Game Rules

INTRODUCTION

The organization of USA inline hockey programs in the United States of America is conducted under the program identification and logo of USA Roller Sports, which is the National Governing Body for roller inline hockey in the United States under the auspices of the USA Olympic Committee. Many of the USARS inline hockey competitions at the grass-roots level are organized and conducted under the auspices of USARS’ association with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

These competitions are made up of three national-level divisions which use standard ice hockeystyle equipment: Elite Puck, Club Puck and Ball Hockey, and Junior Olympic Puck and Ball Hockey. This publication contains the rules and guidelines for Elite Puck Hockey, Club Hockey and Junior Olympic Hockey, both puck and ball, allowing some flexibility for management of smaller club events. Beyond the United States, USARS Elite inline Hockey program is designated for international and world competitions conducted under the direction of the International Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS) and the Committee International de Roller In-Line Hockey (CIRILH). USARS inline Hockey is designated as a participant sport in the Pan American Games and IWGA World Games, which are conducted, supervised and sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee.

USA Roller Sports has, through its By-laws and General Rules, conformed with the requirements of a NGB under the National Sports Act of the United States Congress which mandate the rules and policies for governance of roller inline hockey programs. These administrative regulations can be found on the USARS website: www.usarollersports.org.

It is suggested that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with these rules and policies, as well as the official USARS inline Hockey playing rules contained within this publication, so as to better acquaint yourself with the game of inline hockey and to insure that you will not inadvertently jeopardize your standing as a competitor and in so doing more fully appreciate this sport.

Part 1 – GOVERNING AUTHORITY

Rules and regulations for conducting roller inline hockey tournaments have been established through the USARS Roller In-Line Hockey Committee, in cooperation with the guidelines of the International Federation of Roller Sports (FIRS) USA Roller Sports and have been adopted by the IHAAZ Rules Advisory Committee. USA Roller Sports is recognized by FIRS as a National Federation in good standing and has been granted permission to reproduce and distribute these rules as a means to accomplish the promotion of FIRS inline roller hockey programs throughout the world. There have been some slight modifications of the FIRS rules by USA Roller Sports to adapt them to playing conditions in the United States. There have been further slight modifications to these rules in which to adapt them to the playing conditions within the IHAAZ and these are duly noted in the following text.4

Part II – GENERAL COMPETITION ADMINISTRATION

1. Eligibility of Teams and Players
A. Girls and women 20 years of age and younger playing on a boys team, must conform to the boys team, must conform to the boys age restriction, however, they shall be allowed to have one additional year of eligibility. i.e. An 11-year-old girl can play down in the 10u division. In order for a girl to play in the Women’s division, she MUST BE 14 YEARS OLD on the day of the game.
B. To promote standardization and consistency of the playing rules between leagues nationwide, sanctioned leagues must utilize the following age determination date: Players’ ages are to be computed as of January 1st for each calendar year.
C. In all IHAAZ inline Hockey events, players shall have the option to play up one division, provided such players skill level and physical ability and maturity is of similarity to other participants in the age division.
D. Allowing players to play down an age division is prohibited, except for girls and women as listed in (A) above.

2. Team Size
A. At no time shall any team have more than five players on the floor during a game. To officially start the game, a team should ideally have four (4) skaters and one (1) goalie on the floor ready to play, however; the AIHA will allow teams to begin a game with five (5) skaters. (See rule nine).
B. Team rosters will ideally consist of a minimum of four (4) floor players and one (1) goalie. The IHAAZ will allow five (5) skaters and a maximum of 14 players. Once the second game has begun, no roster substitutions or the addition of players is permitted without the written permission of the tournament director.

3. Rink Condition
A. All qualifiers will be played on a surface as close as possible to the maximum size allowed of 20 x 60 meters. The surface shall have rounded corners to facilitate keeping the puck in play. The playing surface must be kept clean and in good repair.
B. There are no blue line markings required on the playing surface for inline hockey, where the entire floor is in play for either team, without imposition of off-side or icing penalties. (See Rule One). However, a center red line should be marked on the floor to distinguish the defensive zone and the attacking zone. (See Rules seventy-one and seventy-four).

4. Duration of Games5
A The length of each game will consist of two (2) halves (running time or stop time). The time of each period will be predetermined for each age group and skill level. If running time is played, there will be a stoppage of play in the last two minutes when the score is within 2 goals or is tied.
B Each team is granted one time-out of one-minute duration per game. The game clock
stops during a time out.

5. Forfeiture
A. forfeiture of a game shall be declared for the following reasons:
B. If a team, when ordered to do so by the referee, through its manager or coach, fails to go on to the floor and commence play within five minutes, the game shall be forfeited.
C. At the start of a game (on the referee’s whistle to put the puck in play) a team does not have four skaters and a goalie (or the IHAAZ allowed five skaters) on the floor, in required uniform. Due to injury or illness during the game, if a team cannot field a team (when at full strength) four skaters and a goalie to continue this game.
D. In the event of a forfeit, then the following scoring statistics shall be awarded:
The score of the game shall be recorded as 8 to 0, with the forfeiting team awarded a loss for the game and the opposing team shall be awarded two points (a victory for the game).

6. Round-Robin Game Scoring and Tie Breakers
In compiling the results of pool play, games within each pool that finish tied, shall remain tied ad points for each game awarded as follows:
Two (2) point to the game winner One (1) point for a tie game Zero (0) points to the loser
A. The placement of teams within each pool shall be according to the most number of points accumulated in round robin play. If after addition of points, two or more teams are determined to possess an equal amount of points during pool play, the team’s position is determined as follows:
B. The victor of the head-to-head competition in round-robins shall be awarded the higher placement position.
C. Goal differential.
D. If a tie results, the team with the fewest goals against for the entire round shall be used to determine position for the tied teams.
E. If a tie remains, the most goals for during all games in the group competition, among the tied teams will determine the group position.6
F. If a tie remains, the most goals for during all games in the group competition, among the tied teams will determine the group positions.
G. If teams are tied after applying the above criteria, the team with the fewest penalty minutes will go through to the next game.
H. If all else fails, the team that will move on will decided by a coin flip.

7. Game Officials
A. There will be two referees used in each game. They will share responsibilities, however, the first one listed on the game sheet will be designated Chief Referee and will work with
the tournament director to be final authority on violations that may involve controversy. Other required officials include a time keeper/scorekeeper that will be responsible for
notifying the players of the expiration of their penalty time.

8. Protests
A. A protest made to the game official will not be valid unless made on the rink by a player/coach of the protesting team, and the referee will immediately inform the coach of
the opposing team. Once the referee in charge of the match has ruled on an incident occurring during the course of play, this decision will stand unless an official letter of
protest seeking to overturn this ruling is filed with the IHAAZ, along with a protest fee of $100.00, payable to the IHAAZ. Only if it is upheld, will the fee be returned in full to the
complainant.
B. Only participating clubs, in the division in question, have the right to lodge protests against incidents which may arise during the course of the qualifier. For a protest to be valid, it
must be written and presented to the tournament director, not later than three (3) hours after the incident.
C. All appeals (described in A. above) of the referee’s decision, must be filed in writing and submitted no later than three hours after the incident to the IHAAZ tournament director,
along with an appeal fee of $100.00.

7 The following rink design is intended for informational purposes and is the suggested design. This will not be an area of protest allowed in the

IHAAZ.8

PART III – RULES OF THE GAME

Section 1

RULE ONE – RINK (see IHAAZ rink requirements for clarification)
(a) Roller in-line hockey shall be played on wood, asphalt, cement or sport tiled floors or any appropriate surface in good repair.
(b) The rink shall be marked according to the diagram included with these rules taking into consideration the exact dimensions indicated herein. No playing surface blue line zone
markings are needed, because in roller inline hockey the entire floor is in play for either team. There are no off-side incursions or icing penalties. However, a center red line
should be marked on the floor to distinguish the defensive zone and the attacking zone.
(c) Dimensions of the rink surface may vary between 20 and 30 meters in width (65 to 100 feet) and 40 to 60 meters in length (130 to 200 feet). As much as possible, an attempt
should be made to maintain a width versus length of rink ratio of 1:2.
(d) The qualifiers will be played on a surface as close as possible to the maximum allowed. The rink shall be surrounded by a wood or fiberglass wall (boards) that extend above the
rink surface from 40 to 48 inches (101 to 122 cm), with the ideal height being 42 inches or 106.7 cm. The barrier shall have rounded corners of a radius of approximately 20 feet (6
meters) to facilitate keeping the puck in play.
(e) It is recognized that rinks of the same size may not be available for all games within the jurisdiction of the IHAAZ, therefore, in such instances, variations in the marking of goal
lines and face-off circles are authorized, which should be proportionate to the overall size of the playing surface.

RULE TWO – GOAL CAGES (recommended as close as possible)
(a) The goal cage consists of an iron pipe cage with a rectangular face opening with inside dimension height of 122 cm (48”) and inside width of 183 cm (72”), which are the
dimensions of a standard ice hockey goal cage.
(b) The front or facing frame must be made with iron galvanized pipe of 3 inch or 7.6 cm diameter. The top and base supports and the back brace shall consist of iron pipe 2 inches
or 5 cm diameter. The top, posts and internal face of the goal cage must be covered with very resistant netting, which has yarn dense enough to resist the strongest shots, and
closely woven so as not to permit through passage of the puck. Metallic netting will not be allowed.
(c) The post and front bar must be painted in a red color while all other framing part should be painted white. It is required that the bottom rail of the goal age and the back center
brace be padded to resist having the puck bounce back out of the cage after a hard shot.9

RULE THREE – GOAL CREASE
(a) In front of each goal, a “goal crease” area shall be marked.
(b) The goalkeepers “privileged” area bounded in rear by the goal line, in front by an imaginary line connecting the end zone face-off spots and on the sides by imaginary an
imaginary line from the goal line to the end zone face-off spots.

RULE FOUR – FACE-OFF SPOTS (suggested)
(a) One face-off spot, nine inches in diameter (22.5 cm) shall be placed at the exact center of the floor, surrounded by a 15 foot radius circle (4.6 meters). The game will be started
with a face-off from this spot, as will the beginning of the second half of the game, after each scored goal and before sudden death play-offs.
(b) In each end zone, two 9 inch face off spots will be placed, located 20 feet (6 meters) out from each goal line and 22 feet (6.7 meters) from the exact center of the rink’s width,
along an imaginary line parallel to the goal line. This would make the spots 44 feet apart from each other. A fifteen foot (4.6 meters) radius circle shall be drawn around each
spot.
(c) The rink will be marked with a total of five (5) face-off positions.

RULE FIVE – PLAYER BENCHES
(a) Each rink should have seats or a bench for the use of each team, to be known as the “player benches”. Each players bench shall accommodate at least sixteen (16) persons
and shall be placed immediately alongside the playing surface in the neutral zone as near as possible to the center of the rink and convenient to the dressing rooms.
(b) The two teams will start at the opposite end zone of their respective player’s bench and will not change benches at the end of every period.
(c) Only players in complete uniform, the manager, coach and trainers shall be permitted to occupy the player benches.
(d) During the game, coaches, managers and trainer shall be restricted to the use of the area the length of the player benches, including their team gate. Penalty for violation of this
rule is a bench minor penalty.
(e) Teams are allowed a maximum of no more than three (3) officials (coaches, managers and trainers) on the bench for each game.

