West Chester University Department of Campus Recreation
Intramural Floor Hockey Rules
West Chester University Intramural Floor Hockey will follow the current rules of USA Hockey and NIRSA
(National Intramural and Recreational Association) unless modified to accommodate facility or program needs.
Those who are subject to the rules are: team representatives (players, substitutes, coaches and spectators)
and other persons affiliated with the team are subject to the rules of the game and shall be governed by the
decisions of the Intramural Staff assigned to the game.
Player Eligibility
1. Participation is limited to all currently enrolled, fee-paying WCU undergraduate students. Graduate
students, faculty, staff and alumni are not eligible to participate and no exceptions will be made.
2. In order to be eligible to participate, each eligible player MUST present his/her current, valid RAMCard.
Check-in takes place at designed sign-in locations at the facility, field or court (usually at the
Scorekeeper’s table). Individuals who are unable to provide a current, valid RAMCard will not be
permitted to participate. No other forms of identification will be accepted (email, class schedule,
Driver’s License, etc).
3. For additional information regarding player eligibility, team rosters and participant check-in refer to
the WCU Intramural Handbook available online at the WCU Intramural Sports website and in the
Intramural Sports office in the Student Recreation Center.
Team Composition and Substitutions
1. Players can compete on only one team regardless of league classification. In addition, a player may
compete for one Co-Rec team during the same season.
2. A minimum of five (5) players are required to register a team. All players must show their current,
valid WCU RAMCard at the game site in order to be eligible to participate.
3. A team must have four (4) players to start a game. Players who arrive late must check-in with the
scorekeeper/s and can enter the game as soon as he/she completes the check-in process.
4. Team rosters will be formed based on the players who compete in the team’s first regular season game
and every subsequent regular season game. No new player’s can be added after a team’s last regular
season game.
5. In order for a player to be eligible for playoffs, he/she must participate in at least one regular season
game for that team. *No player may participate on more than one team*
6. Substitutions are unlimited and can be made during the game while the ball is in play (on the fly). The
player being substituted for must be within three (3) feet of his/her team bench before the new player
may enter the field of play. Neither the player entering the court nor the player exiting may participate
in play during the period of time when they are simultaneously on the field. All substitute players must
remain within their appropriate bench area during the game.
7. Goalie substitutions are permitted only when the play has been declared dead. The team captain must
make the official aware of goalie substitutions.
8. Any player who is injured or bleeding, has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on the
uniform must leave the game.
Equipment and Playing Field
1. Street Hockey balls are not available for check-out at the Student Recreation Center. The Campus
Recreation Staff will provide game balls only; teams must furnish their own practice Street Hockey
balls.
2. Street Hockey Sticks are available for check-out at the Student Recreation Center. Participants are
responsible for any damage to the equipment due to misuse.
3. Teams are encouraged to wear their own like-colored jerseys. Scrimmage vests (pinnies) are available
for checkout at the courts.
4. Individual Player Equipment must meet the following requirements:
a. Hockey helmets with full-face masks are required for all participants. Hockey helmets with face
masks are available for check-out for players and goaltenders.
b. It is recommended that goaltenders wear a chest protector, a protective glove or blocker on
their stick hand, a catching glove on their non-stick hand and leg guards/pads. All the
recommended equipment for goaltenders will be available for check-out.
c. Shirts: Shirts must be worn throughout the game. Shirts must not have arm openings that are
larger than four inches. Referees will measure the arm openings with their fist. Shirts that have
been altered and are missing more than the length of the sleeve will not be permitted.
d. Pants: Players may not wear pants or shorts that have belt loops, metal, cargo pockets or
exposed drawstrings. Players may not wear towels that hang from the waist.
e. Pads or Braces (non-goaltender): No pads or braces may be worn above the waist. Leg and
knee braces made of hard, unyielding material must be covered on both sides and all edges
with slow-recovery padding.
f. Shoes: All players must wear shoes. Athletic/Tennis shoes are permitted. Any other type of
shoe that the official deem unsafe is prohibited.
g. Sticks: Sticks with wooden blades are prohibited. Sticks for all positions are available for checkout.
h. The Officials, Supervisors and Department of Campus Recreation can prohibit any equipment
not listed above if in their judgment deem the equipment hazardous.
