Checking can be defined as using physical force (without breaking the rules) to either gain possession of the puck or to disrupt the opposition’s play. The object of a check is to take another player out of the play or make them cough up the puck without ending up a player short having been sent to the penalty box.
When it comes to checking what typically comes to mind are crushing hits against the board or open ice hits that send players flying through the air. While those types of hits are certainly checks, there are other more subtle types of checks.
Poke-checks or stick-checks are when a player uses their stick to “poke” the puck away from another player. Sometimes goalies will use this technique to stop players who are trying to come around the back side of the goal.
Back-checking is when a player (usually an offensive one) comes in behind the opposing player to get into the play. This situation usually occurs after a play is broken up in the opposition’s end, a breakaway situation develops, and the players rush to their own end to get back into the play.