4-a-Side Ball Hockey - Fall 2024 Rules

Urban Rec Okanagan Ball Hockey Rules

Match Format

Play is 4-on-4 plus a goalie. Teams require at least 3 players plus a goalie in order to not default and receive a fine.
Games are 50 minutes long (continuous run time); consisting of two 25 minute halves with a 2 minute break between. The length of the halves and the break may be reduced at the discretion of the referee. Any default games will be recorded as a 1-0, on the score sheet, victory for the team that shows up.
Game times start on the hour sharp! (Check your schedule), please be at the facility and ready 10 minutes before the start of your game.
Teams that cannot field a team (minimum 3 + goalie or 4 players) within 10 minutes of their start time will automatically get a default fine. At the time it is encouraged that the teams mix the teams and play a fun game. Players who arrive late are allowed to play; however, the default will not be reversed once a team has enough players to field a team.
If a game is tied at the end of regulation time in the regular season, the game will be decided by a 3-person shootout. The home team decides who shoots first. If still tied after 3 shooters, it goes to 1 shooter a piece until decided. After the first 3 shooters, anybody can shoot.
If a game is tied in playoffs, 3-on-3 overtime will be played (3-minutes for quarterfinals, 5-minutes for semifinals, continous for finals), followed by a 3-person shootout if tied at the end of OT. The higher seeded team chooses who shoots first. If still tied after 3 shooters, it goes to 1 shooter a piece until decided.
If a game is within 2 goals there will be stop time for the last minute unless the divide increases to 3 goals.
Mercy rules are as follows – 10-goal spread at any point in the second half (teams can discuss continuing to play out the clock) or 7-goal spread in the final 3-minutes of the second half (game is called when the clock hits 3:00 or a goal is scored in the final 3-minutes).
If two or more teams are tied in the standings at season's end, the tie breakers are – Regulation Wins – ROW – Wins – Head-to-Head – Goal Differential – Goals For
To be eligible to play in any Urban Rec league all players must have signed an online waiver. Players that do not sign an online waiver will not be allowed to play. Teams that do not fill out the online team rosters by the end of week 2 will be removed from the schedule until they do so and all players have signed the waiver.
Playoffs Eligibility – all players must have played a minimum of 4 games over the regular season (for 14 week seasons) or 3 games (for 12 week seasons) to be eligible to play in the playoffs. A team using an ineligible player will automatically forfeit the game. If a player shows up that is not on the team roster they will not be allowed to play regardless if they played or subbed during the regular season. All players must be on the roster even if they are subs.
Recreational Roster Strength Policy – Recreational teams are asked to limit the number of Intermediate/Competitive players on the roster to no more than four. And to do their best to limit their roster to one Competitive player per game. Competitive players may sub on a recreational team IF the other Competitive player is not present. The sub(s) may not play in the playoffs regardless if they play 4 games. Games won due to having too many Competitive players on the roster may cause a team’s reseeding. Note – Some players that play in the Intermediate division are not considered Intermediate players and certain players will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Goaltenders are also judged on a case-by-case basis.

Any exceptions to this policy must be submitted to urban rec via email within 48 hours of their game play. If a Competitive player is injured/unable to play for the remained of the season, a replacement could be considered.

Equipment

Players must bring their own equipment to each game; the league will not supply any equipment, except for the nets and game ball. Player equipment needs to include: a stick, hockey gloves and a helmet
Players may wear soccer-style shin pads if they desire. Players may also wear a visor. This equipment is optional (although recommended) and not mandatory.
Teams must have matching jerseys (same colour, not exact same jersey) with numbers on them. Players must not wear duplicate numbers. In the event that both teams are wearing the same colour, the away team must change into a different coloured jersey,
Goalie's equipment must include: goalie legs pads, a glove (trapper), blocker, chest/arm protector, and facial protection (mask).

Match/Game Rules

A referee will be present at every game. The referee will call infractions and count goals counted. They will work in conjunction with the Coordinator to keep score, and keep stats.
If the Coordinator on hand (in conjunction with the referee) feels the game is getting too aggressive or out of hand it is their right and responsibility to call an end to the game. The score at the time of the Coordinator calling an end to the game will stand as the final result.
When the ball goes outside of the playing area or strikes obstacles above the playing surface (exception: side boards, glass or netting), play will be stopped. The face-off location will be determined by which team last touched the ball before it left the playing surface.
When the goalie stops play by covering the ball, play will recommence with a face off in the defensive zone.
The goalie is not permitted to come across center.If the goalie does cross the center line, they will be assessed a Minor penalty.
Players may not make contact with the ball above their shoulders; slap shots are permitted, but please be aware of your stick at all times
Offsides and Floating Blue Line - Ball Hockey mirrors international hockey in that there is no 2 line pass. However, the largest difference between Ball Hockey and most forms of Ice Hockey is the "Floating Blue Line" that regulates offsides in the offensive zones. Once a player has moved the ball over the blue line into the attacking zone, the attacking zone increases to include the entire opponent's half of the rink.

