Clock: Periods are 15 minutes long. The last minute of the 1st two periods is stopped
clock and the last 2 minutes of the 3rd and OT are as well. Penalty time ALWAYS stops
the clock when teams are on the power play. If there is a 4 on 4 for coincidental
penalties, the clock will run as normal. The clock will run in the last 2 minutes of games
that a team has a lead of 4 goals or more. Goalies have one minute to get to the other
net and be ready to play, between periods. Penalty Time does not start until the next
face off is dropped so it runs until the next faceoff is dropped unless it’s stopped for the
above. If the ball goes out of play the clock only stops once both teams are prepared to
play so if there’s a line change the clock will continue to run if circumstances dictate so
such as end of the period, penalty time, etc.
Playoffs: First round for all leagues is one Full 15 minute OT with the last 2 minutes
stopped before a 5 player shootout. If tied after 5 shooters it’s sudden death and you
must use different players than the first 5 shooters until everyone on the roster has taken
a shot. If one team has less players than the other team each can start repeating once
all of those have taken a penalty shot. In the Semi’s and Finals games will be played
until someone scores. Each team gets 1 timeout per OT that can’t be carried over.
Teams will switch sides even for the 1st round with just the single OT to hopefully create
more scoring.
Equipment: ALL players from each team are highly encouraged to wear matching
uniforms with numbers but at least MUST wear their team color in order to play. Any
player not wearing their team’s color will NOT be able to play in the game. This means
blue isn’t black, red isn’t orange, grey isn’t white, etc. No exceptions guys so captains
may want to carry an extra shirt or two just in case you need it for someone. All teams
are color coded on their respective rosters/stats page. No protective gear is mandatory
though it’s HIGHLY recommended that players wear gloves, shin guards, eye protection
and a mouth piece. Helmets with or without a shield/cage are a good idea as well. All
sticks need to have tape on the butt end so please make sure you do this when you get
a new stick and on older ones as well. Players can NOT carry 2 sticks while on the rink
EXCEPT to hand the goalie his stick, if he lost/dropped it, and you can’t be a part of the
play to do so. A 2 minute penalty will be called for breaking these rules. Also, if a player
breaks a stick during play you must drop it immediately or a 2 minute minor will be called
for playing with an illegal stick. This is for safety reasons as a broken stick can be a
weapon that could injure other players or yourself. Only goalies can play with one and
only until the next stoppage/whistle when they will be allowed to retrieve another one.
Subs: All goalie substitutions have to go through the commissioner; he will ask for a
comparable sub to your goalie and possibly communicate with the opposing captain.
During the regular season sometimes teams end up upgrading through circumstances
but this it not the norm and obviously not ideal so only under goalie shortage weeks.
All goalie subs in the playoffs go through the Commish and hopefully the captains can
agree on the sub but the Commish has final say unless his team is involved. There are
NO player subs allowed for the SUN season, period, as each team is eligible to have 22
guys on your roster so add part timers if you need to. In D1 players need to play in 3
regular season games to be playoff eligible and the website will be updated accordingly
then. WED season, player substitutions will be allowed in the event of not having enough
players being present to represent a team. Such substitutions require Commish
approval based on players missing and substitutions are only allowed until you have a
total of 7 out players and a goalie. If you have 7 out players, NO substitutes will be
allowed. In the event of a player being out LONG TERM on WED’s we can discuss
finding a comparable replacement.
Rosters: Sunday teams can have up to 22 players on their team. D2 teams can only
have 2 D1 players on their roster (based on playing 3 games in D1 the previous season).
Please make sure to have enough players on your roster for each week. Draft League
teams carry 12 out players and a goalie per team.
Clearing/Icing: Icing is many times a judgment call, so players need to realize this.
The low ref first decides if the ball was released (not your stick/body) from behind the
icing line and puts his hand up. At this point either ref can waive it off if he feels any
player has a legitimate chance to play the ball. The further ref then points his hand
toward the ball and icing line and blows the whistle when the ball crosses the goal line
without going through the crease. These can be waived off if a player isn't
running/hustling for the ball, could've made a play on it, OR if the play was an attempted
pass that just misses a player by a slight margin. Again, this is a judgment call by the
referees. Thanks for your understanding and lack of complaints here as you are just
annoying the refs at this point so save your breath unless you don’t want any close ones
in your favor.
Lob: The lob rule is on hiatus for the upcoming and current seasons. We will revisit
this rule if it’s deemed to be a detriment to style of play. Please let me know your opinion
if you want to go back to a no lob rule as I can see both sides of the debate.
