Section 6 – Playing rules: Part 1

Rule 48. Adjustment of Equipment
(a) A Minor penalty shall be assessed any player who delays the game for adjustment of any equipment.
(b) The onus of maintaining equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player must leave the floor and play shall continue uninterrupted, using a substitute.
(c) A goaltender may not delay the game unnecessarily to adjust their equipment, during a stoppage of play, unless he has received permission from the Referee and remains in the goal area. If a goaltender goes to the players’ bench to adjust any equipment he shall retire from the floor and their place shall be taken by the alternate goaltender and no warm-up will be permitted. However, this would only apply where an alternate goaltender is dressed. The alternate goaltender must remain in the game until play resumes. For a violation of this rule, a Minor penalty for Delay of Game shall be assessed.

Note: A goaltender may not go to the player’s bench at any time during a stoppage of play unless he is being replaced by a substitute.

SITUATION 1 Rule 48 (c) If a goaltender asks to go to the bench, they should be informed by the Referee that if they go, they must be replaced by the alternate goaltender. This applies for either repair of equipment or an injury. If a goaltender requests a towel to wipe their face under the mask, it should be brought to them if the Referee gives permission.

SITUATION 2 Rule 48 (c) QUESTION: Can a Trainer attend an injured goaltender who is in their crease, without the goaltender having to retire from the floor and their place taken by the alternate goaltender? ANSWER: Yes. The Trainer must first receive permission from the Referee, before they can leave the bench and go on the floor.

SITUATION 3 Rule 48 (c) QUESTION: Can a Referee give a goaltender permission to go to the bench to adjust their equipment or to recover from an injury, then permit that goaltender to return to the game, even though the team has a substitute dressed and on the bench? ANSWER: No.

SITUATION 4 Rule 48 (c) QUESTION: On a stoppage of play, the Referee notices that the goaltender is at the players’ bench. They notify the team that they must replace the goaltender with the substitute goaltender. Can the team choose to keep the original goaltender in the net and take the Minor penalty? ANSWER: Yes.

SITUATION 5 Rule 48 (c) Note A delayed penalty is signaled against Team “A”. Team “B” goaltender proceeds to their players’ bench. RULING: 1) If the goaltender substitution has not been completed when play is stopped, the goaltender must not continue to the players’ bench, unless they are within the 3.05 m (10 ft.) area of their players’ bench.

2) In situations of penalties after the whistle, the goaltender must not proceed to the players’ bench.
Note: Officials are encouraged to intervene prior to the goaltender getting to the players’ bench. Thus avoiding having to penalize the goaltender or having to be replaced by the substitute goaltender.

SITUATION 6 Rule 48 (c) A team requests that the pads of the opposing goaltender be measured by the Referee. The Referee, who measures the pads in the Referee’s crease, finds them to be illegal and assesses the Minor penalty under Rule 23 (c). QUESTION: Since the goaltender is permitted to continue to wear such pads provided they are adjusted to the correct measurements, can that goaltender go to their players’ bench to correct the size of the pads, without having to be replaced by the substitute? ANSWER: Yes. Since the pads are illegal, the Referee is in fact actually ordering the goaltender to correct the pads. Under this condition only, the substitute does not have to replace the regular goaltender, provided the pads can be corrected without undue delay.

SITUATION 7 Rules 48 (a) &48 (c) Where a goaltender goes to the bench during a stoppage of play and then returns to their goal, a Minor penalty for Delay of Game shall be assessed under this rule. The penalized goaltender shall now be allowed to stay in the game and the alternate goaltender will not be compelled to take their place.

SITUATION 8 A team may place a plastic water bottle on top of the net for use by the goaltender. This bottle does not have to be fastened to the goal frame. If the goaltender (or any other player) deliberately throws the bottle on the floor, then the appropriate penalty (penalties), as prescribed by the rules, shall be assessed.

Rule 57. Face-offs
(a) A face-off shall take place when the Referees drop the ball on the floor between the sticks of the players facing-off. The players taking the face-off shall stand squarely facing their opponents’ end of the rink, approximately one stick length apart with the full blade of the sticks flat on the floor. All other players on both teams must be at least 4.57m (15 ft. ) from the players taking the face-off and they must be on-side. When the face-off takes place at any of the faceoff spots in the end zones, the players taking part in the face-off shall take their positions so that they will stand squarely facing their opponents’ end of the rink, and clear of the face-off restraining lines. The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the toe of the blade touching within the designated white area and the player of the Visiting Team shall place their stick within the designated white area first. All other players on the floor must position themselves and their sticks on side. If a player, other than the player taking the face-off, moves off-side, makes physical contact with an opponent or encroaches on the face-off circle prior to the dropping of the ball, then the offending team’s player taking the face-off shall be ejected from the face-off.

CLARIFICATION: On all face-offs the ball must first hit the floor before the players can make a play on the ball. Once the ball has hit the floor the player must first play the ball with their stick without contacting their opponent. Failure to a execute a face-off in this manner will result in encroachment being called against the offending player and the face-off will be repeated.