RULE SIX – PENALTY BENCH
Each rink will have seats or benches to be known as the “Penalty Bench.” It is to be used for the seating of penalized players, penalty time-keeper, game time-keeper and official 10
scorer. The penalty bench should be located a substantial distance from the player benches.

RULE SEVEN – REFEREE’S CREASE
DELETED FOR IHAAZ

RULE EIGHT – SIGNAL AND TIMING DEVICE
Each rink must have a suitable sound device to be used by the game time-keeper. An electric timing device shall be provided for the purpose of keeping participants informed
as to the various timed elements of the game. The timing display shall indicate the time remaining to be played and penalty time to be saved.

SECTION II – TEAMS

RULE NINE – COMPOSITION OF TEAM
(a) A team on the floor shall not consist of more than four floor players and one goalie, or five players in IHAAZ.
(b) Each player and each goalkeeper listed in the line-up of each team shall wear an individual identifying number at least 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches) high on the back of the
jersey.
(c) Team rosters will ideally consist of a minimum of four (4) floor players and one (1) goalie, or five skaters in IHAAZ, and a maximum of 14 total players.
(d) Players game numbers must remain consistent on both the dark and light uniform jerseys throughout the qualifier. If a jersey is rendered unwearable and must be replaced, the
team captain will report this to the referee, noting both the previous number used in the tournament as well as the new number on the substitute jersey. MAKE THE BEST
ATTEMPT POSSIBLE.

RULE TEN – TEAM CAPTAIN
(a) The IHAAZ is currently not requiring the designation of Captains and Alternative Captains on each team.

RULE ELEVEN – UNIFORMED PLAYERS
(a) At the beginning of each game, the tournament director shall list the players and goalkeeper who shall be eligible to play the game.
(b) A list of the names and numbers of eligible players entered into that game will be handed to the Official scorer before the start of the game, by the tournament director. These
players names must be contained on the original team roster submitted at the beginning of the qualifier. No change in the game list or additions thereto shall be permitted after the
commencement of the game except when a goalkeeper has been injured or ill goalkeeper, however, such substitution can only be made by a player already on the list. Each team 11
shall be allowed one goal keeper on the floor at one time. The goalkeeper may be removed and another “player” substituted. Such a substituted player shall not be
permitted the privileges of the goalkeeper.
(c) Any substitute goalkeeper entering the game for any reason, shall not be permitted a warm-up.
(d) If both teams are on the surface during pre-game warm-up, players shall be restricted to their half of the surface.
(e) No player under suspension may participate in pre-game warm-up or occupy a spot on the players’ bench.

RULE TWELVE – STARTING LINE-UP
(a) To start a game, a team must have a goalie and four skaters, or five skaters, on the floor at the referee’s whistle to start the game, if this requirement cannot be met, then a forfeit
shall be declared by the referee against the team not able to field a goalie and four skaters, or five skaters.

RULE THIRTEEN – CHANGE OF PLAYERS
(a) When play is in progress, not more than five players (including a goaltender) are permitted on the playing surface at any one time.
(b) Players may be substituted at any time from the player benches, provided that the player or players leaving the surface shall be within 3m (10’) of their player’s bench before any
change is made.
(c) Players on the penalty bench, who are to be substituted after the penalty has expired, must proceed by the way of the playing surface and be at their own player’s bench before
any substitution can be made.
(d) A team shall be required to place the correct number of players on the surface when requested to do so by the referee. The visiting team must be first to place any playing
line-up on the surface to commence play at all times. Each team is allowed only one change of players during a stoppage of play.
(e) If, in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or leaving the game, intentionally plays the puck with their stick, skates or hands or makes physical
contact with an opposing player while the player (either leaving or entering the game) is actually on the surface, then a minor penalty for “too many players on the surface” shall
be assessed. However, in the course of leaving or entering the game, the player is accidentally struck by the puck, no penalty shall be assessed and play shall not be
stopped. When a goaltender leaves the goal area and proceeds to the player’s bench for substitution, this must be done within 3m (10’) of the bench area before the substitute
may enter the game. If the team substituting has possession of the puck and the substitution is made prematurely, the official shall stop play immediately and a face-off
will take place at either the center face-off spot or end zone face-off spot (whichever location gives advantage to the non-offending team). If the team does not have 12
possession of the puck and makes an illegal substitution, the referee shall assess a minor penalty.
For player changes during stoppages of play, the referee conducting the face-off, will assume the referee’s normal position for the ensuing face-off and then shall allow a five
second interval for which the visiting team may make a change. After this five second interval has elapsed, the referee shall allow the home team the opportunity to make a
change of players (if they have not already done so). After another five seconds time interval, the referee shall drop the arm. This will indicate that the home team may no
longer change any player(s). When a team attempts to make a player change after the allotted time intervals, the referee shall send the player(s) back to their bench. Any
subsequent infraction of this procedure shall result in a bench minor penalty.
(f) If, in the last two minutes of regular playing time, a bench minor penalty is imposed for deliberate illegal substitution by the defending team, which provided them more players
on the floor, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team. The bench minor penalty shall not be served.
(g) A bench minor penalty shall be assessed for violation of any section of rule 13. The penalty shall be served by that player who committed the infraction.

RULE FOURTEEN – INJURED PLAYERS
(a) When a player, other than a goalkeeper is injured or compelled to leave the floor during a game, the player may retire from the game and be replaced by a substitute, but play must
continue without the teams leaving the floor.
(b) If a goalkeeper sustains an injury or becomes ill, the goalie must be ready to resume play immediately or be replaced by a substitute goalkeeper and NO additional time shall be
allowed by the referees for the purpose of enabling the inured or ill goalkeeper to resume position. No warm-up shall be allowed by the referee for the purpose of enabling the
injured or ill goalkeeper to resume position. No warm-up shall be given to the replacement goaltender. (See also item d below).
(c) The referee shall report any disciplinary action for delay in making a goalkeeper substitution. The substitute goalkeeper shall be subject to the regular rules governing goalkeeper and shall be entitled to the same privileges.
(d) When a substitution for the regular goalkeeper has been made, such regular goalkeeper shall not return to the game until the first stoppage of play thereafter.
(e) If an injured player receives a minor penalty, the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty bench before the penalty expires and no other replacement for the
penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench. For violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed. The penalized player who
has been replaced on the penalty bench, shall not be eligible to play until that penalty has expired.
(f) When a player is injured so that the skater cannot continue play or go to the team bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured player’s team has secured possession of the
puck. If the player’s team is in possession of the puck at the time of injury, play shall be stopped immediately, unless the injured player’s team is in a scoring position.
(g) A player other than the goalkeeper, whose injury appears serious enough to warrant a stoppage of play, may not participate further in the game until the completion of the
ensuing face-off. NOTE: In a case where it is obvious that a player has sustained a serious injury, the referee may stop the play immediately regardless of who is in possession of the puck.13

SECTION III

RULE FIFTEEN – STICKS
(a) The sticks shall be ice hockey-style made of wood or other approved material and must not have any projections. Adhesive tape of any color may be wrapped around the blade for the purpose of reinforcement or to improve control of the puck.
(b) No stick shall exceed 1.5m (60”) in length from the heel to the end of the shaft, nor be more than 32cm (12.5”) from the heel to the end of the blade. The curvature of the blade of the stick shall not be restricted. The blade of the floor players’ stick must be a minimum of 5 cm and may not exceed 9cm in width at any point. If a player(s) or goaltender(s) stick has been cut or shaved or altered and as a result, pointed or sharp corners exist which could cause serious injury, these pointed and/or sharp corners must be rounded by filing or sanding before the stick in question is deemed legal and still meets the legal stick measurements listed in paragraphs (b) and (c).
(c) The blade of the goalkeeper’s stick my not exceed 13 cm in width at any point except at the heel where it must not exceed 14 cm in width; nor shall the goalkeeper’s stick exceed 39 cm in length from the heel to the end of the blade. The widened portion of the goalkeeper’s stick extending up the shaft of the blade shall not extend more than 61 cm from the heel and shall not exceed 13 cm in width.
(d) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player, including the goalkeeper, for using a stick which does not conform to the provisions of this rule.

RULE SIXTEEN – SKATES
(a) Skates to be used will normally be in-line skates and may consist of either three, four or five wheels. All wheels must be situated under the boot. All wheel bolts and axles must be recessed and even with the frame. Quad or conventional skates are permitted, but are not recommended. No skates that are detachable from the boot will be permitted.
(b) All axle opening must contain an axle and a wheel. Example: A four wheel frame must contain four axles and four wheels. If a player loses a wheel during play, they must proceed directly to the player’s bench or play shall be stopped when the offending team gains possession. No time penalty shall be assessed. THIS INCLUDES GOALIES.
(c) Any player taking the surface in violation of the above rule will receive a minor penalty and may not return to play until the fault is corrected.

RULE SEVENTEEN – GOALKEEPER’S EQUIPMENT
(a) With the exception of skates and sticks, all equipment worn by the goalkeeper must be constructed solely for the protection of the head or body, and must not include any garment or contrivance which would give the goalkeeper undue assistance in keeping goal.14 NOTE: The lacing or webbing or other material joining the thumb and index finger of the goalkeeper’s glove or any cage, pocket or pouch created by this material, must not exceed the minimum amount of material necessary to fill the gap between the thumb and the index finger when they are fully extended and spread.
1) Protective padding attached to the back of, or forming part of the goalkeeper’s gloves shall not exceed 20 cm in width nor 40 cm in length.
2) Abdominal aprons extending down the thighs or the outside of the pants are prohibited.
(b) Goalkeeper’s pads, when new, shall not exceed 30 cm in extreme width as measured on the goalkeeper, and shall not be altered in any way
(c) A minor penalty shall be assessed a goalkeeper guilty of using or wearing illegal equipment. (Refer to Rule 24)
(d) All equipment, with the exception of puck and skates, will be regulation hockey equipment.
(e) All goalkeepers will be required to wear HECC/CSA approved face masks.

RULE EIGHTEEN – PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(a) Each participant is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games, warm-ups and practices. Recommended equipment for all players is: Hip pads, padded hockey pants, protective cup or pelvic protector, chest protection, shoulder pads, mouth guard, and throat protection. All protective equipment, except gloves, head gear or goalkeeper leg pads, must be entirely under the uniform.
(b) Eye and full facial protection is strongly recommended for players 21 years of age and older in a 21 and over divisions. Eyeglass wearers must use plastic, not glass lenses.
(c) Mandatory protective equipment for 18 year olds and under playing in the 18 and under age division and below includes: helmet designed for hockey with helmet strap properly
fastened, full face cage or full shield designed for hockey with a chin cup, elbow pads, gloves designed for hockey, and knee and shin protection designed for hockey.
(d) Mandatory protective equipment for all adult divisions includes: Helmet designed for hockey with helmet strap properly fastened, elbow pads, gloves designed for hockey, and knee and shin guard designed for hockey. A player under 18 in these divisions will be required to wear a full face cage on their helmet.
(e) If any injury occurs while a player is not wearing any of the above mentioned mandatory equipment, the insurance carrier may not be responsible of the claim.
(f) Any player who attempts to participate without proper mandatory equipment shall be sent off the playing surface by the referee and not allowed to return until such equipment has
been replaced. For the second violation of this rule by the same player, the referee shall assess a misconduct penalty to the offending player.

