Vancouver East Thursday - FH Rules

Urban Rec Floor Hockey Rules

Game Format

1. Have fun and play with good sportsmanship!  We expect all of our Urban Rec participants to have a “Fun First” attitude about this unique sporting opportunity.  There is an emphasis on the players knowing the rules and managing their own actions on the court.  Sportsmanship, fun and being social are number one at Urban Rec and we hope to see that exhibited by all of our participants!
    
2. To be eligible to play in the league all participants must have signed an online waiver with Urban Rec. Players that do not sign an online waiver will not be issued membership keytags and are not permitted to participate. Team captains that do not fill out the online team roster will have their team removed from the schedule until they do so and all players have signed the waiver. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that all participants for their team are eligible to participate.
    
3. Playoffs Eligibility – all players must have played a minimum of 2 games over the regular season to be eligible to play in the playoffs. A team using an ineligible player will automatically forfeit the playoff game if the game has begun and that player has played in the game at that point. If a player shows up that is not on the team roster, they will not be allowed to play regardless if they played or subbed during the regular season. All players must be on the roster and indicate they have read the online waiver even if they are subs.
    
4. The on-site volunteer League Coordinator (LC) may do a random ID check for players at any time at their discretion to ensure they are eligible to participate.  If a team is found to be using an ineligible player, then that player’s team will forfeit the game if it has already begun.  If the ID check is done prior to the game starting then that player is simply not permitted to participate until they have indicated they have read the online waiver (they can do this via their smartphone). 
    
5. Prior to your game, please double-check the online league schedule for your game times.  If your team is late and not ready to go when the whistle blows to start the match, then you will lose playing time.  A match will consist of two 25-minute halves. 
    
6. Teams have a 10-minute grace period from their scheduled start time as tracked by the League Coordinator to field the minimum starting lineup (for VSB Floor Hockey, a full starting lineup consists of 3 players and a goalie including at least 1 of each gender on the floor, but a team may play with only 3 players if that is all they have provided they have at least 1 of each gender on the floor).  Teams need to ahve a goalie to avoid defaulting. If a team does not have enough players to field the minimum starting lineup (including the minimum of each gender as well as a goalie) by the end of this 10-minute grace period, then that team defaults the game and is subject to the associated Default Fee used to reimburse their opponent.  In this situation, the teams are encouraged to mix up players and play for fun during their time slot.  Any team defaulting more than 2 games in a season may be asked to leave the league, with no refund.
    
7. Teams may avoid defaulting in regular season games by utilizing players from other teams (other than your opponents) that play in the league without penalty.  However, in the playoffs, this can only be done to avoid being subject to the default policy- the game will be considered a automatic loss (but not a default) if a team utilizes players not on their roster to field a lineup.
    
8. All players should bring a dark shirt and a light shirt to all games. No grey.  By default, the visiting team will be required to change their shirts if both teams show up wearing a similar colour.
    
9. Play is 3-on-3 plus a goalie for each team. Minimum 1 member of each gender on the court (i.e. not playing goalie) for each team at all times.
    
10. The League Coordinator (LC) will be the score/time keeper.
     
11. Games will be comprised of two twenty-five minute halves with a half-time break in between.  If the game started late, the length of the halves and the break may be reduced at the discretion of the LC.

12. In the playoffs, if a game is tied in the second half, at the 3-minute mark the LC will blow the whistle, and the game will proceed straight to a shootout. If a game becomes tied within the final 3 minutes of the second half, the game will end there, and proceed to a shootout as well.

13. Shootout Format – Shootouts will be a ‘soccer style’ format, where the player will be given the ball around 5 meters from the center of the goal (or a designated mark on the court), and must shoot it from that spot (players will be allowed to stick handle/toe drag the ball in that spot, but cannot advance it any further towards the goalie). During the attempt, the goalie must stand with their heals as close to the goal line as they can (they cannot come out to cut down the angle).

    Teams will rock-paper-scissor to decide which team shoots first. Teams will each have 3 shot attempts, and the teams will alternate guy-girl-guy (or vice versa) etc. If after the 3 shooters, the game is still tied, sudden death shootout rounds of 1 shooter per team will continue until the game is settled. The guy-girl-guy approach will still apply, and shooters cannot repeat until every other member of that gender has had a turn. Goalies may not participate as a shooter.

14. Tiebreaker - If two or more teams are tied in the standings at season’s end, the tiebreaker will be as follows:
    1st tiebreaker – head to head winner
    2nd tiebreaker – higher UR fun point average
    3rd tiebreaker – most “in division” wins
    4th tiebreaker – coin flip

Equipment

1. Only Urban Rec-supplied floor hockey sticks may be used.  This includes goalies.
    
2. Players may wear soccer-style shin pads if they desire.  Players may also wear gloves (hockey/lacrosse/winter mittens- all okay).  This equipment is optional and not mandatory.
    
3. Goalies may use a glove (trapper or baseball glove), blocker, mask, chest/arm protector, leg pads, athletic cup and hockey pants.  These may be from floor or ice hockey.  If a goalie does not have the proper upper body equipment (e.g. a heavy winter coat instead of arm/chest protection, this will be permissible at the EC’s discretion).  As noted above, goalies must use a regular player’s floor hockey stick. Goalies must wear a facemask or helmet with a full cage.
    