(b) All face-offs will be conducted at the one of the nine faceoff spots located on the playing surface (The rationale behind this rule is to allow proper face-offs on the designated face-off spots on the floor). No player facing-off shall make any physical contact with their opponent’s body by means of their own body or by their stick, except in the course of playing the ball, after the faceoff has been completed. For a violation of this rule, the Referee shall assess a Minor penalty or penalties on the player(s) whose action(s) caused the physical contact.

Note: “Conduct of a face-off” commences when the Referee designates the face-off spot on one of the nine dots on the playing surface and takes their position to drop the ball.

(c) When a team commits a face-off infraction (late arrival, not immediately taking a proper position, early movement), the Referee shall require where possible for this face-off, the replacement for the player ejected from the face-off shall be any other player on the floor that has not committed a face-off infraction during the same stoppage of play.
(d) A team committing a second violation of any of the provisions of Section (a) during the same face-off will be assessed a 2 minute minor penalty for “face-off violation” by the Referee.
(e) When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been caused by an attacking player in their attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be in the neutral zone at the nearest face-off spot.

Note 1: This includes a stoppage of play caused by a player of the attacking side shooting the ball on the back of the defending teams’ net without any intervening action by the defending team.

Note 2: Face-offs following the assessment of a penalty are to be conducted in accordance with Rule 39(a)

(f) *NEW* When a stoppage of play in the end zone is caused by the goaltender the ensuing face-off shall take place the nearest end zone face-off spot based on the location of the shot and not related to the location of the ball when play was stopped.

Note: Face-offs following the assessment of a penalty are to be conducted in accordance with Rule 39(a)

(g) All face-offs in the neutral zone shall be conducted at the designated face-off spots as dictated by reason for the stoppage of play. The face-off location to be used will be one of the two face-off spots nearest the offending team’s blue line in the neutral zone, thus causing a loss
of territorial advantage to the offending team. When players of both teams cause the stoppage of play the face-off will take place at nearest neutral zone faceoff spot to where the stoppage occurred and not related to the location of the ball when play was stopped.

(h) When any stoppage of play in the end zone is caused by a defending player or the goaltender the ensuing face-off shall take place the nearest end zone face-off spot based on the cause of the stoppage of play and not related to the location of the ball when play was stopped.

(i) When a goal is illegally scored as a result of the ball being deflected off the Referee DIRECTLY into the net, the face-off shall take place at the nearest end-zone face-off spot.
(j) *NEW* The non-offending team will have a choice of which end-zone face-off spot (left or right) the face-off will occur, following the calling of flooring or penalties where one team is shorthanded and is serving a time penalty. This does not supersede the four exceptions outlines by Rule 39, with respect to a team
being shorthanded.

SITUATION 1 Rule 57 (a) A goaltender may not participate in a face-off.

SITUATION 2 QUESTION: The Referee is set to drop the ball which is subsequently knocked out of their hand by one of the players taking the face-off. What procedure does the Referee follow? ANSWER: The Referee conducting the face-off should blow their whistle and remove the offending player from the face-off.

SITUATION 3 Rule 57 (a) Where the visiting team player has their stick down and is ready, the home team player must immediately put their stick down and be stationary or be removed.

SITUATION 4 Rule 57 (d) It is possible that on a second violation the Referee may assess a penalty for face-off violation.

SITUATION 5 PROCEDURE: The determining factor as to what end zone face-off spot a face-off will take place, is determined by the side of the floor on which the ball is shot,
unless it is frozen on the floor by the goaltender, in which case the face-off will take place on the side of the floor that the goaltender froze the ball.

CLARIFICATION: Frozen on the floor by the goaltender means the ball was not controlled by the goaltender on the original shot and they then froze the rebound. The goalie is not to determine the side on which the face-off will take place by intentionally moving the ball from one side of the net to the other and then freezing the ball to stop play

SITUATION 6 Rule 57 (a) In the case of player movement in preparing for end zone face-offs, the attacking team must be first to take their position, the defending team has the right to set up their defense, subsequent to the attacking players taking their position. For a violation of this rule, a warning shall be issued to that team, a subsequent violation during the same stoppage of play will result in a Minor penalty for Delay of Game.

SITUATION 7 QUESTION: The ball is shot by a player from behind their own blue line down the floor. A teammate, who is over the centre red line, does not touch the ball but runs down the floor and precedes the ball across the attacking blue line. Off-side is called. Where does the face-off take place? ANSWER: The ball shall be faced-off at the end zone face-off dot of the team shooting the ball in accordance with Rule 57 (h).

SITUATION 8 QUESTION: The Referee signals a delayed off-side.
(a) The defending team shoots the ball directly out of the playing area in the defending zone. Where does the face-off take place?
(b) The defending goalkeeper makes a save and deflects the balls out of the playing surface, on a ball that is shot in while a player is off-side. The zone has been cleared, and the Referee has lowered their arm prior to the ball leaving the playing surface. Where does the face-off take place? ANSWER: (a) The face-off takes place at the face-off spot outside the defending team’s blue line. The delayed off-side takes precedence in this case as the ball is already illegally in the zone.
(b The face-off takes place at the end zone face-off spot, as the delayed off-side was nolonger in effect.