RULE NINETEEN – DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT
(a) The use of pads or protectors made of metal or any other material likely to cause injury to a player is prohibited.
(b) A glove, from which all or part of the palm has been removed or cut to permit the use of bare fingers, shall be considered illegal equipment and if any player wears such a glove in play, a minor penalty shall be imposed on that player.15
(c) The wearing of casts or splints made of hard or unyielding material is prohibited, unless directed in writing by a licensed medical physician. Such casts or splints must be covered on all exterior surfaces with no less than ½ inch thick, high density, closed cell polyurethane or alternate material of the same minimum thickness and similar physical properties, to protect opponents from injury.

————————————————————————————-

RULE TWENTY – PUCK
(a) The puck, approved for IHAAZ tournament play, is the IDS PUCK. The host facility shall be responsible for providing an adequate supply of official pucks. This supply of pucks shall be kept at the penalty bench under the control of one of the regular minor officials or a special attendant.

RULE TWENTY-ONE – UNIFORMS
(a) Uniforms will require identical long-sleeve shirts and full-length pants. The entire team
uniform: “jersey” must be the best possible match for each player in style and color.
Goalie jerseys will be the same color and design as the other team members. Player
numbers will be required only the backs of the jerseys with whole numbers only from 00
to 99 and 20-25 cm (8-10”) in height.
(b) The goalkeeper, if male, must, at all times, during the game, wear a protective cup and
pelvic protection if female, a chest protector which conforms to the body, regulation
goalkeeper’s gloves (ice hockey, non-modified, goalkeepers pads not exceeding 30 cm in
width, and a face mask or helmet with a face mask guard attached). If the goalkeeper
wears forearm guards they must be soft and pliable and conform to the player’s forearms.
Any regulation ice hockey equipment is acceptable.
(c) All players participating in contests, will be uniformed and have two jerseys of different
colors. Full-length pants are required.
(d) No two members of the same team will be assigned or permitted to wear the same
number. Individual player’s numbers may not be changed or substituted after the
preliminary team registration without the written approval of the tournament director.
(e) It will be the responsibility of the home team to change its jerseys if the colors of the
competing teams conflict. The decision in this matter shall be left to the referee in charge
of the game. The home team is to wear a predominately light colored jersey.
(f) The entire team uniform: “jersey” must be the best possible match for each player in style
and color.
RULE TWENTY-TWO – UNIFORM INSPECTION
(a) The officials in charge of the game shall perform an equipment inspection prior to the
start of the game. No penalty shall be charged to a player before the start of the game for
wearing equipment not in conformity with the rules. Wearing of illegal or dangerous
equipment after the start of the game shall be corrected according to the rules.16
SECTION IV
RULE TWENTY-THREE – PENALTIES
(a) Penalties shall be actual playing time and shall be divided into the following classes:
1) Minor penalties
2) Bench minor penalties
3) Major penalties
4) Misconduct penalties
5) Match penalties
6) Game misconduct penalties
7) Penalty shot
(b) Coincidental minor/major penalties are penalties that do not cause either team to be
shorthanded (i.e. 4 on 4 or 3 on 3), and occurs when player(s) from both teams
simultaneously receive equal length penalties at the same stoppage of play. When
coincident penalties are assessed, the penalized players take their places on their
respective penalty benches, and both teams are able to make immediate substitutions for
these penalized players. The penalized players are required to serve the full amount of
assessed time and must remain in the penalty box until the first stoppage of play after the
expiration of time. If one team is already short a player because of an earlier penalty,
coincidental penalties will not change the number of players on the floor.
(c) Players may not leave the penalty bench until their penalty has expired, half-time occurs
or the end to the game. The player may not leave for any other reason. Any overtime
period shall be considered part of the game and all unexpired penalties shall remain in
force. All players in the penalty box must remain seated until the penalty time is expired.
(d) When play is not actually in progress and an offense is committed by any player, the
same penalty shall apply as though play were actually in progress.
(e) When a penalized player’s time has expired or has been terminated by the scoring of a
goal, that player must return to the surface prior to being substituted.
RULE TWENTY-FOUR – MINOR PENALTIES
(a) For a “minor penalty”, any player, other than a goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the floor to
the penalty box for two minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted. For
an exception, see “coincidental penalty” above. On the fourth (4
th
) minor penalty in the
same game to the same player, including the goalkeeper, that player will be removed
from the remainder of that game only. NOTE: the player will have a substitute serve the
minor penalty and the player will serve the entire penalty.
(b) A “bench minor” penalty involves the removal from the floor of one player of the team
against which the penalty is awarded for a period of two minutes. Any player on the
team may be designated to serve the penalty by the manager or coach through the playing
captain and such player shall take a place on the penalty bench promptly and serve the
penalty as if it was a minor penalty imposed on that player.
(c) If, while a team is “short-handed” by one or more minor or bench penalties, the opposing
team scores a goal, the first of such penalties shall automatically terminate. Penalties
shall not reduce the on-surface strength of the teams below three on-surface players 17
(including the goalie). Such penalties shall become delayed until such time as they can
be served.
NOTE: “short-handed” means that the team must be below the numerical strength of its
opponents on the floor at the time the goal is scored. The minor, or bench minor penalty,
which terminate automatically when the team is scored against, is the one which initially
caused the team to be “short-handed,” because although each team has a player in the
penalty box, the number of floor players is not affected. Therefore, the penalty time
awarded for coincidental penalties is never shortened by a goal being scored. This rule
shall also apply when a goal is scored on a penalty shot, which was awarded in lieu of
another penalty.
(d) When a player receives a major penalty and a minor penalty at the same time, the major
penalty shall be served first by the penalized player except under Rule 30, in which case
the minor penalty will be recorded and served first. NOTE: This applies to the case
where BOTH penalties are imposed on the SAME player. (See also not to Rule 30).
(e) A coincidental penalty shall not deprive a team of its player advantage during the final
minutes of the game when an opposing team has only two (2) floor players eligible for
play (not including the goalie). Should such an opposing team provoke a coincidental
penalty that cannot be fully served because of insufficient time remaining in the game,
the other team will retain its player advantage. Rule 30 states that the team shall not
receive more than two simultaneous penalties, which would give the short-handed team
incentive for provoking a concurrent penalty during the final minutes of play, with only
the strong-sided team eligible to lose a player. A player on the short-sided team, who
creates such a penalty situation, must leave the game, to be replaced by a teammate.
RULE TWENTY-FIVE – MAJOR PENALTIES
(a) The first “major penalty” in any one game, the offender, except the goal keeper, shall be
ruled off the floor to the penalty box for five minutes, during which time no substitutes
shall be permitted. A goal scored does not terminate this penalty.
(b) For the second major penalty in the same game, to the same player, including the
goalkeeper, the player shall receive a five minute major penalty and an automatic game
misconduct. One player from the offending team must be placed in the penalty box to
serve the five minute major.
(c) When coincident major penalties are imposed against an equal number of players on each
team, the penalized player shall all take their places on the penalty benches and such
penalized players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play
following the expiration of their respective penalties. Immediate substitution shall be
made for the players so penalized, and their penalties shall not be taken into account for
the purpose of the delayed penalty, Rule 30.
(d) When coincident penalties of equal duration, including a major penalty, are imposed
upon a player of each team, the penalized players shall take their places on the penalty
bench and such players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play
following the expiration of their respective penalties. Immediate substitution shall be
made for the players so penalized and their penalties shall not be taken into account for
the purpose of the delayed penalty. Rule 30 or Rule 27.
(e) When coincident penalties of unequal duration (each, including one major penalty) are
imposed upon a player of each team, the penalized players shall take their places on the
penalty bench and such players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage
of play following the expiration of their respective penalties. The penalties, which 18
created the disparity in total penalty time between the players penalized, shall be served
first in the normal way by the players penalized. Immediate substitution shall be
permitted for the major penalties of each player. Account shall be taken of the penalties
which created the disparity in the total penalty time awarded to the players affected for
the purpose of the delayed penalty, Rule 30 and for Rule 24 (c) (goal scored against a
short-handed team).
RULE TWENTY-SIX – MISCONDUCT PENALTIES
(a) “Misconduct penalties” to all players except the goalkeeper, involve removal from the
game for a period of ten minutes each. A substitute player is permitted to immediately
replace a player serving misconduct penalty. A player whose misconduct penalty has
expired shall remain in the penalty box until the next stoppage of play. When a player
receives a minor penalty and a misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team
shall immediately put a substitute player on the penalty bench and the substitute shall
serve the minor penalty without charge. When a player receives a major penalty and a
misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall place a substitute player on
the penalty bench and replacement for the penalized player shall be permitted to enter the
game except from the penalty bench. Any violation of this provision shall be treated as
an illegal substitution under Rule 13 calling for a bench minor penalty.
(b) A “Game misconduct penalty” involves the removal of a player for the balance of the
game. A substitute is permitted to replace immediately the player so removed. This
penalty shall be reported to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee which shall have full
power to impose further discipline as deemed fitting.
(c) A game misconduct to a player shall result in an automatic one game suspension
(immediate next game).
(d) A second game misconduct to a player in the tournament shall result in an automatic
match penalty. NOTE: For all game misconduct penalties regardless of when imposed,
a total of ten minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending players.
(e) Any player incurring three (3) stick penalties within a single game will be also assessed a
penalty appropriate to the last infraction and be ejected from that game only. A substitute
must serve any penalty time that the ejected player was assessed. Stick infractions are:
slashing, high sticking, crosschecking, butt ending and spearing.
RULE TWENTY-SEVEN – MATCH PENALTIES
(a) A “match penalty” involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game, and
the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. A substituted player
must be placed on the penalty bench to serve a five minute penalty and may not return
onto the floor regardless of goals scored. NOTE: Regulations regarding additional
penalties and substitutions are specifically covered in individual Rules 40-50 and 59; any
additional penalty shall be served by a player designated by the manager or coach of the
offending team through the playing captain. NOTE: When coincident match penalties
have been imposed under Rule 45 or 59 to a player on both teams, Rule 25 (e) covering
coincident major penalties will not be applicable.
(b) For all match penalties, regardless of when imposed, or prescribed additional penalties, a
total of five minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.19
(c) A player incurring a match penalty shall be investigated promptly by the IHAAZ
disciplinary committee which shall have full power to impose such further discipline as
deemed fitting.
(d) A match penalty shall disqualify that player for the remainder of the tournament.
RULE TWENTY-EIGHT – PENALTY SHOT
(a) When an infraction of the rules call for a “penalty shot,” it shall be taken as follows:
The referee shall cause to be announced over the public address system, the name of the
player designated by the referee or selected by the team entitled to take the shot (as
appropriate) and shall then place the puck on the center face-off spot and the player
taking the shot will, on the whistle of the referee, play the puck from there and shall
attempt to score on the goalkeeper. The goaltender must stay in the crease until the
referee sounds the whistle. The player taking the shot must keep the puck in motion
towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered
complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind and any time the puck crosses
the goal line, the shot shall be considered incomplete.
(b) The goalkeeper may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing a stick or
any other object, in which case a goal shall be awarded. NOTE: See rule 71.
(c) In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 61 (h) (for illegal entry into
the game), under Rule 71(a) (for throwing a stick) and under Rule 74 (for fouling from
behind), the referee shall designate the player who has been fouled as the player who
takes the penalty shot. In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 49
(falling on the puck in the crease),or Rule 53(d) (picking up the puck from he crease
area), the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected as the captain of the nonoffending team from the players on the floor at the time when the foul was committed.
Such selection shall be reported to the referee and cannot be changed. If, by reason of
injury, the player designated by the referee to take the penalty shot, is unable to do so
within a reasonable time, the shot may be taken by a player selected by the captain of the
non-offending team from the players on the floor when the foul was committed. Such
selection shall be reported to the referee and cannot be changed.
(d) Should the player to whom a penalty shot has been awarded, also have committed a foul
in connection with the same play or circumstances, either before or after the penalty has
been awarded and is designated to take the shot, the player shall first be permitted to do
so before being sent to the penalty bench to serve the penalty. If at the time a penalty
shot is awarded and the goalkeeper of the penalized team has been removed from the
floor to substitute another player, the goalkeeper shall be permitted to return to the floor
before the penalty shot is taken.
(e) If a goal is scored from a penalty shot, the puck shall be faced off at center floor in the
usual way. If a goal is not scored, the puck shall be faced off at either of the end face-off
spots in the zone in which the penalty shot has been tried.
(f) Should a goal be scored from a penalty shot, a further penalty to the offending player
shall not be applied unless the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such
as to incur a major or match penalty, in which case the penalty prescribed, for the
particular offense, shall be imposed. If the offense, for which the penalty shot was 20
awarded was such as to incur a minor penalty, then regardless of whether the penalty shot
results in a goal or not, no further minor penalty shall be served.
(g) If the foul upon which the penalty shot is based occurs during actual playing time, the
penalty shot shall be awarded and taken immediately in the usual manner notwithstanding
any delay occasioned by a slow whistle by the referee to permit the play to be completed
which delay results in the expiration of the regular playing time in any period.
(h) All players, except the player taking the penalty shot, must go to the players bench.
(i) If an opposing player, other than the goalkeeper, interferes with a player taking a penalty
shot, a goal will be automatically awarded whether or not a goal was made. The time
required for the taking of a penalty shot will not be included in the regular playing time
or any overtime.
RULE TWENTY-NINE – GOALKEEPER PENALTIES
(a) A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an offense which incurs a minor
penalty, but instead the minor penalty shall be served by a player to be designated by the
coach or manager of the offending team through the playing captain and such substitute
shall not be changed.
(b) A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an infraction of the rules which
calls for a major penalty, but instead the major penalty shall be served by a player to be
designated by the manager or coach of the offending team through the playing captain
and such substitute shall not be changed.
(c) Should a goalkeeper incur a misconduct penalty, this penalty shall be served by another
team member who was on the floor when the offense was committed, said player to be
designated by the manager or coach of the offending team through the playing captain.
(d) Should a goalkeeper incur a game misconduct penalty, the goalkeeper’s place will be
taken by a team member, or by a regular substitute goalkeeper who is available, and such
player will be allowed the goalkeeper’s full equipment.
(e) Should a goalkeeper incur a match penalty, the goalie’s place will then be taken by a
team member or by a substitute goalkeeper who is available, and such player will be
allowed the goalkeeper’s equipment. A ten minute time period shall be allowed for this
change. However, any additional penalties as specifically called for by the individual
rules covering match penalties, will apply, and the offending team shall be penalized
accordingly; such additional penalty to be served by another member of the team on the
floor at the time the offense was committed, said player to be designated by the manger
or coach of the offending team through the playing captain (see Rule 40, 45 and 59).
(f) When a goalkeeper leaves the immediate vicinity of the goal crease and takes part in any
altercation, the goalie shall be given a game misconduct penalty.
NOTE: All penalties imposed on a goalkeeper regardless of who serves the penalty or
any substitution, shall be charged in the records against the goalkeeper.
(g) If a goalkeeper participates in the play in any manner, when the goalie is beyond the
center line, a minor penalty shall be imposed on that player.
(h) Any player (including goalkeeper) who deliberately displaces the goal post to prevent a
breakaway scoring opportunity by the opposing team or deliberately displaces the goal
post during an ideal scoring opportunity by the opposing team, will result in a penalty
shot awarded to the opposing team. If the infraction takes place while the goalie has been
replaced in the game for an extra attacker, an automatic goal shall be awarded.21
RULE THIRTY – DELAYED PENALTIES
(a) If a third player of any team shall be penalized while two players of the same team are
serving penalties, the penalty time of the third player shall not commence until the
penalty time of one of the two players already penalized shall have elapsed.
Nevertheless, the third player penalized must, at once, proceed to the penalty bench but
may be replaced by a substitute until such time as the penalty time of the penalized player
shall commence.
(b) When any team shall have three players serving penalties at the same time and because of
the delayed penalty rule, a substitute for the third offender is on the floor, none of the
three penalized players on the penalty bench may return to the floor until play has been
stopped. When play has been stopped, the player whose full penalty has expired, may
return to the play. However, the penalty timekeeper shall permit the return to the floor in
the order of expiration of their penalties, of a player or players by reason of the expiration
of their penalties, and, the penalized team is entitled to have more than four players on
the floor.
(c) In the case of delayed penalties, the referee shall instruct the penalty timekeeper that penalized players, whose penalties have expired, shall only be allowed to return to the floor when there is a stoppage of play. When the penalties of two players of the same team will expire at the same time, the captain of that team will designate to the referee which of such players will return to the floor first, and the referee will instruct the penalty timekeeper accordingly. When a major and a minor penalty are imposed at the same time on players of the same team the penalty timekeeper will record the minor as being the first of such penalties.
NOTE: This applies to the case where the two penalties are imposed on different players of the same team (see also NOTE to rule 24).
(d) When a delayed penalty is in the process of being assessed to a team that is already shorthanded because of a previous minor or a bench minor penalty, and the nonoffending team scores a goal, the original penalty is terminated which caused the offending team to be short a player and the new penalty is assessed to the offending team, which plays again shorthanded.

