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Checking in ice hockey is the act of physically keeping an opposing player in check. It is usually not a penalty.

Young boys are taught proper body checking technique

There are multiple types of checking:

Body checking 

Is extremely useful, and can be used to lay someone out. Using the hip (also known as hip checking) or shoulder to knock an opponent against the boards or to the ice. This is often referred to as simply checking or hitting and is only permitted on an opponent with possession of the puck. Body checking taken too far is penalized as charging, as is hitting from behind. Any body checking is a penalty in women's hockey. It is also usually not allowed in amateur leagues and leagues with young children. Some intramural university leagues do not permit bodychecking in order to reduce injury and avoid incidents of fighting. "Leaning" against opponents is an alternative to body checking but, if abused, may be penalized as holding.

Poke checking 

Using the stick to poke the puck away from an opponent.

Sweep checking 

Using the stick in a sweeping motion to knock the puck away from opponents or deter them from passing.

Stick checking 

Using the stick to interfere with an opponent's stick.

Forechecking 

Pressuring an opposing puck carrier (analogous to a full-court press in basketball).

Backchecking 

Rushing back to the defensive zone in response to an opposing team's attack.

Cross-checking 

The act of checking an opponent with the shaft of the stick held in both hands and with arms extended. This is illegal and earns a minor or major penalty depending on the severity of the infraction.

Lift checking 

A player lifts or knocks an opponent's stick upwards with his/her stick followed immediately by an attempt to steal the puck. This may also be used by a defenseman to keep an opposing player from deflecting shots when both players are positioned in front of the net.

Press checking 

A type of stick check used to stop or control the movement of an opponent's stick by placing stick pressure over top of the opponent's stick.

For the 2005-2006 season, the NHL instituted stricter enforcement of many checking violations that in previous seasons would not have been penalized. The intent of the new standard of enforcement was to fundamentally alter the way hockey is played, rewarding speed and agility over brute strength, as well as increasing opportunities for scoring and minimizing stoppage of play. The result is a faster-paced game with generally higher end-of-game scores than in previous years.

• New Standard of Rule Enforcement 2005-2006 from NHL
• Background on Checking from Hockey Canada
• Research Paper on hockey injuries (PDF format)
• USA Hockey Coaching Education Program manual called 'Introduction to body contact'

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