SITUATION 9 QUESTION The Referee signals a delayed off-side. Where does the face-off take place? ANSWER: The face-off takes place as follows:

1) If the ball was passed from the offending team’s defensive zone (inside their blue line) the face-off will take place at the end zone face-off dot in the offending team’s end of the rink in accordance with Rule 57 (h).
2) If the ball was passed in from the neutral zone, the face-off will occur at one of the neutral zone face-off dots so as to ensure a loss of territorial advantage in accordance with Rule 57(g).
Note: the imaginary line running parallel to the blue line and through the neutral zone face-off dots shall be used to determine loss of territorial advantage.

SITUATION 10 QUESTION: The Referee signals a delayed off-side. The defending team floors the ball. Where does the face-off take place? ANSWER: The face-off takes place at one of the end zone face-off spots, as in regular flooring.

SITUATION 11 QUESTION: Where is the face-off when the ball strikes an official and goes out of the playing surface? ANSWER: The face-off takes place at one of the end zone face-off spots, as in regular flooring.

SITUATION 11 QUESTION: Where is the face-off when the ball strikes an official and goes out of the playing surface? ANSWER: The face-off will take place at the face-off dot closest to where the ball was deflected out of play by the official, IN EVERY INSTANCE in accordance with Rule 57 (b).

SITUATION 12 Rule 57 (e) The player of the attacking team is assessed a penalty in their attacking zone, thereby forcing the face-off to their end zone. Before play resumes a player of the defending team commits a foul and is assessed a penalty. RULING: The Referee shall move the face-off back to the end zone face-off dot closest to where the play was originally stopped in accordance to Rule 57 (f) as players from both teams are now receiving penalties.

SITUATION 13 Rule 57 (f) When both attacking and defending players are assessed penalties and the stoppage of play occurs in the end zone, the face-off is to take place in that zone, regardless of whether or not the same number of players on each team receive penalties, unless some other rule applies that would cause the face-off to take place in the neutral zone.

SITUATION 14 Rule 57 (c) Where a player has been removed from a face-off, due to failure in taking up their proper position or because of encroachment, Referees shall not permit player changes by either one or both teams. As the rule states, NO change of players is permitted until there has been a proper face-off and play has resumed. This applies to both teams, whether or not both players have been previously removed from participating in the face-off.

SITUATION 15 Rule 57 (c) The only exception to the rule forbidding changes after a false start is when a penalty is assessed which will make a team short-handed.

EXAMPLE 1:
When the on-floor strength goes from 5 on 5, to 5 on 4 (or 4 on 4 to 4 on 3), both teams can change players.
EXAMPLE 2:
When the on-floor strength goes from 5 on 4 to 4 on 4 (or 4 on 3 to 3 on 3), no changes may be made by either team as they are now at equal strength.
EXAMPLE 3:
When the on-floor strength goes from 5 on 5 to 4 on 4 (or 4 on 4 to 3 on 3) no changes may be made by either team.
EXAMPLE 4:
Where one team is assessed a Misconduct, that team is allowed to substitute for that player, but only that team may substitute a player.

SITUATION 16 Rule 57 (a) If a player, not taking the face-off, moves into the face-off circle before the ball is dropped (encroachment), then that player’s teammate who is taking the face-off must be removed. Any other player of that team, other than the goalie, may now take the face-off. The player who moved into the face-off prematurely must be identified clearly as the player causing the violation. The player who encroached is not eligible to take the face-off.

Note: Encroachment principles could apply for face-offs at any location in all zones.

SITUATION 17 Rule 57 (a) The visiting team player should put their stick in the face-off spot first. If the home team player wishes to put their stick down first, they are allowed to do so if it does not cause a problem. If there is a problem, then apply the rule strictly.

SITUATION 18 In all situations where a Penalty Shot has been awarded, but for any reason no goal is scored, the face-off shall take place at either end face-off spot in the defending team’s zone as stated in Rule 35 (g) – Penalty Shot. This includes the situation where a Penalty Shot has been awarded and the player designated to take the Penalty Shot has had their stick requested to be measured and found to be illegal. Even though the Penalty Shot was not taken (as the illegal stick denied the player that right), the face-off would still take place at either end zone face-off spot in the defending team’s zone. If, after a Penalty Shot has been taken and no goal was scored, the defending team requests the measurement of a stick of a player on the floor prior to the resumption of play and the stick is found to be illegal, then the Minor penalty shall apply, and the face-off shall take place at either end zone face-off spot in the defending team’s zone. If, after a Penalty Shot has been taken and again no goal was scored, the team awarded the Penalty Shot commits any type of infraction calling for a penalty, then the face-off shall still take place at either end zone face-off spot in the defending team’s zone. RATIONALE: As long as penalties are being assessed to both teams at the same stoppage of play, the face-off would remain in the defending zone, as per Rule 57 (f). It is only when the attacking team is receiving the only penalties assessed that the face-off would move to their defending zone.

SITUATION 19 Rule 57 (j) This will include any player who is outside or behind the imaginary line joining the top of the circles.

SITUATION 20 While conducting a face-off, the centre on Team ‘A’ does not allow the ball to touch the floor before they make contact with their stick. QUESTION: What is the Referee’s call? ANSWER: The Referee would stop play immediately and charge the Team “A” centreman with encroachment. The centre would be ordered removed from the face-off and replaced by a teammate before the face-off would be repeated.

