Five lines are painted on the ice for a hockey game. Each line signifies a division of the ice and where players can go and when they can get there. The red lines -- one at center ice and two end zones -- are vital when it comes to clearing the puck out of your own defensive zone and into the attack zone.
Center Ice
The center ice red line divides the ice in two. The opening face off of the game and all subsequent periods is held at the center ice face off circle, which is located in the middle of that red line. When a skater has the puck, he must cross the center ice red line before dumping the puck past the far red line deep in the offensive zone.
End Lines
The lines at the far ends of the ice are both red. If you are going to shoot the puck past the end line in your team's offensive zone, you must be across the center ice red line first. If you shoot it past that end line and you have not crossed center ice, your team will be called for icing if the opponent touches the puck before you do.
Goal Line
The goal line is located in the center of the red lines at either end of the ice. The goal is 6 feet wide by 4 feet high. If the puck crosses the goal line completely, a goal is scored. It doesn't matter if the puck crosses the line by a fraction of an inch -- it is still a goal as long as none of the puck is touching the red goal line.
Playing Short-handed
A player does not have to cross center ice with the puck before firing the puck all the way past the far red line if his team is playing short-handed. When a team is a man down, it can fire the puck down the ice from any point without an icing call. This gives the short-handed team an opportunity to relieve the opponent's offensive pressure if it gets possession of the puck.
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