SAN DIEGO FLOOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
RULE BOOK
PREFACE:
Spirit of the League/Code of Conduct
Please remember the following when playing each week:
¥ Learn the following rules and play by
them.
¥ This is a friendly, but competitive,
league. Play for fun and work hard to improve your skills.
¥ Play safe. This is non-checking league
with a huge range in players' heights, weights, and skill levels.
¥ Show respect to your teammates. Be a team
player.
¥ Show respect to the officials. They are
volunteering their time and are doing their best. Never argue with their
decisions.
¥ This is a community league played at a
community park. Show respect to everybody at the rink and the surrounding park.
Do not taunt, complain, use profane language or gestures, slam your equipment,
or engage in any other sort of unsportsmanlike conduct.
¥ If you have any complaints, talk to your
Captain, and they will speak with the officials or contact the League, if
warranted.
The following rules cannot cover every situation that may arise.
In case of any disputes, the NHL rule book will be used to the extent that it
is consistent with our current rules.
If you have any questions about interpretations of the
current rules or suggestions for rules changes, please submit them electronically
by email to sdfhl@sdfhl.org or through the online form on the http://sdfhl.org
web site.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Division of rink (Rule 1.6)
C. Face-off spots and circles (Rule
1.9)
C. Captain and alternate captains
(Rules 6.1-6.2)
G. Players under the influence or
incapacitated
B. Protective equipment (Rule 9.5)
C. Dangerous equipment (Rule 9.6)
D. Illegal equipment (Rule 11)
A. Appointment of officials (Rule
31)
A. Game postponement/suspension
C. Game and intermission timing
(Rules 77 and 84)
G. Playing the ball with the hands
(Rules 67 and 79)
H. Playing the ball with other body
parts (Rule 49)
I. High-sticking - ball (Rule 80)
L. Ball out of bounds, unplayable,
or out of sight (Rule 85)
M. Injured players (Rules 8.1-8.3)
A. Levels of penalties (Rule 15)
B. Delayed penalty Ð Calling (Rule
15)
C. Minor penalty expiration (Rule
16.2)
D. Coincidental penalties (Rule 19)
E. Delayed penalty - serving (Rule
27)
G. Supplementary discipline (Rule
29)
VII. PHYSICAL FOULS (Rules 42-53)
C. Sliding/clipping fouls (Rule 45)
A. Holding/stick holding (Rule 54)
E. High-sticking foul (Rule 60)
F. Playing with a broken stick (Rule
10.3)
A. Delaying the Game (Rule 63)
B. Embellishment/diving (Rule 64)
C. Too many players/illegal
substitution/premature substitution (Rules 68, 71, and 74)
D. Goalkeeper interference (Rule 69)
E. Unsportsmanlike sonduct (Rule 75)
F. Abuse of officials (Rules 40-41)
XII. SUPPLEMENTARY DISCIPLINE
GUIDELINES
E. Disciplinary committee review
F. Notification of disciplinary
action
G. Disciplinary committee voting
I. PLAYING AREA
A. Division of rink (Rule 1.6)
The rink is divided
into three parts by the two blue lines. The portion between the end boards and
the blue line in which a goal is being defended by a team is an END ZONE called
that team's DEFENDING ZONE, while the portion in the center of the rink between
the two blue lines is called the NEUTRAL ZONE, and the END ZONE beyond the blue
line that contains the opponent's goal is called the ATTACKING ZONE. There are
three additional lines that extend completely across the rink in the center
(center line) and on each goal line (goal lines).
B. Goal crease
(Rule 1.7)
The goal crease is
outlined by the rectangular area in front of the goal and extends vertically.
C. Face-off spots and circles (Rule 1.9)
There are five
face-off spots with circles around them 15 feet in diameter, one at the center
of the rink and two each in both end zones on either side of the goal. In
addition, there are four face-off spots without circles, two each on both sides
of the neutral zone in line with the end zone face-off spots.
II. TEAMS
A. Teams (Rule 5.1)
1. Teams are chosen
through a draft process at the beginning of each season using a set of Captains
and rules designated by the League (see Draft Procedures, below). Typically,
each final team is composed of 10 or 11 floor players with a minimum of two or
three women plus one goalkeeper.
2. During play at
regular strength, there are a total of 6 players on the rink for each team: 5
floor players plus 1 goalkeeper. At least 1 of the floor players, excluding the
goalkeeper, must be a female, unless a female is serving a penalty committed by
a female.
3. During game play,
and for the purposes of these rules, an
ATTACKING PLAYER is a player on the team that has possession of the ball, and a
DEFENDING PLAYER is a player on the team that is not in possession of the ball.
B. Goalkeeper (Rule 5.3)
1. Each team shall be
allowed one goalkeeper on the rink at one time. The goalkeeper may be removed
and another player (extra attacker) substituted. Such substitute shall not be
permitted the privileges of the goalkeeper.
2. Goalkeeper substitutions:
At the beginning of the season, the League will identify a pool of available
goalkeepers and place them into skill tiers. If a team's regular goalkeeper
cannot attend a game, the Captain must notify the League as soon as possible,
but at least 24 hours in advance of the game. The LeagueÕs designated
Goalkeeper Scheduler will then assign a substitute goalkeeper, based on availability,
in the following priority order: (1) same skill tier as regular goalkeeper, (2)
lower skill tier, or (3) higher skill tier. The Goalkeeper Scheduler will also
consider draft order when selecting appropriate substitutes. Teams are not
allowed to substitute other members of their team for the goalkeeper, and the
goalkeeper cannot be substituted so that they can play out.
C. Captain and alternate captains (Rules 6.1-6.2)
Only the team's
Captain has the privilege of discussing with the Referees questions relating to
interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game. If the
regular Captain is not in attendance at a game, an Alternate Captain should be
designated. The Alternate Captain is accorded the privileges of the Captain.
The Referees shall be advised, prior to the start of each game, the name of the
Captain or Alternate Captain.
D. Draft procedures
A list of players who
have registered shall be compiled by the Registrar and presented to the Board
prior to the draft. The list will be periodically updated as late player
registrations come in. At least one week prior to the draft, the Board shall
determine how many teams should be established for the upcoming season and how
many players should be drafted onto each team. If the number of registered
players exceeds the number of places available to fill all teams, players shall
be removed from the draft list according to the following priority:
1. New players who
have not attended any pre-season scrimmages.
2. Players who have
expressed a negative attitude towards the league or whoÕs
participation would be detrimental to the league.
3. Players who are
projected to miss a significant number of games during the upcoming season.
4. Players who have
expressed questionable interest in participating. The Registrar shall have the
discretion to gauge the interests of new and returning players who, because of
injury or for other reasons, are uncertain about participating in the upcoming
season.
5. Returning players
who have had attendance issues in prior seasons. The Board has the discretion
to determine what is an excused or unexcused absence.
Just because a player notifies their captain prior to a missed game does not
make it an excused absence. For example, a player who has a known recurring
Sunday commitment that precludes them from attending a number of games will not
be treated as excused absences. Missing games due to injury or another
emergency is excused.
6. New players based
on reverse order of registration.
7. Returning players
based on reverse order of registration.
Note: In the
categories not based on time of registration, the Registrar shall have the
discretion to rank players within each cut category.
The list of players
will be finalized by the Registrar prior to the draft and provided to the
captains such that all players on the final draft list will be drafted.
Typically, the order of the Captains' picks is determined by random drawing;
the draft order reverses at the end of each round; and, if the draft order of
the final round would have been the same as the first round, the order of the
last round is determined by a separate random drawing.
E. Player replacement
Captains can request appropriate
replacement players, but only the League can assign such players, and this will
be done under very limited circumstances. Examples include players who report
that they will be unable to play after they have been drafted, or when multiple
players sustain season-ending injuries.
Permanent replacement:
This can be considered if a player reports that they will be unable to attend
any games for the remainder of a season due to injury, moving, etc., or if a
player fails to attend their games without communication with their Captain. In
the case of the goalkeeper, if a permanent replacement cannot be found, the
standard goalkeeper substitution rules will be used for the remainder of the
season.
Temporary replacement:
This can be considered when there are multiple planned absences on a given game
day that would result in a team having to play with less than five floor
players, at least one of which is a female. In such instances, the following
guidelines will apply: (A) The team's Captain must inform the League of the
planned absences at least four days before the game (Wednesday for Sunday games)
in order to allow time to search for a temporary replacement and obtain
permission from the other Captains. (B) Only enough replacement players will be
assigned to achieve at least five floor players with at least one female. (C)
If the team would have no female players, at least one female replacement will
be assigned. (D) If the requested replacement is for a regular season game, the
League will first contact appropriate players from the teams playing in the
game before the affected team (or after, if it is the first game). (E) If the
requested replacement is for a playoff game, the League will contact
appropriate players from teams that have already been eliminated. In the case
of the goalkeeper, the standard goalkeeper substitution rules will be used.