(k) Face-offs at the Centre face-off spot will only be conducted: at the start of each period, following the scoring of a goal, an error on flooring, or premature substitution of the goaltender in accordance with Rule 19 (f) Note 3

Rule 60. Goals and Assists
(a) A goal shall be scored when the entire ball has legally passed between the goal posts, below the cross bar and completely across the goal line. Following any goal, the Referee will resume play by conducting a face-off at the centre floor spot.
(b) A goal shall be scored if the ball is put into the goal in any manner by a player of the defending team unless the ball has been struck by a high stick. The player of the attacking team who last played the ball shall be credited with the goal, but no assist shall be given.
(c) A goal shall NOT be allowed if the ball has been directed into the net as a result of a distinct kicking motion by an attacking player, or after being kicked, the ball deflects off any player or stick into the net.
(d) If the shot of an attacking player has been deflected into the goal by striking the stick, feet or any part of the body of an attacking player, the goal shall be allowed and the player off whom the ball deflected shall be credited with the goal and the player making the shot shall be credited with the assist. The goal shall not be allowed if the ball is deliberately directed into the net by any part of the body of an attacking player including their feet.
(e) If a goal is scored as the result of a ball deflecting directly into the goal off the person or feet of an official, the goal shall not be allowed.
(f) Should a player propel the ball into the goal crease of the opposing team and the ball becomes loose and available to an attacking player, the ball shall be considered in the crease legally and any goal scored on this play shall be a legal goal.
(g) Each goal and assist shall count one point in the scoring records. Not more than two assists shall be credited on any one goal.
(h) Any goal scored, other than as covered by the Official Rules, shall not be allowed. The resulting face-off shall be determined as per Rule 57 (e), (f) & (i).

SITUATION 1 Rule 60 (a) A goal is scored at the end of the second period (0:01) and the buzzer sounds to end the period (the goal was scored before the buzzer sounds and the Referee allows the goal to count). It is not necessary for the Referee to conduct a face-off at centre floor. In such case, the Referee should ensure that the Timekeeper records the goal at 0:01 on the Official Game Report.

SITUATION 2 Team “A” No. 2 has been assessed a Minor penalty at 2:00 and Team “A” No. 6 has been assessed a Minor penalty at 1:15. As in Situation 1, Team “B” scores at 0:01, with the buzzer sounding to end the period. RULING: Even though it is not necessary to conduct the face-off and even though the period is over, the goal is registered at 0:01. Accordingly, the penalty to Team “A” No. 2 would be washed out and No. 6 would still have to serve the time remaining in their penalty.

SITUATION 3 A goal is scored. On checking, the Referee is notified that the clock had stopped and was not running when the goal was scored. RULING: Providing the time of the period was not over, the goal shall count. The Referee in discussion with their partner and Timekeeper should try to determine what length of time the clock was not running, then make the necessary adjustments. If neither the Referee or Offfloor officials can determine this adjustment, then the game should continue using the time on the clock.

SITUATION 4 Rule 60 (e) The ball is shot by either an attacking or defending player and hits an official. After hitting the official, the ball hits the boards then rebounds into the goal. RULING: Goal.

SITUATION 5 Rule 60 (f) A goaltender is out of their crease and a player of the opposing team who is standing in the crease, pulls the ball into the crease and then shoots it into the goal. RULING: NO GOAL. The player was in the goal crease before the ball and remained in the crease while the ball entered the goal. Therefore the goal is not allowed.

SITUATION 6 No goal is to be allowed if the goal is off its mooring, regardless of whether or not the goal may have been deliberately knocked from its mooring, except under Rule 35 (b) – Penalty Shot, when the goaltender has deliberately dislodged the goal from its mooring during a Penalty Shot or again under Rule 36 (b) – Awarded Goals, when the goaltender has been removed and they or any teammate has deliberately dislodged the goal from its mooring and such action has prevented a goal from being scored.

SITUATION 7 A ball is shot; it hits a helmet, stick or other object on the floor and goes into the goal. RULING: GOAL.

SITUATION 8 Rule 60 (g) Goals which have been awarded, scored from Penalty Shots or scored by the defending team into their own net shall be recorded as unassisted goals.

SITUATION 9 Team “A” shoots the ball at the goal of Team “B”. The ball enters the net but immediately bounces out again without the Referee seeing the goal. The Referee suspects there may have been a goal scored but allows play to continue. At the first stoppage of play the Referee checks with their partner and Goal Judge (if appropriate). At least one of them saw the ball enter the net and the Referee awards a goal to Team “A”. At least one of them saw the ball enter the net and the Referee awards a goal to Team “A”. QUESTION 1: Should the Referee who saw the ball enter the net have blown the play immediately? ANSWER: No, the Referee must wait for the first stoppage of play and report what they saw to the other Referee who may then award the goal.

QUESTION 2: Should the clock be reset to the time the goal was scored (or as near as can be estimated by the officials)? ANSWER: The clock should be reset if at all possible. Especially if the next stoppage of play happens to be the end of the period.

