Roughing

Roughing is an offense and penalty in ice hockey ^{[1] [2] [3]} when two players are in a minor altercation. The incident would have to be minor for either player to be categorized as such an offense, for instance:

• A player striking another opponent
• A goalie using their equipment to punch an opponent

Other sports usage

In broader sports terminology it is also used in penalty calls given in American, or gridiron football, although the calls usually include the position against which the infraction was committed.

• Roughing the passer, when the quarterback is hit and the hit is deemed to be intentional and not the result of incidental or unavoidable contact.
• Roughing the kicker, when a kicker is intentionally hit well after the ball has been kicked away.

References

1. National Hockey League (2024). "Rule 51 - Roughing". Official Rules 2024-2025 (PDF). New Market, Ontario: Raster Graphics. p. 83. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-12-22.
2. International Ice Hockey Federation (May 2025). IIHF Official Rulebook 2025/26 (PDF) (1.0 ed.). Zurich. p. 93. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-06-04.
3. Professional Women's Hockey League (2024). PWHL Official Rulebook 2024-2025 (PDF). Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-06-04. Retrieved 2025-06-03.