Rules of Air Hockey

The game of air hockey is fairly simple, and fast game. Players in air hockey do not tend to stand around the table.

The following is a simplified rule set from the USAA website, where tournament level rules maybe found.

• A player may not stand beyond the centreline of his/her half.
• The puck can only be touched by the mallet. It is a foul if the hand, arm, body or clothes touch the puck.
• Only if the puck is airborne may the mallet be lifted to strike it back. Any other time it is considered a foul.
• A goal is considered if the puck has entered and dropped into the goal, for a point to be scored.
• The player who has just had a goal scored against them starts the next serve.
• The next serve must take place within 10 seconds of the puck falling into the goal.
• The player has 7 seconds to make a shot. The 7 seconds begin as soon as the puck crosses the centreline.
• If the puck stops on the centreline, any player may strike the puck.
• The winner is the first to score 7 goals.