QUESTION 3: If Team “B” had scored before the play was stopped, would the Team “B” goal count? ANSWER: No, the Team “B” goal would not count as the play should have been stopped when Team “A” scored.

SITUATION 10 Rule 60 (c) If an attacking player kicks the ball and it is deflected into the goal by any player (attacking or defending) or goalkeeper, the goal shall NOT be allowed. See Rule 69.

Rule 65. Flooring the Ball
(a) *NEW* In Minor divisions, including Junior Nationals, flooring the ball is automatically completed the instant the ball crosses the goal line, and the Referee shall immediately blow their whistle, stopping play. If the ball shall have entered the goal, the flooring shall not be called and a goal shall be allowed. For the purpose of this rule, the centre red line will divide the floor into halves. Should any player of a team, equal or superior in numerical strength to the opposing team, shoot, “bat” or deflect the ball from their own half of the floor, beyond the goal line of the opposing team, play shall be stopped and the ball faced-off at the end zone face-off spot of the offending team

Note 1: If during the period of a delayed whistle due to a foul by a player of the side NOT in possession of the ball, the side in possession “floors” the ball, the face-off following the stoppage of play shall take place in the neutral zone near the defending team blue line of the team “flooring” the ball.
Note 2: A team shall not be considered below the numerical strength of its opponent by reason of a penalized player remaining in the penalty box after their penalty has expired.
Note 3: When the ball is shot and rebounds from the body or stick of an opponent in their own half of the floor and crosses the goal line of the player shooting, it shall NOT be considered as “flooring”.

ii) *NEW* In Adult divisions, including National A, B, C, D, U23, Masters and Legends, associations and leagues have the option to use Hybrid Flooring. At National level tournaments, Hybrid Flooring will be used. When there is no ‘race’ for the ball on a delayed flooring, flooring will not be called until a defending player (excluding the Goaltender) crosses the threshold of defending zone face-off spot(s), and the ball has completely crossed the goal line. Should there be a ‘race’ for the ball during a flooring, there are two (2) judgements an official must make when applying the ‘hybrid-flooring:’ The official must determine if the ball will in fact cross the goal line in the attacking zone. If it is determined that the ball will NOT cross the goal line, then the flooring will be waved off. However, if it is determined that the ball will cross the goal line the official should proceed to the second judgment for hybrid-flooring.

The official’s second judgment is to determine whether a defending player (excluding the Goaltender) or attacking player would be first to potentially touch
the ball after crossing the goal line. This decision must be made no later than the instant the first of the players crosses the threshold of the end zone faceoff
spot(s), although the decision may be made earlier. If a defending player is determined to be the first player to potentially touch the ball, then hybrid-flooring will be called, and play should be stopped. If an Attacking player is determined to be the first to potentially touch the ball, then hybrid flooring will be waved off
and play will continue.

NOTE 1: Should the ball be shot or propelled in such a manner that it travels around the boards or bounces off the end zone boards (behind the goal line), the official must determine which player would be potentially first to touch the ball, under these new conditions. If the ball comes above the goal line, the official will not stop play unless a defending player is the first to physically touch the ball. If the attacking team is first to touch the ball, the icing will be waved off.

NOTE 2: If a race for the ball is too close to determine which player would potentially touch the ball first, then hybrid-flooring must be called. Officials must err
on the side of player safety with close plays, in the favor of stopping play for flooring.

NOTE 3: If a Goaltender leaves their crease with both feet, moving in the direction of the ball, the official will wave off the hybrid-flooring. However, if the Goaltender is out of the crease prior to flooring being initiated (e.g. retrieving a stick or leaving for an extra attacker etc.) and the Goaltender moves back toward their crease, the hybrid-flooring will remain in effect.

(b) “Flooring the Ball” shall not be called if a team is below the numerical strength of the opposing team at the instant the ball is shot.
(c) Play shall continue and the “Flooring the Ball” infraction shall not be called if it is caused directly from either player taking the face-off.
(d) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player of the opposing team, except the goaltender, is able to play the ball before it crosses the goal line, but has not done so, the play shall continue and the “Flooring the Ball” rule shall not apply.
(e) The “Flooring the Ball” infraction shall not be called and play shall continue when:

(1) the ball has touched any part of an opposing player, their stick, or feet, or
(2) the ball has touched the goaltender, their feet, or stick at any time before crossing the goal line.
(3) the goaltender leaves their crease in an attempt to play the ball that may impede players or create an unsafe environment. If the goaltender takes 2 steps out of their crease immediately recognizes that “Flooring the Ball” is in progress and returns to their crease, the “Flooring the Ball” situation will remain in effect.
(f) If the Referee has erred in calling an “Flooring the Ball” infraction under any conditions, the face.

(g) *NEW* When flooring is called, the offending team shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions prior to the ensuing face-off. The players on the
floor at the time the flooring infraction was initiated must remain on the floor until the next face-off is completed. This includes teams who decide to call a timeout; no player substitutions may be made.

NOTE 1: If the offending team attempts to make a player change, the referee shall direct the substituted players to return to the floor. If the offending team
persists in making an illegal substitution, the Referee may assess a Bench Minor penalty for Delay of Game.

NOTE 2: Teams are permitted to replace their goaltender if they were removed from the game in exchange
for an additional attacker.