5. Jewelry is NOT allowed to be worn by any participant during the game. Jewelry consists of visible rings
(wedding bands), watches, necklaces, earrings, studs (including tongue or lip rings), bracelets (metal or
cloth) and any other such similar jewelry. Medical alert bracelets must be taped to the body or
secured under clothing such as a sock to be worn during play. Taping of any other forms of jewelry,
other than a medical bracelet, is prohibited. Players are subject to ejection for failure to remove
jewelry.
Game Timing
1. Game time is forfeit time. Any team that forfeits a game can jeopardize any playoff potential due to a
low sportsmanship rating. Teams who forfeit more than once will be dropped from the league.
2. Games will consist of three (3) fifteen (15) minute periods with two (2) three (3) minute Intermissions.
Teams will switch sides after each period.
3. During the game there will be a running clock which means the clock will not stop during play, except
for timeouts and injuries. After a timeout, the clock will start when the official signals the play to restart.
a. The last 2-minutes of the game will be stopped-time, if the score is within three (3) goals.
4. Teams will receive one (1) time-out per game. Teams will receive only one additional time-out if
overtime occurs regardless of how many overtime periods are played. All time-outs will be one (1)
minute in length.
5. Regular season games can end in a tie. Overtime will only occur during the playoffs. The rules for
overtime are as follows:
a. Overtime will consist of one five (5) minute “sudden death” period with a running clock.
b. If the game remains tied at the end of the overtime period, the game will proceed into a 3person shootout.
c. Each team captain shall designate three (3) players to shoot for his/her team. The designated
players must have been on the court (in the game) at the end of the overtime period.
d. A coin toss will determine who will shoot first or second.
e. Teams will alternate through the first three (3) shooters. If the score remains tied, a sudden
victory shootout will occur in which the game is won if, after an equal number of shots, the tie
is broken.
f. Shootouts will be administered similar to a penalty shoot in hockey. The ball will start at center
court. The goaltender is required to remain in the crease until the ball is touched. The penalty
shot will start on the official’s whistle and end with a goal, a save or a shot wide of the goal.
Scoring
1. A goal will be awarded when the entirety of the ball crosses the goal line inside the goal posts.
2. All goals will result in one point.
3. Goals will be disallowed if the ball is contacted with a stick above the waist before it enters the goals,
or kicked or thrown into the net.
4. (Mercy Rule) If a team leads by seven (7) or more goals after the second (2nd) period the game will end.
Playing Rules
1. Teams will play 5 on 5 with one (1) of the five (5) players being the goaltender.
2. The game will start with the opening face-off at center court. After a stoppage of play, play will
resume with a face-off at the closet appropriate face-off dot.
a. Face-offs will result from the following: start of a period, net is dislodged, a goal is scored, ball is
frozen by the goalie, ball is frozen between two players, an injury, ball leaves the playing
surface, and penalties (that do not result in a penalty shot).
3. There is no offside or icing in Intramural Floor Hockey.
4. Any ball that strikes the netting above the glass or the ceiling will be deemed out of play and play will
stop. A face-off will take place at the spot nearest to where the ball traveled out-of-bounds.
5. Checking or any use of the body to move another player is prohibited. Any player who checks or
intentional contacts another will be ejected immediately and a five (5) minute major penalty will be
issued to that team.
6. Slap shots are prohibited before, during and after the game. For Intramural purposes the definition of
a slap shot will be anytime the wind up of a stick is higher than knee level. Players will be issued an
initial minor two (2) minute penalty for the first infraction. Any additional infractions will result in a
five (5) minute major.
7. Players can advance the ball by either the blade of the stick or kicking the ball (goals cannot be scored
by kicking the ball).
8. Goaltenders may use any means possible to stop the ball with their body, glove or stick.
9. Once a goaltender gains possession of the ball, they must immediately decide to hold/cover the ball or
play it to a teammate. If the goaltender does not appear to make an attempt to play the ball to a
teammate, play will be stopped and play will restarts at the nearest face-off dot.
10. Opposing players are not allowed to make a play on a ball that the goaltender has covered. Any
attempt to play a ball covered by a goaltender will result in a five (5) minute major penalty.
11. A team may elect to “pull their goalie” in order to place an additional player on the court. In this case,
a player on that team cannot cover the ball as a goaltender.
