- The position of the player's skates and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an off-side. A player is off-side when both skates are completely over the outer edge of the blue line involved in the play.(NOTE 1) A player is on-side when either of his skates are in contact with, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the outer edge of that line regardless of the position of his stick.
(NOTE 2) It should be noted that while the position of the player's skates is what determines whether a player is "off-side", nevertheless the question of an "off-side" never arises until the puck has completely crossed the outer edge of the line at which time the decision is to be made. (NEW for 2005-06): If while an off-side call is delayed, the Linesman shall drop his arm to nullify the off-side violation and allow play to continue if:
- All players of the offending Team clear the zone at the same instant (skate contact with the blue line) permitting the attacking players to re-enter the attacking zone, or
- The defending Team passes or carries the puck into the neutral zone.
(NEW for 2005-06): If the attacking Team does not clear the attacking zone, play shall be stopped for the off-side violation if any attacking player touches the puck, or attempts to gain possession of a loose puck while the puck is still in the attacking zone, or forces the defending puck carrier further back into the attacking zone.(NOTE) If the puck enters the defending team's goal during a delayed off-side, the goal is disallowed. The face-off will be in the neutral zone. If in the opinion of the Linesman, an intentional off-side play has been made, the puck shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot in the defending zone of the offending Team.(NOTE 1) An intentional off-side is one which is made for the purpose of securing a stoppage of play regardless of the reason, whether either Team is short-handed. (NOTE 2) If, while an off-side call is delayed, a player of the offending Team deliberately touches the puck to create a stoppage of play, the Linesman will signal an intentional off-side. | 
