Not Gam

It is less of penalizing the third man into a battle, and more of penalizing checks by said third man, however, regardless, I believe that it will get widespread enforcement, and most of the time, when going in to help the battle, it ends up becoming a check, so that is probably what the officials are calling, although I don't know having not been there. Edit for clarification: It is probably what they were calling, although I can't be sure, so don't quote me on this.

That is correct. I just did my officiating seminar about a week ago, and it was commented on that you may be working a high school game with delayed offsides / icing allowed on penalties, and then you go work an 18U game and you have to call it, its going to be confusing for people who work high school and 16/18U. I'm not sure if its necessary, but I can clarify the body checking rules a bit. The way it is worded in the rulebook, and what I was told at the seminar, is that the player being checked must have possession and control of the puck, so once they pass or shoot the puck they are NOT able to be checked anymore, 640b: "A minor penalty shall be assessed (except Adult Male Classifications) to any player who delivers an avoidable body check to an opponent who is no longer in control of the puck. A player who has released a shot or pass is no longer considered to be in control of the puck. They are considered to be vulnerable or defenseless and are not eligible to be body checked.". You can also no longer check someone who is in a battle with someone else for the puck, 640e: "A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who delivers a body check to an opponent who is physically engaged for possession of the puck with one or more other players.", and you have to keep your stick down whenever you check someone, 640d: "A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who delivers a body check with no effort to gain possession of the puck and the blade of the player’s stick is above the knees.", there is also "with no effort to gain possession of the puck" in that rule, so you still technically can, under specific circumstances. Slap shots in 10U is allowed now, checking both the 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 rulebooks, the 2017-2021 rulebook has, under rule 621d: "The use of the “slap shot” in the Youth and Girls’ 10 & under age classifications and below is prohibited. When a player who, in the process of making a forehand or backhand shot or pass, raises the blade of the stick above his waist as part of the backswing, play shall be stopped immediately and a face-off is conducted at one of the end zone face-off spots of the offending team." The 2021-2025 rulebook has that part removed, although it has also added that "A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for high sticking." as rule 621c. Rule 621c of the 2017-2021 rulebook is now 621d, and there is no 621e. https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/document/64ec-2477985/2021-25_USAH_Casebook.pdf#_ga=2.86590303.636818795.1628705157-771630046.1627933915 is the link to the 2021-2025 rulebook + casebook (what all officials get) if you want to check my rule references or look up others or something else. I'm not sure if the online rulebook has been updated yet, although I don't think it has. Hitting CTRL+F should pull up a search bar if you want to quickly check for something (I use chrome, not sure if it differs on anything else). I'm not sure if any of this is confusingly worded, so please feel free to ask something if you want clarification.

USAH official here, the intent of the rule is to prevent people from cheering when a "big hit" is delivered, goals, injuries, and whatnot are still fine, and yes, there is a warning about a penalty before it is given. Sorry for a late response, I didn't know about this forums existance.