Elbows

[LAXLoofer]

Is leading a take-out/bodycheck with the elbow making contact first (prior to the shoulder) legal?

If not what's the call?

Example scenario:
Blue defender and two red attackers in a bit of a man-ball situation. The typical groundball scrap.
Red attacker comes in for the check from blue's left side but has elbow out at a right angle making contact with the armour and "drilling" it into the defender to the point where the defender "slacks off" in a bit of discomfort by having his armour chest-plates lifted and body dug into by said elbow.

Red attacker has both hands on the stick and the point of contact is below the shoulder, but only just!!

Is it a hold, illegal body check, unnecessary roughness or a fair challenge?

Also what if the sequence were the other way around? The shoulder contact first and then the elbow drilling in?

Just a thought...

[dblacklock]

Use of the forearm in a check whilst holding on to the stick is legal (assuming from the front between the shoulders and hips). Leading and contacting with the elbow is an illegal body check, or Unnecessary roughness - 1-3 minutes or an expulsion if warranted.