Rules
Below is a list of Arenex and NWBHL amendments.
The following rules and amendments are new, unique to the
NWBHL or often misinterpreted by players
(all other rules generally
follow CBHA rules adapted for gym hockey)
Part 1- General Game Rules
Part 2- Penalties/Suspensions
Part 3- Roster/Qualification Rules
Part 4- Equipment Rules
Part 5- Playoff Rules/TieBreakers
Part 6- Forfeits/Reschedules
Part 1 - General Game
Rules
Time and Clock Rules.
Games consist of two 20 minute periods. Play will be running time until the last 1 minute
of the 1st
period and 3 minutes of the second period (unless there is 5 goal margin or
greater). The clock will also be stopped on the call of a penalty, a timeout, or
at the referee's request.
Timeouts.
Teams will be permitted one 30 second timeout per half. A team may use it's
second half timeout in overtime if it is still available. During the playoffs,
teams will be given a timeout for each additional 20 minute overtime period. Any
team calling a timeout when it has already been used will be given a
delay-of-game penalty.
Mercy Rule.
The game will end when the score reaches a 10 goal margin in the second half of play, at which time the buzzer will be sounded.
If the score differential
reaches a number greater than ten in the first period, play will continue until the conclusion of that period but the second half
will not be started. Teams will be allowed to remain on the floor to take advantage of the floor time until the end of their hour if they
wish to do so.
Additionally, the clock will continue to run during the last three minutes of
the second half if the score differential is 5 or more (It will still be stopped
for a penalty call, however).
In-Game Roster Violation.
It is the responsibility of each team to fill out their own roster PRIOR to a game.
Adjustments can be made at half-time. If the game sheet is not correctly filled out by the
beginning of the second period, the clock buzzer will sound at the first
stoppage of play and a captain must come to the timekeeper area and correct the
score sheet. A bench minor penalty will be issued for delay of game.
Face-offs.
Start of Period, after a goal or referee error – center
floor.
Ball out of bounds – where the original shot was taken
unless saved by the goalie and deflected out of bounds.
Saved by goalie and frozen or deflected out of bounds –
To right or left of goalie in Goalie’s defending zone.
When a penalty is called – in the offending teams defensive zone
to the right or left of goalie.
Crease Violation – On the blue circles outside the zone
Because of running time during portions of the game teams
have 10 seconds to have a player ready for a face-off, referees will give a
three second warning to players if they are not ready and drop the ball.
Alternately, the referee has the right to stop the clock if a team is
intentionally delaying the game, abuse of delaying the game shall result in a
bench minor being assessed.
Start of Game.
Teams will be permitted a seven minute warm-up commencing at the time the
game is officially scheduled.
If a team is not prepared to start the game by the time the
referee blows the game in, they will be given an additional five minutes, but
that team will lose their first half time-out, and receive a delay of game penalty. If
the team is still not prepared to play after the additional five minutes, the game shall be forfeited to the other team.
Tied Game.
If in the regular season at the end of regulation the game
is tied in score, then both teams will line-up immediately (no break) for a 3
minute stop time overtime period. If at the end of the 3 minutes the game
remains tied, the game will be recognized as a tie.
A team winning in overtime is awarded 2 points in the
standings for a victory and the team losing is awarded 0 points. A tie is a
single point each.
If in the playoffs, teams will be given a 2 minute break
and continue with regular playing time 20 minutes until one team scores.
Crease Rule.
Any opposition player that steps into the blue paint of the
crease (This also includes cutting through the crease) will bring about a stoppage in play and the face-off will be moved out of
the zone. The player will not have to serve a penalty unless he makes contact
with the goaltender which will again be dependent on his effort to avoid contact.
Players are allowed to enter the crease AFTER the
ball has, in order to score, just not before.
You are not allowed to push a player into your own
crease to bring about a stoppage in play for a crease violation. If this happens
and the ball enters the net it shall be considered a legal goal.
Hand Passes.
Hand passes that are parallel or backwards in the defensive
zone only are permitted.
