What do you think is the most difficult thing to explain to someone watching their first hockey game at the Pond?

I chose Icing. I can explain the rule, but when the person asks me why, I don't have an answer.

I can explain any of them. It's just that some people lack the mental capacity to understand.

I took offsides, because it's the one that I usually have to explain a number of times before people seem to grasp it.

easily Parros.

cause it evolves into the age old 'fighting is tradition' discussion where you have to inevitably explain that george asks if he can 'get a fight'

Icing.

Everyone usually knows what fighting is. It's why new fans go.

Icing is common, and the easiest to explain.

Or you could do a run-down of penalty calls.

More options should be possible in this case. When I try to explain hockey to my fellow Dutchmen, they usually don't get offsides. They don't get icing the puck, although offsides they just refuse to understand. But the hardest part to explain is the fighting: 'Is that legal?', 'They don't get suspended for that?', 'That's sick!'. NO! That's cool to watch! Seeing Ryan Getzlaf toe-drag his way around the defense and feed Corey Perry in the slot is sick.

If we're playing LA, it's hard to explain that they're pros. Or something

Icing

With offsides in a close second

offsides....seems like i have to explain it about 4 or 5 different ways before people can even start to comprehend it

I have to explain icing alot. Offsides is next. I still can't see it half the time.

Not everyone understands fighting. Took my sister to a game a few years ago. She did not understand why the two players were fighting and even funnier, leaned over and asked why the refs weren't stopping them. After I was done laughing, I explained, but she still didn't get it.

And it annoys me to know end: why it's not boring.