Other situations may
also warrant player replacement, and the situations cited above do not
guarantee a replacement. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis at
the League's discretion, as will the definition of "appropriate"
player, which could include players not currently participating in the league.
F. Game scheduling guidelines
Generally, during the
first two weeks of the regular season and within two weeks of the beginning of
playoffs, the Captains should poll their players and provide to the League
their teamÕs preferred game times for each of the scheduled game days. For the
regular season, the League scheduler will try to accommodate as many scheduling
requests as possible and to have a final schedule out by the third week. For
the playoffs, the League scheduler will try to create a schedule for the next
weekÕs game within two days of the previous games. If irreconcilable conflicts
arise during the scheduling of playoff games, the higher seeded teams will be
given priority.
G. Players under the influence or incapacitated
III.
EQUIPMENT
A. Team shirts (Rule 9.1)
All players must wear
their team's assigned T-shirts or receive approval from the Referees to wear a
similarly colored shirt.
B. Protective equipment (Rule 9.5)
Before playing in the
league, each player must sign a liability waiver. Although this is a
non-checking league, physical contact does occur, and injuries can occur even
in the absence of contact with other players. Players play at their own risk.
While no protective equipment is mandatory for non-minor players, the following
items are strongly recommended: eye protection, mouth guard, hockey gloves,
athletic cup or pelvic protector, and shin guards with knee protection. With
permission from the League, other protective equipment is also allowed, as long
as it does not pose a safety issue to other players. Minors need permission
from their legal guardians to play in the league, and they should inquire with
the League on what items of protective equipment are mandatory.
C. Dangerous equipment (Rule 9.6)
Referees have the
authority to prohibit any equipment they feel may cause injury to any
participants in the game. Failure to comply with the RefereesÔ
instructions shall result in the assessment of a minor penalty for delay
of game.
D. Illegal equipment (Rule 11)
Equipment parameters
must generally follow NHL rules as described in Section 3, Rules 10-12 of the
current NHL Official Rules (2006-2007).
IV. OFFICIALS
A. Appointment of officials (Rule 31)
The League will
assign 2 Referees to officiate each game. In addition, a Scorekeeper will designated to score each game. If a Scorekeeper is not
available, the Referees will be responsible for scoring the game.
B. Referees (Rules 32-33)
The Referees are
responsible for supervising all aspects of the game, including conducting
face-offs, blowing the whistle for stoppages of play, awarding goals, and
assessing penalties.
C. Scorekeeper (Rule 34-36)
Team Captains
will be officially notified when a player from their team needs to be
designated as scorekeeper in either the game before or after their scheduled
game. The team listed on the left side of the schedule page will provide the
scorekeeper for the game prior to theirs, except for the last game, for which
the team listed on the right side of the schedule page in the prior game will
provide the scorekeeper. The Captain must designate a scorekeeper by the
Thursday preceding the Sunday games. If the Captain fails to designate a
scorekeeper, or if the designated scorekeeper fails to show up, their team loses
the coin toss for home team advantage. This coin toss loss passes on to the
following week if the scorekeeper failed to show for the last game.
Scorekeepers
must read the scorekeeper guide. In brief, the
Scorekeeper keeps track of game and penalty time for the Referees. In addition,
they record shots, goals, penalties, and all other items on the official score
sheet. In addition, the Scorekeeper can inform the Referees at the next
stoppage of play if a penalized player leaves the penalty box early, or if
penalized players are engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, such as verbal or
physical aggression or altercations. The scorekeeper should provide the time
remaining in a period or penalty whenever requested by a Referee, and whenever
it is practical when requested by a player, except for within the last 10
seconds of a penalty. See the separate Scorekeeper Guide for additional detail.
V. GAME FLOW
A. Game postponement/suspension
Members of the Board
of Directors (or their designated agents) who become aware of weather or other
conditions at the rink that prevent play (e.g., rain or fire) will make a
public announcement at least one hour before games are set to commence. If a
game is already in progress when the conditions arise, the game can be suspended
if, after discussions between the Referees and Captains, a Referee deems the
rink to be unsafe or unplayable. Under these circumstances, the game will be
resumed at a later date at the point it was suspended. If a game is suspended
in the third period, and both Captains agree that the point differential was
sufficiently high that the outcome was a foregone conclusion, and that they do
not wish to complete the game, the game can be called final pending a
confirming vote by the Board of Directors.
B. Home team
In regular season games, a coin flip conducted between the
Captain(s) and/or Alternate Captain(s) will determine the home team. However,
if one, but not both, of the teams is playing with a substitute goalkeeper who
is in a higher skill tier than their regular goalkeeper, the opposing team is
designated the home team without a coin toss. In playoff games, the higher
seeded team always will be the home team. The home team will choose which bench
they prefer, and thereby defend that end of the rink in the first and third
periods. In overtime games, the teams will defend the same side of the rink
they did in the first and third periods.
C. Game and intermission timing (Rules 77 and 84)
1. A minimum of 5
players is required to start a game. Before each game, there will be a warm-up
period that will conclude at 5 minutes after the scheduled start time, or, if
the previous game ends after the scheduled start time, 5 minutes after the
conclusion of the previous game. If, at the conclusion of the warm-up period,
one or both teams do not have enough players to start the game, their team
timeout(s) will be forfeit. If one or both teams do not have enough players to
start the game at the end of the warm-up period or 10 minutes after the
scheduled start time, whichever is later, a forfeit or forfeits will occur.
Exceptions to this rule can be made at the discretion of the Referees in rare
cases when circumstances warrant.
2. Unless otherwise
agreed upon by the League, the game shall consist of three 10-minute stop-time periods,
in which the clock will stop with each stoppage of play and resume at the next
face-off. Penalty times are also stop-time concurrent with the main clock. Two-minute
intermissions shall divide the periods. Each team will defend their bench side
of the rink in the first and third period.
3. In the event of a
tie at the end of the third period in regular season games, the game will end
as a tie with no overtime. In the event of a tie at the end of the third period
in playoff games, a 5-minute "sudden death" overtime period will be
played. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout will be
used to decide the game (see Shootout rule).
D. Shootout
1. In the event that
a playoff game ends in a tie after the overtime period, a shootout will
determine the winner of the game. The Captain shall appoint any 5 players from
their team, at least one of which must be a female, to be involved in the
shootout. Players is in the penalty box at the end of
the overtime period are not eligible to participate in the shootout. If a team
does not have 5 players that meet the above criteria, then shootout attempts at
the end of each round will be considered failed for each missing player. Each
Captain will inform the Referees and Scorekeeper of the order in which their
players will shoot. A coin toss will determine which team goes first.
2. The teams will
alternate attempts in the shootout, which will be conducted identically to
penalty shots (see Penalty Shot rules). The team having scored the most goals
after all ten players have attempted their shots in the first round wins the
game, unless the outcome is determined earlier.
3. If both teams
score an equal number of goals in the first round, the shootout continues back
through the original order of players in a sudden death format between pairs of
shooters from the two teams. If both players fail to score, or if both players
score, the next pair will shoot, and the process will repeat until there is a
winner.
E. Time-outs (Rule 87)
Each team is assigned
one timeout during regulation time and, if an overtime period is played, one
additional timeout. Regulation time time-outs do not carry over into overtime.
Time-outs must be taken during a normal stoppage of play and last approximately
one minute. The Captain should indicate to the Referees when a timeout is
desired.
F. Substitution (Rule 68)
Players can
substitute for each other at stoppages of play or during play. If substitutions
are made during play, the player entering play cannot place a foot onto the
rink before the player leaving play is within 5 feet of the bench area. In
addition, until the player leaving play has both feet off the rink, neither of
the players may touch the ball, or a Too Many Players penalty will be assessed.
G. Playing the ball with the hands (Rules 67 and 79)
1. A player is permitted to stop or "bat" the ball
with their hands whenever they or an opponent is the next to touch the ball.
Such hand touches are also permissible when a teammate is the next to touch the
ball, but only when both the hand touch and the reception of the ball occur in
the players' defensive zone, as defined by both feet of both players being
within the zone. Players may also
catch the ball out of the air, but the contact must be brief, and the ball must
immediately be placed straight down on the rink without any movement along the
rink or effort to gain territorial advantage over an opponent. Otherwise, play
will be stopped for an illegal hand pass.