Ball Out of Bounds or Unplayable.
Ball shall be considered out of bounds if it exits the playing surface
into one of the players benches, penalty benches or any viewing area, also any
part above the finished paneling on the wall or if the ball makes contact with
the rafters or the basketball hoops over the goal nets or the air conditioning
unit over the goal net. Face-off shall occur at the last place the ball was
touched unless otherwise stated in the rules.
A delay of game penalty shall be assessed any player who deliberately
shoots, bats or throws the ball out bounds. Face-off shall be in the
offending teams defensive zone. If a team is already short-handed when they are
assessed a delay-of-game penalty, a penalty shot will be assessed instead of a
minor.
If the ball is shot on the back of the net and come off without delay, or
is able to be retrieved by a single player without obstruction play shall
continue. Otherwise the play shall be stopped, and the face-off shall occur at the location of where the ball came
from to land on the netting.
Ball Must Be Kept in Motion.
A team in possession of the ball in its defending zone
shall always advance the ball towards the opposing goal, except if prevented by
the opposing team. Violation of this rule will result in a face-off in the
defending zone of the offending team.
A minor penalty shall be assessed any player who
deliberately holds the ball against the boards or any part of the goal in any
manner, unless he is being checked by an opponent. If the offending player's
team is shorthanded at the time, a penalty shot will be assessed instead of a
minor.
Referees.
If for whatever reason the referee(s) appointed are unable to perform their
duties, the managers of the competing teams shall meet with the referee or
highest ranking off-floor official available and determine the best route of
action. If another referee(s) is/are available that both teams agree to that
shall be the first choice, playing the game with one impartial official shall be
the second choice, third is to find one or two knowledgeable non-referees to
referee the game. Fourth is to have one player from each competing to referee
the game. If the appointed referee(s) arrive late they shall replace the
non-appointed referee unless the non-appointed referee is a qualified referee.
Scorekeeper.
A scorekeeper is provided by the league and will record the
goals, assists, penalties, shots, etc. In order for stoppage of the clock or a time out, players MUST
direct their request to the referees, NOT THE SCOREKEEPER. The scorekeeper will not stop the clock unless directed to do so by the
referee, or when extenuating circumstances occurs.
Part 2 - Penalties/Suspensions
Penalty Shot Rule/Delay of Game.
When a team is already short-handed and they cause a delay
of game penalty in the following circumstances a penalty shot shall occur
1. A goaltender or player intentionally throwing the ball away from the
referee
2. Freezing the ball against the boards with your feet or stick while
unchecked
3. Intentionally playing the ball out of bounds
Captains and Alternate Captains.
When a Captain or Alternate receives a penalty he shall
lose all his privileges for the duration of the penalty and must proceed
directly to the penalty box. Such players not doing so will be assessed a Misconduct
Penalty.
Coincidental Minor Penalties.
Players serving coincidental penalties may only leave the penalty box once a
whistle has stopped play after the expiration of their penalty. Coincidental penalties that are issued to a player who is
ejected from the game need not be served by any player from the offending team.
Major Penalties.
If the player is ejected from the game as the result of a
major penalty, and it is a time penalty, the offending team, only need to place
a player in the penalty box prior to the expiration of the penalty. This must be
done during a stoppage of play and not delay the game in any manner. Failure to
place a player in the penalty box prior to expiration of the major penalty will
result in the offending team remaining a man short until the next stoppage of
play after the expiration of the penalty. The offending team may place a player
in the box immediately upon receiving the penalty if they so choose.
Goaltender Penalties.
No goaltender shall be sent to the penalty box for an
infraction that results in a minor or misconduct penalty. Instead, said penalty shall be served by another player whom was on the
floor at the time of the infraction.
If a goaltender is ejected from the game, the team will
have ten minutes to dress a new goalie, no warm-up will be allowed. If an
alternate goalie is dressed he must step in immediately to replace the other
goalie.
Delayed Penalties.
Penalties called will be in accordance with the delayed
penalties rule. (upon transfer of possession, or when the official deems it prudent)
High Sticks.
