Rules

 

All games played will be subject to the rules of GBHI  (Non Checking), a copy of which can be viewed on the appropriate page of our site at www.fihlinlinehockey.bravehost.com and are summarised below.

Contact:

All matches will be non-checking

Playing Format:

Each team will play every other team in their respective group at least twice throughout each playing season.

A team will be awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for draw, in the event of teams

being tied at the end of the playing season, a one game(s) will be played to decide the

outcome of the age group in question, if after the above game(s) the teams are still tied

a penalty shoot out will prevail.

Games will consist of 2 x 15 minute periods with a 2 minute break between periods. All games will be on a stopping clock basis with one time out allowed  per team. In any game, once a 10 goal difference is established, then a running clock basis will begin. If the 10 goal difference is reduced during the game, play will revert to stopping clock.

Each team is permitted 1, one minute time-out per game. The game clock will stop during a time-out. Time-outs are not permitted in the last 2 minutes of a game.

Disciplinary:   I

In order that matters of discipline can be dealt with expeditiously, a meeting of the disciplinary panel will be convened within 14 days after the game concerned and same will consist of an FIHL representative and three representatives from FIHL clubs, their decision will be final with no right of appeal whatsoever!

Playing Up:

This decision is at the discretion of the player’s coach/manager and this will only be prevented if the player is obviously struggling to compete.

Referees:

Standard two person system using FIHL/GBHI registered referees provided by teams and the league.

General Equipment

The standard of equipment used shall be based on Ice Hockey. All players must wear:

• Leg Guards,

• Padded Shorts/Protective Girdle,

• Elbow Pads,

• Inline roller skates,

• Shoulder Pads for all players in the UlO and U12 age groups and they are recommended for all other age groups,

• Roller/ice hockey Gloves,

• Male players must wear a protective box and female players a Jenny,

• All sticks must incorporate a ‘butt-end’ (these will be checked at each game)

• HECC approved Helmets and all players 17 and under must also wear full face protection of an Approved design.

All netminders must wear ice hockey approved helmets and approved throat protection.

Pucks

All matches shall be played with a Puck.

Composition of Teams

A team shall not have more than 5 players on the rink at any time during play, any team with more than 5 players on the rink will be deemed to have incurred a Minor Bench Penalty.

On match days, teams must consist of a minimum of 4 players and 1 netminder

Players in Uniform

A team list identifying all participating players by number plus, all player, coach and manager registration cards, shall be presented to one of the match day officials prior to the game.         

 

The maximum players allowed in a squad shall be 16 outfield players plus 2 netminders.

Each player shall clearly display an individual number on their shirt which must be of a uniform team colour. In the event of a colour clash, the Match Officials will decide the issue by a toss of a coin with the losing team changing their shirts accordingly. Un numbered players may be removed from the play at the Match Officials discretion.

Only one netminder shall be permitted on the rink at any time. If he is substituted for a player, that player shall not be permitted the privileges of a netminder.

If a netminder is injured or sent to the dressing room a player may be allowed to kit up to become a netminder, however, no warm up time shall be permitted to any substitute netminder            Change of Players

Players may be changed at any time from the bench providing the player leaving the rink shall do so before the change.

A netminder may be changed for a player at any time subject to the above. However, he may only re-enter play during stoppage time. A Time Penalty shall not be called on a netminder for premature entry on a change but play shall be stopped and a face off taken from the centre spot. However if he deliberately participates in play in any way a Minor Bench Penalty shall be called.

Injured Players

When a player is injured he may retire from the game, and be substituted. Stoppage of play shall be at the Match Officials discretion according to the severity of the injury. If the game is stopped for an injured player, the player must leave the field and be substituted.

A game shall not be void due to a genuine inability to play injury time. An injured player leaving the rink unaided must do so via the bench.

Penalties

All penalties shall be served in actual playing time i.e. stopped time. Penalties committed when play is not in progress, apply as if in play. Penalties are divided into the following categories.

Teams cannot be reduced to less than 3 field players and 1 netminder unless in the last 2

minutes of the game, where they can be reduced to no less than 2 field players and a

netminder. Substitution of netminders is allowed at any time during a game.

Minor Penalties

For a Minor Penalty a player other than a netminder shall be ruled off the rink for land 1/2 minutes and no substitute shall be permitted.

For a Minor Bench Penalty, any player designated through the Captain or Assistant Captain shall be ruled off the rink for land 1/2 minutes.

If while short handed by one or more players serving Minor Penalties, the opposing team score a goal the first of these penalties shall automatically terminate.