RULE THIRTY-ONE – CALLING OF PENALTIES
(a) Should an infraction of the rules, which would call for a minor, major or match penalty
be committed by a player of the side in possession of the puck, the referee shall
immediately blow a whistle and assign the penalty. The resulting face-off shall be made
at the face-off sport nearest where the play stopped or at center floor so as not to
disadvantage the non-offending team.
(b) Should an infraction of the rules which call for a minor, major, misconduct, or match
penalty be committed by a player of the team not in possession of the puck, the referee
shall signify the calling of a delayed penalty by using a raised right arm straight above the
head, and, on completion of the play by the team in possession or the loss of possession
to the defending team, the referee will immediately blow a whistle and assess the penalty
to the offending player. The resulting face-off shall be made at the nearest face-off spot
to where the play stopped or at center floor so as not to disadvantage the non-offending
team. If the penalty to be imposed is a minor penalty, and a goal is scored on the play by
the non-offending team, the minor penalty shall not be imposed, but major and match 22
penalties shall be imposed in the normal manner regardless of whether a goal is scored or
not. (The penalty shall be recorded by the scorekeeper.)
NOTE: “Completion of the play by the team in possession.” This rule means that the
puck must have come into the possession and control of an opposing player or has been
“frozen”. This does not mean a rebound off the goalkeeper, the goal cage or any
accidental contact with the body or equipment of an opposing player.
NOTE: If, after the referee has signaled a penalty but before the whistle has been blown
the puck shall enter the goal of the non-offending team as the direct result of the action of
a player of that team, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty signaled shall be imposed
in the normal manner.
NOTE: If, when a team is “short handed” by reason of one or more minor or bench
minor penalties, the referee signals a further minor penalty against the “short-handed”
team and a goal is scored by the non-offending side before the whistle is blown, then the
delayed penalty shall be served and the first of the minor penalties already being served
shall automatically terminate under rule 24(c).
(c) Should the same offending player commit other fouls on the same play either before or
after the referee has blown a whistle, the offending player shall serve such penalties
consecutively.
(d) If a team has a delayed minor penalty and that team is scored upon during the delayed
penalty, the penalty shall not be assessed, but it shall be so recorded and count in the
offending player’s penalty total. If the delayed penalty is major, then that penalty will be
assessed.
SECTION V
RULE THIRTY-TWO – APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS
(a) For play-off games, the IHAAZ shall appoint the best referees available.
(b) All referees and competition officials must be treated with courtesy at all times during the
tournament by all players and representatives from all programs and teams. Any
infraction of this rule will be reported to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee which may
assess such penalties as the infraction warrants.
(c) Two referees will be used in all games, one of which will be named as the chief referee.
They shall have similar duties, but in areas of controversy, the decision of the chief
referee will be final.
(d) A chief referee shall have full authority and final decision in all matters of dispute. The
chief referee’s decision shall be final on all questions of fact and not subject to appeal.
RULE THIRTY-THREE – REFEREE
(a) The referees are the official representatives of the IHAAZ. They shall be in full control
of players on and off the floor. Minor officials and the officials connected with the
competing clubs and the referees, will be backed to the limit in all legitimate
circumstances.
(b) The referees shall see that the teams are called to the floor at the appointed time for the
commencement of each game, and at the start of each regulation and overtime period. 23
The referees shall remain on the floor at the conclusion of each period, and any overtime,
until the players have proceeded to their benches or dressing room.
(c) The referees shall check the equipment worn by any player when requested to so by the
manager or coach of either team.
(d) The referees shall assess all penalties as prescribed by the rules for infractions thereof.
(e) The chief referee shall have the final decision on all goals, disputed or not and may
consult with the other referee and goal judge (if used) before giving the final decision.
(f) Before starting the game, the referees shall see that the appointed game timekeeper,
penalty timekeeper, official scorer and goal judges are in their respective places.
(g) The referees shall report to the official scorer the duration and type of the penalties and
the rule infractions involved, and also to whom the goals and assists are to be credited.
(h) After each game, the referees shall check and sign the official game report, secure
signatures of both team captains and return it to the official scorer.
(i) If a referee cannot appear for the match, the tournament director shall appoint another
referee.
(j) If the regularly scheduled appointed officials appear during the progress of the game,
they may or may not replace the substituted officials, which shall be a decision made by
the tournament director.
(k) The referees in charge shall be a thoroughly disinterested party.
(l) All referees shall be dressed in dark blue or black trousers, a striped shirt or attire and
equipped as approved by the IHAAZ disciplinary committee.
(m) Referees are required to report on the official game report all misconduct and gross
misconduct and match penalties immediately following the game involved, giving full
details to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee. Such reports are to be confidential.
RULE THIRTY-FOUR – GOAL JUDGES
Not applicable for the IHAAZ
RULE THIRTY-FIVE – PENALTY KEEPER (same as 36 and 37)
(a) The penalty timekeeper shall keep the time served by each penalized player during the
game, and upon request, inform the penalized player of the unfinished penalty time.
(b) If a player leaves the penalty bench before the penalty time has expired, the penalty
timekeeper shall note the time and signal he referee who will stop the play as soon as
possible.
(c) Where public address systems are used, the penalty timekeeper shall announce or have
announced the name of each penalized player, the nature of the offense and the penalty
assessed.
RULE THIRTY-SIX – OFFICIAL SCORER (same as 35 and 37)
(a) The official scorer shall enter into the official game report, a correct record of the goals
scored, who scored, and to whom credit is given for assists, if any. The scorer shall also
keep a correct record of all penalties assessed, stating the names and numbers of the
penalized players, the duration of each penalty, the infraction and the time that the
penalty was assessed.24
(b) At the completion of each game, the official scorer shall sign the official game report and
have the referee and each team captain sign it. This official shall then forward the game
report to the tournament director.
(c) Prior to the start of the game, the official scorer shall obtain from the manager or coach of
each team, the complete line-up, verified and signed by the team official in charge. The
captains/alternate captains of each team shall be duly noted on the official game report.
(d) The official scorer shall advise the referee when the same player has received a second or
third penalty or a second misconduct penalty in the same game.
(e) The official scorer shall advise the referee when the same player has received a second or
third penalty or a second misconduct penalty in the same game.
(f) Where a public address system is used, the official scorer shall announce, or have
announced, immediately following the scoring of each goal, the name of the player who
scored the goal. And the name of each player who received an assist.
RULE THIRTY-SEVEN – GAME TIMEKEEPER (same as 35 and 36)
(a) The game timekeeper shall record the time of the starting and finishing of each game, and
all actual playing time during the game.
(b) The game timekeeper shall signal the referee for the commencement of the game, the
start of the second period, and for each overtime period.
(c) The game timekeeper shall announce or have announced when TWO MINUTES of
actual playing time remains in each regulation or overtime period.
(d) Record time of scores and penalties at expired time of the period, recording all times in
minutes and seconds.
SECTION VI
RULE THIRTY-EIGHT – ABUSE OF OFFICIALS AND OTHER MISCONDUCT
NOTE: in the enforcement of this rule, the referee has, in many instances, the option of
imposing a “misconduct penalty” or a “bench minor penalty.” In principle, the referee is
directed to impose a “bench minor penalty” in respect to the violations which occur on or
off the immediate vicinity of the players bench, but also off the playing surface, and in all
cases, affecting non-playing personnel or players. A “misconduct penalty” should be
imposed for violations which occur on the playing surface or in the penalty bench area
and where the penalized player is readily identifiable.
(a) A game misconduct shall be imposed on any player who uses obscene, profane or
abusive language or gestures to any person or who persists in disputing or shows
disrespect for the ruling of any official during a game or who intentionally knocks or
shoots the puck out of the reach of an official who is retrieving it.
(b) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on players who bang the boards with their sticks
or any other equipment at any time.
(c) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on penalized players who do not proceed directly
and immediately to the penalty box and take the required place on the penalty bench.
Any player who (following a fight or other altercation in which the player has been
involved, is broken up, and for which the player has been involved is broken up, and for
which the player is penalized) fails to proceed immediately to the penalty bench or who 25
persists in continuing or attempting to continue the fight or altercation or who resists a
referee in the discharge of the referee’s duties, shall incur a game misconduct penalty.
(d) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who, after warning by the
referee, persists in any course of conduct (including threatening or abusive language or
gestures or similar actions) designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.
(e) In the case of any club executive, manager, coach or trainer being guilty of such
misconduct, that person is to be removed from the building and this incident reported to
the IHAAZ disciplinary committee.
(f) If any manager, coach or trainer is removed from the bench by order of the referee, that
person must not sit near the team bench, nor in any way direct or attempt to direct the
play of this team.
(g) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed against any player using obscene, profane or
abusive language to any person or any official.
(h) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed against the offending team if any player,
manager, coach or trainer in the vicinity of the players bench or penalty bench throws
anything on the floor during the progress of the game or during stoppage of play.
(i) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed against the offending team if any player,
manager, coach or trainer interferes in any manner with any game official including
referee, timekeeper or goal judge in the performance of their duties.
NOTE: The referee may assess further penalties under this rule or rule 24(b) if deemed
warranted.
(j) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player or players who, except for the
purpose of taking their positions on the penalty bench, enter or remain in the referee’s
crease while the referee is reporting to or consulting with any game official including
timekeeper, penalty timekeeper, official scorer or announcer.
RULE THIRTY-NINE – ADJUSTMENT OF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
(a) Play shall not be stopped, nor the game delayed by reason of adjustment of clothing,
equipment, shoes, skates or sticks.
(b) For infringement of this rule, a minor penalty shall be given.
(c) The responsibility of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper condition shall be
upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player shall retire from the floor and
play shall continue without interruption using a substitute. NOTE: In the event a player
loses a helmet in the “process of a play” that player will be allowed to continue “that
play” but immediately following “that play” the player must retrieve that helmet and
immediately fasten that helmet onto his or her head. A violation will result in a two
minute minor penalty for improper equipment.
(d) However, a goalkeeper, after a stoppage of play, with the permission of the referee, may
be allowed to make adjustments or repairs to clothing, equipment, shoes or skates.
Goalkeepers may also be permitted by the referee to replace their goalie masks but no
time shall be allowed for repair or fitting a mask.
(e) For an infraction of a rule by a goalkeeper, a minor penalty shall be imposed.
RULE FORTY – ATTEMPT TO INJURE
(a) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure an
opponent, official, manager, coach or trainer in any manner and the circumstances shall 26
be reported to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee for further action. A substitute for the
penalized player shall be permitted at the end of the fifth minute.
RULE FORTY-ONE – BOARDING
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee based upon the degree of
violence of the impact with the boards, shall be imposed on any player who body checks,
cross checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent in such a manner that caused the
opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
NOTE: Any unnecessary contact with a player carrying the puck which results in that
player being knocked into the side boards is “boarding” and must be penalized as such.
In other instances where there is no contact with the fence, it should be treated as
“charging”. “Rolling” an opponent (if that player is the puck carrier) along the boards
where the player is endeavoring to go through too small an opening is not boarding.
However, if the opponent is not the puck carrier, then such action should be penalized as
boarding, charging, interference, or, if the arms or stick are employed, it should be
called holding or hooking.
RULE FORTY-TWO – BROKEN STICK
(a) A player whose stick is broken may participate in the game, provided the player
immediately drops the stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this
rule.
(b) A goalkeeper may continue to play with the paddle portion of a broken stick until
stoppage of play or until the goalie has been legally provided with a stick.
(c) A player whose stick is broken may not receive a stick thrown on the floor from any part
of the rink, but must obtain one from the player’s bench. A goalkeeper whose stick is
broken may not receive a stick thrown on the floor from any part of the rink but may
receive a stick from a teammate without proceeding to the team bench. A minor penalty
shall be imposed on the player or goalkeeper receiving a stick illegally under this rule.
NOTE: A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the referee, is unfit for normal play.
RULE FORTY-THREE – CHARGING
(a) A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who runs or jumps into or charges
an opponent.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who charges a goalkeeper while the
goalkeeper is within the goal crease. If the charging player makes physical contact with
the goalie, which in the opinion of the referee interferes with normal defense of the goal,
any goal scored before or after such contact shall be disallowed. A goalkeeper is NOT
“fair game” just because the goalie is outside the goal crease area. A penalty for
interference or charging (minor or major) should be called in every case where an
opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper.27
RULE FORTY-FOUR – CROSS CHECKING
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player
who “cross checks” an opponent.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who cross checks a goalkeeper while the
goalkeeper is within the goal crease.
(c) A major penalty and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who
injures an opponent by cross checking.
NOTE: Cross check shall mean a check delivered with both hands on the stick and no
part of the stick on the floor.
RULE FORTY-FIVE – DELIBERATE INJURY OF OPPONENTS
(a) A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately injures an opponent in
any manner.
(b) No substitute shall be permitted to take the place of the penalized player until five
minutes actual playing time shall have elapsed, from the time the penalty was imposed.
(c) All such instances shall be reported to the IHAAZ Disciplinary Committee.
(d) A Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed any player guilty of kicking or attempting
to kick any part of an opponent’s body or skates.
RULE FORTY-SIX – DELAYING THE GAME
(a) No player or goalkeeper shall delay the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck
outside the playing area. The Referee shall impose a minor penalty, immediately and
without warning, against any player or goalkeeper who throws the puck outside the
playing area.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player (including goalkeeper) who delays the
game by deliberately displacing a goalpost from normal position. Any player (including
goalkeeper) who deliberately displaces the goal post to prevent a breakaway scoring
opportunity by the opposing team or deliberately displaces the goal post during an ideal
scoring opportunity by the opposing team, will result in a penalty shot awarded to the
opposing team.
(c) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed upon any team which, after warning by the
Referee to its Captain or Alternate Captain, to place the correct number of players on the
floor and commence play, fails to comply with the Referee’s direction and thereby causes
any delay by making additional substitution, or in any other manner.
RULE FORTY-SEVEN – ELBOWING AND KNEEING
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who uses an elbow or knee in such a
manner as to in any way foul an opponent.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent as the result of
a foul committed by using elbows or knees.28
RULE FORTY-EIGHT – FACE OFFS
(a) Players facing-off will stand facing their opponent’s end of the rink approximately one
stick length apart with the full blade of their stick on the floor. All other players must be
at least ten feet away from the players facing-off and they must be on–side (their goal
side of the face off spot).
(b) In the conduct of any face-off anywhere on the playing surface, players shall not make
any physical contact with an opponent’s body by means of their own body or by their
sticks except in the course of playing the puck after the face off has been completed. For
violation of this rule the Referee shall impose a minor penalty or penalties on the
player)s) whose action(s) caused the physical contact. NOTE: “Conduct of any faceoff” commences when the Referee designates the place of the face-off and the puck is
dropped.
(c) If a player facing-off fails to take a proper position immediately when directed by the
official, the official may order that player replaced for that face-off by any teammate then
on the floor.
(d) A second violation of any of the provisions or sub-selection(s) hereof during the same
face-off, may be penalized with a minor Delay of Game penalty to the player who
