager, Coach or Trainer, interferes by means of his body, stick or any other object with the movements of the puck or an opposing player, the Referee shall immediately award a goal to the non-offending Team.

(i) When a player in control of the puck on his opponent's side of the center red line and having no other opponent to pass than the goalkeeper is interfered with by a stick or any part thereof or any other object thrown or shot by any member of the defending Team including the Manager, Coach or Trainer, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending Team.

(NOTE 1) Obstruction:
Obstruction shall be defined as any tactic by a player who attempts to or who restrains an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or who physically prevents an opponent from moving freely in the direction he wishes to go. The term "obstruction" shall be used coupled with the appropriate foul (holding, hooking, interference, tripping) when the obstruction offence occurs in the neutral zone.

(NOTE 2) Body Position:
Body position shall be determined as the player skating in front of or beside his opponent, traveling in the same direction. A player who is behind an opponent, who does not have the puck, may not use his stick, body or free hand in order to restrain his opponent, but must skate in order to gain or reestablish his proper position in order to make a check. Failure to do so may result in an obstruction penalty being assessed.

A player is allowed the ice he is standing on (body position) and is not required to move in order to let an opponent proceed. A player may "block" the path of an opponent provided he is in front of his opponent and moving in the same direction. Moving laterally and without establishing body position, then making contact with the non-puck carrier is not permitted and will be penalized as interference. A player is always entitled to use his body position to lengthen an opponent's path to the puck, provided his stick is not utilized (to make himself "bigger" and therefore considerably lengthening the distance his opponent must travel to get to where he is going); his free hand is not used and he does not take advantage of his body position to deliver an otherwise illegal check.

(NOTE 3) Possession of the Puck:
The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession.

(NOTE 4) Restrain:
The actions of a player who does not have body position, but instead uses illegal means (e.g. hook with stick; hold with hands, trip with the stick or in any manner) to impede an opponent who is not in possession of the puck. Illegal means are acts which allow a player to establish, maintain or restore body position, other than by skating.

(NOTE 5) Pick:
A "pick" is the action of a player who checks an opponent who is not in possession of the puck and is unaware of the impending check/hit. A player who is aware of an impending hit, not deemed to be a legal "battle for the puck," may not be interfered with by a player delivering a "pick." A player delivering a "pick" is one who moves into an opponent's path without initially having body position, thereby taking him out of the play. When this is done, an interference penalty shall be assessed.

(NOTE 6) Free Hand:
When a free hand is used to hold, pull, tug, grab or physically restrain an opponent from moving freely, this must be penalized as holding or obstruction - holding. The free hand may be used by a player to "fend off" an opponent or his stick, but may not be used to hold an opponent's stick or body.

(NOTE 7) Stick:
A player who does not have body position on his opponent, who places his stick above the waist or uses his stick (either the blade or the shaft, including the butt end of the shaft) to impede or prevent his opponent from moving freely on the ice shall be assessed a hooking or an obstruction - hooking penalty. EXCEPTION: When a player is in possession of the puck, a defending player may check the offensive player by using his stick as long as he does not break any other rule such as slashing, cross-checking, high sticking, etc. Use of the stick in these situations would only be permitted once the player has already established body position and the position of his stick is only to assist him with directing his opponent into the boards for the purpose of separating the player from the puck (a legal body check)

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