Catching the ball: Results in a whistle and a face-off in the offending team’s defensive
zone at the low face-off circle. Hand passes are allowed only in your defensive half of
the rink so if player A knocks the ball down with his hand player B of the same team
would have to play the ball before it fully crosses the center line. The player that knocks
the ball down can play the ball in any zone. Also, a hand pass can be called if you knock
it down with your hand in the offensive and another player from your team plays it in your
defensive side of the rink. (little known rule there) Faceoffs are placed at the closest
faceoff dot to where the hand pass originated. Also, hand passes are waived off it the
ball touches any part of another D player’s body OR stick. You also can NOT knock a
pass with your hand on net, defined as would’ve gone into the net if the goalie wasn’t
there, as the faceoff will come outside the zone in this event. If a defensive team
chooses not to play a potential hand pass, unless being closely/tightly defended, the
face off will go to the closet face off circle. If you are being defended tightly the face off
will be dropped where the hand pass originated.
Off-sides: We are now playing floating blue (actually our lines are red but) so you enter
the zone like the NHL at the blue lines and once you are in the zone the zone opens up
to the center line so the D must still clear the ball past the center line for the other team
to be out but you would only have to clear/reset to the blue line/offsides lin. The ball is IN
the zone once it COMPLETELY crosses the blue/red line in the offensive zone and is
OUT when it is ALL the way across the CENTER line. If a team is deemed off-sides and
any offensive player is continuing to pursue the ball or play defense on players (not
trying to immediately leave the zone), the whistle will be blown for off-sides. If it was
deemed intentional the faceoff will go low in the guilty team’s zone. This is a
discretionary call. Also, if a team is in the zone and a line change is made, once the play
is beyond the bench the player can just jump in the play without having to touch up, as
long as the player doesn't jump ahead of the play off of the bench. If a team is changing
just wait until the play is by if you want to stay on-sides. With trying to keep our refs out
of the way there are times the ref can’t be right on the lines so there will be times when
they may miss a ball in or out by an inch or less so please try to understand this as we
are trying to stay out of the way of the play which is a little bit more important. One
recent rule change has the face off being taken at the dot where the offsides pass
originated.
Delay of Game: Delay of Game is called when a player is behind the icing line in his
defensive zone and shoots the ball out of play over the fence line. Please remember that
we don’t have fencing all the way around the rink so we have to eye it up and both refs
should discuss alone if there is any question. If there is a tip by the defensive team or
both sticks hit the ball at the same time the DOG isn’t called Once you get past the icing
line, there isn't a delay of game call unless a player is deemed to intentionally shoot
the ball out of play. DOG is called whether the ball is bouncing or grounded, intentional
or not. DOG can also be called for players intentionally batting or kicking a ball out of
play anywhere on the rink, only if it was deemed intentional by the referees. Grabbing
the ball and throwing it, or just to catch it and hold it, is an automatic DOG penalty. A
player that steps on the ball or even shields it anywhere on the rink will be called for
DOG, but will be given a verbal warning from the ref to move the ball first if shielding it
only. A player stopping the ball with his foot isn’t considered a penalty as long as the
player removes his foot from the ball immediately and isn’t shielding it from the defense.
Shots or lobs that exit the rink over the far fence also count as a DOG penalty.
Displacing the goal post from its original position during play will result in a DOG penalty
and if this occurs in the last minute a penalty shot will be called and taken by any
opposing team player that is on the rink at the time.
Line changes: Can be made from the center line to that team's icing line. We will be
adjusting this line based on the line moving 10 feet so we plan on adding duct tape or
similar on the bench walls and down so you can gauge your legal change range. An
illegal substitution is called when this is abused by players trying to save time/space for
a change. Please remind your players of this rule so teams with large rosters need to
remind their teams more often. Legal line changes are made when the player you are
coming on for is within 5-8 feet of your team’s bench. Changing any earlier can result in
an illegal line change minor penalty.
Exiting the penalty box: Players can only exit the box from the center line to the top
faceoff circle; NOT the icing line or light poles as we used to allow. Infraction is a 2
minute minor for illegal substitution. Also, players MUST reside in the penalty box on the
side that their team’s bench is on. Also, a player can NOT make a play on the ball with
his body or stick until COMPLETELY in/on the rink. A penalty can be called for this
infraction as well so make sure you are on the rink first before joining the play. A penalty
can also be called on players hanging over the boards until the penalty is expired.