commits the second violation of the rule.
(e) When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been
caused by any player of the attacking side, the ensuing face-off shall be made on the
center face-off spot. NOTE: This includes stoppage of play caused by a player of the
attacking side shooting the puck on to the back of the defending team’s net without any
intervening action by the defending team.
(f) When an infringement of a rule has been committed by players of both sides in the play
resulting in the stoppage, the ensuing face-off will be made at the place of such
infringement or at the place where play is stopped in cases where play is permitted to be
completed unless otherwise expressly provided by these rules.
(g) When stoppage occurs between the end of face-off spots and near the end of the rink, the
puck shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot on the side where the stoppage occurs
unless otherwise expressly provided by these rules.
(h) Players must keep their sticks flat on the line for the face-off.
(i) When a goal is illegally scored as a result of the puck being deflected off the Referee
directly into the net, the face-off shall be at either of the face-off spots in that zone.
(j) When the game is stopped for any reason not specifically covered in the official rules, the
puck must be faced-off where it was last played.
(k) The Referee is under no obligation to wait for the players to get to the face-off spot. It is
the players’ responsibility to get there as quickly as possible. If one team is lined up and
the other team is procrastinating, the Referee can start the play by dropping the puck.
NOTE: Once a team is in face-off position, the puck could be put into play within five
seconds.
RULE FORTY-NINE – FALLING ON PUCK
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player other than the goalkeeper who deliberately
falls on or gathers a puck into the body. NOTE: Defensemen who drop to their knees to 29
block shots should not be penalized if the puck is shot under them or becomes lodged in
their clothing or equipment but any use of the hands to make the puck unplayable should
be penalized promptly.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who (when the goalkeeper’s body is
entirely outside the boundaries of the goal crease area and when the puck is behind the
goal line) deliberately falls on or gathers the puck to the body or who holds or places the
puck against the boards.
(c) No defending player except the goalkeeper will be permitted to fall on the puck or hold
the puck or gather the puck into the body or hands when the puck is within the goal
crease. For infringement of this rule play shall immediately be stopped and a penalty
shot shall be ordered against the offending team but no other penalty shall be given.
NOTE: This rule shall be interpreted so that a penalty shot will be awarded only when
the puck is in the crease at the instant the play is stopped. However in cases where the
puck is outside the crease, Rule 49 (a) may still apply and a minor penalty may be
imposed even though no penalty shot is awarded.
RULE FIFTY – FIGHTING
(a) A major penalty and game misconduct shall be imposed on any player who starts
fighting. Fighting is defined as the actual throwing of a punch(es) with a closed fist by a
player who makes actual contact with an opponent. Pushing, shoving or grappling while
on skates are punishable offenses, but do not constitute fighting under this rule.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, having been struck, shall retaliate
with a blow or attempted blow. However, at the discretion of the Referee, a major or
double minor penalty may be imposed if that player continues the altercation. NOTE:
The Referee is provided very wide latitude in the penalties which the referee may impose
under this rule. This is done intentionally to enable the referee to differentiate between
the obvious degrees of responsibility of the participants either for starting the fighting or
persisting in continuing the fighting. The discretion provided should be exercised
realistically. NOTE: Referees are directed to employ every means provided by these
rules to stop “brawling” and should use Rule 38 (c) for this purpose unless the
coincidental major penalty rule is involved.
(c) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player involved in fighting off the
playing surface or with another player who is off the playing surface.
(d) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper on the floor
who first intervenes in an altercation then in progress.
(e) Any player assessed a major penalty for fighting will be automatically suspended for the
remainder of that game and the next game played by the team. NOTE: If the tam that
the suspended player is a member of draws a bye for their game, this penalty will be
carried over to the next game that the team plays, even if the next game is in another
division. NOTE: The penalized team will place a man in the penalty box and play shorthanded for the duration of the major penalty.
RULE FIFTY-ONE – GOALS AND ASSISTS
(a) A goal shall be scored when the puck has been put between the goal posts by the stick of
a player of the attacking side from in front, and below the cross bar and entirely across 30
the line the width of the diameter of the goal posts drawn on the floor from one goal post
to the other.
(b) A goal shall be scored if the puck is put into the goal in any way by a player of the
defending side. The player of the attacking side who last played the puck shall be
credited with the goal but no assist shall be awarded.
(c) If an attacking player kicks the puck and it is deflected into the net by any player of the
defending side except the goalkeeper, the goal shall be allowed.
(d) If the puck has been deflected into the goal by a shot of an attacking player by striking
any part of the person or a player of the same side, a goal shall be allowed. The player
who deflected the puck shall be credited with the goal. The goal shall not be allowed if
the puck has been kicked, thrown or otherwise deliberately directed into the goal by any
means other than a stick.
(e) If a goal is scored as a result of a puck being deflected directly into the net from an
official, the goal shall not be allowed.
(f) Should a player legally propel a puck into the goal crease of the opponent’s team and the
puck should become loose and available to another player of the attacking side, a goal
scored on the play shall be legal.
Any goal scored other than as covered by the official rules shall not be allowed. When a
player charges a goalkeeper who is within the goal crease, subsequently makes physical
contact with the goalie, and in the opinion of the referee thus interferes with normal
defense of the goal, any goal scored before or after such contact shall be disallowed and a
major penalty accessed. A goal shall be credited in the scoring records to a player who
shall have propelled the puck into the opponent’s goal.
(g) Mercy Rule – (Tournament Only) Should a team score enough goals to create an eight
(8) goal differential between them and their opponents (after the end of the first period of
play), the game shall be ended, and the team scoring eight more goals than their opponent
shall be awarded the victory. Individual statistics for the game shall count as a completed
game. This number of goal differential may be altered for a tournament, but must be put
in writing prior to the start of the tournament.
(h) When a player scores a goal, an assist shall be credited to the player who made the pass
leading to a direct goal in the offensive zone; also when headmanning (a forward pass to
a teammate in the direction of the goal) the pass of the puck leading to a breakaway.
RULE FIFTY –TWO – GROSS MISCONDUCT
(a) The referee may suspend from the game and order to the dressing room for the remainder
of the game any player, manager, coach or trainer guilty of gross misconduct of any kind.
(b) If a player so dismissed, is taking part in the game, the player shall be charged with a
game misconduct penalty and a substitute shall be permitted.
(c) The referee in charge is to decide on any such violation, to include racial slurs, obscene
gestures, biting, spitting on another player, attempts to injure, etc. The incident shall be
reported to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee for further action.
(d) If a player, coach or manager persists after warning from the referee, is continuing gross
misconduct, that person shall be subject to suspension for a period of one year or more as
determined by the IHAAZ disciplinary committee.31
RULE FIFTY –THREE – HANDLING PUCK WITH HANDS
(a) If a player, except the goalkeeper, closes the hand or glove intentionally on the puck, the
play shall be stopped and a minor penalty shall be imposed on that player. A goalkeeper
who holds the puck with the hands for longer than three seconds may be given a minor
penalty, if there are no attacking players in the immediate vicinity.
(b) A goalkeeper shall not deliberately hold the puck in any manner which, in the opinion of
the referee, causes a stoppage of play, nor deliberately drop the puck into the goalie pads
or onto the goal net, nor deliberately pile up obstacles at or near the net, that in the
opinion of the referee would tend to prevent the scoring of a goal. NOTE: The object of
the entire rule is to keep the puck moving continuously and any action taken by the
goalkeeper which causes an unnecessary stoppage must be penalized without warning.
(c) The penalty for infringement of this rule by the goalkeeper shall be a minor penalty.
NOTE: In the case of a puck thrown forward by the goalkeeper being taken by an
opponent, the referee shall allow the resulting play to be completed. However, should
the throw be received by a teammate, the play shall be stopped for a forward hand pass
by the goaltender with a face-off resulting.
(d) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player, except the goalkeeper who, while play is
in progress, picks up the puck by hand from the floor. If a player, except the goalkeeper,
uses hands to pick up the puck from the floor in the crease area while play is in progress,
the play shall be stopped immediately and a penalty shot shall be awarded to the nonoffending team.
(e) A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with an open hand, or push it
along the floor by hand in which to deliberately direct the puck to a teammate as long as
the pushed or directed puck is received and controlled by a teammate in their team’s
defensive zone. In the event that a player pushes a puck by hand to a teammate, and the
teammate receiving the pushed puck is in their team’s offensive zone, play shall be
stopped and the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred.
NOTE: The puck may not be batted with the hand directly into the net at any time, but a
goal shall be allowed when the puck has been legally batted and is deflected into the goal
off a defending player except the goalkeeper.
RULE FIFTY –FOUR – HIGH STICKS
(a) The carrying of the blade of the stick above the normal height of the shoulders is
prohibited. A minor penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any
player who makes contact with or intimidates an opponent while carrying the stick blade
above the shoulder of an opponent. If injury results, a major penalty plus a game
misconduct penalty shall be assessed. When a stick is swung above the shoulders at a
puck near another player, that player shall be for high sticking and a minor penalty
assessed.
(b) When a player carries or holds any part of the stick above the height of the shoulders so
that injury to the face or head of an opposing player results, the referee shall have no
alternative but to impose a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty on the
offending player.
(c) A goal scored from a stick carried above the height of the cross bar of the goal cage shall
not be allowed, except by a player of the defending team.32
(d) Using the stick to bat the puck above the normal height of the shoulders is prohibited and
when it occurs there shall be a whistle and ensuing face-off at the spot where the offense
occurred unless:
1) The defending player batted the puck to an opponent in which case the play shall
continue, or-
2) A player of the defending side batted the puck into his or her own goal in which
case the goal shall be allowed.
(e) When either team is below the numerical strength of its opponent and a player of the
team of greater numerical strength causes a stoppage of play by striking the puck with the
stick above the height of the shoulder, the resulting face-off shall be made at one of the
end face-off spots adjacent to the goal of the team causing the stoppage.
(f) If the blade of a stick is swung above shoulder height near an opponent, whether to
intimidate or to attempt to injure the player, this will result in a major penalty. Injury to
an opponent under such circumstances is to be both a major and a game misconduct
penalty. At the beginning and ending of a slap shot, the blade may be above shoulder
level. EXCEPTION: No penalty should be assessed when the stick is shifted from one
hand to the other over the head so the player can play the puck, unless is endangers
another player.
NOTE: No contact on an opponent need occur to call a high sticking penalty, however,
an opposing player must be in the immediate vicinity to justify a penalty being called.
RULE FIFTY –FIVE – HOLDING
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who holds an opponent with hands, legs,
feet or stick or any other way.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed if the action of holding results in injury to the player
being held.
RULE FIFTY –SIX – HOOKING
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who impedes or seeks to impede the
progress of an opponent by hooking with either end of that player’s hockey stick.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by hooking.
NOTE: When a player is checking another in such a way that there is only stick-to-stick
contact, such action is NOT either hooking or holding. That player may turn the stick
down over the opponent’s stick.
RULE FIFTY-SEVEN – INTERFERENCE
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the
progress
an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or who deliberately knocks a stick out
of an opponent’s hand or who prevents a player who has dropped a stick from regaining
possession of it or who knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or
other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause that player to
be distracted. NOTE: The last player to touch the puck, other than a goalkeeper, shall be
considered the player in possession. In interpreting this rule, the referee should make
sure which of the players ins the one creating the interference. Often it is the action and 33
movement of the attacking player which causes the interference since the defending
players are entitled to “stand their ground” or “shadow” the attacking players. Players
of the side in possession shall not be allowed to “run” deliberate interference for the
puck carrier.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed if any player on the player bench or on the penalty
bench who, by means of a hockey stick or parts of the body, interferes with the
movement of the puck or any opponent on the floor during the progress of play.
(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, by means of a hockey stick or body,
interferes with or impedes the movements of the goalkeeper by actual physical contact,
while the goalie is in the crease area unless the puck is already in that area.
(d) Unless the puck is in the goal crease area, a player of the attacking team MAY NOT
stand on the goal crease line or in the goal crease or with any part of their stick within the
goal crease. If the puck should enter the goal while such a condition prevails, a goal shall
not be allowed. For a violation of this rule, while the attacking team has possession of
the puck, play shall be stopped and the ensuing face-off shall take place at the nearest low
zone face-off spot.
(e) If a player of the attacking side has been physically interfered with by the action of any
defending player so as to cause that player to be in the goal crease, and the puck should
enter the net while the player so interfered with, is still within the goal crease, the goal
shall be allowed.
(f) If, when the goalkeeper has been removed from the floor, any member of the same team
not legally on the floor including the manager, coach or trainer interferes by means of
body or stick or any other object with the movement of the puck or an opposing player,
the referee shall immediately award a goal to the non-offending team. NOTE: A penalty
for interference should be called in every case where an opposing player makes
unnecessary contact with the player in possession.
(g) Any attacking player that attempts to shield the goalie’s vision or ability to see the entire
floor with a an extended hand, stick or any other extension of a leg, arm, hand or stick,
will be warned to discontinue. If this continues, even after a warning, an
unsportsmanlike penalty will be assessed on the offending player by the game official.
However, an attacking team player MAY USE HIS OR HER BODY to shield the goalie
as long as they are outside of the goal crease when doing so.
NOTE: The attention of referees is directed particularly to three types of offensive
interference which should be penalized:
1) When the defending team secures possession of the puck in its own end and the
other players of that team run interference for the puck carrier by forming a
protective screen against forecheckers;
2) When a player facing-off obstructs the player’s opposite number after the faceoff when the opponent is not in possession of the puck.
3) When the puck carrier makes a drop pass and follows through so as to make
bodily contact with an opposing player.
NOTE: All offensive or defensive players may attempt to establish positional territory in
front of either goal. The incidental contact that occurs in so doing shall not be
considered interference or unnecessary roughness. However, should a player from either
team run at an opponent, or make a body check, it is at the discretion of the referee, to
assess a minor penalty for interference, charging or unnecessary roughness.
RULE FIFTY-EIGHT – INTERFERENCE BY SPECTATORS34
(a) In the event of a player being held or interfered with by a spectator, the referee shall blow
the whistle and play shall be stopped, unless the team of the player interfered with is in
possession of the puck at the time, then the play shall be allowed to be completed before
blowing the whistle, and the puck shall be faced-off at the spot where last played at the
stoppage.
NOTE: The referee shall report to the IHAAZ for possible disciplinary action, all cases
in which a player becomes involved in an altercation with a spectator but no penalty
should be imposed.
(b) In the event that objects are thrown onto the playing surface, which interfere with the
progress of the game, the referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play, and the puck
shall be faced-off at the spot where the play was stopped.
RULE FIFTY-NINE – CHECKING FROM BEHIND
(a) A major penalty plus a game misconduct shall be assessed to any player who
intentionally pushes, body-checks or hits an opposing player from behind, anywhere on
the skating surface.
(b) Where a player is high-sticked, cross-checked, body checked, hit or propelled in any
manner from behind into the boards or goal cage in such a way that the player is unable
to defend his or her self, a match penalty shall be assessed. NOTE: Referees are
instructed not to substitute other penalties when a player is checked from behind in any
manner. This rule must be strictly enforced.
RULE SIXTY – KICKING THE PUCK
(a) Kicking the puck shall be permitted in all zones, but a goal may not be scored by the kick
of an attacking player except if an attacking player kicks the puck and it is deflected into
the net by any player of the defending side, except the goalkeeper.