SITUATION 1 Rule 65 (a) The ball is shot by a player behind their blue line, hits a teammate’s body or stick behind the centre red line, then goes down over the goal line. INITIATE FLOORING.

SITUATION 2 Rule 65 (a) The ball is passed from behind the blue line to a teammate who is standing with both feet back of the centre red line. The ball hits the stick of that player, which is over the centre red line, then goes down over the opponents’ goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 3 Rule 65 (a) The ball is passed from behind the blue line to a teammate standing with one foot either over or back of the centre red line. The ball hits the teammate’s stick which is over the centre red line, then goes down over the opponent’s goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 4 Rule 65 (a) Note 3 The ball is shot by an attacking player and hits a defending player who is back of the centre red line. The ball, after hitting the defending player, then goes down over the goal line of the player shooting the ball. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 5 A player standing with both feet back of the centre red line and the ball on their stick over the centre red line, shoots the ball down over the goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 6 A player standing with one foot on the centre red line and one foot over or back of the centre red line and the ball on their stick over the centre red line, shoots the ball down over the goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 7 Rule 65 (a) The ball is shot by a player who is over the blue line to a teammate who is over the centre red line. The ball hits the latter player’s body or stick and goes down over the goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 8 Rule 65 (a) The ball is passed by a player standing with both feet back of their blue line and the ball on their stick over the blue line. The ball hits a teammate’s stick or feet that are over the centre red line, then deflects down over the opposing goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 9 Rule 65 (e)(2) The ball is shot by a player standing behind the centre red line. The ball goes down the floor through the goal crease and then over the goal line. INITIATE FLOORING.

SITUATION 10 Rule 65 (a) The ball is shot by a player from Team “A” in their half of the floor. It deflects off any player of either team before crossing the goal line. NO FLOORING.

SITUATION 11 The ball which is sitting on the centre red line is shot down over the goal line. It is not FLOORING

SITUATION 12 QUESTION: At which end zone face-off spot does the face-off take place following an flooring? ANSWER: The non-offending team chooses which side the faceoff will take place RULE 57 (j).

SITUATION 13 Rule 65 (b) When the time of a penalty is up, the Off-floor Official should open the gate of the penalty bench. If a flooring situation is involved, as soon as the gate is opened, the player is considered to have completed their penalty and is on the floor, for the purpose of equal numbers (or not).

SITUATION 14 Rule 65 (b) Where a penalty is being served which makes a team short-handed, and that team shoots the ball from behind the centre red line down over the opponent’s goal line, NO FLOORING will be called and play shall be allowed to continue unless the penalty terminates before the ball is shot. If the team returns to full strength following the shot by one of its players, NO FLOORING can be called. The determining factor is based on the numerical strength at the instant the ball is shot.

SITUATION 15 QUESTION: The ball is shot by a player behind their blue line. A potential flooring is signaled by the back Referee. An opposing team player is within 10 feet of their players’ bench and their substitute comes onto the floor as the ball passes within reach of these two players. Playing the ball would constitute a Bench Minor penalty for too many players. The opposing players make no attempt to play the ball in this situation, with the ball continuing on down over the goal line. Is flooring called or is it waved off because the opposing player could have played the ball? ANSWER: NO FLOORING. The team shooting the ball should not be penalized because a line change was being made.

Rule 67. Interference by Spectators
(a) The Referee shall stop play if a player is being held or interfered with by a spectator, unless that player’s team is in possession of the ball and in scoring position at the time. In this case, play shall be allowed to be completed before the stoppage. In any case, the face-off shall be where the stoppage took place, unless otherwise stated in the rules.
(b) The Referee shall stop play if any objects are thrown on the playing surface which interfere with the progress of the play. When the play resumes, the face-off shall be where the stoppage took place, unless otherwise stated in the rules.

Rule 69. Kicking the Ball
(a) Kicking the ball shall be permitted in all zones. This action can not result in a goal being scored.
(b) No goal can be scored when an attacking player kicks another object which, in turn, propels the ball directly or indirectly into the goal

SITUATION 1 If an attacking player kicks the ball and it is deflected into the goal by any player (attacking or defending) or goalkeeper, the goal shall NOT be allowed.
The key principle of this rule is that no goal can be scored when an attacking player kicks the ball unless the ball is subsequently clearly “shot” into the goal. After any kicked ball, the official should watch closely for a clear shooting action and if the ball enters the goal and no clear shooting action was observed, then the official must disallow the goal. The subsequent face-off after the above stoppage of play shall be in the neutral zone. To further clarify: Any attacking player that kicks a ball to a teammate and:
– it deflects off the teammate’s foot, body or stick – no goal
– if it is deliberately directed into the goal by a teammate’s stick, but not clearly shot – no goal.
– if it is deflected or deliberately directed (but not kicked) into the goal by a teammate’s foot – no goal.
– if it is kicked by an attacking player and then deflects off their own stick into the goal – no goal.

SITUATION 2 Rule 60 (c) A stick is lying on the floor and an attacking player kicks the stick which in turn hits the ball. Subsequently the ball goes directly into the goal. RULING: NO GOAL. Assess a Minor Penalty for Interference. Although the attacking player did not kick the ball into the net, the kicking action of the stick lying on the floor resulted in the ball going directly into the goal without a clear shooting motion. As per Rule 60 (c).

