Gameplay
Games will start at either 6:00, 6:45, 7:35, 8:25 or 9:15 on Tuesday nights and/or Friday nights. Game will be comprised of three 14 minute periods. Teams will switch sides between each period, but not between the third period and overtime. Clock will always run in the 1st/2nd period except for icings, penalties or the final 15 seconds of each period so long as the margin is two or less. Games will be stop time in the last three minutes of the 3rd period provided the game is within two goals as well. If margin is 3+ clock will continue running, except in instances of icings and penalties.
Overtime will be five minutes of 3 on 3 with minimum of one female player per side. In OT, if a female player commits a penalty the offended team will get to put out an extra female player so that once the penalty ends each team will have two male and two female players out until the next whistle, at which point it will go back to 3 on 3. If a male player commits the infraction the offended team will have a choice of whether to put out an extra guy or lady. OT is running clock except penalties or icings until the final minute when it is stop time. If game is still tied after OT we will go to a shootout. Shootouts are three shooters per side; at least one in the first three must be female. Home team chooses who goes first or which side they prefer shots to be taken on. If shootout remains tied after three shooters it will proceed one by one, with at least one female shooters every five rounds after that (three rounds in the two girl seasons). All players must shoot before a team can repeat players; however, if one team has more players than the other they can start repeating shooters as soon as the shorter team does.
Play will be whistled for an icing if the ball is cleared from behind a player’s own faceoff dots, passes the far goal line and is touched first by a member of the opposite team. When this happens, the clock will be stopped until the next faceoff, which will take place deep in the offending team’s zone. Icing shall be waived off if a) a player reaches the faceoff dots before clearing, b) the clearing attempt is touched by a member of either team prior to crossing the goal line, c) the ball goes on net or the goalie otherwise touches it, d) a member of the clearing player’s team touches the ball first, or e) it is determined by the refs that the other team could have touched the ball prior to it crossing the goal line but chose not to.
There are no offsides.
Teams play with six players per side, including a goaltender. Each team must have a minimum of one female on the court at all times. The only exceptions is if a female player takes a penalty (in which case the shorthanded team can use four male players to kill it off). Female goaltenders will not count towards this quota.
Penalties
Any penalty whistled by the referee will result in a power play for the aggrieved team. A minor penalty requires the offending player to sit for two minutes in the penalty box and his/her team to play shorthanded. Minor penalties include, but are not limited to: slashing, tripping, cross-checking, interference, etc. If a goal is scored during those two minutes the teams will go back to even strength. Referees will let players know when their penalty is about to expire so they can jump out of the box and back into the play. An additional penalty by the offending team during that time will result in a 5 on 3. A penalty by the power-play team will result in 4-on-4 play and then a short power play the other way. If you’ve ever watched an ice hockey game, it’s a pretty simple concept.
Stick checking is legal but sticks cannot be slashed down or held in the air for an extended period (more than a second or two). Both of those will be minor penalties. Sticks should not go above the waist in wind-ups or follow-throughs, although wind-ups will be enforced far more stringently than follow-throughs. These will result in a whistle, a warning for the offending player and a faceoff in their defensive zone. If the infraction is repeated, refs can call a minor penalty for delay of game at their discretion. Ball can be touched with a stick that is above the waist so long as it is below the shoulder. However, if this batting action results in hitting an opposing player it will likely be called a penalty so buyer beware.
If a team is perceived to be intentionally taking their sweet ass time in getting to the faceoff circle at any time in order to delay, especially near the end of a game/period/powerplay, refs are allowed to call a delay of game minor penalty at their discretion. Clocks will be stopped during stoppages during a penalty so the full two (or five) minutes will be served provided there are no goals and there is now a stop clock in the final 15 seconds of periods.
Bench minor penalties must always be served by a male player who was on the court at the time of the infraction.
Major penalties are five minutes, do not end if a goal is scored and will be assessed for serious infractions including but not limited to fighting, dangerous hits from behind, intent to injure, etc. These penalties will also automatically result in the ejection of the offending party from the game and possible suspension/ejection from the league. Just don’t do it. It’s a god damn recreational ball hockey league.
A penalty shot can be awarded, at the discretion of the ref, if a player is tripped, hooked, slashed or otherwise sinned against on a breakaway. They can also be awarded if the ball is covered in the crease by anyone other than the goalie. Obviously this does not apply if you accidentally cover the ball in your opponent’s crease because then you just denied your own team the scoring chance. We won’t call a penalty shot but your captain will probably not be too happy with you.
On a high windup or high stick, the ball shall be placed in the low faceoff circle in the offending team’s defensive zone.
