Roller Hockey Rules

A copy of the most recent Intramural Roller Hockey rules may be downloaded here.

Here is a general summary of the Intramural Roller Hockey Rulebook.

I. Eligibility

A. All participants are subject to the intramural eligibility rules which are available in the intramural office.

II. Equipment

A. A stick, skates, and a helmet with full cage is required for all players.

B. Goalies MUST wear leg pads, chest protector, glove and blocker.

i. Goalie leg pads may not exceed 12" in width.

C. A hockey puck designed for use on sport court will be used for play.

D. Skates with non-marking wheels and no heel brakes are required for all players.

i. Goalies may wear shoes if agreed upon between competing teams.

III. The Breakdown

A. Each team will consist of at least five (5) players, one goalie and four skaters, on the rink at one time.

i. The minimum number to start a game is four (4) players, one goalie and three skaters.

B. A forfeit will be called promptly at 10-minutes after the scheduled time of the game. If there is a forfeited game, the rink may be used for recreation until the start time of the next scheduled game.

i. A forfeited game is called if one or both teams have less than the required minimum amount of players (4).

C. The game will consist of three (3) 12-minute stop-time periods, with a one-minute break between each period.

i. The clock will stop on each whistle from the official.

ii. Time may be changed to running-clock at the discretion of the official or IM coordinator to keep true to the schedule. The officials must inform both teams of this change before doing so.

E. One timeout of 30 seconds be allowed for each team to be used at their discretion at any point during the game.

i. The timeout must be called when there is a stoppage in play.

F. The goalie may only be substituted between periods, unless either:

i. The substitution is forced due to injury.

ii. The player substituting for the goaltender is already properly dressed so as not to cause any delay in the course of play.

G. Only the team manager may consult the referee and/or gym/field supervisor during the game.

IV. The Game

A. The game will start with a face-off at the center dot.

B. The puck is considered “in-play” anywhere in the playing area.

C. A puck that strikes an official is still in play.

D. A player may advance the puck with any part of their body; however, a goal will be disallowed when an offensive player intentionally kicks the puck in the net with a “distinct kicking motion,” which will be determined at the discretion of the on-rink officials. A player MAY NOT pass the puck to a teammate with their hand when in their offensive zone. A “hand pass” is allowed in the teams defensive zone.

F. All broken sticks are to be dropped immediately. If a player continues to play with a broken stick, a penalty for dangerous equipment will be assessed. Officials will dispose of the broken stick from the playing area. Play will not be stopped.

G. Play will be stopped when the goalie has completely covered the puck. Players who do not comply with the stoppage of play after the whistle has been blown may be issued a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

H. In the case that the net becomes dislodged, but is not involved in the ensuing play, play will continue and an official will replace the net. If net is dislodged and is involved in the ensuing play, play is to continue at the referee’s discretion. However, if the net is severely dislodged and impedes play, play will stop and a face off will follow, either at the face-off dot closest to the net (if dislodged by the defensive team) or at the face-off dot out of the attacking zone (if dislodged by the attacking team).

I. The goalie may be pulled by any team at any time, and the total skater count may then be at 5.

V. Substitution

A. Player(s) entering the playing surface during play must wait until the player(s) leaving the rink are completely off of the playing surface before playing the puck. Any violation of this rule will result in a “Too Many Men” penalty.

VI. Goalies

A. The goalie may never cross the center red line at any time during the game.

B. Only a container with water may be placed on the top of the net. Any other liquid in the container besides water is prohibited. The container and liquid must be approved by the referee or a delay of game penalty may be assessed.

C. The goalie may be pulled off at any time during the game for the exchange of an extra attacker. This would bring the allowed number of skaters on the rink at one time to 5.

VII. Penalties

A. Penalties are considered a violation of the rules and the spirit of competition. They must be avoided to ensure the safety of all players, and the integrity of the game. The following actions will result in a 2-minute minor, a 5-minute major, or a game misconduct. Managers are responsible for controlling their own players.

B. Intentionally throwing a stick results in a penalty shot. Any player on the team at which the stick was thrown is eligible to take the penalty shot. This rule also applies to the goalie.

C. If a defensive player covers the puck in the goalie crease a penalty shot will result. Only the goalie is allowed to cover the puck in the goalie crease.