Rule 72. Off-sides
(a) Players of the attacking team must not precede the ball into the attacking zone.

Note 1: A “Floating Blue Line” exists in ball hockey. Once the attacking team legally crosses the opponent’s blue line with the ball, the blue line is eliminated and the attacking zone is now the area from the centre red line in. The terminology used when a team has legally gained control of the attacking zone eliminating the blue line is “THE BLUE LINE IS SET”.
Note 2: A player actually propelling the ball who shall cross the line ahead of the ball, shall not be considered off-side, providing he is actually in possession and control of the ball with one foot in the neutral zone before crossing the blue line.

(b) For violation of this rule, play shall be stopped and the face-off shall be in the neutral zone at the face-off spot nearest the attacking zone of the offending team or at the origin of the attempted pass, as covered by the rules.
(c) The position of the player’s feet, and not that of their stick, shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an “off-side”. A player is off-side when both feet are completely over the inside edge of the determining blue line involved in the play.

Note 1: A player is on-side when either of their feet are in physical contact with, or on their own side of the line at the instant the ball completely crosses the outer edge of that line, regardless of the position of their stick.
Note 2: It should be noted that while the position of the player’s feet is what determines whether a player is offside, the question of an off-side never arises until the ball has completely crossed the line at which time the decision is to be made.
(d) If a player legally carries or passes the ball from the neutral zone back into their own defending zone while a player of the opposing team is in such defending zone, the offside shall be ignored and play shall continue.
(e) If an attacking player(s) precedes the ball that is shot, passed or deflected into the attacking zone by a teammate, or deflected into the attacking zone by a defending player; but a defending player is able to play the ball, the Referee shall signal a delayed off-side.
The Referee shall drop their arm to nullify the off-side violation and allow play to continue if:

(1) the defending team passes or carries the ball into the neutral zone, or
(2) all attacking players in the attacking zone (at the time the ball crosses the blue line) clear the attacking zone by making foot contact with the blue line. If the ball is shot on goal, during a delayed off-side, the play shall be allowed to continue under the normal clearing the zone rules. Should the ball enter the net in this situation, either directly or off the goaltender, or a player or official on the floor, the goal shall not be allowed as the original shot was off-side. If any attacking player touches the ball or attempts to gain possession of a loose ball while the ball
is still in the attacking zone, the Referee shall stop play.

Note: The attacking zone must be completely clear of attacking players before a delayed off-side can be nullified with the ball still in the attacking zone.
(f) If, in the opinion of the Referee, an intentional off-side play has been made, the ball shall be faced-off at the end zone face-off spot in the defending zone of the offending team.

Note 1: The Blue Line remains set until:
i) An attacking player has propelled the ball out of bounds that results in the face-off occurring out side the blue line.
ii) The ball is propelled across the centre red line. In all cases noted, the Blue Line has to be “RESET”.

GUIDELINES FOR DELAYED OFF-SIDE SITUATIONS
1. The attacking zone must be completely clear of all players before the off-side is nullified.
2. An attacking player in the attacking zone cannot come out and make foot contact with the blue line and go back into that zone while a teammate is still there and the delayed off-side still in effect.
3. Attacking players who were not off-side when the delayed offside went into effect must wait until the delayed off-side is nullified before they can go into their attacking zone.
4. If the ball is shot from behind the center red line (a flooring situation) with attacking players in their attacking zone, and the ball is not able to be played by a defending player before it crosses the goal line, then the flooring call would be made in lieu of the off-side.
5. If the play is stopped because of the off-side, the ensuing faceoff would go to the closet face-off spot in the neutral zone to where the shot originated in accordance with Rule 57 (g).

SITUATION 1 A player has one foot on the blue line and one foot over the blue line at the instant the ball completely crosses the blue line. NO OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 2 A player has both feet back of the blue line and their stick over the blue line at the instant that the ball completely crosses the blue line. NO OFFSIDE.

SITUATION 3 A player has one foot above the blue line (over top but not touching) and one foot over the blue line at the instant the ball completely crosses the blue line. OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 4 A player has one foot back of the blue line and one foot over the blue line at the instant that the ball completely crosses the blue line. NO OFFSIDE.

SITUATION 5 A player has both feet over the blue line, but the ball is still on the blue line. Potential OFF-SIDE but not until the ball completely crosses the blue line.

SITUATION 6 Rule 72 (a) Note 2 This is intended to mean that one foot should be touching the blue line or in the neutral zone with the player having possession and control of the ball before preceding and propelling the ball into the attacking zone.

SITUATION 7 Rule 72 (a) Note 2 & 72 (a) A player with both feet over the blue line receives a pass from a teammate. They stop the ball with their stick before the ball crosses the line, then pulls it over the line. OFF-SIDE – the player must have control of the ball with one foot touching the blue line or in the neutral zone, for the propelling the ball rule to be applicable. If this player then comes back, puts one foot on the blue line, they may then precede and propel the ball into the attacking zone.