Goalie Shit
If the goalie covers the ball it will be whistled dead and result in a face-off. Goalie throws are restricted to throws to the side or behind the goal line. Goalies cannot throw the ball forward. Goalies may only cover, freeze, glove or close their hand on the ball if they are within their crease (fully or partially). Goalies can’t run to mid-court and cover the ball. Infractions by the goalie may result in a warning or a minor penalty depending on the referee’s discretion. Goalies can’t be dicks either.
Players are allowed to have a foot or stick in the crease, but ANY contact with the opposing goalie while in the crease will be zero tolerance and possibly lead to a penalty. So there will not be weird phantom calls for someone accidentally sticking a toe in there or running through it on their way to the corner, but in general you should avoid it whenever possible.
Goalies are not only allowed to cross center ice, but encouraged to do so. First goalie to score a goal will likely receive some sort of prize.
Deflected Balls
If a ball is traveling off of the ground, a player shall be permitted to catch the ball out of the air but must immediately place it or knock it down to the ground. He/she may not catch it and run with it. A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a ball in the air with his/her open hand unless, in the opinion of the ref, he/she has directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone. Play will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own defending zone. A hand pass in the defending zone is considered to have occurred when both the player making the pass and the player receiving the pass have both of their feet inside their defending zone (within the blue line).
Any ball that deflects off the tree in the stands and changes direction should be an immediate whistle and a faceoff at the spot nearest to where the ball was shot from.
Any ball that deflects out of bounds off post or crossbar shall be a faceoff low.
Goals that deflect off body parts such as a foot, glove, chest, etc unintentionally shall count; any direct motion to kick/bat/direct the ball in will result in a disallowed goal. Any ball that is directly deflected off or knocked in by a ref and goes in unobstructed shall not be allowed.
Assholery
A game that is forfeited before it begins or because one team refuses to play results in a score of 0 for the forfeiting team and a 20 for the non-forfeiting team. If a team does not have a goalie, they should inform the league manager and a sub will be provided. All subs are subject to approval of leauge offices.
Players should avoid bitching at refs whenever possible; they are fully within their rights to hand out minor penalties if they are being abused. If you have something you think a referee should know, tell your captain and they will relay the message to the referee at an opportune time. Only captains are authorized to talk to refs. If you ask them for the time left in the game or make a decent joke, they probably won’t give a shit. Start mouthing off excessively and it is likely you will be assessed a penalty for being an asshole. Any player who is deemed to be abusing the officials is liable to receive a penalty, an ejection and a possible suspension.
Refs will, at their discretion, have the ability to call a 6 minute misconduct penalty on any player. Any player receiving this penalty must sit in the penalty box for 6 minutes, but it does not result in loss of manpower. If it is called with a 2 minute minor, someone who was on the rink at time of infraction must serve the minor on the front end.
Most everyone in this league was invited by a league manager or a good friend of theirs so there should be no pure dickwads in this league. However, any attempt to injure another player, hits that are completely egregious or a recurring pattern of dirty play/abuse of officials may result in suspension or expulsion without refund. There is a zero tolerance policy for cheap shots or dirty play; this is a ball hockey beer league. Everyone has other shit going on in their lives and no one wants to miss a week of work because they got concussed playing street hockey. You will be made fun of, ostracized and probably never get laid again. Just don’t do it.
Video Replay
The refs, at their discretion, may ask to see a video replay if there is a question about a call. If video is being taken (which it is in most cases), the commissioner will assist them in checking the video and interpreting the rules, but final call is the refs. If there is not sufficient evidence to overturn, the call on the ice will stand. Replays will never be initiated from the booth but are simply another tool the refs can use to make sure they get the call right. Efforts will be taken to make sure this review, when applicable, will be done as quickly as possible.
Playoffs
Playoff seedings will be determined by points. Teams receive three points for a regulation win, two for an OT/SO win, one point for an OT/SO loss and zero points for a regulation loss. If two teams are tied by points tiebreakers will go in the following order: a) regulation wins, b) total wins, c) goal differential, d) head-to-head points earned per game between teams tied in standings, e) least goals allowed and f) 21 cup game (minimum one female per side).
Playoff games will never go to shootout. In the play-in and quarterfinal rounds, if the game is tied after three periods the teams will play 3 on 3 overtime, no intermissions, until there is a winner. Semifinal and championship games which are tied in regulation will first proceed to 10 minute, five on five sudden death overtime period, no running clock. If no winner is crowned after 10 minutes of five on five, we will play three on three (one lady min per side), no intermissions, until there is a winner.
Weather
If bad weather threatens to make conditions unplayable league managers will make the call, with input from captains, on calling off games. We will, however, try to avoid being little bitches whenever possible.
TL;DR
Just be cool.
Any rules not covered in this document will default to USA Hockey rules.
Any disputes will be at the discretion of the league managers.