RULE SIXTY-ONE – LEAVING THE PLAYER OR PENALTY BENCHES
(a) No player may leave the players bench at any time to enter an altercation, but
substitutions shall be permitted provided the player so substituted does not enter the
altercation. Likewise, no player on or near the penalty bench (not on the floor) shall
participate in any fight or other altercation with any opposing player on the floor.
(b) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on each player violating the rule. The referee
shall report all such infractions to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee. Which shall have
full power to impose such further penalty as deemed fitting.
(c) Except at the end of each period, or on expiration of a penalty, no player may at any time
leave the penalty bench.
(d) A penalized player who leaves the penalty bench before the player’s penalty has expired,
whether play is in progress or not, but does not enter an altercation, shall incur an
additional minor penalty, after serving the player’s unexpired time.
(e) Any penalized player leaving the penalty bench during the stoppage of play, and entering
an altercation, shall incur a minor penalty plus a ten minute misconduct penalty, after
serving the player’s unexpired time.
(f) If a player leaves the penalty bench before the player’s penalty is fully served, the penalty
timekeeper shall note the time and signal the referee who will immediately stop the play.35
(g) In the case of a player returning to the floor before the player’s time has expired through
an error by the penalty timekeeper, that player is not to serve an additional penalty, but
must serve the player’s unexpired time.
(h) If a player of an attacking side in possession of the puck shall be in such a position as to
have no opposition between the opposing side, who shall have illegally entered the game,
the referee shall award a penalty shot against the side to which the offending player
belongs.
(i) If the opposing goalkeeper has been removed and an attacking player in possession of the
puck shall have no player of the defending team to pass and a stick or a part thereof is
thrown by an opposing player or the player is fouled from behind thereby being
prevented from having a clear shot on an open goal, a goal shall be awarded against the
offending team. If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the floor, a
player of the side attacking the unattended goal is interfered with by a player who shall
have entered the game illegally, the referee shall immediately award a goal to the nonoffending team.
(j) Any non-playing coach, trainer or manager who gets on the floor after the start of the
game without permission from the referee, shall automatically be suspended from the
game.
(k) If a penalized player returns to the floor from the penalty bench before the player’s
penalty has expired by the player’s own error or the error of the penalty timekeeper, any
goal scored by the player’s own team while that player is illegally on the floor shall be
disallowed, but all penalties imposed on either team shall be served as regular penalties.
(l) If a player illegally enters the game from the player’s own team bench, any goal scored
by the player’s own team, while that player is illegally on the floor, shall be disallowed,
but all penalties imposed against either team shall be served as regular penalties.
RULE SIXTY-TWO – PHYSICAL ABUSE OF OFFICIALS
(a) Any player who touches or holds a referee, or any game official, with the player’s hand
or stick or trips or body checks any such officials, shall automatically receive a minimum
ten minute penalty for misconduct for the first offense, and a minimum game misconduct
penalty for a second offense, in the same game. Depending upon the incident, a match
penalty may be called. The use of a substitute for the player so suspended shall be
permitted.
(b) Any player who holds or strikes an official, shall automatically be suspended from the
remainder of the qualifier.
(c) Any manager, coach or trainer who holds or strikes an official, shall be automatically
suspended from the game, ordered to the dressing room, and disciplinary action shall be
taken by the IHAAZ disciplinary committee.
RULE SIXTY-THREE – OBSCENE OR PROFANE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES
(a) Players shall not use obscene or profane language or gestures on the floor or anywhere in
the rink. For violation of this rule, a misconduct penalty shall be imposed except when
the violation occurs in the vicinity of the player’s bench, in which case, a bench minor
penalty shall be imposed.
(b) Managers, coaches and trainers shall not use obscene or profane language or gestures
anywhere in the rink. For violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.36
NOTE: It is the responsibility of all game officials and all team officials to send a
confidential report to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee, setting out the full details
concerning the use of obscene gestures by any player, coach or other official. The
disciplinary committee shall take further disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.
RULE SIXTY FOUR – PUCK OUT OF BOUNDS OR UNPLAYABLE
(a) When the puck goes outside of the playing area to either end, or either side of the rink or
strikes any obstacles above the playing surface other than the boards, glass or wire, it
shall be faced-off from where it was shot or deflected, unless otherwise expressly
provided in these rules.
(b) When the puck becomes lodged in the netting on the outside of either goal so as to make
it unplayable, or, if it is frozen between opposing players intentionally or otherwise, the
referee shall stop the lay and face-off the puck at either of the adjacent face-off spots
unless, in the opinion of the referee, the stoppage was caused b a player of the attacking
team, in which case the resulting face-off shall be conducted at the nearest face-off spot
adjacent to the goal of the offending player or center line face-off spots.
NOTE: This includes stoppage of play caused by the player of the attacking side shooting
the puck onto the back of the defending team’s net without any intervening action by the
defending team. The defending team and/or the attacking team may play the puck off the
net at any time. However, should the puck remain on the net for longer than three
seconds, play shall be stopped and a face-off shall take place in the end face-off zone
except when the stoppage is caused by the attacking team, then the face-off shall take
place on the face-off spot at the center circle.
(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who deliberately drops the puck on the
goal netting to cause a stoppage of play.
(d) If the puck comes to rest on top of the boards surrounding the playing area, it shall be
considered to be in play and may be played legally by hand or by stick.
RULE SIXTY-FIVE – PUCK MUST BE KEPT IN MOTION
(a) A minor penalty shall also be imposed on any player who deliberately holds the puck
against the boards in a manner unless the player is being checked by an opponent.
(b) For an infringement of this rule, the face-off shall be at the nearest end face-off spot
adjacent to the offenders goal.
RULE SIXTY-SIX-PUCK OUT OF SIGHT AND ILLEGAL PUCK
(a) Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally falls on the puck and the puck be
out of sight of the referee, the referee shall immediately blow the whistle and stop play.
There will be a face-off at the nearest face-off spot.
(b) If at any time while play is in progress, a puck other than the one legally in play, shall
appear on the playing surface, play shall not be stopped, but shall continue with the legal
puck until the play in progress is completed by change of possession. At the referee’s
discretion, if the legal puck is interfered in play, the referee shall stop the play
immediately.37
RULE SIXTY-SEVEN-REFUSING TO START PLAY AND FORFEITURE
(a) If, when both teams are on the floor, one team for any reason, shall refuse to play when
ordered to do so by the referee, the referee shall warn the coach/manager and allow the
team so refusing fifteen seconds within which to begin the game or resume play. If, at
the end of that time, the team still refuses to play, the referee shall impose a two minute
penalty on a player of the offending team to be designated by the manager or coach of
that team through the captain. Should there be a repetition of the same incident, the
referee shall have no alternative but to declare that the game be forfeited to the nonoffending club and the case shall be reported to the tournament director.
(b) If a team, when ordered to do so by the referee through its manager or coach, fails to go
onto the playing surface and start within five minutes, the game shall be forfeited and the
case shall be reported to the tournament director.
(c) A forfeiture of a game shall be declared for the following reasons:
1) At the start of a game (referee’s whistle to put puck in play) a team does not have
four skaters and a goalie on the floor n full and required uniform.
2) By the team captain submitting in writing and accepted by the tournament director
that the team will not be able to play a particular game. In this event, the
opposing team does not need to suit up or make an appearance at the game, but
shall still be awarded the victory.
3) Due to injury or illness during the game, a team cannot field (when at full
strength) four skaters and a goalie to continue the game.
(d) In the event of a forfeit, then the following scoring statistics shall be awarded:
1) The forfeiting team shall be awarded a loss for the game. The opposing team
shall be awarded two points (a victory for the game). The score of the game shall
be recorded as 8-0. The forfeiting team (loser), while still in round-robin play,
shall be penalized a minus 1 point for that game, which must be deducted from
their accumulated points total for the round-robin.
2) The captain of the victorious team shall be awarded 1 goal. (This may not be
substituted to any other player). There shall be no assists awarded.
3) The goalies of either team shall not be assessed with a shot, save or goal against.
(e) A team may forfeit one game during the round-robin portion of the qualifier without
disqualification of that team for the qualifier. If the same team forfeits a second game at
a qualifier, then that team shall be disqualified for the remainder of all qualifier games.
Any single forfeiture occurring after completion of round-robin games, during either the
medal play or the placement games, will also cause a team to be disqualified, for the
remainder of the qualifier.
(f) In the event of the removal of a team from the qualifier by forfeiture, the following
statistical change shall take place:
1) All statistics of the removed team and team players shall be removed from the
official stats. This is to include all team points, all goals scored, assists, saves,
goals against, penalty minutes and all other pertinent statistics.
2) Any and all teams that have already played the forfeiting team must also have the
stats erased as though the game had not been played.
NOTE: The removal of all penalty minutes will not remove action taken or to be taken by
the tournament director or the committee as to major penalties, game misconduct, ten
minute miscellaneous or match penalties that were imposed on forfeiting team players.38
RULE SIXTY-EIGHT-SLASHING
(a) A minor or major penalty at the discretion or the referee shall be imposed on any player
who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by “slashing” with the
player’s stick. Any stick to body contact enacted by the pursuing player will be
considered slashing. No matter how hard the stick to body contact is, it shall be
considered a minor penalty.
(b) A major penalty and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who
injures an opponent by slashing. When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a
foul resulting in injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic major penalty
shall be imposed.
NOTE: Referees should penalize as slashing, any player who swings the player’s stick at
any opposing player (whether in or out of range) without actually striking that player or
where a player on the pretext of playing the puck, makes a wild swing at the puck with
the object of intimidating an opponent.
(c) Any player not in possession of the puck cannot have any stick contact upon the
goalkeeper or it will be considered a slashing penalty.
(d) Any player not in possession of the puck cannot have any stick contact upon the
goalkeeper or it will be considered a slashing penalty.
NOTE: The referee shall impose the normal appropriate penalty provided in the other
sections of this rule and shall, in addition, report promptly to the IHAAZ disciplinary
committee all infractions under this section.
RULE SIXTY-NINE-SPEARING AND BUTT-ENDING
(a) A double minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who spears or attempts to spear or
butt-ends an opponent.
NOTE: “Attempt to spear” shall include all cases where a spearing gesture is made
regardless of whether bodily contact is made or not.
(b) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by spearing or
butt-ending. This should be treated as a deliberate attempt to injure under Rule 45.
NOTE: “Spearing” shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade
while the stick is being carried with one hand or with both hands.
RULE SEVENTY-START OF GAME AND PERIODS
(a) The game shall be commenced at the time scheduled by a “face-off” in the center of the
rink and shall be renewed promptly at the conclusion of each intermission in the same
manner. No delay shall be permitted by reason or any ceremony, exhibition,
demonstration or presentation unless consented to reasonably in advance by the meet
director.
(b) Home clubs shall have the choice of goals to defend at the start of the game. Where both
player benches are on the same side of the rink, the home club shall start the game using
that bench farthest from its starting goal. The team will not change benches for a new
period.39
(c) During the pre-game warm-up and before the commencement of play in any period, each
team shall confine its activity to its own end of the rink.
NOTE: All players must be dressed and ready to play 45 MINUTES prior to their
scheduled playing time, or the game will be forfeited.
(d) All players must be in full uniform to take the floor for warm-ups.
RULE SEVENTY-ONE-THROWING STICK
(a) When any player of the defending side, including the goalkeeper, deliberately throws the
player’s stick or any part thereof or any other object, at the puck in the player’s defending
zone, the referee shall allow the play to be completed and if a goal is not scored, a penalty
shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side, in which the shot shall be taken by the
player designated by the referee as the player fouled.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who throws the player’s stick, or any
part thereof or any other object, in any area except when such an act has been penalized
by the award of a penalty shot on goal.
NOTE: When a player discards the broken portion of a stick by tossing it to the side of
the floor (and not over the boards) in such a way as will not interfere with play or
opposing player, no penalty will be imposed or doing so.
The referee shall report promptly to the IHAAZ disciplinary committee for action in
every case where a stick or any part thereof is thrown outside the playing area.
RULE SEVENTY-TWO-GAME TIME AND TIME OUTS
(a) The game shall be played in two periods with a 30 second rest permitted between each
period, after which, the teams shall change ends. For games where a tie is not desirable,
at the conclusion of the tied match, the teams will begin a sudden death play-off. If no
team has scored after five (5) minutes, there will be a 4 player (per side) shootout. The 4
players will be selected and identified to the referee and scorekeeper, at the same time,
the order in which they are to shoot shall also be identified to the game officials. If, after
all 4 of these identified players have gone, and there is still a tie, then the same 4 players
shall continue to shoot (for each team) in a sudden death format. They are permitted to
shoot in any order, no one player shall shoot more than 1 in every 4 attempts (ie: all 4
players must shoot before any one can go again). The sudden death shootout will be
conducted as follows:
If, after one player from each team has shot, only one team has scored, that team shall
be declared the winner. If, after one player from each team has shot and the score
remains tied, the procedure shall be repeated until one team scores while its opponent
does not.
(b) Any overtime period shall be considered a part of the game and all unexpired penalties
shall remain in force.
(c) A time-out may be called only by a player in possession of the puck, or by the coach
when the puck has been whistled dead. Play will resume with a face-off.40
(d) One time-out of one minute duration for each team per game will be available. A game
time-out may be called by the referee at any time during the game.
(e) When there is a time-out, the teams may go to the player bench.
(f) No time-outs in an overtime game or sudden death.
(g) Any violations of the above rule will result in a two (2) minute minor penalty.
RULE SEVENTY-THREE-TIED GAMES
(a) If, at the end of the game, the score is tied, the game shall be called a “TIE” and each
team shall be credited with one point in the standings, except for single elimination
matches where ties are not desirable at the end of regular playing time, then rule 73(b)
will be used.
(b) Games, where a tie is not desirable (pre-quarter finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals or other
types of single elimination competitions), a tie will be decided as follows: At the
conclusion of the tied match, a 30 second rest will be allowed, and the teams will begin a
sudden death play-off, with the announcement that the first team to score will be declared
the winner. If no team has scored after five (5) minutes, the teams will then commence
with a 4 player per team shootout, where rule 72(a) will be used.
RULE SEVENTY-FOUR-TRIPPING
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who shall place the player’s stick, knee,
foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that it shall cause the player’s opponent to trip
or fall.
NOTE: If, in the opinion of the referee, a player is unquestionably hook-checking the
puck, and obtains possession of it, thereby tripping the puck carrier, no penalty shall be
imposed.
(b) When a player, in control of the puck in the attacking zone, and having no other opponent
to pass than the goalkeeper, is tripped or otherwise fouled from behind, preventing a
reasonable scoring opportunity, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side.
Nevertheless the referee shall not stop the play until the attacking side has lost possession
of the puck to the defending side.
(c) If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the floor, a player in control of
the puck is tripped or otherwise fouled with no opposition between that player and the
opposing goal, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, the referee shall
immediately stop the play and award a goal to the attacking team.
RULE SEVENTY-FIVE-UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS
(a) At the discretion of the referee, a minor penalty may be imposed on any player deemed
guilty of unnecessary roughness.
(b) A major penalty shall be assessed if the action of roughing results in an injury to the
player being roughed. NOTE: It is not intended that there be no body contact between
two opposing players who are actively in pursuit of the puck. The act of riding an 41
opponent off the puck, or meeting the opponent head-on, while attempting to play the
puck, throw their bodies into an opponent in order to achieve possession.
NOTE: Penalty for unnecessary roughness (roughing) should be called in every case
when an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with the player in possession.