Too many men: If during a change, the players are within the 5-8 feet range of the
bench and neither player changing for the other makes an attempt to play the ball,
defend a player or purposely touch the ball, this is a legal change. Accidentally being hit
by the ball within the right distance and making an attempt to get off the playing surface
is NOT a penalty. If, during a change, a play is made on the ball by either player
involved in the change while both are still on the rink, Too Many Men will be called. If a
player has at least one foot in the door or over the boards we usually let this go. We call
this different from the NHL. Please know this and have your players read it or inform
them so everyone knows. Players must change within the 5 to 8 feet of the bench area
or playing or making a play on the ball doesn’t matter as it will be an illegal substitution.
Face-offs: The players MUST be squared up (one leg at least on each half of the circle,
doesn't have to be centered exactly), all blades must have at least a part of the blade
on the ground and the whole blade must be behind the red circle’s plane. Sticks must
also be directly behind the paint on the red circle; they cannot be off to the side, even if
behind the plane. The ball must touch the ground or the player is kicked out of the
circle. If ANY player on a team jumps the line before the ball is dropped, the center on
that team is kicked out. Last but not least if players are moving around after the ref is
ready to drop the ball the center will be kicked out as well. Players also MUST have their
sticks on the ground right away. Any player trying to keep their stick up in the air to time
the faceoff will also be kicked out of the circle and another player will have to take the
draw. If a player on your team moves while the face off is being dropped a new center
will be asked to take the draw. We are now requiring the offensive team to put their stick
down first, followed by the defensive team to speed things up and not have one guys
waiting on the other to get started. This is determined by what side of the center line you
are on for each faceoff.
Errant Shots: If the ball is hit off of the goal, crossbar, post or side of net and lands out
of play, the face-off stays low. If the ball goes through the fence or off the fence and out
of play somehow, the face-off goes to the closest faceoff circle on the same side of the
icing line where the shot was taken. Shots out of play will result in a face-off outside of
the zone, unless the shot was tipped or hit both sticks at the same time, in which case
the resulting face-off will be to the closest circle on that side of the icing line. This also
includes shots that hit the top part of the fence/bar and go out of play as the face-off will
result wherever the shot originated from.
3 Penalty Rule: 3 penalties in a game from the same player and that player is ejected
from the game. The only exceptions to this rule are on penalties that are served such as
too many men, serving a penalty for a goalie/teammate, etc. Also, a double minor for
high sticking (drawing blood) only counts as one tally toward this rule. For example,
even if you have a Delay of Game, a Holding the Stick, and an Interference call you are
still ejected from the game. 10 minute misconducts (language, screaming, etc) count
toward the 3 penalty rule, as well. If a team scores on a delayed penalty, that penalty
still counts towards the player’s 3 penalty rule.
Delayed Penalties: If a penalized team already has a player in the box and the other
team scores while the goalie is pulled or on the delay, the first penalty expires and the
new penalty starts from scratch for the full 2 minutes.
Situational Power Play: If a player from Team A has 2 penalties called during a shift
and a player from Team B has 1, the powerplay starts immediately at the next drop of
the ball. Another player from Team A will go to the box, as well, and he will be released
as the PP ends. The remaining 2 players come out after 2 minutes and a whistle.
Misconducts: A collective effort will be made this season to start cracking down on
players’ actions toward officials and other players. If players use abusive language
toward a referee or other players, a 10 minute misconduct may be assessed
immediately, without warning. Players excessively screaming at an official or other
players will be called, as well. This is a judgment call by the official so I’d recommend
not testing them. Questioning calls is acceptable if done appropriately and if a player is
instructed by the ref that the discussion is over, it will be over or a player will be
assessed a misconduct. 2 minute penalties can also be called in this regard but in most
cases we will try to just penalize the player involved instead of the team. If there are
complaints coming from the bench and refs can’t determine which player made them a 2
minute bench penalty can be called. Slamming sticks into the boards, over the
crossbar, throwing sticks on OR out of the rink during a whistle, or breaking sticks, even
during play, is an automatic 10 minute misconduct. We do not need anyone getting hurt
or struck by a portion of the stick. Players getting these penalties will not affect a team’s
manpower but rather will only be assessed to the offending player, who may leave the
box on the next whistle, once 10 minutes of play have expired. Also, any player that
throws, breaks his stick, etc in a reckless/dangerous way on the rink right when the
game ends can/will be accessed a 10 minute misconduct to start their next game. Any
player not leaving an altercation alone after being sent to the box OR players
approaching players on the opposing team’s bench can also be given a 10 minute or
game misconduct depending on how the refs view the severity of the situation. Last but
not least players that yell, talk down to, curse, berate, etc at any ref AFTER a game are
subject to further discipline and will be dealt with sternly most likely resulting in a
suspension. If the Commish has to make a choice between the guilty player and the ref it
will be an easy one to decide for me. Please talk to the Commish if you have any issues
with the refs or politely question the refs after the game as they are more than willing to
explain what they thought, saw, etc. Thanks in advance for your understanding. These
refs are here for you and to help us play these games. Most don’t do it for money but to
help the league run smoothly and safely so thank these guys weekly for their hard work.