NB. Short-handed means that the team must be below the numerical strength of its opponents at the time the goal is scored. Thus coincidental minor penalties to both teams do not cause either team to be short handed, although each team is playing a man short they are at equal strength. This rule shall also apply when a goal is scored by a penalty shot.

When a player receives both a Major Penalty and Minor Penalty the Major Penalty must be served first.

On the third minor penalty in any game the player will receive a 10-minute game misconduct penalty

Major Penalties

For the first Major Penalty on any one player other than the netminder, the player shall be ruled off the rink for 4 minutes and no substitute shall be permitted.

NB. A goal scored does not terminate this penalty

Misconduct Penalty

This incurs removal of any player except the netminder from the rink for a period of 10 minutes during which time a substitute is permitted.

The player may only return during a stoppage of play. When a player receives a Minor Penalty or Major penalty in addition to a Misconduct Penalty, that penalty shall be served by a substitute.

Two misconducts in any one game automatically incurs a Game Misconduct.

Game Misconduct

This incurs removal of the player to the dressing room for the balance of the game but a substitute shall be permitted immediately. This also incurs an automatic 1 game suspension.

Match Penalty

This incurs removal of the player to the dressing room for the balance of the game, although a substitute shall be permitted after 5 minutes playing time has elapsed. This also incurs an automatic 1 game suspension.

The Match Officials may suggest to the League Management that a further suspension be applied subject to the severity of the subject offence.

Any Player who is the subject of a Match Penalty will not be eligible to play at any level until they have served their suspension.

Penalty Shot

If awarded a Penalty Shot shall be taken as follows;

The puck shall be placed in the centre spot, both teams shall withdraw to the side of the rink behind the centre line.

The netminder shall remain in his crease until the puck is touched by the player taking the penalty shot.

On the referee’s signal the nominated player shall plays the puck.

When in possession he may make one circle of his defence zone after which he must proceed towards the opposing netminder. When the puck is shot or crosses the goal line the play is complete. The punk must be moving forward and in motion at all times.

No goal may be scored off a second shot or rebound. Only a netminder may defend a

penalty, he may stop the shot in any manner although he is not allowed to throw any piece of equipment at the opposing player taking the penalty shot.

If a goal is scored the face off shall be taken from the centre spot, if not then from the end zone face off spot.

The nominated penalty taker shall be that player whose scoring opportunity on a break away was denied. In all other circumstances he shall be nominated from those in play by the captain or Assistant captain of the Non Offending team.

Any interference with a penalty taker shall be assessed as Misconduct.

The clock shall remain’ stopped for the duration of taking the Penalty Shot.

Netminders Penalties

A netminder cannot be sent to the bench for Minor, Major or Misconduct Penalties.

The penalty shall be served by another player on the rink at the time of the offence,

nominated through the captain or Assistant captain. Other penalties shall be served and

a substituted netminder permitted.

A Minor Penalty shall be assessed to a netminder who leaves his crease during an altercation or participates in play beyond the centre line. All Penalties incurred shall be recorded against the netminder.

Delayed Penalties

If a 3rd Penalty is incurred with two players on the bench that penalty shall not be served until one Penalty expiries. He will however be immediately substituted and go to the penalty bench.

When a Minor and a Major are imposed at the same time on two different players of the same team the Major shall be recorded first.

If a coincidental 2 minute penalty is given (one player from each side) and one player is given a Major as well, the 2 minute penalty shall run first.

When 3 or more players are on the penalty bench and a penalty expires to be replaced by a delayed penalty, that player shall not resume play except by substitution during a stoppage of play. If two penalties expire together the captain or Assistant captain shall nominate which player may resume play in the normal way Calling Penalties.

Should an offence be committed by the team in possession of the puck the match official shall immediately stop the play and award the penalty. The resulting race off shall be made where play was stopped unless beyond the end zone spots in which case the face off shall take place at the nearest spot.

Should an offence be committed by the team not in possession the referee shall raise one arm to signify a Delayed Call and play shall continue until completion of the play by the team in possession, when play shall be stopped and the penalty given. Completion of the play by the team in possession means that the puck must have come into the possession of, control of or be intentionally directed by an opposing player or netminder or been frozen. This does not mean a rebound off the netminder, goal or boards, or any

accidental contact with the body or equipment of an opposing player. If during a delayed call on a Minor Penalty the non offending team shall score, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty waved. For all other penalties the goal shall be allowed and the penalty then assessed. This goal will also cause a Minor Penalty being served to terminate.

If during a delayed call the puck shall enter the goal of the non offending team through any reason the goal Shall Not be allowed and the penalty imposed in the normal fashion. Delaying the Game Any player delaying the game by adjusting their clothing or equipment shall be assessed a Minor Penalty.