2. A minor penalty
will be called if, in the opinion of a Referee, the ball is held for a
prolonged period of time or is picked up off the rink. A minor penalty will
also be called if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than three seconds when
not being checked by an opponent, throws the ball forward, or deliberately
places the ball on the net.
3. If a player from
the attacking team bats the ball into their opponent's goal, the goal is
disallowed. However, if the ball unintentionally deflects of the hand of a
player on the attacking team without any observed intent to redirect it, the
goal is allowed.
H. Playing the ball with other body parts (Rule 49)
It is permissible to
play the ball with parts of the body other than the hands, including using the
feet to stop, handle, or pass the ball, as long as the play is not dangerous or
intended to shoot the ball out of play. However, any goal scored by an
attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion with their feet or a
distinct motion of another body part to propel the ball into the goal shall be
disallowed. On the other hand, a goal scored when the ball deflects off the foot or other body part of an attacking player in
the absence of a distinct motion shall be allowed, whether the deflection was
intentional or not.
I. High-sticking - ball (Rule 80)
1. Floor players are
only permitted to touch the ball with their stick below the normal upright height
of their own waist. Touching the ball above this level will result in an
immediate stoppage of play. If the ball goes into the goal after contacting any
playerÕs stick above the normal upright height of their own waist level,
regardless of whether they are on the attacking or defending team, the goal
shall be disallowed, because the contact results in an immediate whistle.
2. Note that a
player's own waist level is used here to determine high-sticking stoppages of play, whereas the
opponentÕs waist level is used to determine high-sticking foul when contact is made with an opponent (see ÒHigh-sticking,
FoulÓ rule).
3. A goalkeeper
cannot intentionally play the ball with their stick above the normal height of
their own waists. However, if the ball deflects off their stick above this
level play will continue, and any goal scored will be allowed.
J. Icing (Rule 81)
1. An icing violation
will be called when a player on a team that is at equal or superior numerical
strength to the opposing team causes the ball to travel from within their
defensive zone (behind their blue line) to beyond the opposing team's goal line
without being touched by the stick or body of another player outside of their
defensive zone, unless it occurs directly off a face-off. The position of the
ball, and not the player, will dictate whether both lines are crossed.
Numerical strength applies when the ball is last touched by the player, not
when the ball crosses the goal line.
2. Icing will be
called as soon as the ball crosses the goal line (no touch required), resulting
in a face-off in the end zone face-off circle closest to where the ball was
iced in the offending team's defensive zone, unless the ball enters the goal,
in which case a goal is awarded.
3. Icing will be
waived off (canceled), if, in the opinion of a Referee, a member of the
non-offending team (other than the goalkeeper) had a Òreasonable chanceÓ to
play the ball before it crossed the goal line but refrained from doing so. In
determining whether the player had a reasonable chance to play the ball, the
following shall be considered by the Referees: (1) the proximity of the ball to
the opposing player, (2) the velocity of the ball, and (3) whether the ball was
traveling in the air. If the ball was too far away or traveling too rapidly to
be playable, icing will remain in effect, as long as the player did not
purposely slow down or change direction to refrain from playing it. If the ball
travels past the player in the air at an elevation or velocity that made it
unplayable with their hand or body, icing will remain in effect, even if that
player fails in an attempt to play the ball out of the air with their stick
(not a reasonable chance). Icing will also remain in effect if a player from
the offending team outside of their defensive zone fails to touch a playable
ball.
4. If a Referee errs
in calling an icing violation, regardless of whether either team is
short-handed, the ball shall be faced-off at the center spot.
K. Off-side (Rule 83)
1. Attacking players
will be considered off-side if they enter their attacking zone (both feet fully
across the blue line) before the ball enters this zone (by fully crossing over
the blue line). If the ball is touched by an attacking player in their
attacking zone, or if there is a shot on goal, while any attacking player is
off-side, there shall be an immediate stoppage of play for an off-side
violation. A face-off will be conducted at the neutral zone face-off spot
nearest to the position of the ball when it was last touched or shot.
2. To get back
on-side, all players of the attacking team must simultaneously have at least
one foot on or behind the blue line. They must then not re-enter their
attacking zone unless or until the ball is again in the attacking zone.
3. Delayed off-side.
Play will not stop when a player (or players) are
off-side, but the defending team is in a position to bring the ball back out of
the zone without any interference by the off-side player(s), or the off-side
player(s) are in the process of clearing out of the zone. Rather, the Referee
will raise an arm to indicate a delayed off-side. However, if the off-side
player(s) do not clear out of the zone, play shall immediately be stopped for
the off-side violation if they touch the ball, attempt to gain possession of a
loose ball, or attempt to defend an opponent in possession of the ball.
4. The
position of the player's feet, and not that of their stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in
deciding an off-side. A player is off-side when both feet are completely over
the outer edge of the determining blue line involved in the play. A player is
on-side when either of their feet are in contact with, or on their own side of,
the line at the instant the ball completely crosses the outer edge of that
line, regardless of the position of their stick.
5. Note that, unlike
NHL rules, a player is still considered off-side if their feet precede the ball
into the zone even if they are in control of the ball. In addition, an off-side
player continues to be considered off-side if the opposing team clears the ball
out of the zone, but then brings it back into the zone before the off-side
player leaves the zone.
6. Intentional
off-side. If, in the opinion of a Referee, an off-side player intentionally
plays the ball or an opponent to gain a stoppage of play, an "intentional
off-side" violation will be called, and the ensuing face-off will occur in
the offending team's defensive zone. If, in the opinion of the Referee, the
off-side player was unaware that they were off-side when they played the ball
or their opponent, or the ball accidentally made contact with the off-side
player, then a conventional off-side violation will be called, and the face-off
will occur at a neutral zone face-off spot just outside of the offending team's
offensive zone.
L. Ball out of bounds, unplayable, or out of sight (Rule 85)
1. Play stops when
the ball goes out of bounds, play, or sight. The ball is considered Òout of
boundsÓ when it leaves the rink or enters or touches anything in the bench
area, including players on the bench. If the ball hits the fences or netting
around the perimeter but stays inside the rink, the ball is not out of bounds
and play will continue.
2. The ball is considered Òout of playÓ when it comes to
rest on the back or top of the goal net, becomes lodged in the fence around the
perimeter of the rink, or is frozen between two opposing players, in
which case play will be stopped immediately.
3. The ball is considered Òout of sightÓ when the Referees
lose sight of the ball, for example,
during a scramble in front of the net.
M. Injured players (Rules 8.1-8.3)
1. When a player
sustains an injury that prevents them from getting off the rink, play will be
stopped by the Referees as soon as they become aware of the injury, regardless
of which team is in possession of the ball. When play is stopped for an injured
player other than a goalkeeper, that player must leave the playing surface for
the ensuing face-off, and they cannot return until play has resumed. When play
is stopped for an injured goalkeeper, they can resume play immediately. If the
goalkeeper must be replaced by a substitute goalkeeper, no warm-up time shall
be permitted.
2. If players are
bleeding, they shall be ruled off the rink, and such player shall not be
permitted to return to play until the bleeding has been stopped and the cut or
abrasion covered (if necessary). In addition, any bloody equipment and/or
clothing must be replaced.
N. Face-offs (Rule 76)
1. Face-off procedure
At the beginning of
each period and after each stoppage of play, a face-off will occur at one of
the nine face-off spots. The centers must line up opposite each other approximately
one stick length away from the face-off spot designated by the Referee with one
foot on either side of the spot squarely facing their opponent's end of the
rink. All of the remaining players must stand and keep their stick on their own
side of the rink relative to the face-off spot no closer than 15 feet from the
spot, making no physical contact with an opponent. If the face-off occurs at
one of the five face-off circles, the circle itself defines the 15-foot radius.
If the face-off occurs in one of the four neutral zone face-off spots, the
Referee will judge whether the players are the minimum distance from the
centers. The centers must place their sticks on the rink at the edge of the
face-off spot nearest to them. The Referee will then drop the ball between them
to resume play. In the center face-off circle, the Referee should ensure that
the goalkeepers and Scorekeeper are ready before dropping the ball. At all
other face-off spots, the Referee can verify that the goalkeepers are ready.
However, it is ultimately the centerÕs responsibility to ensure that their
goalkeeper is ready prior to placing their stick on the rink.
