Game Rules for Air Hockey

Air hockey is a sport played both casually and professionally. It is played on an air hockey table with two mallets used to hit a thin puck into the opposing goal. The official rules of the sport are set by the United States Air Hockey Association (USAA).

Player Rules

A player may stand anywhere around the air hockey table as long as he does not cross the center line. The referee will call a "palming" foul if any part of a player's body or clothing touches the puck at any time.

Mallet Rules

Players may hit the puck with any part of the mallet except the bottom. A player cannot use her mallet to stop the puck by placing it on top of the puck, except when trying to bring an airborne puck down to the table. A player may only use one mallet at a time in a match.

Puck and Scoring Rules

Only one puck can be in play at a time. For a goal to be counted, the puck must enter and drop into the goal. The player scored on will then receive possession. A goal will not count if the scoring player committed a foul prior to the goal. When a puck enters a player's zone, the puck must be shot out of the zone within seven seconds. If a puck is sitting on the center line, both players have the right to hit it.