(a)

All players must register and accept a liability waiver before playing their first game. The form can be found on our website and must be completed online.

(b)

Teams may use subs as needed. However we ask that you try and maintain the same overall skill level on your team each game to not compromise the divisions. Subs are also required to fill out an online waiver form prior to playing. It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that subs complete this form.

(a)

We will be using a variety of privately owned facilities each season (Fall 2017 – West Hillhurst and Genesis). Players are asked to familiarize themselves with the rules of each venue. In general, it is expected that you respect the facilities, any other users and represent 403 Ball Hockey in a positive manner.  Venue locations may change depending on the season of play.  Any specific facility regulations will be sent to the team captains at the beginning of each season.

(a)

For players:  There is no mandatory equipment but shin pads and gloves are highly recommended.  Gloves can be of any style including ice hockey, floor hockey, and lacrosse gloves.  Any stick may be used – plastic, wood, composite. This may change season-to-season depending on facility policy.

(b)

For goalies:  Helmet, pads, blocker, catcher and stick are mandatory.  Full goalie attire is recommended but not necessary.  Any type of regulation-sized goalie pads are allowed.

(a)

Each team will play 8 regular-season games plus 1-2 playoff games.

(b)

The top four teams at the end of the regular season will qualify to play in the championship for the A division. The next 4 teams will play for a B championship and the bottom 4 teams will play for a C championship.  If there is a tie in points at the end of the regular season, then tie-breakers will be made in the following order: goal differential, goals for, goals against, and head-to-head matchup.

(c)

Ringer Rule:  A team may not “recruit” a player specifically for a playoff game.  A player may be used as a sub for a playoff game if he or she has played in at least 2 games with the team during the regular season.  A goalie may be used as a sub for a playoff game if he or she has played in at least 1 game with the team during the regular season.  In addition, a player or goalie may not play for more than one team in the top four ranking during the playoffs.  Any team that is found violating this rule will automatically be forfeited and lose that playoff game.  Players may be asked to show photo identification. Since we will not formally be taking attendance at each game, we ask for your honesty around this rule.

(a)

Games are played 4-on-4 plus a goalie for a total of 5 players on the floor for each team.  If a team has too many men on the floor at any time during the game, a penalty will be called.

(b)

Each game consists of two 25-minute periods. There is a 5 minute warm-up period prior to the game and a 3 minute break between periods.

(c)

Regular season games that end in a tie at the end of regulation time will result in each team being awarded one point.

(d)

During the first round of playoffs, if there is a tie at the end of regulation, only the two games involving the top four-ranked teams for each division will qualify for a shoot-out: each team will choose 5 players (must alternate male and female) to participate. If there is a tie at the end of the initial shootout, then each team will alternate players (one male, one female) until a winner is declared.  All players on the team must attempt at the shoot out before you can repeat. All other non-championship match-ups can end in a tie.

(e)

During the second round of playoffs, only the championship game will qualify for a shoot-out if needed.

(f)

There needs to be at least 2 female players on the floor at all times (not including the goalie).  If there is a shortage of female players for a game and the captains of both teams are in agreement, then the rule can be amended to a minimum of 1 female player on the floor at all times (not including the goalie).  If the captains are not in agreement, then the team short of females will play shorthanded (i.e. 2 males + 1 female on the floor).

(g)

A team will be defaulted if they do not have the minimum number of players by start time, and the other team will be awarded an 8-to-0 win.  The minimum is 3 players plus a goalie or 4 players – ie. shorthanded.  There must be at least one female by start time.

(h)

Mercy rule:  if a team reaches a lead of 8 goals in a game, the score will freeze at that time and the game will be over, The two teams may continue to play for fun with no further recording of goals.

(i)

The goalie can be pulled (“empty net” with 5 players on the floor) at any time during the game if the captain so chooses.

(a)

Ball in Play – Live areas include all walls and the ceiling. There is no icing or off-sides.

(b)

Face-offs – The ball will be dropped for a face-off at the beginning of each period, after each goal, if the ball is out of play or after an infraction/penalty is called.  The ball must hit the ground first to be in play.