2. Face-off violations
The following actions
constitute face-off violations: players other than the center encroaching
inside the 15-foot radius, players encroaching onto their opponent's side of
the face-off or making contact with an opponent, failure of the centers to
properly position their feet, or failure of the centers to put their stick on
the rink in the proper area. When a face-off violation occurs, the Referee will
issue a warning to the offending team. Repeat violations in subsequent
face-offs may result in the Referee forcing the current player taking the
face-off to be replaced by a teammate. Repeat violations during the same
face-off may result in the Referee issuing a Delay of Game penalty. Failure to
line up for a face-off in a timely fashion may also result in a Delay of Game
penalty.
3. Face-off locations
Face-offs will always
occur at one of the nine face-off spots.
3a. Periods and goals
All face-offs at the
beginnings of periods and after goals will be conducted at the center spot.
3b. Ball frozen by goalkeeper
When the ball is
frozen by the goalkeeper, the face-off will occur at the end-zone face-off spot
nearest to where the ball was last shot or played.
3c. Icing
When the ball is
iced, the face-off will occur at the end-zone face-off spot nearest to where
the ball was last contacted prior to the icing.
3d. Off-side
When the attacking
team is off-side, the face-off will occur at the neutral zone face-off spot
nearest to where the ball was located at the time of the violation.
3e. Ball out of bounds,
unplayable, or out of sight
When the ball goes
out of bounds, becomes unplayable, or is out of sight, the face-off will occur
at the face-off spot within the same zone nearest to where the ball was last in
play that gives the least territorial advantage to the team that caused the
stoppage. Notwithstanding this rule, should an attacking player cause the ball
to go out of play or become unplayable in their attacking zone, the face-off
shall take place at the neutral zone face-off spot nearest to where the ball
was last in play. This exception includes deflections off of attacking players.
3f. Illegal hand pass,
high-sticking, or injury
When play is stopped
due to an illegal hand pass, high-stick, or injury, the face-off will occur at
the face-off spot within the same zone nearest to where the hand or stick
contacted the ball (for a hand pass or high stick), or nearest to the ball's
location at the time of the injury. Exception: If an attacking player commits
the illegal hand pass or high-stick or becomes injured in their attacking zone,
the face-off shall take place at the neutral zone face-off spot nearest to where
the contact or injury occurred.
3g. Penalties
When play is stopped
due to a penalty, the ensuing face-off shall be conducted at one of the two
face-off spots in the offending teamÕs defensive zone on the side of the ball's
location when play was stopped. However, if the non-offending team ices the
ball during a delayed penalty call, the face-off shall take place at a neutral
zone face-off spot next to the non-offending teamÕs blue line on the side the
ball was last contacted prior to the icing.
3h. Failed penalty shot attempt
After a failed
penalty shot attempt, the face-off will occur in the attacking zone where the
penalty shot was attempted at the face-off spot nearest to where the ball was
located at the time of the violation.
3i. Inadvertent
stoppage of play
When play is stopped
due to an inadvertent whistle, the face-off will occur at the spot within the
same zone nearest to the ballÕs location when play was stopped. Exceptions and
clarifications:
(i)
If neither
team was in possession of the ball at the stoppage, the face-off will occur in
the neutral zone.
(ii)
If the
defending team had possession of the ball in their defending zone, the face-off
will occur in the neutral zone.
(iii)
For a mistaken
off-side call, the face-off will occur in the neutral zone.
(iv)
For a mistaken
icing call, the face-off will occur at the center spot.
O. Goals (Rule 78)
1. Regular goals
A goal results when
the ball completely crosses the plane of the goal line extended up to the
crossbar between the goal posts. All goals shall count as 1 point. The last
attacking player who touches the ball, whether
intentional or unintentional, before crossing the goal line will be awarded the
goal. The previous one or two attacking players, when known, will be awarded
assists. If a defending player causes the ball to go into their own net, the
last attacking player to touch the ball will be awarded the goal, but no assist
will be awarded.
Goals shall be
disallowed for the following reasons:
a. The ball was
propelled into the goal by an attacking player through motion of any part of
their body.
b. The ball was
intentionally redirected into the goal by an attacking player with their hand
or glove, even if it was not propelled with a motion.
c. The ball was
kicked into the goal using a distinct kicking motion.
d. The ball was
deflected into the goal directly off an official.
e. An attacking
player interfered with the goalkeeper.
f. The ball was
directed into the goal by the stick of a player, other than the goalkeeper, at
a point above their waist (high stick).
g. The goalkeeper was
pushed backwards into the goal after making a save.
h. If the Referee
blew the whistle prior to the ball fully crossing the goal line.
If the ball deflects
off the body of an attacking player without their intentionally directing it
into the goal, the goal shall be allowed, unless the hand/glove was used.
2. Automatically awarded goals (Rule 26)
When a team has taken
their goalkeeper off the rink for an extra attacker, a goal will be awarded
automatically if a penalty is committed on a player on a breakaway consistent
with those described under the Penalty Shot, Breakaway rule.
A goal will be
awarded automatically when an attacking player, in the act of shooting the ball
into the goal (between the normal position of the posts and completely across
the goal line), is prevented from scoring as a result of a defending player or
goalkeeper displacing the goal post, either deliberately or accidentally.
If the goalkeeper
purposely throws their stick or any other equipment or dislodges the goal
during a penalty shot, a goal will be awarded automatically.
P. Goalkeeper helmet
When a goalkeeper
loses their helmet and/or face mask, play shall be stopped immediately to allow
the goalkeeper to retrieve it, regardless of which team has possession of the
ball, unless the loss of the helmet is intentional, in which case an
Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty will be assessed to the goalkeeper.
VI. PENALTIES
A. Levels of penalties (Rule 15)
Penalties shall be
divided into the following levels:
(1) Minor
(2 minutes; can expire early)
(2) Bench minor
(2 minutes; can expire early)
(3) Double-minor
(two consecutive 2-minute penalties; can expire early, independently)
(4) Major
(5 minutes; non-expiring; automatic Game Misconduct)
(5) Misconduct
(10 minutes; no effect on team strength; automatic League review)
(6) Game Misconduct
(ejection from game; no effect on team strength; automatic League review)
1.
Minor penalties (Rule 16)
MINOR PENALTIES can
be called by either Referee for routine fouls committed by individual players.
The offending player, unless it is the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the rink
to the penalty box for 2 minutes during which time no substitute shall be
permitted. If a goalkeeper was the offending player, the Captain shall
designate a floor player who was on the rink at the time the penalty was
committed to serve the penalty.
A minor penalty can
expire early if the team is short-handed and is scored upon.
If an individual
player accumulates 4 minor penalties in the same game, the player will
automatically receive a Game Misconduct after the calling of the fourth
penalty, resulting in their suspension for the remainder of the game. A
double-minor counts as 2 minor penalties. The Captain shall designate a floor
player of the same gender who was on the rink at the time the fourth penalty
was committed to serve it, during which time no substitute shall be permitted.
If the goalkeeper was the offending player, they will remain in the game but
will be suspended for the next game. All Game Misconduct penalties will be
reviewed by the League's Disciplinary Committee for potential supplementary
discipline (see Supplementary Discipline rule). The offending player must leave
the bench area, and any further misconduct also will be reported to the
Disciplinary Committee.
2.
Bench minor penalties (Rule 17)
BENCH MINOR PENALTIES
can be called by either Referee for routine fouls that cannot be ascribed to
specific players. The Captain must designate a floor player who was on the rink
at the time the penalty was committed to serve the penalty for 2 minutes during
which time no substitute is permitted. Even if a female player is designated to
serve the bench minor penalty, at least one female is required to remain on the
floor for the duration of the penalty, or else a Too Many Players penalty will
be called.
A bench minor penalty
can expire early if the team is short-handed and is scored upon.
3. Double-minor penalties (Rule 18)
DOUBLE MINOR
PENALTIES can be called by either Referee for more serious fouls committed by
individual players, such as (1) an action that would have been a minor penalty
but resulted in an accidental injury involving blood or significant abrasion or
bruising, or (2) a physical foul that was particularly aggressive, but in the
absence of a reckless disregard for the safety or an intent to injure another
player. The offending player, unless it is the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off
the rink to the penalty box for 4 minutes during which time no substitute
player shall be permitted. If a goalkeeper was the offending player, the
Captain must designate a floor player who was on the rink at the time the
penalty was committed to serve the penalty.
A double-minor
penalty is equivalent to two consecutive minor penalties, which can
individually expire early if the team is short-handed and is scored upon.
4.