SITUATION 8 Rule 72 (a) Note 1 An attacking player has both feet over the blue line. A teammate in the neutral zone shoots the ball. The ball hits an opponent, deflecting off their body or stick, then the ball crosses the blue line. DELAYED OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 9 Rule 72 (d) An attacking player has both feet over the blue line. An opposing player has possession of the ball in the neutral zone. This player now shoots or passes the ball back into their defending zone while the attacking player is still in the zone. NO OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 10 The ball is in the possession of the attacking team in the attacking zone. The ball is passed back to the centre line. The ball comes half out over the center line (half on the line and half over the line) then is shot deep in the zone again. NO OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 11 An attacking player crosses the blue line with the ball. Once the ball crosses the blue line the zone is set.

SITUATION 12 An attacking player or defending player in the attacking zone shoots the ball out over the centre red line. The attacking player or players, must come back, put one foot (at least) on the blue line and keep the foot on the line until the ball completely crosses the line again. NO OFF-SIDE will then be the call.

SITUATION 13 Rule 72 (a) Note 1 A defending player shoots the ball out over their defending centre red line. It then deflects off another defending player back into their defending zone while an attacking player is in that zone. DELAYED OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 14 Rule 72 (a) Note 2 An attacking player straddling the attacking blue line takes a pass on their stick in the neutral zone. They then brings the foot which was in the neutral zone over the line while the ball is still on their stick in the neutral zone. They then pull the ball over the blue line. NO OFF-SIDE.

SITUATION 15 A player has one foot over the blue line and one foot back of the blue line in the neutral zone. The foot in the neutral zone is in the air and not on the floor at the instant the ball crosses the blue line. OFFSIDE.

SITUATION 16 QUESTION: The ball is shot by a player from behind the centre red line. A teammate precedes the ball across the attacking blue line. The Referee signals a delayed off-side. The back Referee is signaling a potential flooring. The ball continues on down the floor crossing the goal line. Assuming the attacking player did not clear
the zone, which infraction is called, off-side or flooring? ANSWER: Flooring.

SITUATION 17 For off-sides, the face-off should take place on the side of the floor closest to where the ball crossed over the blue line. This refers to situations where the ball is carried into the attacking zone causing an off-side.

SITUATION 18 When a penalty is over, the Penalty Timekeeper should open the penalty box door. Even though the player coming out of the box would be off-side, the fact that they may wait until the ball crosses the blue line to come on the floor would not change the fact that they are still off-side. As soon as the Penalty Timekeeper opens the penalty box door, the player is considered on the floor.

SITUATION 19 When a player comes on the floor from either the players’ or penalty bench in their attacking zone, thereby preceding the ball in their attacking zone, the off-side will apply. Should the ball cross the blue line before the player actually gets on the floor, the play shall be legal and no off-side shall be called. As explained in Situation 18 of this rule, in the case of a player getting on the floor after serving a penalty, such player shall not be entitled to wait in the penalty box until the ball has crossed the blue line. Once their time has expired, the player shall be considered on the floor for the purpose of this rule.

GUIDELINES FOR DELAYED OFF-SIDE SITUATIONS
1. The attacking zone must be completely clear of all players before the off-side is nullified.
2. An attacking player in the attacking zone cannot come out and make foot contact with the blue line and go back into that zone while a teammate is still there and the delayed off-side still in effect.
3. Attacking players who were not off-side when the delayed off-side went into effect, must wait until the delayed off-side is nullified before they can go into their attacking zone.
4. If the ball is shot from behind the center red line (a flooring situation) with attacking players in their attacking zone, and the ball is not able to be played by a defending player before it crosses the goal line, then the flooring call would be made in lieu of the off-side.

SITUATION 20 No goal may be scored on a delayed off-side by the offending team while the delayed off-side is still in effect, unless the defending team shoots or puts the ball in their own net without action or contact by the offending team (as in a delayed penalty situation). QUESTION: A team shoots the ball in the direction of the goal and the delayed off-side goes into effect (the Referee raises their arm) but before the ball gets to the goal, the offending team clears the zone and the Referee drops their arm. When the ball enters the goal the Referee’s arm is down. Does the goal count?ANSWER: No.

SITUATION 21 Rule 72 (f) For the purpose of this rule the following guidelines apply when determining an “Intentional Off-side”. The play shall be considered an “Intentional Off-side” when:
1. A player deliberately plays the ball in a delayed offside situation, knowing that he is off-side.
2. A player deliberately carries the ball into the attacking zone when he knows that players from their team are in an off-side position. When this occurs, play shall be stopped immediately, and the ball shall be faced-off at the end zone face-off spot, in the defending zone of the offending team.

SITUATION 22 A delayed off-side is signaled by the Referee. Attacking players A5 and A8 leave the attacking zone into the neutral zone (“tagging up”). Attacking player A10 leaves the floor inside the attacking zone and goes into their players’ bench. The ball is still in the attacking zone. QUESTION: What does the Referee do? ANSWER: The Referee would drop their arm thereby nullifying the delayed off-side provided that the substitute for player A10 does not enter the attacking zone until such time as the delayed offside has been nullified (the instant the zone is completely free of attacking players). If the substituting player enters the zone
before the Referee lowers their arm, the delayed off-side would remain in effect. Flooring.

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