It happens in the blink of an eye. Two players are battling along the boards, or maybe they're just skating through the neutral zone, and suddenly one guy’s feet fly out from under him like he stepped on a banana peel. He hits the ice hard. His head snaps back. The whistle blows, or maybe it doesn’t, but the bench is already screaming. If you’ve spent any time around a rink, you know exactly what just happened. That’s a slew foot in hockey, and honestly, it’s one of the dirtiest things you can do in the game.
Hockey is a violent sport, sure. We accept the big hits and the occasional scrap. But there’s a code. You hit a guy through the chest. You don't take his legs out from behind when he can't protect himself. A slew foot isn't just a penalty; it’s a betrayal of the respect players are supposed to have for each other’s careers.
What exactly is a slew foot in hockey?
Basically, a slew foot is a two-part move designed to make a player fall backward with zero control. According to the NHL Rulebook (Rule 52), it occurs when a player uses their knee or foot to knock an opponent’s skates out from under them while simultaneously using an upper-body motion—like a shove or a pull—to knock them backward.
Think about the mechanics here. If someone just trips you, you usually fall forward. You can put your hands out. You can brace yourself. But when someone kicks your feet forward and pulls your shoulders back? You’re going down on your tailbone or, even worse, the back of your head. It’s the lack of a "fail-safe" that makes it so incredibly dangerous.
The NHL defines it very specifically because they want to distinguish it from a standard tripping minor. To get called for a slew foot, you usually have to see that "pincer" movement. One part of the aggressor goes forward (the leg), and one part goes backward (the arm or hand).
Why the NHL hates it (and why you should too)
It’s about physics. And medical bills.
When a player is slew-footed, they lose their center of gravity instantly. Because the force is applied to the back of the legs, the torso rotates backward. This often leads to "whiplash" style concussions. The back of the helmet hits the ice with the full force of the player’s body weight behind it. We aren't just talking about a bruise on the backside. We’re talking about cracked skulls, spinal compression, and torn ACLs.
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Look at some of the most infamous instances. Guys like Brad Marchand or P.K. Subban have faced massive scrutiny over the years for these types of plays. Marchand, in particular, has a history that has made him a case study for the Department of Player Safety. In 2021, he was suspended three games for slew-footing Oliver Ekman-Larsson. It wasn't a massive, explosive collision. It was subtle. A little kick to the back of the heel. But that’s all it takes to end a season.
The fine line: Slew foot vs. Tripping
You’ll hear fans complaining all the time that a "trip" was actually a slew foot. Sometimes they’re right. Sometimes they’re just biased.
A trip is usually accidental or a result of a reaching stick. If a defender loses a step and sticks his blade out to catch a guy’s skate, that’s two minutes for tripping. The key difference? The upper body. If the defender isn't using his hands or arms to pull the player down while kicking the feet, it’s rarely classified as a slew foot.
However, the "Intent to Injure" clause often comes into play. Referees have the discretion to escalate a slew foot to a match penalty if they think the player was trying to cause harm. If you’re playing in a beer league or a youth league, the rules are often even stricter. USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have zero-tolerance policies for this stuff because they don’t have the world-class doctors that NHL teams have waiting in the locker room.
The role of the Department of Player Safety (DoPS)
If you follow hockey Twitter, you know the "Wheel of Justice" meme. Fans feel like the NHL is inconsistent with how they punish the slew foot in hockey. One day it’s a fine, the next it’s a five-game suspension.
But the DoPS, currently headed by George Parros, looks at a few specific criteria:
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- The Force: Was it a "violent" sweep or a subtle nudge?
- The History: Is this the player’s first offense? (The "Repeat Offender" status adds up fast).
- The Result: Did the victim get injured? (The NHL denies this matters, but everyone knows it does).
There is a psychological element to it as well. It’s considered a "cowardly" play. In the old days, if you slew-footed someone, you’d have to fight the toughest guy on the other team immediately. Today, with the "instigator" rule making fighting less common, the league has to use heavy fines and suspensions to keep players honest.
How to spot it in real-time
It’s hard. It really is.
If you’re watching a game at full speed, a slew foot looks like a weird, awkward tumble. You usually have to see the replay from the side angle to notice the leg sweep. Watch the aggressor’s trailing leg. If they "kick through" the back of the opponent’s calf while their hand is on the opponent's chest or shoulder, you've got a slew foot.
Breaking down the "Dangerous Trip"
Some European leagues have different terminology, but the outcome is the same. In the KHL or SHL, you might hear it described simply as a dangerous trip with a match penalty attached. The global hockey community has reached a consensus: this move has no place in the game.
It’s one of the few penalties where the victim’s teammates will usually jump in regardless of the score or the time of the game. It’s an instinctive reaction. You see your guy go down like that, and you know how dangerous it is. You protect your own.
The "Subtle" Slew Foot
Not every slew foot is a WWE-style takedown. The most dangerous ones are often the ones that look like nothing. A player is gliding toward the bench, and an opponent just gives a little "can-opener" with their leg. The player isn't expecting it, their muscles aren't tensed, and they fall perfectly flat on their back.
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This is why players are taught from a young age to keep their knees bent and their weight slightly forward. If you’re standing tall on your skates ("straight-legged"), you’re a prime target for a slew foot.
Why do players still do it?
Frustration. Pure and simple.
You’re losing a puck battle. You’re tired. You’re annoyed that the guy you’re guarding has been chirping you all night. You want to take him down, but you don't want the ref to see a blatant cross-check. So, you try to "accidentally" tangle your feet with his. It’s a split-second bad decision that can cost a team a game and a player a career.
Actionable insights for players and coaches
If you're a player, coach, or even a parent, understanding the gravity of this move is vital for player safety.
- For Players: Focus on your "hockey stance." A wide base and a low center of gravity make it much harder for someone to sweep your feet. If you feel a hand on your chest and a foot behind your heel, try to lean forward or drop to your knees rather than falling backward.
- For Coaches: Teach "proper" contact. If your players are struggling to win puck battles, teach them how to use their hips and shoulders legally. A slew foot is often a sign of a player who hasn't been taught how to use their body weight correctly in a check.
- For Refs: Watch the "free hand." Usually, a slew-footer will use their non-stick hand to provide the leverage needed to pull the opponent back. If you see a hand grab a jersey or a shoulder during a leg-tangle, that's your cue to blow the whistle.
Understanding a slew foot in hockey isn't just about knowing the rules; it's about understanding the culture of the sport. It’s a game of speed and power, but it only works when there’s a baseline of safety. Take that away, and you aren't playing hockey anymore—you’re just asking for someone to get hurt.
Keep your head up, keep your knees bent, and play the game the right way. The respect of your teammates and opponents is worth way more than a cheap takedown in the corner.