Making contact with the ball above normal height
of the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be assessed. A minor
penalty may also be assessed if you are swinging your stick above the normal
shoulder height in a crowd or near another player.
The carrying of sticks above the normal
height of the shoulder of an opponent is prohibited, a minor penalty or a major
and a game misconduct shall be assessed to any player who checks or intimidates
an opponent while carrying his stick above the normal height of the shoulders of
his opponent, if injury results a game misconduct shall be assessed.
Handling the Ball.
Play shall be stopped immediately and a minor penalty
assessed to any player, except the goaltender who closes his hand on the ball
and gains an advantage against his opponents. If the player drops the ball
immediately without attempting to gain an advantage play shall continue and no
penalty shall be assessed.
A minor penalty shall be assessed a goaltender who
deliberately holds the ball and in the opinion of the referee causes an
unnecessary delay. Where a goaltender throws the ball towards the opponents net
and an opponent receives the ball play shall continue, where a teammate receives
the ball play shall be stopped.
A minor penalty shall be assessed any player, except the
goaltender, who, while play in progress picks up the ball with his hand. If this
happens in the defending crease then a penalty shot shall be awarded.
The ball may not be batted into the net with the hand or
arm and cannot deflect of any other attacking and into the net after being
batted by the hand or arm. Defending team must gain possession of the ball
before the attacking team could score.
Too Many Men.
If in the course of making a substitution the
player leaving or entering the playing surface intentionally plays the ball or
makes contact with an opposing player while still on the floor “too many
players” shall be called.
Falling on the Ball.
A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who
deliberately falls on, gathers, covers the ball by any means of his body.
A minor penalty shall be assessed to any goaltender, while
outside his crease, who deliberately falls on, gathers, covers the ball by any
means of his body, thus delaying the game unnecessarily (this does not apply if the
goalie is out to cover the angle on shot, makes the save and covers the ball.)
A penalty shot shall be awarded when a defending player who
deliberately falls on, gathers, covers the ball by any means of his body or
picks up the ball within his goal crease.
Spitting.
A minor penalty shall be assessed any player who
deliberately spits on the playing surface at the Arenex.
Charging.
A minor, or major and a game misconduct at the discretion of the referee,
penalty shall be assessed to any player who jumps or charges (more than two
steps) into an opponent. If injury results a major and a game misconduct
shall be assessed.
A major shall be assessed if the above infraction occurs from behind.
A goaltender is NOT "fair game" just because he is outside the goal
crease area. A penalty for interference or charging shall be called for any unnecessary contact made
with a goaltender.
Checking from Behind.
A minor and a game misconduct or major and a game misconduct based on the
degree of violence of the impact shall be assessed to any player who
intentionally pushes, body checks, or hits an opposing player from behind,
anywhere on the floor. Where a player is injured a major and game misconduct
shall be assessed. A match penalty can also be assessed under this rule.
b. Where a player is high sticked, cross-checked, body
checked, pushed, hit, or propelled in any manner from behind or into the boards
or goal net, in such a way that the player is unable to defend himself, a match
penalty shall be assessed.
Fighting.
Fighting is prohibited. Any players assessed a fighting major shall be given
a two game suspension and $20 fine.
When a fight occurs all other players are to return to the
front of their players bench or a neutral zone if the fight is in front of the
players bench, failure to do so will result in a misconduct.
It should be noted that just one player can be issued a
fight, but when this happens, third players entering that fight shall be issued
Game misconducts, even if they are acting as “peacemakers”.
Player Ejection.
If a player is ejected from the game he must either leave
the building, or go to the dressing room. He
may not stay in the lobby area or participate in the handshake at the end of the
game. No player under suspension
may participate in the pre-game warm-up, or be able to be on the bench.
The manager or coach shall be responsible for the conduct of their
players at all times.
Game Ejection/Washed Goals.
The onus will be on the player/team to recognize if he
should be ejected from the game, therefore, if a player should have been ejected
from the game under the three penalty rule, game ejection, 2 misconducts or game
misconduct any goal scored or assisted by said player shall not count if it is
brought to the attention of the referee while the game is still under progress.