PENALTY INDEX
Abuse of Officials, Adjustment of Equipment, Attempt to injure, Board Checking, Broken Stick, Butt-Ending, Charging, Checking from behind, Cross Checking, Deliberate Injury, Delay of Game, Elbowing, Face-off, Falling on Puck, Fighting, Goalkeepers Equipment, Goalkeepers Penalties, Gross Misconduct, Handling Puck, High Stick, Holding,
Rule 38
Rule 39
Rule 40
Rule 41
Rule 42
Rule 69
Rule 43
Rule 59
Rule 44
Rule 45
Rule 46
Rule 47
Rule 48
Rule 49
Rule 50
Rule 17
Rule 29
Rule 52
Rule 53
Rule 54
Rule 55
Hooking, Illegal Substitution, Change of Players, Interference, Interference by Spectator, Kick Puck, Kicking Opponent Leaving, Bench Refusing to Start Play, Slashing, Physical Abuse of Officials, Obscene Language, Puck in Motion, Spearing, Throwing Stick, Tripping, Unnecessary Roughness, Unplayable Puck
Rule 56
Rule 61
Rule 13
Rule 57
Rule 58
Rule 60
Rule 45
Rule 61
Rule 67
Rule 68
Rule 62
Rule 63
Rule 65
Rule 69
Rule 71
Rule 74
Rule 75
Rule 6442
QUICK REFERENCE INDEX FOR PENALTIES – Minor 2 Minutes
DOUBLE MINOR (2 MINOR PENALTIES)
Abuse of Officials, Equipment Adjustment, Boarding, Broken Stick, Butt-Ending, Charging, Cross Checking, Dangerous Equipment, Delay of Game, Elbowing, Face-Off, Falling on Puck,Fighting, Goalkeepers Equipment, Goalkeepers Penalties, Handling Puck, High Stick
Rule 38
Rule 39
Rule 41
Rule 42
Rule 69
Rule 43
Rule 44
Rule 19
Rule 46
Rule 47
Rule 48
Rule 49
Rule 50
Rule 17
Rule 29
Rule 53
Rule 54
Butt-Ending, Spearing
Rule 69
Rule 69
Hooking, Holding, Illegal Substitution, Interference, Kneeing, Leaving Penalty Bench early, Refusal to Start Play, Slashing Sticks, Tripping, Unnecessary Roughness
Rule 56
Rule 55
Rule 13, Rule 61(h)
Rule 57
Rule 47
Rule 61(d)
Rule 67
Rule 68
Rule 15
Rule 74
Rule 7543
MAJOR 5 MINUTES
MISCONDUCT PENALTIES 10 MINUTES
Attempt to Injure, Boarding, Charging, Checking from Behind, Cross Checking, Elbowing, Fighting, High Stick, Holding Causing Injury, Hooking Causing Injury, Kneeing, Slashing, Throwing Stick, Unnecessary Roughness, with Resulting Injury
Rule 40
Rule 41
Rule 43
Rule 59
Rule 44
Rule 47
Rule 50
Rule 54
Rule 55(b)
Rule 56(b)
Rule 47(b)
Rule 68
Rule 71(b)
Rule 75(b)
Abuse of Officials, Banging Boards, Broken Stick, Complaint About a Penalty, Leaving a Player or Penalty, Bench to Fight, Misconduct Penalties, Physical Abuse of Officials, Obscene Language, Resistance to Serve Penalty, Third Minor Penalty, Trespass in Referee Crease
Rule 38
Rule 38(b)
Rule 42
Rule 10(g)
Rule 61(b)(e)
Rule 26
Rule 62
Rule 63 & 38(g)
Rule 38(c)
Rule 24(a)
Rule 38(j)44