Any player who deliberately causes the puck to leave the rink causing a stoppage of play shall be assessed a Minor Penalty.

Any player who deliberately displaces the goal shall be assessed a Minor Penalty unless the offence is committed during a break-away or during the final 2 minutes when a Penalty Shot shall be awarded.

Any team which after a warning for failing to field the correct number of players continues to delay play by further substitutions, remaining offside or any such actions shall be assessed a Bench Minor

Boarding

Any player that causes an opponent to be thrown violently into the boards by checking, tripping, charging or any such means shall be assessed a Minor or Major Penalty according to the severity of impact.

Rolling the puck carrier along the boards when he tries to go through too small a gap is not boarding.

Charging

A Minor or Major Penalty shall be imposed on any player that runs jumps or charges into an opponent. A check delivered with more than 2 steps or strides shall be considered charging.

A player that charges the netminder within the confines of his crease shall be assessed Major Penalty. Shall be assessed on any player who pushes, body checks or hits an opponent from behind, in any manner, anywhere on the rink.

A Minor or Major Penalty

Cross Checking

A check delivered with both hands on the stick and the stick not touching the floor shall

be deemed a cross check and a Minor, Major or Match Penalty is given. A minimum of

a Major Penalty shall be impose if injury results.

High Sticks

Carrying the stick above shoulder height is prohibited and may be penalised at the referee’s discretion with a Minor Penalty.

A goal (except own goal) from such a stick shall be disallowed.

Any high stick making contact with another player shall be assessed a Minor, Major or

Match Penalty.

Head or face injury caused by a high stick must be penalised with at least a Major Penalty.

If the puck is batted by a high stick and remains in possession of the offending team play shall be stopped and a face off shall be taken.

Falling on the Puck

A Minor Penalty shall be imposed on any player other than the keeper that deliberately falls on or gathers the puck to his body. If this offence is committed in the defending crease a Penalty Shot shall be awarded instead.

A player who drops to his knees to block a shot shall not be penalised should the puck lodge beneath him. The netminder may smother the puck if he is under pressure from an opponent but will otherwise receive a warning for the first offence and a Minor Penalty thereafter for delaying the game.

Handling the Puck

Any player other than the keeper that closes his hand on or picks up the puck shall be assessed a Minor Penalty. If this offence is committed in the defending crease a Penalty Shot shall be awarded instead.

The netminder may hold the puck if challenged but will other wise be warned and assessed a Minor Penalty for further offences. The keeper shall also be assessed a Minor Penalty if he throws the puck forward to a team mate or deliberately renders the puck unplayable by throwing it into the net, out of the rink etc.

A player may stop or bat the puck in the air or on the floor with his hand provided it is not done to his team’s advantage. If it is, play shall be stopped and a face off taken. No penalty shall be incurred.

Slashing

A Minor, Major or Match Penalty shall be imposed on any player who slashes an opponent, or who makes to, by swinging his stick, even though out of range. A minimum of a Major Penalty shall be given if injury results.

A stick swung during an altercation shall be assessed a Match Penalty.

 Elbowing or Kneeing

A Minor or Major Penalty shall be given to any player that fouls an opponent using elbows or knees.

A Major Penalty shall be imposed if injury results.

Holding

A Minor Penalty shall be given to any player that holds an opponent with his hand or stick in any way.

Hooking

A Minor Penalty shall be imposed on any player that impedes or seeks to impede an opponent by hooking with his stick.

A Major Penalty shall be imposed if injury results.

A Penalty Shot shall be awarded if this offence is committed to a player on a break away; if the netminder has been substituted a Goal is awarded.

Break - away: - A player shall be deemed to be on a break - away if he is in full possession of the puck in his attacking zone, with only one opposing player between him and the goal and is considered to be in such a position as to have a reasonable scoring chance.

Tripping

A Minor or Major Penalty shall be imposed on any player that uses his stick, or any part of his body to cause an opponent to trip. Tripping on a break-away shall result in a Penalty Shot being awarded.

A genuine attempt to play the puck resulting in a trip shall not be penalised.

Break - away: - A player shall be deemed to be on a break - away if he is in full possession of the puck, in his attacking zone, with only one opposing player between him and the goal and is considered to be in such a position as to have a reasonable scoring chance.

Interference

A Minor Penalty shall be imposed on any player that physically impedes the progress of - an opponent not in possession of the puck.

NB. Close marking of an opponent is not necessarily interference.

Any player that shoots or throws anything to distract the puck carrier shall be assessed a Minor Penalty. If this offence is committed from the bench a Bench Minor shall be given.

