4-a-Side Ball Hockey - Fall 2020 Rules

Urban Rec Okanagan Ball Hockey Rules

Match Format

1. REMINDER: This is a non-contact recreational ball hockey league. We understand that intermittent contact can occur but it is our expectation that players respect the need to maintain some space and do not intentionally hit, push, shove, or connect with another player if it is not a part of the play on the ball.
    

This reminder is much more important now than ever before and our officiating staff will be directed to ensure that safety of our members is the top priority.

Note: COVID specific penalties on last page.

1. 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.

COVID NOTE: players and goalies may only play for 1 team and may not sub outside their cohort. All substitutions must be pre-approved by URO management (Dale/Jamie).

1. Games are 50 minutes long (continuous run time); consisting of two 25-minute halves with a 1-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.

1. Game times start at on the hour sharp!

COVID NOTE: Teams will be permitted to enter the facility 10 minutes before game time. Players are expected to arrive ready to play as there will not be access to changerooms.

Goalies ONLY may have access to Locker Room 1 (closest to pop machine). Only goalies from same cohort may be in room together.

1. If a game is tied at the end of regulation time in the regular season, the game will end in a shootout. Each team gets 3 shooters. If still tied after the shooters then it goes to 1 shooter a team until decided.

1. If a game is tied in playoffs, then they will go to a 3 man 5-minute overtime. If still tied at the end it will go to 3 shooters. A coin will be tossed to decide on who chooses to shoot first or last. If still tied it goes to 1 shooter a piece until decided.
    

COVID NOTE: regular season games will end in a tie due to timing of games.

1. If a game is within 2 points there will be stop time for the last minute unless the divide increases to 3 goals.
    
2. If two or more teams are tied in the standings at season's end, the 1st tie-breaker will be the team with the most wins. The 2nd tie-breaker will be head-to-head results. And the 3rd tie-breaker will be the team with the highest goal differential total for the season.

1. 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 issued membership cards and 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.

1. Playoffs Eligibility – all players must have played a minimum of 4 games over the regular season 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.
    

Equipment

1. 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. Face shield or mask is recommended.

1. 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.

1. Goalie's equipment should include: a glove (trapper), blocker, chest/arm protector, and facial protection (mask). A goalie’s leg pads cannot exceed a maximum width of 14 inches

Participant hygiene guidelines
 

1. Players and goalies must have their own equipment.
    
2. Individual water bottles are mandatory. Players are strongly encouraged to not share water bottles. Should a player need a water bottle, we have hundreds of individually wrapped bottles on-site that can be purchased for $2 a bottle.
    
3. Players are encouraged to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth when participating in play.
    
4. Players are encouraged to carry and use their own sanitizer before, during, and after games.
    
5. Players are encouraged recognize high traffic touch points and avoid them if possible.
    
6. Players are encouraged to practice proper respiratory etiquette. Coughing/sneezing into a tissue or the inside of the arm/elbow is encouraged. Spitting and clearing of the nasal passages is forbidden. Any player caught spitting on the benches or the court will be given a delay of game penalty, the game will stop (time will not stop) and the game will only resume after the area has been properly cleaned and disinfected.

Match/Game Rules

1. 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.

COVID NOTE: Staff are required to try and maintain a 2-meter distance from players. ONLY one of two appointed players can speak with the official at a safe distance.

1. Play cannot resume after a goal is scored until after the referee has given scoring information to scorekeeper and restarted play with a whistle blast/gesture.
   
   COVID NOTE: Play re-starts behind the net, defensive team has to be behind center, has to wait 5 seconds after referee resumes play to cross center
    
2. In case of a clock malfunction or user error the following policy will stand: 

1. Timekeeper will sound the buzzer to stop play and meet with referee to sort the issue WITHOUT the accompaniment of any captains or players. Time will resume at original time after issue is sorted.
2. If the clock is not running, but play commences, and a goal is scored it is the Officials discretion whether or not the goal was undoubtedly scored within the time on the clock. If there is doubt, the clock will remain at the initial time and the play will be replayed from the original starting point.
3. If during this time a penalty occurs for either team it is at the discretion of the Officials if that penalty stands based first on the severity and second on if it happened during the time left on the clock - in their opinion

1. 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.

1. 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 will be where the ball last touched a player.

COVID NOTE: Face off will be modified to possession at the appropriate area determined by the referee.

1. When the goalie stops play by covering the ball, play will recommence with a face off in the defensive zone.
    

COVID NOTE: Play re-starts behind the net, defensive team has to wait 5 seconds after referee resumes play.

1. The goalie is not permitted to come across center.  If the goalie does cross the center line, he will be assessed a Minor penalty. 

1. 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

1. 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. See the illustration on the right.

Infractions/Penalty Details

1. 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, including disregarding COVID-19 safety protocols. Expelled players/teams will not be entitled to a refund.

1. 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.

COVID NOTE: Face off’s will be modified to possession at the neutral zone dot.

1. Penalties assessed to goaltenders are to be served by a teammate that was on the floor at the time of the penalty call.

1. 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.

COVID NOTE: any player/team that is ejected must leave the facility and parking lot immediately.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. In 4-a-side play the man deficient will not be less than 4 on 2. If a 3rd penalty is taken, the player will join the other 2 men in the penalty box and the penalty will commence once the first penalty has expired.

1. 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. ANY MAJOR INFRACTION COULD RESULT IN A MULTIPLE GAME SUSPENSION.

Penalties (organized alphabetically within each of the 3 categories)

Physical
Boarding	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 his body to forcefully hit another player.
	Major	Vicious/Intent.
Charging	Major	Player takes more than two steps to deliver a body check.
Elbowing	Major	Player uses his elbow to hit an opponent.
Fighting	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).
Holding	Minor	Player grabs and holds onto an opponent or his stick
Interference	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.
Kneeling	Minor	Player uses his knee to hit an opponent.
	Major	Vicious/Intent or the player receiving the hit becomes injured.
Roughing	Minor	Player uses excessive pushing, shoving or body contact etc.
	Major	Vicious/Intent.
Slew Foot	Minor	Player uses his foot or leg to cause an opponent to fall.

Technical
Unsportsmanlike	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 his stick
	Major	Vicious/Intent
High Sticking – see note below	Minor	Player hits the ball or an opponent, or the ball, with his stick above their shoulders.
	Major	Vicious/Intent
Hooking	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
Slashing	Minor	Player uses his stick to hit an opponent or his stick below crossbar height
	Major	Vicious/Intent
Spearing	Major	Player jabs an opponent with the bottom (blade end) of his stick
Tripping	Minor	Player uses his 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

COVID PENALTIES:
 

Spitting	Major	Spits in bench or playing area
Unnecessary face-to-face contact	Minor	Continued unnecessary contact after the whistle.
	Major	Continued unnecessary contact after repeated warnings