Odd Man Rush

Odd Man Rush is an offensive rush that occurs when players from a team enter the attacking zone and their number of attacking players outnumbers the defending players already in the zone. For example, if the attacking team enters the zone with three players, but only one defenseman is in the zone, it is considered an odd man rush. Some people specify the various odd man rushes by stating the number of players. In the previous example of three attackers and a single defenseman, it would be called a “three-on-one” rush.

An odd man rush gives the attacking team an advantage since they can maneuver around the fewer number of defenders and optimize where they take their shot on the goaltender. In odd man rush situations, the goaltender usually prefers the defenseman stay between the puck carrier and one of the other attackers, in hopes they can eliminate one potential pass from happening, and allow the goaltender to have a full view of the puck carrier.

Other things to consider when looking for obstruction is that it must be actual and not potential. If a defender is not within playing distance, considered a stick’s length away, then it is not obstruction. A player’s intent, position, and timing have to be considered when applying this rule. If a player moves to prevent their opponent from playing the ball before it goes out of bounds, then that is obstruction.

A player who is dribbling must be careful not to let the ball drop back so that her body prevents a legitimate play from a defender. During free hits and side-in plays a teammate may not make a screen or cut in front of a defender as the ball is hit. This act can also be obstructing. If a player sends the ball through the legs or their opponent, and the opponent makes no attempt to block or screen the offensive player it is not obstruction. The offensive player must avoid contact and go around the opponent, they cannot force their way into the opponent.

Another type of obstruction is “third party obstruction”. This happens when a third player takes a position between their opponent and the ball so that his or her teammate can play the ball. This happens quite frequently in novice games when someone accidently finds themselves standing between their teammate with the ball and an approaching opponent. Neither screens or picks can be used as this too is obstruction.