Incidental hits to head, responsibility in hitting.

Some people out there unfortunately don't understand that head contact can't always be avoided, here are several reasons why an automatic head checking rule would be out of line.

Player A = Hitter Player B = Player being hit

1. Player A and Player B are heading towards each other unknowingly; at the last instant Player A gets his hands/stick/shoulder up and purposefully decks player B in the head out of self defense, knocking him out

Comment: It is human nature to instinctively purposefully get your hands up to protect yourself in this situation, if the other player leaves them self open, it is merely their problem.Responsibly is to player B

2. Player B is set to catch a pass. Player A has player B lined up. As the puck reaches player B he sees player A and misses the puck, either purposefully to draw a call or accidentally because the puck bounced. Player A follows thorugh either A. crushing player B up high because player be tries to duck, or B. gets an interference call.

Comment: Outcome B, an interference call should never be used here, it is player B's responsibility. Outcome A, player B should not try to avoid contact even if he has missed the puck, responsibility is on player B.

3. Player B is waiting for a puck and Player A has player B lined up. At the last moment the puck hops over player B's stick and player A follows through.

Comment: Classic example of this is Kronwall on Havlat, it isn't a penalty, that call was wrong. Responsibility is to no one, it is merely an accident.

4. Player A is alongside Player B racing down the boards. Player B is carrying the puck. Player A goes to hit player B and player B ducks causing Player A to crash violently into the boards or smash player B in the head.

Comment: If a head hit is made in this situation a penalty is not needed, it is player B's fault entirely. If player A crashes violently into the boards it is equally both players fault. A for not being careful, and B for ducking. In this situation no penalty should be called but player B should be subject to the code of hockey and fight as an unwritten rule.

5. Player A is 6'9, player B is 5'4. Player A hits player B.

Comment: The inevitable head hit will occur in this situation. This is probably the most blatant example of why a head checking penalty is unrealistic in the context of hockey.

6. Player A has Player B lined up. At the last moment player B slips and trips. Player A knees or hits player B in the head.

Comment: Accidents happen, you can't punish a guy for nailing a guy in the head this way.

7. Player B and Player A are racing for a puck, as they reach it Player B is first. Player A goes for the puck, however player B stops causing A: Player A blasting player B in the head or into the boards B: Player B blasts player A in the head.

Comment: It happens, neither player is necessarily at fault here.

8. Player A hits Player B square int he chest, Player C then hits player B in the head due to proximity and vice versa.

Comment: No one but player A can be at fault here and as soon as they made the check they lost control of the situation, no penalty here.