Before the new season gets too far along, there is an opportunity for the Flyers Cup leagues to adopt the “tag-up offsides” in place of the current USA Hockey rules that immediately whistle a stoppage on an offsides at the offensive blue line. Under tag-up, all attacking players must all leave the offensive zone by “tagging up” on the blue line, and then re-enter the zone to pursue the puck after they have all cleared the zone.

Each local HS league needs to petition the Atlantic District for an exemption to adopt tag-up offsides. Since HS leagues are viewed as “Rec/In-House” by USA Hockey, we can request this exemption. The PIHL (supposedly) has already done this in the Mid-Am District and is playing their HS season using tag-up offsides. When players move on to NCAA or ACHA college hockey, they will play tag-up offsides. The pros, the preps, and virtually everyone except USA Hockey never left or has returned to the tag-up offsides.

This really needs to be a Flyers Cup-wide change if it is adopted. Teams need to play under this rule consistently, especially since the club players won’t be given the opportunity. It can’t be league by league since we have many crossover games. It would put one team at a disadvantage if playing an offsides rule they weren’t used to. If we all do it, then the State Championships can use it too; otherwise the PIHL will play the USA Hockey offsides in those games only.

I’m curious about other peoples’ thoughts on the subject. If it’s a good idea, should we be working to have it adopted area-wide before the season gets too far along? I think this would speed up games by reducing the number of stoppages and even reduce the number of penalties by eliminating the holding and interference calls that seem to be so common on face-offs under the new enforcement “rules”.

I'm all for it.

It needs to happen, it would give the "new" Game a better flow to it, With all of the stoppages the teams can't get anything going.

I normally only see 2-3 offsides a game that are "stupid" to call, ya know when the puck is in only a few inches and the defensive players gets it and starts to move forward.
I think the defensemen having to handle the puck and become a little creative with what they do outweighs those few calls that stop the flow of the game.
Though if HS hockey went back to tag up, I'd be alright with that too.

Carl great suggestion.
However, this was brought up a few months ago, when the PIHL adopted the tag up. In order for this to happen, ALL leagues must agree. A few of the powers to be thought it best NOT to petition a rule change.

If USA Hockey (Atlantic district) is trying to mirror the NHL with the NEW STANDARD OF PLAY RULES, why not change to the tag up.

Watching hockey games with the TAG UP is a much better game both for the fans and the players.

Am ALL for the change.

Good points all, Rich(RK),

I guess it begs the question who those "powers that be" are, their reasons for their opposition, and what it takes to change their minds. I assume you mean one or more league Presidents.

I think the leagues need to formally or informally poll their coaches on the issue and see if a clear majority want or don't want the change. If the change can't come from the top down, it will need to come from the coaches.

USA Hockey's offsides rule is premised on skills development and certainly can be judged on that basis for younger players, but HS hockey is that "next level" of meaningful competition for most of our players. And for those that are going to go on, well its tag-up for them in the future, too.

Given the time pressure the new standard of play puts on a game slot, speeding up games by reducing stoppages or any other strategy to be sure that games don't get their 3rd periods shortened should be given serious consideration on that basis alone.

I'm still waiting to read some meaningful arguments for the status quo.

Carl,
I hope you guys can generate something to speed up the game. Once again another Varsity game ran almost 2 hours last night because of "the new standard of play". Tag up off sides may help this ongoing problem with less stoppages?

It would be an excellent change. When USA Hockey added the speed up face-off (5 seconds) they offset it by going back to the instant offsides. Simpler for the refs, but sssslllooooowwww for the game.

Rich, the rule change would only be for HS not the district. National Federation HS rules use touch up and USA Hopcky allows HS leagues to apply for an exemption from touch up to use the NFHS rule instead.

Carl, Has there been any movement for this yet?

To your knowlege has the leagues conducted any votes to see who's in?

The only reason I'm asking is because time is ticking and the district loves to make excuses such as "it's to late now, try again next year". They don't like being told their current systems should be changed.

The tag up could help the nightmare slow down with all the penalties and stoppages now.

As Rich has indicated,the Flyers Cup Committee did discuss this (in June?) and didn't pursue it. Some of that is their decision process that requires all leagues to agree first, something that obviously didn't happen at the time.

I think the time issues of the "new standard of play" are an obvious reason to re-open the discussion, even if Tag-up Offsides didn't carry the day before on its own merits. At this point, its up to the coaches to get their leagues to move on the issue. This forum is just a place to "prime the pump".

As far as the District and timeliness, I don't think AAHA really cares--we're only "REC/In-house" anyway. If the change were instituted mid-season (by Christmas break), that would still give everyone enough time to get used to it before playoffs, etc. After that, if everyone is satisfied with it, we could renew the Tag-up offsides year after year.

Another option would be to use Tag-up in the Christmas Tournaments (Iceline, Aston, FSZ) in the area and see how it goes, then adopt it (or not) after the holidays. I assume the few eastern PA teams that are playing in western PA will get to experience Tag-up this fall--hopefully not to their surprise, and may bring back some useful insight into its "benefits".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CarlWood,

I can look into that for the tournament? I will discuss that with the troops.

Carl, I couldnt agree with you more. My son is playing D3 ACHA and they use this. It makes for a much better flow.

While I agree that Tag-Up Offsides is something that should be implemented at the higher levels (Bantam, Midget, HS), I can say that both college and junior coaches have gone on the record saying "the rule change (no tag-up) has actually benefitted the skill development of players entering the college & junior ranks" or something to that effect. I will look for the quote and post if I can find it

According to a usually reliable internet posting, the USA Hockey national meeting has approved Tag-Up Offsides for all HS games to provide nation-wide consistency on this rule.

Good job by all who worked to get this changed. It will be interesting to see how it affects the flow of the games this coming year.