Major penalties with game misconducts (Rules 20 and 23)
MAJOR PENALTIES are
called for very serious fouls committed by individual players, such as (1) any
foul where, in the opinion of the Referees, there was a reckless disregard for
the safety of another player, (2) fighting, or (3) any foul where, in the
opinion of the Referees, there was an intent to injure
another player. If a Referee intends to call a major penalty, they will
announce that they are going to confer with the other officials. Once order has
been restored, the Referees and Scorekeeper will meet by the scoring area. If
the officials concur that a MAJOR PENALTY should be called, the offending
player also automatically will be assessed a GAME MISCONDUCT and suspended for
the remainder of the game. The Captain shall designate a floor player of the
same gender who was on the rink at the time the penalty was committed to serve
the penalty for 5 minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted.
If the goalkeeper was the offending player, they will remain in the game but
will be suspended for the next game. All Major/Game Misconduct penalties will
be reviewed by the League's Disciplinary Committee for potential supplementary
discipline (see Supplementary Discipline rule). The offending player must leave
the bench area and not interact with players of either team. The player may
return to the rink only to shake hands at the end of the game, and only if the
Referees allow this. Any further misconduct also will be reported to the
Disciplinary Committee. The offending player will accumulate a total of 15
penalty minutes for a major penalty (5 minutes for the MAJOR PENALTY itself and
10 additional minutes for the GAME MISCONDUCT).
Unlike minor
penalties, a major penalty does not expire early when a goal is scored by the
opposing team.
5.
Misconduct penalties (Rule 22)
MISCONDUCT PENALTIES
are typically called when individual players continue to engage in unsportsmanlike
conduct after being penalized or warned about it (e.g., complaining about
Referee calls, using profane words or gestures, or throwing or slamming
objects). If a Referee intends to call a misconduct penalty, they will announce
that they are going to confer with the other officials. Once order has been
restored, the Referees and Scorekeeper will meet by the scoring area. If the
officials concur that a misconduct penalty should be called, the offending
player, unless it is the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the rink to the penalty
box for 10 minutes running-time. If any minor penalties were called on the same
player, the Captain shall designate a floor player who was on the rink at the
time the penalty was committed to serve them. The misconduct penalty itself
does not cause the team to play short-handed, but the 10-minute penalty time
will not start until all other penalty time has been served by the teammate. If
a goalkeeper was the offending player, the Captain shall designate a floor
player who was on the rink at the time the penalty was committed to serve the
10-minute penalty. All misconduct penalties, including those called on
goalkeepers, will be reviewed by the LeagueÕs Disciplinary Committee for
potential supplementary discipline (see Supplementary Discipline rule).
Misconduct
penalties do not expire early for any reason.
6. Game misconduct penalties
(Rule 23)
GAME MISCONDUCT penalties result
automatically when a Major Penalty is called or when a fourth Minor Penalty is
called on the same individual player in the same game. All Major/Game
Misconduct penalties will be reviewed by the League's Disciplinary Committee
for potential supplementary discipline (see Supplementary Discipline rule). The
offending player must leave the bench area, and any further misconduct also
will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee.
B. Delayed penalty
Ð Calling (Rule 15)
When a penalty is
imposed on a player on the team with possession of the ball, the Referee will
immediately blow the whistle and assess the penalty. When a penalty is imposed
on a player on the team not in possession of the ball, the Referee will raise
their arm to indicate their intent to call a penalty and play will continue.
The Referee will then stop play if the non-offending team subsequently commits
a penalty or the offending team gains "control" of the ball.
"Control" by the offending team requires a purposeful propelling of
the ball with the stick or body. If the ball simply deflects off a player
without the player controlling it, play will continue. During this time the
non-offending team's goalkeeper may go to the bench, allowing an extra attacker
to join the play. If a goal is scored by the non-offending team during a
delayed penalty, a single minor or one of the minors in a double-minor will be
canceled, but a major or misconduct will still be served in their entirety.
C. Minor penalty expiration (Rule 16.2)
A minor penalty will
expire early when a goal is scored by the opposing team if: (1) the penalized
playerÕs team was short-handed relative to the team that scored the goal, and
(2) the penalty was Òon the clockÓ (i.e., not a coincidental penalty, as
described below). If a goal is scored at even strength, no penalties will
expire early. No penalties expire early based on penalty shots. When multiple
penalties on members of the same team are set to expire at the same time, the
Captain shall designate which player will be released from the penalty box
first should a goal be scored by the opposing team.
D. Coincidental penalties (Rule 19)
ÒCoincidental
penaltiesÓ are Òoff the clockÓ penalties of the same type (minor or major) and
total duration that are assessed at the same stoppage of play to players of
both teams. These penalties never cause a team to become short-handed relative
to the other team, and they do not expire early when a goal is scored.
1. In the special
situation where exactly one minor penalty is called on one player from each
team when both teams are at full strength, these coincidental minors will
result in the teams playing four-on-four, but neither penalized player can
return to the game until the entire penalty time expires.
2. When multiple
penalties are assessed at the same stoppage of play, and both teams have at
least one penalized player, as many coincidental penalties within the same type
(minor or major) as possible are canceled out so as not to cause either team to
change their numerical strength. All of the offending players must serve the
duration of these Òcoincidental penalties,Ó regardless of whether goals are
scored, and they cannot return to the game until the first stoppage of play
after their penalty time expires. If, after canceling as many penalties as
possible under the coincidental penalty rule, there are additional penalties,
they will be served as regular non-coincidental penalties (on the clock),
thereby reducing the numerical strength of the team(s). If necessary, the
Captain shall designate which players are serving coincidental penalties, and
which are serving regular penalties.
For
example, if 2 players on Team A and 1 player on Team B each get a minor at the
same stoppage of play, one of the penalized Team A players and the Team B
player will serve coincidental minors, and the other penalized Team A player
(chosen by the Captain) will serve a regular minor. Team B will have a 5-on-4
power play, and the Team A player serving the regular minor can return to play
immediately when the penalty expires or if Team B scores, whereas the players
with the coincidental minors must remain in the penalty box until the first
stoppage of play after the 2 minutes have expired, regardless of whether goals
are scored.
3. If a single player
is assessed multiple penalties that result in a mixture of coincidental and
regular penalties for that player, the Captain must designate a floor player of
the same gender who was on the rink at the time the penalties were committed to
immediately serve the regular penalties.
For
example, if a player on Team A gets 2 minors (or a double-minor) and a player
on Team B gets a single minor at the same stoppage of play, one set of minors
are coincidental, but the Team A Captain must designate another Team A player
to report immediately to the penalty box to serve the remaining regular minor
on the penalized Team A player. Team B will have a 5-on-4 power play, and the
Team A player serving the regular minor can return to play immediately when the
penalty expires or if Team B scores. However, the Team B player must remain in
the penalty box until the first stoppage of play after their 2 minute
coincidental penalty has expired. And, even though another player from Team A
must serve the 2-minute regular penalty, the penalized Team A player must
remain in the penalty box until the first stoppage of play after their 4
minutes have expired. However, if Team B scores during the power play, the
penalized Team A playerÕs regular penalty expires
early, and they would only have to remain in the penalty box for another 2
minutes plus the next stoppage of play to serve out the coincidental portion of
their penalties.
E. Delayed penalty - serving (Rule 27)
In general, NHL
penalty procedures will be followed. If multiple penalties are committed by the
same player at the same stoppage of play, they will be served consecutively. If
a player is serving regular major and minor penalties for a suspended player,
the major will be served first, but the minor will be served first if both
penalties are coincidental. If multiple penalties are committed by different
players of the same team, the penalties will be served simultaneously.
If more then two
players on the same team are under penalty, all of the offending players will
be in the penalty box, but a minimum of three floor players will play at all
times. The penalty time of the additional player(s) beyond the first two will
run consecutively with the player(s) with the least amount of penalty time
remaining. In addition, if more than two players on the same team are under
penalty, players whose penalties expire cannot return to play until the first
stoppage of play after the expiration. If a goal is scored during a delayed
penalty on a short-handed team, the penalty on the player in the penalty box
who was penalized first will expire.
If a delayed penalty
that would have resulted in a penalty shot is called on a short-handed team,
but the team on the power play scores a goal during the delayed penalty, then
the penalty on the player in the penalty box who was penalized first will
expire immediately, and the new penalty will be assessed as a regular penalty.