Infractions/Penalty Details

The league has the right to expel any player/team from the league if they deem to play in an unsafe manner or threatens any other players, teams, and/or officials in the league. Expelled players/teams will not be entitled to a refund.
Our league utilizes delayed penalties. This means the goaltender of the team receiving the power-play can leave the floor for an extra attacker. Play will stop once the penalized team gains possession of the ball. The faceoff will be held in the defensive zone of the penalized player.
Penalties assessed to goaltenders are to be served by a teammate that was on the floor at the time of the penalty call.
Penalties are three minutes running time, and are to be served until a goal is scored or their time expires. A player who receives three minor penalties will receive a game ejection. The 3rd penalty is to be served by a teammate that was on the floor at the time of the penalty call.
Double minors are six minutes running time and count as two minor penalties. If a goal is scored in the first three minutes of a double minor penalty the remaining time is reduced to three minutes.
Coincidental penalties are penalties of the same length that occur during the same stoppage. Coincidental penalties do not result in a loss of manpower for either team.
Major penalties are seven minutes running time, and are to be served for the full duration regardless of how many goals are scored. Major penalties are defined in the "Penalties" section, but may also include any minor penalty the referee deems to be vicious or intentional in nature. All major penalties will result in an automatic game misconduct. GM automatically result in a minimum 1 game suspension pending review by league officials.
In 4-a-side play the shorthanded deficiency will not be less than 4 on 2. If a 3rd penalty is taken, the player will join the other 2 players in the penalty box and the penalty will commence once the first penalty has expired.
All major penalties will be reviewed by the league for possible disciplinary action. Disciplinary decisions will be based on the severity of the infraction, the number of majors/minors incurred by the player to date, and may result in suspensions, fines, or a ban.

Penalties (organized alphabetically within each of the 3 categories)

Physical
	Minor	Player uses any method to send an opponent forcefully into the boards.
	Major	Vicious/Intent or the player receiving the hit becomes injured.
Body Checking	Minor	Player uses their body to forcefully hit another player.
	Major	Vicious/Intent.
	Major	Player takes more than two steps to deliver a body check.
	Major	Player uses their elbow to hit an opponent.
	Major	Player throws a gloved or ungloved punch (possible season suspension)
	Major	Player is involved in a second fight (suspended the remainder of the season)
	Major	Player leaves the bench during altercation or is the third player involved.
	Minor	Player is deemed to be the instigator of a fight (served by teammate).
	Minor	Player grabs and holds onto an opponent or their stick
	Minor	Player impedes the progess of an opponent who doesn't have the ball.
	Minor	Player impedes a goalie's ability to make a save.
	Minor	Player uses their knee to hit an opponent.
	Major	Vicious/Intent or the player receiving the hit becomes injured.
	Minor	Player uses excessive pushing, shoving or body contact etc.
	Major	Vicious/Intent.
Slew Foot	Minor	Player uses their foot or leg to cause an opponent to fall.

Technical
	Minor	Player verbally abuses an opponent or official or breaks/throws a stick etc
	Major	Player physically abuses, or attempts to intimidate in any way
Delay of Game	Minor	Player purposely delays the game in any way
	Minor	Ball shot over the boards in defensive end (1st is a warning/2nd is a minor penalty)
	Minor	Ball intentionally shot into either team's bench when penalty killing (1 warning)
	Minor	Covering the ball with a hand or foot for more than 1 second.
	Minor	Goalie covers the ball behind the goal line while not contacting the crease
	Minor	Goalie fails to play the ball after being instructed to do so by the referee
Improper Equipment	Minor	Player fails to wear proper equipment. Player cannot play until resolved
Penalty Shot	-	Player breaks any rule to prevent a scoring chance on a breakaway
	-	Player covers the ball in the crease with a hand for more than 1 second
Too Many Men	Minor	Team has more players than are permitted involved in the play

Stick
Butt Ending	Major	Player jabs an opponent with the top (butt end) of his stick
Cross Checking	Minor	Player uses two hands to hit an opponent with the shaft of their stick
	Major	Vicious/Intent
High Sticking – see note below	Minor	Player hits the ball or an opponent, or the ball, with their stick above their shoulders.
	Major	Vicious/Intent
	Minor	the act of using the stick in a manner that enables a player or goalkeeper to restrain an opponent
Playing – Broken Stick	Minor	Player (goalies excluded) throws, or continues to play with a broken stick
	Minor	Player uses their stick to hit an opponent or their stick below crossbar height
	Major	Vicious/Intent
	Major	Player jabs an opponent with the bottom (blade end) of their stick
	Minor	Player uses their stick to cause an opponent to fall

NOTE: High Sticking –

If the stick hits an opponent the penalty is delayed – potential double minor

If the high stick causes blood – major and a delayed penalty

If there is no contact with a person – immediate whistle and minor

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League Rules

4-a-Side Ball Hockey - Fall 2024 Rules