Ball Hockey Tournament Rules
Urban Rec Okanagan Ball Hockey Rules
Match Format
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.
2. 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.
3. Game times start at on the hour sharp! (Check your schedule), please be at the facility and ready 10 minutes before the start of your game.
4. Teams that cannot field a team with 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.
5. 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 the game will end in a tie.
a. If a game is tied in playoffs, then they will go to a 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.
6. If a game is within 2 points there will be stop time for the last minute unless the divide increases to 3 goals.
7. 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 the team with the highest goals total (GF) for the season. And the 3rd tie-breaker will be the head-to-head results.
8. 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.
9. 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 should include: a stick, hockey gloves and a helmet
2. 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.
3. 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
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. When the goalie stops play by covering the ball, play will recommence with a face off in the defensive zone.
5. The goalie is not permitted to come across center. If the goalie does cross the center line, he will be assessed a Minor penalty.
6. 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
7. Offsides and Floating Blue Line - Ball Hockey mirrors international hockey in that there is no 2 line pass. However, the largerst 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. Expelled players/teams will not be entitled to a refund.
2. 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 at centre.
3. Penalties assessed to goaltenders are to be served by a teammate that was on the floor at the time of the penalty call.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Major penalties are six 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.
8. If a player receives a major penalty in the last six minutes of a game they must sit out the remainder of the current game, and all of the next game.
9. 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.
10. 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)
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Physical |
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1. Boarding |
Minor |
Player uses any method to send an opponent forcefully into the boards. |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent or the player receiving the hit becomes injured. |
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2. Body Checking |
Minor |
Player uses his body to forcefully hit another player. |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent. |
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3. Charging |
Major |
Player takes more than two steps to deliver a body check. |
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4. Elbowing |
Major |
Player uses his elbow to hit an opponent. |
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5. Fighting |
Major |
Player throws a gloved or ungloved punch (possible season suspension) |
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Major |
Player is involved in a second fight (suspended the remainder of the season) |
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Major |
Player leaves the bench during altercation or is the third player involved. |
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Minor |
Player is deemed to be the instigator of a fight (served by teammate). |
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6. Hand on Back |
Minor |
Player holds a straight arm on the back of an opposing player in a manner to control the body or push. |
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7. Holding |
Minor |
Player grabs and holds onto an opponent or his stick |
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8. Interference |
Minor |
Player impedes the progess of an opponent who doesn't have the ball. |
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Minor |
Player impedes a goalie's ability to make a save. |
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9. Kneeling |
Minor |
Player uses his knee to hit an opponent. |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent or the player receiving the hit becomes injured. |
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10. Roughing |
Minor |
Player uses excessive pushing, shoving or body contact etc. |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent. |
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11. Slew Foot |
Minor |
Player uses his foot or leg to cause an opponent to fall. |
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Technical |
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12. Unsportsmanlike |
Minor |
Player verbally abuses an opponent or official or breaks/throws a stick etc |
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Major |
Player physically abuses, or attempts to intimidate in any way |
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13. Delay of Game |
Minor |
Player purposely delays the game in any way |
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Minor |
Ball shot over the boards in defensive end (1st is a warning/2nd is a minor penalty) |
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Minor |
Ball intentionally shot into either team's bench when penalty killing (1 warning) |
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Minor |
Covering the ball with a hand or foot for more than 1 second. |
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Minor |
Goalie covers the ball behind the goal line while not contacting the crease |
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Minor |
Goalie fails to play the ball after being instructed to do so by the referee |
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14. Improper Equipment |
Minor |
Player fails to wear proper equipment. Player cannot play until resolved |
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15. Penalty Shot |
- |
Player breaks any rule to prevent a scoring chance on a breakaway |
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- |
Player covers the ball in the crease with a hand for more than 1 second |
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16. Too Many Men |
Minor |
Team has more players than are permitted involved in the play |
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Stick |
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17. Butt Ending |
Major |
Player jabs an opponent with the top (butt end) of his stick |
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18. Cross Checking |
Minor |
Player uses two hands to hit an opponent with the shaft of his stick |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent |
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19. High Sticking – see note below |
Minor |
Player hits an opponent, or the ball, with his stick above the cross bar. |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent |
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20. Hooking |
Minor |
Player uses his stick to hook an opponent or his stick. |
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21. Playing – Broken Stick |
Minor |
Player (goalies excluded) throws, or continues to play with a broken stick |
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22. Slashing |
Minor |
Player uses his stick to hit an opponent or his stick below crossbar height |
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Major |
Vicious/Intent |
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23. Spearing |
Major |
Player jabs an opponent with the bottom (blade end) of his stick |
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24. 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