Rule 58. Falling on the Ball

(a) A Minor penalty shall be assessed any player except a goaltender, who deliberately falls on or gathers the ball into their body by any means, while standing or lying on the floor.

(b) A Minor penalty shall be assessed any goaltender who, while outside their crease, deliberately falls on or gathers the ball into their body, or holds or places the ball against any part of the goal, thus delaying the game unnecessarily.

(c) A Penalty Shot shall be awarded against the offending team when a defending player (except the goaltender) deliberately falls on the ball, holds or gathers the ball into their body in any manner, or picks up the ball with their hand, while the ball is within their goal crease. No other penalty shall be assessed.

Note 1: If the goaltender has been removed from the floor, then a goal is awarded. See Rule 36 (b) Awarded Goals.
Note 2: This rule shall be interpreted so that a Penalty Shot will be awarded only when the ball is in the crease at the instant the offense occurs. However, in cases where the ball is outside the crease, Rule 58 (a) may still apply and a Minor penalty may be imposed, even though no Penalty Shot is awarded.

SITUATION 1 Rule 58 (c)
The determining factor is the position of the ball at the moment when it is picked up or at the moment when the player intentionally falls on it.
EXAMPLE 1:
A player is in the crease, and the ball is outside the crease. The player holds or grabs the ball, pulling the ball into their body that is in the crease. Assess a Minor penalty for “Falling on the Ball”, as the ball was outside the crease when the player grabbed the ball.
EXAMPLE 2:
A player who is outside the crease grabs the ball that is in the crease, pulling the ball outside the crease. Award a Penalty Shot, as the ball was in the crease originally when it was held or grabbed.
EXAMPLE 3:
The ball is to be considered “in the crease” when any part of the ball is in contact with the crease which includes the goal crease line.

SITUATION 2
QUESTION: The goaltender has been removed and another player is lying in the goal crease. The ball is shot under them, but the player makes no attempt to cover, fall on or gather the ball into their body, however, the ball becomes frozen under their body. What is the ruling?
ANSWER: No Penalty Shot or Minor penalty, provided that the player has made no deliberate attempt to cover the ball. Note: See also Rule 55 (a) Note 3 – Delay of Game and Rule 36(b)– Awarded Goals

SITUATION 3 Rule 58(b)
The intent of this rule is to eliminate unnecessary stoppages caused by the goaltender. The following guidelines should clarify the application of this rule.
1. A goaltender may freeze the ball in the goal crease when under pressure from attacking player(s).
2. The goaltender comes out of their crease to cut down the angle and after stopping the shot, covers the ball or catches the shot. This is legal.
3. Rule 61(b), a Minor penalty shall be assessed to a goaltender who, after one warning, freezes the ball in the crease when not under pressure from attacking player(s).
4. The goaltender comes out of their crease to beat an attacking player to the ball and simply jumps on the ball, causing a stoppage of play. No warning shall be issued in this instance. A Minor for Delay of Game shall be assessed to the goaltender.
5. When a goaltender leaves their crease, they shall not be allowed to freeze the ball. No warning shall be issued.A minor penalty for Delay of Game shall be assessed to the goaltender.
Note: The overall intent of this rule is to keep the play going