This is a typical ice hockey rink, surrounded by boards, with goals at each end, a centre line, blue lines to mark the neutral zone, and face-off spots. Each team has six players on the ice at any one time, including the goaltender, and the objective is to score goals by shooting the puck into the other team's goal net. Players use long sticks with a curved blade to do this. They can pass forwards and backwards, and may also redirect the puck with any part of their bodies except their hands. Men's ice hockey is a contact sport and players are permitted to 'body check' opponents into the boards to stop their progress. Body checking is not allowed in women's ice hockey.

When play is stopped for any reason, it is restarted with a face-off. Two opposing players face each other and an official drops the puck on the ice. The two players then attempt to gain control of the puck. A player who is awarded a penalty shot is allowed to pick up the puck on the red centre line and attempt to score. Apart from the goaltender, no other players from the opposing team are allowed on the rink.