Tony Buffa wrote:
 
> I vaguely recall a rule in college hockey, way back in the good ole days
> (say mid 60s and earlier) in which the offense was prohibited from
> throwing checks in their offensive zone.  It was called, logically enough,
> "no checking in the offensive zone."  Now I may have dreamt it.  It has
> been 32 yrs since I watched a college live.  Anyone out there care to
> comment on whether this is a figment of my imagination?
 
> If it did exist, I don't recall it reducing the violence much.
 
According to the 1966-67 rule book (the earliest that I have), Rule 12
Section 2a: No player may be body-checked unless he is in possession of the
puck.  A defending player may body-check an attacking player only when the
defending player has both skates ENTIRELY behind the red line dividing the
Neutral Zone.  A player is in possession of the puck (even though he has
passed or shot the puck) until that puck is controlled by an opponent or a
teammate.  Also, a player may be body-checked if the defensive player has
started his body-check before the pass or shot was controlled by a teammate
or opponent.
 
Penalty - Minor
 
Then follows some examples.
 
This same rule appears each year until 1972-73 when it was eliminated on a
trial basis.  (The rule number did change along the way.)  It apparently
became permanent a year later.
 
Ralph Baer
RPI '68, '70, '74
 
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