Body Checking.

Body checking has a variety of techniques like hip checking, shoulder checking, side checking, back checking, front checking, and fore checking. Side checking is the most common form of body checking. To accomplish this you drive your shoulder, upper arm, hip and elbow, equally into the opponent to stop them from carrying the puck down the ice. 

The purpose of body checking is simply to separate an opponent from the puck while maintaining your balance and position without committing a penalty. It also gives you the chance to gain possession of the puck and take it in for a goal.

Front checking is another form of a body checking. Front checking is accomplished by using the front of your body while facing the front of the other player and taking them into the boards. In a front check you want to use the entire body to check the opposing player to gain possession of the puck or to allow a team mate to gain possession of the puck. Remember to always have your head up. Here is a video showing examples of legal and illegal body checks.