F. Penalty shots (Rule 25)
1. Breakaways (individual violation)
A penalty shot will
be awarded if a penalty (e.g. tripping, hooking, slashing, or thrown object) is
committed from behind a player on a breakaway such that it reasonably reduces their
opportunity to score, or if the goalkeeper intentionally dislodges the goal
during the course of a breakaway. The fact that a player is still able to take
a shot does not eliminate the possibility of a penalty shot. In order to
qualify for a penalty shot, the penalty must have occurred in the offending
team's half of the rink with no other members of the offending team between the
player on the breakaway and the goal. In addition, the player on the breakaway
must have been in possession and control of the ball or, in the judgment of the
Referee, would have gained possession and control of the ball, if not for the
penalty. If the penalty does not meet all of these criteria, a regular penalty
will be called.
2. Other penalty shot infractions (bench violations)
A penalty shot will
also be awarded for the following infractions:
1. Intentionally dislodging the net in the last 2 minutes of
a game.
2. Player other than the goalkeeper freezing the ball in the
crease.
3. Penalty shot procedure
In cases where an
individual violation penalty shot has been awarded due to a player being fouled
during a breakaway, the Referee shall designate the player who has been fouled
as the player who will take the penalty shot.
In cases where a
bench violation penalty shot has been awarded (no individual player was
fouled), or where the fouled player is unable to take the shot due to injury,
the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the
fouled team. The selection shall be reported to the Referee and cannot be
changed. In the case of a fouled and injured player, if the player was a
female, the Captain may select either a female or male shooter.
The Referee shall
inform the player and goalkeeper of the following rules. The Referee shall then
place the ball on the center face-off spot and wait until the goalkeeper is
ready on their goal line, and the shot-taker is ready at the center. The
Referee will then blow the whistle to initiate the penalty shot. The goalkeeper
must stay on their goal line until the shot-taker touches the ball, or a minor
penalty will be assessed and served after the penalty shot. The shot-taker must
keep the ball in motion towards the goal line at all times, or the penalty shot
is over. Once the ball is shot or crosses over the goal line, the penalty shot
is over. A penalty shot cannot be scored on a rebound, except one that occurs
off a goal post or crossbar, and then off the goalkeeper and directly into the
goal. If the goalkeeper purposely throws their stick or any other equipment or
dislodges the goal during a penalty shot, a goal will be awarded automatically.
G. Supplementary discipline (Rule 29)
The following
situations will be reviewed by the LeagueÕs Disciplinary Committee to determine
whether further disciplinary action is warranted against an offending player.
1. All instances of
Major, Game Misconduct, and regular Misconduct penalties should be reported by
the Referees and will be reviewed automatically.
2. All instances of
Unsportsmanlike Conduct that occur at the rink directly before or after the
games should be reported by the Referees, Captains, or Board Members and will
be reviewed automatically.
3. If a Referee or
Captain feels that an event that does not trigger automatic review still
warrants a review, it can be submitted and reviewed at the Disciplinary
CommitteeÕs discretion.
Types of incidents
that warrant Disciplinary Committee action include the following:
a.
Unsportsmanlike
conduct
b.
Overly
aggressive play
c.
Reckless
disregard for safety
d.
Willful intent
to injure
e.
Fighting
Reports can be
submitted electronically by email to sdfhl@sdfhl.org. These can include
statements from the Referees, Scorekeeper, involved players, Captains, and
other witnesses, as determined by the Disciplinary Committee.
Supplementary
disciplinary action decisions generally fall into the following categories:
a.
No further
action
b.
Reprimand
c.
Probation
d.
Suspension
e.
Expulsion
When the Disciplinary
Committee reaches a decision, the penalized player and the Captains of both
teams will be notified of the ruling via e-mail, and other may be informed at
the discretion of the Committee.
VII. PHYSICAL FOULS
(Rules 42-53)
A. Legal and illegal contact
1. This is a
non-checking league. Whether playing defense or offense, players shall not
hold, push, charge into, or impede the progress of an opponent by extending
their arms, legs, or stick, or they will be subject to a penalty.
2. A player is
entitled to a position on the rink, provided they get to that spot first and
without illegal contact with an opponent. However, a player can reasonably use
their strength and balance to lean on an opponent to put themselves
in a better position, as long as the leaning is initiated when the players are
already in contact with no arm extension or violation of any of the physical
foul rules.
3. Contact that
results in the re-routing of an opponent is also subject to a penalty. However,
the mere fact that contact occurs does not necessarily constitute a penalty.
Contact which is incidental to an effort by a player to play an opponent,
retrieve a loose ball, or perform normal defensive or offensive movements, will
not be considered illegal. A player may continue to move after gaining a
guarding position in the path of an opponent provided the player is not moving
directly at the opponent when contact occurs.
4. For example, when
an offensive player is in possession of the ball below the face-off circles
with their back to a defender in close proximity, the defender may track the
movement of the offensive player with their body, but they may not extend their
arms, legs, or stick to impede their movement. In the same respect, the
offensive player may not dislodge a defensive player who has established a
position by backing into them or using their arms, legs, or stick on the
opponent.
B. Roughing
1. NHL rules include
a number of physical fouls that allow differentiation from legal checking
maneuvers, such as Boarding
(aggressive checking into the boards), Charging (taking a run at an opponent),
Checking from Behind (hitting at or below knee level), Elbowing (extending an
elbow into an opponent), Fighting, Head-butting (attempting to make contact
with an opponent by leading with the head), Kicking, Kneeing, and Slew-footing
(knocking somebody down by hitting them both high and low). Since no physical
checking is legal in our league, most of these fouls will be categorized under
the general heading of Roughing. This will be called if, in the opinion of a
Referee, contact is initiated with an opponent that is inconsistent with the
above guidelines.
2. Such fouls can
result in "minor," "double-minor," or
"majorÓ roughing, depending on the severity of the foul, as
outlined in the Types of Penalties section of the rules. The severity is at the
discretion of the Referees.
C. Sliding/clipping fouls (Rule 45)
In the interest of
safety, it is illegal for floor players to slide on the rink (e.g., on their
knees), because of the risk of clipping other players at or below the knees.
However, it is legal to drop to the knees (e.g., to block a shot or pass or to
play the ball), but if a Referee interprets it as a slide, it can result in a
penalty. Goalkeepers are exempt from this rule to the extent that that they are
allowed to initiate a slide from the crease area in the normal course of
goaltending. However, it is illegal for goalkeepers to clip or interfere with
opponents when not in the normal course of goaltending.
D. Head-butting (Rule 48)
If players choose to
wear a helmet as protective equipment, it is illegal to make contact with
another player above their shoulders with the head/helmet, whether intentional
or not. This is for the protection of other players.
VIII. RESTRAINING FOULS
A. Holding/stick holding (Rule 54)
1. It is illegal for
a player to use their hands, arms, or legs in a manner that impedes the
progress of an opposing player, whether or not they are in possession of the
ball.
2. It is illegal for
a player to use their hands, arms, or legs to hold the stick of an opponent,
whether or not they are in possession of the ball.
B. Hooking (Rule 55)
1. It is illegal for
a player to use their stick on the body or stick of an opposing player in a
manner that impedes their progress, whether or not they are in possession of
the ball.
2. It is illegal for
a player to play an opponentÕs stick with their stick when the opponent is not
in possession of the ball, and it is not traveling toward them. This is
considered Hooking or Stick Interference.
3. When an opposing
player is in possession of the ball, or the ball is traveling toward them, it
is legal for a player to use the blade or lower part of their stick to briefly
lift up (stick-check) or press down (pin) the opponent's stick in an attempt to
disrupt their possession of the ball, as long as no slashing motion is
employed. However, stick checks and presses can only be used to directly
disrupt possession or reception of the ball. If they are used to play the
opponent (e.g., impeding their movement) rather than the ball, it will be considered
Hooking or Stick Interference.
C. Interference (Rule 56)
It is illegal for a
player to use their body to impede the progress of an opposing player when
neither player is in possession of the ball. Two examples follow:
1. Pursuing a loose
ball: When two opposing players are pursuing a loose ball, if one player is in
front of the other, they may use their established body position to block or
lengthen the path of their opponent to the ball, provided they are moving
directly toward the ball in the same direction. However, lateral movements into
the path of the opponent are considered interference. Once a player reaches and
takes possession of the ball, they can then use their body to protect the ball,
as long as any contact that might occur does not constitute a check. This same
Òlateral movementÓ rule applies when players pinch each other off along the
boards
2. Pick: If an
opponent is not in possession of the ball, it is illegal to intentionally move
into their path in order to impede their progress (e.g., blocking access to a
teammate with the ball).