Fines/Suspension Guidelines.
Any combination of three penalties during the course of one game will result in a
game ejection (does not apply to goalies) and be penalized with a $10 (does
apply to goalies). A Misconduct or Game Ejection in the last 5 minutes of
regular time or any time in overtime will automatically be penalized with a
minimum of a $10 fine.
The Guideline for Suspensions are
as follows: Game Misconduct 1 Game +$10 fine, Gross Misconduct 2 games +$20,
Match Penalties 3 Games +$30. These are only guidelines and the actual
suspensions and fines may differ on a case by case basis.
The league president may use the services of video review during the suspension or appeals process.
Teams are responsible for all fines given to their players. An individual player is not permitted to play
another game until his fine
has been paid in FULL.
Appeal Process (for fines and suspensions).
1. One Game Suspensions and $10 fines can not be appealed.
2. Place a $50 bond with the league, citing the game, date, players involved
and description of events.
3. The league will then convene a 3 man jury of managers, excluding the
teams that were involved and one other if the team applying for the appeal so
chooses and one other from the team defending the appeal if they so choose.
4. A hearing will take place and a majority vote will decide if the
suspension shall be changed.
5. If the suspension was changed then the $50 bond shall be returned.
6. The jury of managers decision shall be final
Fan Behavior.
If any fans from the participating teams act in an
unfashionable matter, the team may receive an unsportsmanlike penalty. If the fans continue to act unruly they will be
asked to leave the building. If the fans behavior continues to escalate the game will stop until the fans leave.
If they refuse to leave, the fans team will forfeit the game.
Part 3 - Roster/Qualification
Rules
Waiver Form.
Players who haven't signed a waiver form that is on file
with the league (check the website for the “Y” in the waiver column) must
sign the waiver form before the start of their first game. It is the team captain or coach's responsibility to make sure
that new players sign the waiver form or a fine will be implemented.
Emergency Goaltender Rule.
Teams may bring a goaltender not on their roster in the case of an emergency. If that is not possible, teams
may use a goaltender on another team's roster one time only and in the regular season only.
Player Minimum and Maximum.
Each team may have a maximum of 18 players and 2 goaltenders.
All players for any game or pre-game warm-up must be registered with the
league. A minimum of 6 eligible players in uniform (excluding the goaltender) on each team shall be necessary to start the game.
A team may play with 5 players if they are waived in to do so by the opposing team.
Player Qualifications for playoffs.
A player must play 5 games (12 game season) or 6 games (18
game season) in order to qualify for the playoffs. A goaltender must play 2 games in order to qualify for the
playoffs. If a player is unable to play due to injury, he must be on the bench in
a numbered jersey with his number on the gamesheet for a minimum of half of the game to receive a game credit.
In order to qualify, all players must be on the team roster
before the roster deadline. In
the event of a discrepancy, the game sheet will determine the amount of games a
player has played.
Roster Deadline
Teams may add as many different players to their roster as they wish before
the league roster deadline. At the deadline they must name the final 25 players
that they will use for the duration of the season, and then must only dress
players on that list the rest of the way.
Player Transaction Rules.
If a player has played a game with a team, he becomes that team's property for
the duration of that season. If that player wishes to play for another team, he
has to ask his current team for permission before signing with another. If the
team does not grant him permission, he is unable to play for any other team
until the season officially ends.
A player that leaves one team to join another, cannot rejoin his original
team for the remainder of the season.
Any games you play with one team before moving onto another still count
towards your playoff qualification, even if it is for a different division.
Part 4 - Equipment
Rules
Official Game Ball.
The official game ball of the NWBHL is the D-Gel ball.
Uniforms.
All the players MUST wear identically coloured uniforms, all of which must
be longed sleeved. Jersey patterns cannot be dramatically different. Sleeves
may not be rolled up over the elbow.
All team members must be identified by a number on their jersey. No taped
numbers are allowed. One non-numbered jersey of similar colour and design will
be allowed per team per game, player will be designated as “0” and this
cannot be an ongoing issue.