D. The following penalties may be called at the referee’s discretion:

i. High Sticking

· Occurs when a stick makes contact with another player above the crossbar of the goal (at the referee’s discretion). A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

ii. Body Checking

· When a player lowers their shoulder or any other part of their body and drives themselves into another player with no intention of playing the puck. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

iii. Cross Checking

· When a player takes his stick in both hands and extends arms and stick at an opposing player pushing the opposing player off of the puck. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

iv. Elbowing

· Striking a player with an elbow. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

v. Kneeing

· Striking a player with a knee. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

vi. Tripping

· Impeding or an attempt to impede another player’s progress by tripping them with a stick, or any part of the body. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

vii. Hooking

· When a player attempts to impede an opponent’s movement by hooking onto some part of their body with their own stick. A 2-minute minor penalty will be assessed.

viii. Holding

· When a player holds any part of an opponent’s body or stick with their hands or any other means. A 2-minute minor will be assessed.

ix. Roughing

· A use of unnecessary roughness, called at the referee’s discretion. A 2-minute minor or a 5-minute major will be assessed at the referee’s discretion.

x. Spearing

· Occurs when a player stabs at an opponent with the blade or end of their stick. A game misconduct will result.

xi. Boarding

· When a player shoves, muscles, or checks another player into the boards. A 2-minute minor will be assessed. If 5-minute major will be assessed if the hit comes from behind.

xii. Interference

· A player who in any way impedes the progress of an opponent who does not have the puck. A 2-minute minor is assessed.

xiii. Too Many Men

· Having more than 4 skaters on the rink at a time when the goalie has not been pulled. If the goalie has been pulled, too many men will be called if the number of skaters on the rink is above 5. A 2-minute penalty will be assessed and can be served by any member of the guilty team.

xiv. Delay of Game

· Will be assessed at the discretion of the referee. Some examples include: intentionally dislodging the net, shooting the puck out of play intentionally (referee’s discretion), and inhibiting play by covering the puck with any body part.

E. All above penalties are considered delayed penalties.

i. If the team that committed the penalty is not in possession of the puck at the time of the infraction, the official will raise their arm to signal a delayed penalty, and play will continue until the team that committed the penalty regains possession of the puck.\

F. NO FIGHTING.

i. If a fight occurs, all players involved in the fight will be given a game misconduct. If more than one fight occurs during a game, the game will immediately be ended (at referee’s discretion). VIII. Misconduct

A. Game Misconduct

i. At the discretion of the referee. If any player commits a penalty to an excessively dangerous level (intent to injure, fighting, abuse of referees) they will be given a game misconduct.

Note:

In a case of a game misconduct, the player involved will be ejected from the game and facility immediately. The Intramural Office will review the situation, and possibly suspend the player for a number of games or the rest of the season. The player automatically receives a one game suspension for the following game. In addition, a Notice to Appear form will be given to the player who received the misconduct and will be required to follow to rules of the Intramural Department’s policy on Notice to Appear forms. This includes a requirement that the offending participant must attend a scheduled appointment with the Recreation Sports Director or Assistant Director prior to their team’s next scheduled game, or the entire team may face expulsion from the league if the incident is unresolved. IX. Penalty Shots

A. There are 4 situations in which penalty shots will be awarded:

i. If a player carrying the puck has no opponent between them and the opposing goal is illegally interfered with from behind.

ii. If any defensive player, after a shot has been taken on his/her net and if the shot is definitely headed towards the net, intentionally dislodges the net.

iii. When a goalie or skater throws their stick in an attempt to make a save.

iv. If a defensive player covers the puck in the goalie crease.

B. If the penalty shot results in a goal, the ensuing face-off will be at the center dot. If the penalty shot does not result in a goal, the ensuing face-off will be at either low face-off dot. X. Overtime

A. When a game ends in a tie, a 5-minute sudden death period will be played if time permits. If an overtime period is to be played, the overtime period will begin after a one and a half minute (90 seconds) break.

B. There are no timeouts during the overtime period unless the team has yet to use the one time out allotted for the game.

C. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a 5 person shootout will occur.

D. If after a 5 person shootout, the game is still tied. Sudden death rounds for the shootout will continue until a winner is decided.

E. If time does not permit an overtime period to be played, a 5 person shootout will occur to determine the winner.

F. If time does not permit for any sort of overtime session, the game will end in a tie.