(c)

Crease Rule – Goalies may come out of their crease to play the ball, but cannot cover it if they are out of the crease.  Offensive players are not allowed to stand in the crease to obstruct the goalie’s view or movement.

(d)

Goalie Possession of Ball – Players may not hit or hack the goalie while they are trying to glove the ball in the crease. When the goalie makes a save, they can play the ball forward to a player or drop it behind the net. The opposing team must be at the top of the crease when the goalie drops the ball. The player must have possession before the offensive team can challenge.

(e)

Goalie Rules – Goalies are not allowed to pass the center line during play.  A goalie throwing their stick will result in a penalty shot for the other team.

(f)

Scoring – A player cannot score by kicking or throwing the ball into the net.

(a)

All penalties are 3 minutes long.  If 2 concurrent penalties are called against your team, then 2 players will be sent to the box at the same time, resulting in the other team having a 4-on-2 advantage.

(a)

At no time should the blade go higher than crossbar level. This includes calling for the pass, trying to knock the ball down out of the air, running down the floor, and slap shots (including follow- through). One warning will be issued per team. Any additional high stick infractions will be penalties. If you use your stick to lift another players stick which causes it to go high, you can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee will use their discretion and call high sticks that are lower than cross bar level if they pose a safety risk to another player.

(a)

You cannot use your body or your back to bulldoze through people.

(b)

You cannot use your body to prevent an opponent from going by you such as jumping in front of them or using your body to run picks or interfere with another player. This includes preventing a player from getting past you or using your stick to hold down an opponent’s stick.

(c)

You cannot take one hand off your stick and give another player a shove with your free hand.  A player cannot wrap his/her arms around an opponent or use a free hand to clutch, grab or hold the stick, jersey or body on the opponent in a manner that impedes their progress.  Examples include: wrapping one or both arms around the opponent along the boards in a manner that pins them against the boards (preventing them from playing the ball or running), grabbing the opponent’s body, stick or shirt with one or both hands.

(d)

You can, of course, stand your ground and turn to protect the ball.

(a)

Hand passes - A player is permitted to stop or “bat” a ball in the air with an open hand if made to a team mate in the player’s defending zone. The play will be stopped and called a hand pass if a player has directed the ball using a hand to a team mate who is in the neutral or attacking zone. The play will be ruled dead and a face-off will occur.

(b)

A player is allowed to catch the ball but it must be dropped to the floor immediately. A minor penalty will be given to any player that closes a hand on the ball with an intent (as judged by the referee) to delay the game or force a stoppage of play. A penalty shot will be awarded to the other team if a player closes a hand on the ball in his/her goalie's crease.

(c)

Goalies are also not allowed to throw the ball to a team mate who is outside the defending zone.

(a)

A player is NOT allowed to slide under any circumstances, including in an attempt to reach the ball or steal the ball from another player. With the exception of the goalie, no player can slide or dive to block a shot. Dropping down to 1 knee in order to block a shot is acceptable.

(a)

A player or goalkeeper is not allowed to place a stick or any body part in such a manner that causes his opponent to trip or fall.  A penalty shot will be awarded to the other team if a player trips an opponent from behind while the opponent is in control of the ball on a breakaway.

(a)

NO body-checking, hooking, interfering, tripping, slashing, throwing a stick, high-sticking another player, shin-hacking, pushing or any other form of intentional bodily harm.    Get off the floor if your temper is getting out of control (or else you will be called to do so).

(a)

Verbal or physical abuse of other players or the referee will absolutely NOT be tolerated.  This includes obvious and directed roughness against another player.

(a)

If you bump an opponent or accidentally trip them, check to see if they are okay, help them up and let them know it was an accident.  If you do not, it will be assumed that you did it on purpose and will result in a 3 minute penalty for unsportsmanlike behaviour.   If players are battling hard for the ball, the play will not get called down immediately if the players appear to be respecting each other and sportsmanlike behaviour is shown after the play.   If you run into and bump another player and then continue to run, a penalty will be called.