As always we are looking for more help so email me or tell me if you’d like to start
reffing. Any player receiving three 10 minute misconducts in a season will be suspended
for his team’s next game playoffs or not.
High Sticking: A collective effort will also be made this season to keep player’s sticks
down. Calling for the ball is still a penalty (voted and it was decided to keep our current
rule) as well as any time you strike a player above your shoulder line or wave your stick
at another player above the shoulder line, which includes reckless stick-lifts. If someone
gets hit with a stick that's even close to the shoulder line, a high-stick will likely be called,
regardless. Players who leave their feet to jump for a ball will still have their shoulder
used as the reference point for a high stick; however if a player is struck up high during
that jump, high-sticking will be called, regardless. Players’ safety is a league priority. A
few seasons ago we also added in that a missed stick check that misses and ends up
over your shoulders is a penalty and this is due to the # of players struck in the face over
the past few years. Control your stick on stick checks and be prepared to stop/slow your
stick if you miss that stick check. Players taking a hand off their stick to bat a ball down
must be conscious of their blade positioning during the play, as some players allow their
blade to come above their shoulder while holding the stick with one hand, and as such
will be called for a high stick. Up and overs are allowed if done in a controlled manner
and no one is hit. Follow-throughs on shots and clears are NOT high sticks unless it's
deemed a reckless golf shot, etc., nor is a slap shot windup considered a high stick.
Players scoring a goal from a stick that is above the crossbar but still below their
shoulder will have that goal waived off. While not a penalty in this league, goals cannot
be scored directly off a stick above the crossbar. When in doubt, keep your stick down
and under control at all times. Each player is responsible for controlling his own stick.
We would also like to remind players to be cognizant when running not to have your
sticks too high as a penalty COULD be called here as well if deemed careless and
players are near. This will be called more often this season when players are trying to
run next to you can’t get by/around because of your careless running with a stick.
Practice running with your stick at or below your shoulders so you won’t be guilty. Wind
up poke checks that are started above your shoulders are also a high sticking penalty.
Please remind all new players especially if they are used to calling for the ball, etc in
ice/roller. We will try to warn new players once to give them a chance but get on them to
learn. It’s on you as a captain to tell your players our rules or pass these rules along.
Tripping: Tripping is caused by a player putting his stick in a opposing player’s legs
and/or feet which causes the player to go down, lose balance, etc. In case of incidental
trips we usually call it like this. If 2 players are side by side we tend to waive it off as
incidental but if the offensive player has an advantage and you are reaching from
behind, etc. the player which causes the player to fall a tripping call will be made.
Basically try not to place you stick between other player’s feet or legs. In the past we’ve
not called trips when a player gets the ball first but that’s out now so ball or not if you
cause the player to trip you will be going to the box for 2 minutes.
Slashing: Will be called for hard stick swings, unless complete contact is made with the
ball or flush on the blade. Slashes on shafts, top of blades or any parts of the body will
be called if they are done with any force. Keep control of your stick while trying to steal
the ball or defend and if you wind up and come down assume you will be going to the
box.
Hooking: Hooking is the act of using the stick in a matter that enables a player to
restrain an opponent. When a player is checking another in such a way that there is only
stick to stick contract, such action is not to be penalized as hooking. A minor penalty
should be imposed on a player who impedes the progress of an opponent by “hooking”
with their stick as well as to any player who uses the shaft of the stick above the upper
hand to hold or hook an opponent.
Butt Ending: Pretty Self Explanatory so don’t do it. Any done with intent will be minute
major, game misconduct and disciplinary action.
Shoving/Bodying: Protecting the ball is allowed, but playing the body by checks and
pushing is not tolerated. One handed shoves may have been tolerated in the past, but
any player using an extension of the arm to knock a player off balance will be called for
roughing. Light/incidental body contact is still acceptable, but players should be aware of
their hands/bodies and how to legally use them.