If an attacking player deliberately stands in the goal crease the referee shall stop play and a face off shall be taken at the nearest face off spot to the half way fine. Any player interfering with or impeding the netminder in his crease when the puck is not in the crease shall be assessed a Minor Penalty.

A Misconduct or Game Misconduct shall be assessed to any player that throws his stick other than at the puck. If the stick is thrown as a protest at a decision he shall be given a Minor + Game Misconduct.

 

Invasion of the playing area during or after an altercation

The first player of each team to do so shall be given: -

A Double Minor + Game Misconduct Penalty.

Subsequent players up to 5 per team shall be assessed a Misconduct Penalty, any player penalised after leaving the bench shall also be assessed a Game Misconduct Penalty.

Leaving the Penalty Bench Any player leaving the penalty bench before expiry of his penalty shall be assessed another Minor Penalty unless due to timekeepers error when he shall return to the bench to complete the penalty

Spearing or Butt-Ending

Any player that attempts or motions to butt-end or spear shall be assessed a Match Penalty.

Any player that butt-ends or spears another shall be assessed a Match Penalty.

Fighting or Roughing

A Match Penalty shall be imposed on any player that starts a fight.

A Minor Penalty shall be imposed on any player that retaliates to a blow or attempted blow. However the referee may impose a Double Minor, Major or Match Penalty to any player continuing an altercation.

It is the intention of this rule that a Match Penalty is given to the aggressor(s) be they the instigator or the retaliator in a fight.

A Minor or Double Match Penalty shall be assessed on any player using unnecessary roughness.

A Misconduct or Game Misconduct Penalty shall be assessed where fisticuffs occurs between two players not on the rink.

A Game Misconduct Penalty shall be awarded to the first player that intervenes in an altercation.

Kicking a Player

A Match Penalty shall be imposed on any player that kicks or attempts to kick another.

Attempting to Injure A Match Penalty shall be imposed on any player that deliberately injures or attempts to injure another player.

A Gross Misconduct Penalty shall be assessed for attempting to injure an official or spectator before, during or after a game.

Stick Throwing / Illegal Equipment

When any member of a defending team throws a stick or any other object in the direction of the puck play shall continue whilst the non-offending team has possession. If a goal does not result the play shall be stopped and a Penalty Shot awarded.

This shall be taken by any player nominated by the team captain.

If the goal was unattended through substitution, and an ‘open goal prevented, a goal shall be awarded.

A Major Penalty shall be assessed to any player throwing a stick or other item at the puck in any other situ A player may drop a broken stick without penalty provided it is done in a manner not to cause interference.

A player that plays with a broken stick or any equipment previously ruled dangerous or illegal shall be assessed a Minor Penalty.

No player shall leave the bench during an altercation. (This includes changing the line up).

Where an offence calls for a misconduct but the offender cannot be identified, a Bench Minor Penalty shall be assessed.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Any player or team official who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official shall be assesses a Minor Penalty. Continued descent shall be assessed a Misconduct Penalty.

Any further dispute shall result in a Game Misconduct Penalty Abuse of the following nature shall result in the team being assessed a Bench Minor Penalty.

Failing to proceed directly to the penalty bench or dressing room. Use of obscene or profane language by any player, team official, parent or supporter.

Throwing anything from the bench onto the play area.

Interference from the bench with any player or official.

Banging the boards.

This shall be assessed against players or team officials.

Abuse of the following nature shall result in the player being assessed a Misconduct Penalty: -

Use of obscene language to any person anywhere in the sports facility.

Intentionally knocking the puck out of the referees reach.

Throwing an equipment out of the playing area.

Banging the walls, boards floor etc. other than to call a pass.

Failing to proceed directly to the bench following a fight or altercation for which he has been penalised. (N-B.) Discarded equipment must be retrieved by a team mate.)

For persisting after a warning in any conduct designed to incite an opponent to incur a penalty.

At the referees discretion the following shall be assessed either a Misconduct or Game Misconduct Penalty: Deliberately making contact with an official.

Throwing a stick out cif the playing area.

Continuing a fight or altercation after being told to stop.

Abuse of the following nature shall result in the player being assessed a Game Misconduct Penalty:

Persisting in any conduct for which he has been assessed a Misconduct Penalty Using an obscene gesture anywhere in the sports facility

 Abuse of the following nature shall result in the player being assessed a Gross Misconduct Penalty:

Bringing the game into disrepute by any action or behaviour which makes a travesty of, interferes with or is detrimental to conducting of the game.

 Deliberate attempt to injure an official.

When a player facing off obstructs his opponent after the face off when his opponent is not in possession of the puck, he shall be given a Minor Penalty. Interference to a player on a break-away shall result in a Penalty Shot.

