Safety in youth ice hockey: The effects of body checking

Ice hockey is a sport enjoyed by many young people. The occurrence of injur y can offset what may otherwise be a positive experience. A high proportion of injuries in hockey appear to result from intentional body contact or th e practice of checking. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limit ing checking in hockey players 15 years of age and younger as a means to re duce injuries. Strategies such as the fair play concept can also help decre ase injuries that result from penalties or unnecessary contact.