How does the penalty card system in hockey work?

Answer 1

The green card is the final warning for that offence. * Green cards are relatively common. For example, over the length of the Beijing Olympic hockey tournaments, there was an average of 2.18 Green Cards awarded per game - some games involved 5 being given out. * It usually carries 1 demerit point. The yellow card is a minor personal penalty. * The player that receives it must leave the field for a minimum of 5 minutes. * The actual length depends on the seriousness of the offence - a player could be yellow-carded for a whole game if the umpire determines it so. * It carries 3 to 6 points, also dependent on how serious the offence was. 3 or 4 is common; 5s or even 6s are very rarely given out. The red card is a major personal penalty. * A player that is given one must leave the field of play and its surrounds - they cannot watch the end of the game. * It is a serious offence to receive a red card, often because of fighting or extreme misconduct. * It carries 12 points. * Additionally, a team that receives a yellow or red card must play with one less player on the field for each card given, until the suspended player is returned (which doesn't happen for a red card). Over the length of a tournament or season, any player who collects 12 points will receive an automatic suspension for the next game, and will be summoned before a judiciary to determine why the player has received so many penalties.