Penalties
1. The following penalties will result in a stoppage of play:
a. Hand Pass – when a player passes the ball to another uses their hand. If a player catches a ball
and immediately drops it to himself/herself.
b. High Sticking – anytime the stick travels above the waist including the wind up and follow-thru
of a shot.
c. Kicking the Ball – the ball cannot be intentionally kicked into the goal.
d. Dangerous Play – any player who attempts to slide or play the ball while on their knees.
2. For any minor penalty, play will continue for as long as the non-offending team has control of the ball.
Once the offending team contacts the ball or a normal stoppage of play occurs, the penalty will be
assessed.
3. Minor penalties will result in the offending team being shorthanded for two (2) minutes. The following
are all minor penalties:
a. Too Many Players – anytime a team has more than five (5) players on the court.
b. Interference – making intentional contact with a player who is not in possession of the ball in an
effort to impede them from getting to the ball or play.
c. Playing with a Broken Stick – if a player’s stick breaks they must drop it and either be
substituted or have a stick handed to them from their bench.
d. Tripping – whether intention or unintentional no player shall trip another
e. Holding – anytime a player obstructs another by grabbing their stick, equipment or uniform.
f. Delay of Game – anytime a player intentionally covers the ball outside the crease to stop the
game. If a player other than the goaltender covers the ball in the crease, a penalty shot shall be
awarded.
g. High Sticking – if a player’s stick travels above the waist and makes contact with an opposing
player.
h. Hooking – if a player uses their stick on the body to obstruct an opposing player.
i. Sliding – anytime a player leaves his/her feet to make a play on the ball, including blocking a
shoot.
4. Major penalties will result in the offending team being shorthanded for five (5) minutes and the
offending player being ejected. The following are all major penalties:
a. Elbowing – if a player intentionally hits another with their elbow.
b. Pushing – anytime a player pushes another player.
c. Charging – no player shall charge at another with the intention to contact them.
d. Checking/Roughing/Boarding – if a player intentionally makes contact with another.
e. Cross Checking – when a player uses their stick and pushes an opponent.
f. High Sticking – anytime a player’s stick makes contact with another player above the head or if
a player makes intentional contact with their stick above the waist
g. Slashing – anytime a player intentionally chops at another player or player’s stick with their
own.
h. Throwing of a stick – anytime a player throws a stick on or off the court.
i. Fighting – if a player drops their stick and any other pieces of equipment to hit another player.
5. Player’s will be issued a Game Misconduct in any of the following situations:
a. Three (3) minor penalties.
b. The player receives a major penalty.
c. Any player deemed to be participating with malicious intent.
6. Special penalty situations:
a. Teams can receive more than two (2) minor penalties at the same time, however no less than
three (3) players will be on the court. If more than two players are serving minor penalties, the
two (2) minutes for the third penalty shall not start until the first penalty expires.
b. During a minor penalty, if a goal is scored on the team that is shorthanded, the penalty shall
expire.
c. If during multiple penalties a goal is scored on the shorthanded team, the penalty with the least
amount of time left shall expire.
d. If both teams commit penalties at the same time, the players will serve the penalties, but the
teams will not play shorthanded. If a goal is scored during the penalties, neither penalty will
expire.
Sportsmanship
1. The Sportsmanship Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams' attitude and
behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior
before, during, and after an intramural sports contest is included in the rating. The team captain is
responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about
the system.
2. A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it.
Additionally, WCU Intramural Sports does not recognize the use of coaches. Only the team captain
shall speak to the officials regarding administrative matters (ejections, disqualifications, etc).
Furthermore, the team captain's efforts in assisting Intramural Staff to calm difficult situations and to
restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct.
3. Sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every Intramural contest. In order to encourage proper
conduct during games, officials, administrative personnel, and supervisors shall make decisions on
whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sportsmanship. These decisions are final.
The Intramural Sports administrative staff will rule on further penalties as a result of unsportsmanlike
conduct.
4. Each participant should choose his or her team members carefully, as all team members will suffer the
consequences of any disciplinary action taken by the Intramural Sports staff against that team for
violation of the intramural rules and sportsmanship guidelines. Protests or appeals of sportsmanship
ratings will not be recognized. The Intramural Sports administrative staff reserves the right to review
any rating given to a team.
5. Additional information regarding team and participant sportsmanship including the rating method,
factors, and scale is available in the Intramural Sports Handbook, available online at the WCU Campus
Recreation web site.