If you're anything like me, you don't speak the language of sports. I have never been an avid sports fan. Before college, you couldn't get me to watch a televised sports game even if you paid me.

However, ever since I started school, I've really gotten into going to sporting events to cheer on the Fordham Rams. Whether it's hanging out with my friends or just getting a change of atmosphere, sports games are really fun to go to. They're even more fun if you actually know what's going on in the game.

I've recently become a fan of ice hockey. I put together a fool-proof guide for anyone who wants to watch hockey. Whether you're like my roommate who solely tunes in just to see the gloves come off, or if you're really interested in watching the game, this handbook will most definitely help you. Even though he told me not to credit him, I'm crediting my boyfriend for helping me learn all the rules of hockey.

1. The basics

The game is played on an ice rink, which is broken down into three zones: two offensive/defensive zone, as well as a neutral zone. There are nine face-off dots throughout the ice: five in the neutral zone and two in each offensive/defensive zone, respectively.

There is one red line (which is in the middle of the ice), two blue lines (which are in the neutral zone separating the three zones), and two goal lines (which denote the line where the net of the goal is on).

2. The players

There are roughly twenty players on a team: traditionally, there are twelve forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies. Six members of each team play on the ice at a time. The coach can tell players to change constantly throughout the game. The players include one goalie, two defensemen, and three forwards. Also on the ice are the two referees and the two linesmen.

3. Starting the game

To begin, the referee drops the puck in the center face-off circle. The player in the middle (who is called "the center") from each team "faces off", which signals the start of the game. Each game consists of three periods, each lasting twenty minutes. The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team.

4. Penalties

There are many penalties. The most important ones include:

charging (a player skates more than a few steps to "check" the opposing player), tripping (a player trips another player with a puck)

hooking (a player uses their stick to "hook" and pull another player back)

slashing (a player whacks another player with their stick)

interference (one player impedes another player from getting to the puck),

a hit to the head, a hit from behind, and a crosscheck (a player holds their stick with both hands and hits another player).

Penalties range in duration, but generally last two minutes. If a team takes a penalty, the player who received the penalty goes into the penalty box, therefore leaving the opposing the team with a man up (this is call a "power-play"). The most you can be "man up" is two players, as the opposing team can have at least three players.

5. The rules

No team is allowed to have more than six players on the ice at a time.

A player cannot enter an offensive zone before the puck enters the zone first. If this occurs, this is called "offside". If the puck comes out of the offensive zone, all offensive players must skate out of the offensive zone.

A player cannot shoot the puck to the other end of the ice before crossing the red line at the center. If this occurs, this is "icing".

If either offside or icing occurs, the play stops; a face-off is taken in the respective zones to restart the game.

When a goal is scored, the play stops and there is a face-off again in the center of the ice.

If, after three periods, the score is tied, the game goes into overtime, which is typically five minutes long.

6. Being at the game itself

Since it's at an ice rink, it's going to get pretty cold. However, some ice rinks have heaters above the section where the crowd sits. Sometimes I've actually gotten too toasty and had to take off a few layers. Having said that, it's always good to layer up and bring a blanket.

I usually wear a thermal shirt underneath a (Fordham) hoodie with a vest or jacket on top, along with jeans. On my feet, I wear thermal or fuzzy socks with boots. Some might find my choice of clothing a bit extra, but I'm always freezing to begin with and I prefer layering any day.

Make sure you know the basic rules of the game so that you can cheer on the right team; don't always go by what the crowd is cheering because the last thing you want to do is cheer on the opposing team.

Most rinks serve basic sports game food, like popcorn, chips, pretzels, and more, so there's no need to worry about getting hungry.

Pro tip: start heading to the concession stands or bathrooms a minute or two before the period is over so that you can beat the lines!

Now that you know the basic rules of hockey, feel free to show up to any hockey game or NHL viewing party with complete confidence that you know your stuff. Enjoy the game!