D. Tripping (Rule 57)
It is illegal for a
player to place their stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow in such a manner
that causes an opponent to either fall or stumble to the point where their
progress is impeded, whether intentional or accidental. This includes the
placing of the stick on or in front of the feet of an opponent in order to
impede their progress with no effort to legally play the ball. Unlike the NHL
rule, even if a defender contacts the ball with their stick, a tripping penalty
can be called. However, if a defensive player or players have established their
body and stick position, tripping will not be called if an attacking player
trips by stepping onto a defensive playerÕs stick or as a result of attempting
to move through them.
IX. STICK FOULS
A. Butt-ending (Rule 58)
It is illegal to
contact an opposing player in any manner with the portion of the shaft of the
stick that is above the upper hand, whether intentional or accidental.
B. Spearing (Rule 62)
It is illegal to jab
at an opponent with the point of the stick blade, whether contact is made or
not.
C. Slashing (Rule 61)
1. It is illegal for
a player to swing their stick at an opponent or their stick, whether or not
contact is made. Incidental contact with the blade or lower portion of an
opponent's stick or their shin area in an attempt to play the ball is allowed,
if it is controlled. Lifting an opponent's stick from underneath in an effort
to play the ball is not slashing unless contact is made with the shaft of the
opponent's stick at or above the normal level of their hands. However, any
swinging or chopping motion at an opponent's body or stick shall be deemed
slashing, particularly if it is from above.
2. When the ball is
loose near the goalkeeper, it is still playable if a Referee has not stopped
play with a whistle. However, if the goalkeeper has clearly covered the ball
with their body, glove, or other equipment, it is not legal to swing your stick
at them, even if a Referee has not yet stopped play with a whistle. This can
lead to a slashing penalty at the discretion of the Referees.
3. When a floor
player has fallen to the ground with the ball in close proximity, caution
should be exercised when using sticks near them. If a player creates a
dangerous situation, they are subject to a slashing call at the discretion of
the Referees. However, unless the ball has unintentionally lodged underneath
the fallen player, leading to a stoppage of play, it is the responsibility of
the fallen player to get out of the way, or they will be subject to a Delay of
Game penalty.
D. Cross-checking (Rule 59)
With both hands on
the stick, it is illegal for a player to extend their arms such that the shaft
of their stick makes contact with an opposing player.
E. High-sticking foul (Rule 60)
Note that the
opponent's waist level is used here to determine high-sticking fouls, whereas the player's own waist
level is used to determine high-sticking stoppages
of play when no contact is made with an opponent (see ÒHigh-sticking, BallÓ
rule).
1. It is illegal to
contact an opposing player with your stick above their normal upright waist
level, whether intentional or accidental. Exceptions to this rule can be made,
at the discretion of the Referees, when accidental contact is made during a
normal wind-up or follow-through of a controlled shooting motion. However, a
wild swing at a bouncing ball is not considered a shooting motion for this
exception. In addition, contact above the waist during a shooting motion will
not be considered accidental if the shooter creates a dangerous situation by
initiating the shot when the other player is already in close proximity.
2. During a
stick-check (hitting an opponent's stick upward from underneath with your stick),
it is illegal to make contact with the opposing player's stick at a point above
their normal upright waist level. In addition, making contact with the shaft of
an opponent's stick at or above the normal level of their hands can be
considered slashing. However, a player who has been legally stick-checked is
responsible for controlling their own stick and is subject to all high-sticking
foul rules.
3. A player knocking
the ball out of the air with their stick above their own waist level will
typically result in a routine stoppage of play (see ÒHigh-sticking, BallÓ
rule). However, if other players are in close proximity, and a player swings
their stick in such a manner that the Referees, at their discretion, deem
dangerous play, a High-sticking Foul may be called even if no contact is made.
F. Playing with a broken stick (Rule 10.3)
If a regular player's stick breaks during play, they may
continue to play, but they must drop the broken stick immediately,
or they will be assessed a two-minute penalty. If a goalkeeper's stick breaks
during play, they may continue to use it until the next stoppage of play. If a
goalkeeper loses their stick, a floor player may retrieve the goalkeeper's
stick for them, or they may hand their own stick to the goalkeeper. However, in
both cases, the stick must be handed to the goalkeeper. If it is thrown or slid
to the goalkeeper, an Unsportsmanlike Conduct for throwing the stick penalty
will be called.
X. OTHER FOULS
A. Delaying the Game (Rule 63)
1. Ball leaving rink
It is illegal for any
player, including the goalkeeper, to intentionally play the ball with their
stick or body such that the ball leaves the playing area. If, in the opinion of
the Referees, the ball is accidentally shot out of play by either the
goalkeeper or a floor player, it will not be Delay of Game.
2. Freezing the ball
1. It is illegal for
any player, other than the goalkeeper, to freeze the ball with their stick or
body causing a stoppage of play. If the Referee feels that the ball is being
illegally frozen by a player, they will urge the player to move the ball. If
the player does not immediately move the ball, they will be subject to a Delay
of Game penalty.
2. It is illegal for
a goalkeeper to freeze the ball with their stick or body to obtain a stoppage
of play in the absence of pressure from an opponent. If the goalkeeper does not
immediately move the ball when not under pressure, they will be subject to a
Delay of Game penalty.
3. Goalkeepers are
allowed to freeze the ball in a rectangular zone delimited by boundaries
between the end-zone face-off spots extended to the goal line (grey shaded area
at the bottom of the figure in the first section), as well as the area behind
the goal line as long as the goalkeeper maintains contact with the crease. If
the goalkeeper freezes the ball leading to a stoppage of play outside of these
areas, this shall be a minor penalty for Delay of Game.
4. It is illegal for
a player, other than the goalkeeper, to fall on or gather the ball into their
body. If this occurs in the crease area, a penalty shot will result (see
Penalty Shot rules). The position of the ball is the determining factor, not
the position of the player's body. These rules do not apply if the ball is shot
or passed and inadvertently becomes lodged under a player or in the player's
clothing or equipment, unless the player takes further action to make the ball
unplayable.
3. Goal displacement
1. It is illegal to
deliberately displace a goal from its normal position. If the defending team
displaces their own goal, and a shot had not already
been taken by the attacking team, play will be stopped immediately, and a minor
penalty will be assessed. If the goal was displaced during a shot, a goal will
be awarded if the ball crosses between the normal position of the posts and
completely across the goal line, or, if, in the opinion of the Referee, it would have done so had the goal not been displaced.
Otherwise, a minor penalty will be assessed. If a defending player accidentally
displaces their goal, the above rules apply, but no penalty will be assessed.
If the goalkeeper displaces the goal during a breakaway, a penalty shot will
result (see Penalty Shot rules).
2. If an attacking
player displaces their opponent's goal, play will be stopped for a face-off as
soon as the offending team gains possession of the ball. If the displacement
was intentional, it will result in a penalty.
4. Other delays
1. It is illegal to
delay the game by failing to line up for face-offs in a timely manner.
2. It is illegal to
interfere with a Referee's ability to retrieve a ball to resume play with a
face-off.
B. Embellishment/diving (Rule 64)
It is illegal for a
player to make an obvious attempt to draw the attention of a Referee into
believing that a foul has been committed against them, or that an injury has
been suffered, whether or not a foul or injury has actually occurred.
C. Too many players/illegal substitution/premature substitution
(Rules 68, 71, and 74)
1. If a team has more
than six (6) players on the rink, or more than the number of players allowed at
a time during a penalty kill, a bench minor will be called.
2. If a team has less
than one female floor player on the rink, a bench minor penalty will be called,
unless the team is playing short-handed either because a female is serving a
penalty committed by a female, or because no female is available to play in the
corresponding position.
3. If, in the course
of making a substitution, the player entering the game touches the playing
surface before the player leaving the game is within 5 feet of the bench, then
a bench minor penalty for Too Many Players will be called. If, in the
course of the substitution, either player plays the ball with their stick or
body, or interferes in any way with the progress of an opposing player, then a
bench minor penalty for Too Many Players will be called. However,
if either player is struck by the ball accidentally, the play will not be
stopped, and no penalty will be called.
4. If a
player in the bench area breaks the plane of the boards into the playing area
with their body or equipment, and a ball in play touches them, or they
interfere in any way with the progress of an opposing player, then a bench
minor penalty for Too Many Players will be called.
5. If a
player leaves the penalty bench before the expiration of their penalty, a Too
Many Players penalty will be called.
D. Goalkeeper interference (Rule 69)
1. Intentional initiation of contact with a goalkeeper
A goalkeeper
interference penalty will result whenever a player intentionally initiates
contact with a goalkeeper, whether or not the goalkeeper is inside or outside
the goal crease, and any goal scored as a result of the contact will be
disallowed.