Face Off’s

The puck shall be faced off by one referee dropping the puck to the floor between the two players facing off. The players shall stand squarely facing their opponents end of the playing area, 4ft apart, with their stick blades touching the floor.

If after warning, either or both players fails to take the correct position promptly the referee will ask for another player(s) already on the field to take the face off. No player facing off may make contact with another except to play the puck after it has been faced off. Such action shall be deemed Interference.

Any player failing to adopt the correct attitude may be ruled away from the face off to be replaced by another.

No substitution shall be permitted until the face off is completed. A second violation shall be deemed delaying The Game if: When stoppage occurs between the end zone spots and the near end of the playing area,

the face off shall take place at the closest end zone spot.

No face off shall be held closer to the side boards than the end zone spots.

When an illegal goal occurs by the puck deflecting off an official, the face off shall be taken from the end zone spot.

In all other circumstances the face off shall be taken at the point where the puck was last played.

All players must stand behind the puck relative to their attacking zone whilst a face off is being conducted.

Puck Out of Sight

Should a player actually fall on the puck or it become lodged in his clothing the referee

shall immediately stop the play and conduct a face off at the appropriate place.

 Illegal Puck

Should another puck appear on the playing area the play shall continue until the legal puck changes possession. If the referee cannot identify the legal puck play may be stopped.

Puck Striking Official.

This shall not cause a stoppage of play except when the puck then enters the goal. The goal will not be allowed but a face off taken at the end zone spot.

Off Side

Players may precede the puck over the centre red line but, the puck must be carried over

the red line.

Passes made to a team-mate over the centre red line are illegal.

The delayed offside call

If an attacking player precedes the puck that is played into the attacking zone, but a defending player is able to play the puck, the referee shall signal a delayed call by raising his arm. The play shall continue until the off side is nullified or the play is complete.

The nullified offside

The referee shall drop his arm to nullify the off side violation and allow play to continue if either: The defending team carry or shoot the puck over the centre line. All the attacking players clear the attacking zone by crossing the centre line.

The attacking zone must be completely clear of attacking players at the time the offside is nullified.

The Goal

A goal shall be scored when the puck is put entirely across the goal line, between the goal posts, below the cross bar, with the goal in place, by the stick of a player. If the puck is shot by an attacker but deflects from any part of a team mate the goal shall be allowed.

A goal will not be allowed if the puck is directed off an official.

Any actions by a defender resulting in the puck entering the goal, the goal shall be allowed and credit given to the last attacker to play the puck

No attacking player may stand in the goal crease if the puck is not already in the crease. A goal scored in these circumstances shall be disallowed unless the offending player is so situated due to immediate interference by an opponent.

Any goal scored other than as covered by this rule shall be disallowed.

The Assist

An assist may be awarded to any player that in the referee’s opinion played the puck in such a manner as to directly assist the goal scorer. This play need not be a direct pass as a deflection from the keeper, boards or goal may be deemed to have set up the scoring opportunity.

Kicking the Puck

This shall be allowed by any player in any zone, but a goal shall not be allowed by the kicking of an attacking player.

If an attacking player kicks the puck and it is deflected into the goal, other than from any players stick the goal shall not be allowed.

Puck Out of Bounds

When the puck comes to rest out of play by leaving the playing area or lodging in any netting a face off shall be taken from where it was last played, unless this was beyond the end zone spots.

A puck that lodges on the boards may be legally played by the stick or hand.

Frozen Puck

Any player may freeze the puck against the goal or boards if he is under pressure from an opponent. After 3 seconds the referee shall stop play and conduct a face off at the appropriate place.

Should a player or keeper freeze the puck when not under pressure he may be penalised for Delaying the Game.

BAND PLAYERS

 

Completing the play

The play shall be complete when that play is prevented by the offending team taking possession of, intentionally directing or causing the freezing of the puck through actions on the puck or puck carrier. (Accidental contact with the body or kit of an offending player is not deemed completion of play). Play shall then be stopped and the face off taken at the appropriate spot before the played offside.

NB. The position of a players skates determines if he is off side or not. If he has one skate touching the floor on his side of the line he is not off side.

NB. No player in possession and with control of the puck can be called off side for crossing the centre line ahead of the puck.

NB. No player is off side until the puck fully crosses the centre line.

NB. A player is not off side if the puck is played across the centre fine by an opponent.

The Referees

All games shall be controlled by two referees, each referee shall have equal jurisdiction over a game with neither having any rights to an over ruling authority, except in the case of a nominated referee who can be over ruled.

Discussions may be held over a decision but if these are not resolved within one minute of the stoppage of play the decision of the referee making the call shall stand.