Re: body checking in girls hockey?

Checking would certainly NOT increase concussions if girls learned to hit and take hits properly. In fact, I think this should be done regardless of whether girls are ever allowed to body-check. A lot of girls get injured on legal(in boys I mean) hits because they aren't expecting it and cannot react quick enough. If you can't take a hit, you shouldn't play hockey. Obviously illegal hits are a different story as they are far more difficult to protect oneself from; however, there is no reason girls shouldn't skate with their heads up and be prepared to take some contact. Of course, most girls won't do this unless checking is legal... legalizing checking will generally make them better hockey players.

Also for those of you that mentioned some girls being too weak. Well that happens in boys too. And guess what? They don't get to play at the highest level and that's OK. I think that lower level girls should definitively not have hitting, but why not for higher level? If your skilled but not strong enough then you're either going to have to train harder or drop down. Why is this a problem? It lets those with the best physical skills shine and makes hockey more fun for everyone. Perhaps it would have a negative effect, making size a more important aspect to the female game, but lack of size can be made up in strength.

Honestly, ask any player from the Olympic teams and most NCAA players and they will tell you that they want body checking. It keeps players honest(forcing them to keep their heads up and maintain a stronger body position so they don't get crushed) and lets those with strength, toughness and grit stand out.