Interference: – Impeding an opponent who does not have the ball or impeding any
player from the bench. Note that no contact is required to be called here. Players have
been given too much leniency in this area the past few years and the refs have been
instructed to crack down on these calls. If a player tries to go around you can’t move
side to side even slightly, cut in front of, stop in front of, etc or it’s an interference
penalty. Also, players trying to block/get wide on the opposing teams on face-offs can
only stand still/stationary so shuffling feet, sliding over, etc is also 2 minutes. The same
is true for D’ing up on a player in the zone, or anywhere really, as you can’t impede a
player from getting open, to open space or to the net. You don’t have to look at the ball
but you do have to play D smartly and without impeding/interfering with the other team’s
players. There may be an adjustment period early in the ‘15 seasons here.
Boarding: If a player is hit into the boards head first it's an automatic 5 minute major,
which results in a player’s ejection from the game. If a player is lightly or mistakenly
pushed into the boards, a 2 minute minor penalty may be assessed instead, at the
referees’ discretion. All majors are subject to review for a possible suspension.
Sliding: If a player slides and interferes with a player from the opposing team in any
way, whether making a play on the ball or not, the sliding player will be assessed a
penalty for tripping or interference even if you get the ball FIRST. Safety is our first
concern here. Even if your slide lands and touches the players body or if that player has
to jump over you or it causes the player to trip at all you will receive a penalty for sliding.
#ACL Protection.
Disciplinary Action: Any player given a 5 minute penalty (attempt to injure), ejected
from a game, etc. will undergo the Disciplinary Review Process. A write up from
witnessing referees on any incidents will need to be submitted within 24-48 hours to the
commissioner. Captains are encouraged to send their view of any situation (either
against their team, the team they are playing against, OR any witnessed incident on the
rink). The more eyes the better. From there, all documentation will be passed to the
suspension committee and a ruling will be made. The offending player and their
respective team captain will be notified if any action will be taken, as soon as a decision
is reached. Please make sure to contact the Commish if there is any matter/incident that
you feel is worthy of review and please email any incidents that you happen to see while
at the rink even if it’s not your team’s game. All majors are subject to disciplinary action.
Any players that attempt to berate, insult, offend a ref after the game will be subject to a
suspension and depending on the severity could be out a while. It’s easy for me to
choose between a pain in the a** player and my refs so don’t push it.
Fighting/Punching: Fighting is strictly prohibited in any games and is a season long
suspension which is at least 10-13 weeks. Any punch thrown will be reviewed to decide
how long the suspension will be and players that end up defending themselves MAY be
subject to less of a suspension. Of course any other players that jump in to escalate a
situation, aka 3rd men, will also be reviewed/suspended. The best thing to do is for each
team to grab, tackle, hold back YOUR player in these rare instances. Thanks again!
Around the Goal: Needless whacks at the goalie (careless slashes before/after the
whistle) will be carefully observed starting this season, and will result in a minor penalty.
Also, goalies in the crease and outside of the crease are not to be interfered with,
otherwise a penalty for goaltender interference will be called. Outside of the crease, all
players have a right to the space on a first come first serve basis. No goal and no
penalty (faceoff outside of the zone) will be called if a goal was scored and contact with
the goalie was deemed incidental. If a player is pushed into the goalie, a
roughing/goaltender interference call will be made on the player who initiated the shove.
Offensive players in the crease must be moving and making an effort to exit the crease
to avoid a whistle for a crease infraction. Goals scored while an offensive player is in
the crease without being pushed in by a defensive player are waived off UNLESS the
ball is in the crease BEFORE the player is. Players are allowed in the crease as long as
the ball is in there first but know the goal will be disallowed.
Goalies: Goalies can only cover the ball in front of the crease after making a save. If a
goalkeeper comes out of his crease to “cut down the angle” on a shot and after making the save
covers the puck, this shall be legal. If the goalkeeper races out of his crease in an attempt to beat the
attacking player to the ball and instead of playing it jumps on the ball causing a stoppage of play,
A ball may be covered behind the net only if a
goalie has part of his body in the crease. If not, a delay of game penalty will be called
against the goaltender, unless no offensive players are around, in which case the goalie
will be instructed to move the ball in a reasonable amount of time or until an opposing
players get close enough for a whistle and faceoff. Goalies can now move the ball
forward slightly but not long throws up the rink. Just a quick toss forward is no legal.
Any player that waives his arms or stick in attempt to distract the goalie will be given a 2
minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Normal goalie screens are legal outside of
the crease.
this shall be a minor penalty for delay of game.
These are the emphasized rules and unique rules to DC Street Hockey. All other
common street hockey rules can be found in the Official Mylec Street Hockey Rulebook
or Standard NHL Rules as we use a hybrid of all of the above. If you made it down to the
end thanks for reading these thoroughly.