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 his 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 his 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. 

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 her 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 her stick without contacting her 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 her opponent’s body by means of her own body or by her 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 her 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 her 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) When an infringement of any rule has been committed by players of both teams, the ensuing face-off shall be at 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. 

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) When one or both defensemen, point players or any player coming from the players’ or penalty bench of the attacking team, enter deeply into the attacking zone (the top of the circle being the limit) when a gathering is taking place following a stoppage of play, the ensuing faceoff shall take place at the nearest face-off spot in the neutral zone, near the blue line of the defending team.
(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 his 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).

Rule 65. Flooring the Ball
(a) Flooring the ball is automatically completed the instant the ball crosses the goal line and the Referee shall immediately blow her 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 her 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. If during the play, the ball shall have entered the net of the opposing team, the goal shall be allowed, except if the ball has been batted with the hand into the opposing net. Any contact with the ball over the centre red line, with the ball continuing down over the goal line, nullifies “flooring” the ball. 

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 her penalty has expired.
Note 3: When the ball is shot and rebounds from the body or stick of an opponent in her own half of the floor and crosses the goal line of the player shooting, it shall NOT be considered as “flooring”.

(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, her stick, or feet, or
(2) the ball has touched the goaltender, her feet, or stick at any time before crossing the goal line.
(3) the goaltender leaves her 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 her 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.

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 

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 his 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 his feet are in physical contact with, or on his own side of the line at the instant the ball completely crosses the outer edge of that line, regardless of the position of his 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 his own defending zone while a playerof 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 his 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).

 

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