Team captain and alternate captain(s) must be identified by a
"C" or "A" on their jersey or the ref will decide who the
team captain and alternates are.
All teams must designate a jersey colour prior to the start of each
season.
The VISITING TEAM (as per the schedule) is responsible for any changing
of jerseys if there is a colour conflict with another team. There is a spare set
of white jerseys available for rental from the league for $20.
Uniforms must be in good condition.
Goalies are permitted to wear jerseys different from their team but
cannot wear a jersey whose predominant colour is the same as the other team.
Protective Equipment.
Players must have their own gloves and helmets. Players cannot exchange gloves or other equipment.
Players without full equipment are not eligible to play in the game.
The referee is empowered to make a call regarding illegal use
of equipment.
All protective equipment, except gloves, head gear, soft
knee pads or goaltenders leg pads, must be worn entirely under uniform (see
below for exemptions). Minor penalties shall be imposed for those in violation
of this rule.
The use of protective hockey gloves is mandatory. Zebra gloves are permitted. Lacrosse gloves are not permitted.
The use of palmless gloves are not permitted. After one
warning a minor penalty will be imposed for this rule.
The chin strap must not be hanging loosely on a player's helmet.
Hard and Soft shell D-Gel shin pads are permitted to be
worn on the outside of socks. All other knee pads that extended down the shin
must be worn inside the pants or under socks (covered).
Jerseys must be long sleeved, and may not be rolled or
pushed up over the elbows.
Elbow pads which do not have sponge or rubber material at
least a ½” thick shall be considered dangerous equipment.
Goaltender’s Equipment.
With the exception of shoes and stick, all the equipment worn by a goaltender
must be constructed solely for the purpose of protection of head and body.
Abdominal aprons extending down the thighs outside the pants are prohibited.
Width of a blocker shall not exceed 8 inches at any point and 16 inches in height.
The base of a catching glove shall not exceed 9 inches, and the length shall not exceed 16 inches. The
maximum circumference shall not exceed 48 inches. The only pocket permitted
on the glove is the one between the thumb and forefinger and shall not
contain any unnecessary material to make it larger than necessary. Goaltenders pads shall not
exceed 14" in extreme width as measured on the goaltender.
A minor penalty shall be
assessed to any goaltender using or wearing illegal equipment. Mandatory equipment for a
goaltender is as follows: chest protector, leg pads, goaltender's stick, CSA
approved helmet and facemask for goaltenders, gloves (consisting of both
blocker and trapper).
Illegal Goalie Equipment.
If a goalie is caught with illegal equipment he will have a
two-week grace period to buy new equipment.
Part 5 - Playoff
Rules/Tie-Breakers
General Playoff Rules.
All playoff series will be best of three. The higher seed shall be designated
the home team for games 1 and 3.
Playoff Tie Breaking Rules.
Playoff seedings will be determined by the following
procedures if a tie between two teams:
1. Most Wins (Overall)
2. Head to Head (Most points)
3. Goal differential (Head to Head)
4. Goal differential (Overall)
5. Most Goals (Overall)
6. Coin toss
Playoff seedings will be determined by the following
procedures if a tie between three or more teams:
1. Most Wins
2. Goal Differential (Overall)
3. Most Goals (Overall)
4. Best winning % Head to Head of all teams that are tied
5. Best Goal differential per game on Head to Head games between all teams
tied
6. Coin toss
Part 6 - Forfeits/Reschedules
Forfeit Games.
1st fofeit; $100 fine and -1pt,
2nd forfeit; $100 fine and -1pt,
3rd forfeit; ejection
Teams at the winning end of a forfeit will receive $50 of the forfeit fee and
all players on their current roster shall receive a game
credit.
Reschedule Process.
1. To reschedule a game you must contact the president of the league
2. A $100 administration fee will be charged.
3. Within 10 days of the scheduled date the opposing team must agree to the
rescheduling
4. No reschedule within 72 hours under any circumstances
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