2. Incidental contact inside the goal crease
A goalkeeper has the
right to move freely within their goal crease without being hindered by the
actions of an attacking player. A player may run through the goal crease, but
if they stop with a foot touching the goal crease, and contact is made with the
goalkeeper, a goalkeeper interference penalty will be called, unless the ball
preceded them into the crease. Any goal scored as a result of contact with the
goalkeeper in the crease will be disallowed. If, however, the attacking player
was pushed by a defending player so as to cause them to come into contact with
the goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the
attacking player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking player has
made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact, and a penalty may be called on
the defending player.
3. Incidental contact outside the goal crease
Accidental contact
between a goalkeeper and an attacking player that occurs outside the goal
crease does not result in a penalty, and any goal scored as a result of the
contact will be allowed. However, a goalkeeper is not "fair game"
just because they are outside the goal crease. Attacking players must make
reasonable efforts to avoid unnecessary contact or be subject to a penalty.
4. Non-contact interference
When a goalkeeper has
played the ball outside of the crease and is then prevented from returning to
the crease area due to the deliberate actions of an attacking player, such
player may be penalized for goalkeeper interference. Similarly, the goalkeeper
may be penalized, if, by their actions outside of the crease, they deliberately
interfere with an attacking player who is attempting to play the ball or an
opponent.
E. Unsportsmanlike sonduct
(Rule 75)
It is illegal to
engage in any conduct that may be deemed inappropriate, vulgar, disrespectful,
or profane. This includes, but is not limited to:
- profane language or gestures,
particularly when directed at others, or profanity arising from
self-frustration that is frequent and/or is loud enough to be heard in
public areas outside the rink
- throwing objects onto, within, or
out of the rink, including sticks and other equipment
- slamming or breaking a stick,
door, or other object
- hitting the ball after a whistle, other than to assist
the Referee in its retrieval
- initiating physical contact with
an opponent after the whistle
- calling for
the ball from an opponent in an attempt to fool them into a turnover pass
- intentionally
calling out the game time incorrectly at the end of a period or penalty in
an attempt to fool the opposing team
F. Abuse of officials (Rules 40-41)
1. Only the team's
Captain has the privilege of discussing with the Referee questions relating to
interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game, and only
then at the discretion of the Referee. Any other player who disputes the
rulings (or lack thereof) of an official may be assessed a minor
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Captain is also subject to an
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty if they continue to dispute the ruling (or lack
thereof) after the Referee has rendered a final decision, or if they use
abusive language at any time. Should the protest continue after a minor penalty
is called, the player may be assessed additional penalties, including a major
or misconduct penalty. If the protest continues after the game, the player is
subject to a penalty that can carry over to subsequent games and/or be subject
to review by the League.
2. Use of obscene,
profane, or abusive language or gestures, or comments of a personal nature
intended to degrade an official will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty.
3. Any player who
interferes with an official in the performance of their duties shall receive an
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty
4. Any player who
deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official shall
receive a misconduct penalty.
XI. SEASON
A. Regular season
In a typical regular
season, each team plays each other team once, although
the League may vary this format in certain seasons. The score of each regular
season game will be recorded (game points). In addition, teams are awarded 2
points for each win, 1 point for each tie, and 0 points for each loss (team
points).
B. Playoff seeding
At the end of the
regular season, the teams will be ranked by team points. If more than one team
has the same number of team points (tied), each group of tied teams will be
seeded separately using the following criteria, in order (if the teams are
still tied, the next criterion is used):
1.
Team points for all head-to-head games within the group of tied teams
2.
Number of wins for the full season
3.
Game point differential for the full season
4.
Extra play-in game, or coin toss, at discretion of League
In a typical season,
the top 8 teams make the playoffs, and the playoffs are conducted in a
double-elimination format according to the following chart, although the League
may vary this format in certain seasons.
XII. SUPPLEMENTARY DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES
There are four
distinct categories of disciplinary action, listed here in ascending order of
severity:
A.
Reprimand
B.
Probation
C.
Suspension
D.
Expulsion
Incidents that may
warrant disciplinary action:
1.
Unsportsmanlike
conduct associated with Misconduct or Game Misconduct penalties, or which
occurs at the rink
2.
Overly
aggressive play
3.
Reckless
disregard for the safety of another player
4.
Willful intent
to injure another player
5.
Fighting
A. Reprimand
A reprimand is an
official notification from the DC that serves as a warning that a playerÕs
actions have been deemed outside the Òspirit of the league.Ó A reprimand is
appropriate in routine cases of unsportsmanlike conduct that are first
offenses. Subsequent acts of unsportsmanlike conduct of the same type should
result in a higher category of disciplinary action.
A simple majority is
required to issue a reprimand.
B. Probation
Probation is a period
of time during which a player cannot be involved in further incidents without
facing automatic suspension or expulsion. Probation is appropriate when a
player engages in: (1) an incident for which they were previously reprimanded, (2) a more serious case of unsportsmanlike conduct, or
(3) overly aggressive play which the DC feels warrants action beyond any
penalties served. The duration for probation is one (1) calendar year
from the incident.
A simple majority is
required to issue probation to a player.
C. Suspension
A suspension will
result in the player not being allowed to participate in their team's games or
be present in or near their team's bench area. A suspension is appropriate when
a player: (1) is on probation for a previous incident and is involved in a
similar incident, (2) is involved in a very serious case of unsportsmanlike
misconduct, (3) shows reckless disregard for the safety of another player, (4)
engages in a willful intent to injure another player, or (5) participates in a
fight.
The minimum duration
of a suspension issued for one of the first three cases (probation violation,
very serious unsportsmanlike conduct, or reckless disregard for safety) shall
be one (1) game. The minimum duration of a suspension for one of the last two
cases (intent to injure or fighting) shall be the remainder of the current
season and one additional season. Such players are also eligible for immediate
expulsion from the league at the discretion of the DC. If a player is suspended
for a probation violation, their term for the probation is reset to one (1)
calendar year from the end date of the suspension. If a player continues to receive
suspensions for the same offense, each suspension will be for a minimum of two
(2) games greater than the previous suspension. After a third suspension, the
player must meet with the DC to determine whether that player shall be
expelled.
A simple majority is
required to issue a suspension to a player.
D. Expulsion
A player that is
expelled from the League by the DC cannot participate again for a minimum of
one (1) calendar year. At the completion of that calendar year, an expelled
player may request reinstatement.
A unanimous vote,
after recusals, by the DC is needed to expel or
reinstate a player from the league.
E. Disciplinary committee review
This section covers
the review process for the DC:
1. All
Major, Game Misconduct, and regular Misconduct penalties shall be reported to
the Disciplinary Committee by a Referee or Board member and will be reviewed
automatically.
2. Any
instance of Unsportsmanlike Conduct that occurs at the rink and is witnessed by
a Referee, Board member, or Captain should be reported to the Disciplinary
Committee and will be reviewed automatically.
3. If a
Referee, Scorekeeper, Board member, Captain, or any other participant feels
that an event warrants review by the Disciplinary Committee, even though it
does not trigger an automatic review, a request can be submitted to the
Disciplinary Committee and may be reviewed at their discretion.
Requests for witness
statements and/or interviews shall be requested from the following individuals:
- Referees
- Scorekeeper
- Captains of both teams
- Individuals involved in the
incident under review
- Board Members and/or Referees that
were spectators
The DC may also
request witness statements and/or interviews from any other individuals that
witnessed the incident.
Once all of the
information-gathering is complete, the DC shall discuss the incident, either by
using the online Disciplinary Actions forum on the sdfhl.org website or in
person. The DC shall offer a ruling on each issue prior to the next set of
games to be played.
F. Notification of disciplinary action
The penalized player
and the Captains of both teams shall be notified of the ruling via e-mail.
G. Disciplinary committee voting
In the event that
member(s) of the DC are involved in the incident or are Captain(s) of a team
that could benefit from a ruling, they shall recuse
themselves from the voting process. In the event that a minimum of five (5)
voting DC members cannot be found due to recusals,
absences, or abstentions, the full DC shall nominate and vote on outside
individuals to serve as temporary DC members. A simple majority of at least five
(5) voting DC members is required to appoint temporary members.
All discussions and
votes conducted by the DC shall remain confidential to the DC and Board of
Directors. In the event that a DC or Board of Directors member is under
investigation for disciplinary actions, that member shall not be privy to any
discussions or votes pertaining to their incident. DC members may partake in
all discussions of an incident even if they have recused
themselves from the voting portion of the process.