GAME MISCONDUCT – SUSPENSION
MATCH PENALTY 5 MINUTES
PENALTY SHOT
Abuse of Officials, Checking from Behind, Cross Check Injury, High Stick Injury, Incite Opponent after warning, Interfere with Official, Kicking Opponent, Goalie leaves goal crease for Altercation, Gross Misconduct, Fighting, Obscene Language, Physical Abuse of Officials, Resists Referee in Duties, Second Major Penalty, Slashing with Injury, Stick Swung above shoulder, Throwing on Skating Floor, Three Stick Penalties
Rule 38(d)
Rule 59
Rule 44©
Rule 54
Rule 38(d)
Rule 38(i)
Rule 45(d)
Rule 29(f)
Rule 52
Rule 50(a)(c)(d)
Rule 38(a)
Rule 62
Rule 38(c)
Rule 25(b)
Rule 68(b)
Rule 54(f)
Rule 38(h)

Rule 26 (No Subsequent game suspension)
Attempt to Injure, Butt-Ending, Checking from Behind, Deliberate Injury, Physical Abuse of Official, Second Misconduct, Slashing During Altercation, Spearing
Rule 40
Rule 69
Rule 59
Rule 45
Rule 62(a)
Rule 26(d)
Rule 68(c)
Rule 69
Displacing Goal, Falling on Puck in Crease, Fouling from the Rear, Illegal Player, Picking up Puck in Crease, Throwing Stick
Rule 46(b)
Rule 49
Rule 74(b)
Rule 61(h)
Rule 53(d)
Rule 7145
GOAL AWARDED TO NON-OFFENDING TEAM
Open Goal with Illegal Opposing Team Interference, Open Goal with attacking player fouled from Behind, Open Goal with attacking player tripped from Behind, Open Goal with goal cage deliberately displaced, Opposing Player Interferes with Penalty Shot
Rule 57(f)
Rule 61(i)
Rule 74(c)
Rule 29(h)
Rule 28(i)