4. A goalie’s leg pads cannot exceed a maximum length of 34 inches, nor a width of 12 inches (The size of the pads has been amended to reflect the sizes of floor hockey pads being sold in stores now, as well as to protect taller goalies). Ice hockey pads may be worn as long as they conform to the above size limitations.

Game play

1. Games start with a face-off, with either the league coordinator or one of the participants dropping the ball at centre. The ball must touch the floor on the faceoff. Players cannot bat the ball out of the air. After each goal, play is re-started with a face-off. The team that scores the goal drops the ball at centre.
    
2. The ball must hit the gym floor before being touched by any players’ stick
    
3. Balls going out of bounds are brought in from the corner by the defensive team, regardless of which team touched the ball last.
   1. *New Rule* If a team is deemed to intentionally put the ball out of play in their own end (at the discretion of the EC), then the ball will be awarded to the other team at center.
       
4. Any ball going out of bounds that strikes a wall or other object (including players or spectators) and comes back into bounds is considered to be in play. 
    
5. When a team takes possession of the ball after it goes out-of-bounds, the opposing team must give that player 5 feet and 3 seconds to play the ball.  Once the player moves the ball, the opposing team may check him/her.  If 3 seconds elapse without the player moving the ball, the opposing team may check him/her. Any dispute over this will be decided by the EC at his/her discretion.
    
6. If the goalie freezes the ball and stops play, then he/she may place or drop the ball either beside or behind the net for the defensive team to take possession.  The opposing team must move at least 5 feet away and give 3 seconds of time for the defensive player to move the ball (as in rule 5).  If the ball goes into the net as a result of the goalie accidentally dropping/placing the ball in the manner described above, it shall be no goal.  However, if the goalie attempts to throw or play the ball up to a player that is not beside/behind his/her net, the ball shall be considered live as soon as the goalie releases the ball.
    
7. If a goalie advances the ball forward out of his/her trapper/glove, the following must occur or his/her team loses possession and the opposing team will get the ball at center. A goalie using his/her blocker hand can only put the ball in play beside or behind the net, they cannot throw the ball forward using their blocker hand. If the goalie attempts to throw the ball forward using their trapper/glove, then both of the following conditions must be met for the goalie’s team to gain possesion:

                  a. The ball must bounce at least once and be received by the team before center.

                  b. The ball can at no point go above waist height.

1. If the goalie attempts to throw the ball forward, then it shall be considered a live ball and the opposing team can play the ball at any point (i.e. opposing players do not have to wait for conditions listed above (rule 5) to be met before they attempt to intercept the ball).
    
2. The goalie is permitted to freeze the ball if he/she has any part of his/her body touching the crease area.  If the goalie freezes the ball and part of his/her body is not touching the crease area, the offensive team will receive possession of the ball at centre.
    
3. The goalie is not permitted to come across center.  If the goalie does cross the center line, play will be stopped and the opposing team will get possession of the ball at centre.  If a team wishes to “pull” the goalie during play, the goalie must leave the court and a regular player may come on to play. 
    
4. Players may not enter the goalies’ crease unless the ball is already there. Some gyms do not have a creased marked, so we ask that an area extending approximately 4 feet from the goal line is used as the crease area.
    
5. Players may stand outside this area in an attempt to screen the goalie or deflect a shot, and may enter the crease area after the ball is already there, as long as they are not contacting the goalie.

Infractions

1. All games are self-refereed. The League Coordinator is NOT a referee.  Instead, as the emphasis in this league is on fun and sportsmanship, it is hoped that common sense prevails and players will call their own infractions. If an infaction occurs, then the opposing team will receive posession of the ball under the following circumstances:
   • If an infraction occurs against a defending team, then the offensive team will receive the ball at center court.
   • If an infraction occurs against an offensive team, then the defending team with receive the ball by their own goal.
   • The same restart procedure will be followed as outlined by rule 5 (5 feet and 3 seconds are given to the player restarting the play) however the player may not shoot the ball at the goal (the restart must be indirect). If a goal is scored off of a shot or rebound from the restart, the goal will not count.
   • If a scoring chance is eliminated by a blatant infraction (determined by the sole discretion of the LC), a penalty shot may be awarded. Penalty shot type will be based on the venue (VSB/Oval).  The player committing the infraction may also be expelled from the game at the discretion of the LC.
      
2. High-sticking, slashing, body-contact and slap shots are strictly forbidden. Please have consideration and respect for your opponents; you might think you are trying to get the ball but instead may be attacking their shins! Each player is responsible for their own stick, and must be able to control it. This rule applies for both players and goaltenders - there is to be absolutely NO slashing at a goalie’s pads, glove or blocker in an effort to free a ball or try to force the ball into the goal. This also includes trying to pry a ball loose under a goaltender, or jamming your stick at a goalie’s equipment to try and poke the ball into the net. PLEASE PLAY THE BALL AND NOT THE BODY!!!!
    
3. A player’s wind up may not go higher than their knee as a backswing in order to shoot the ball (ie NO SLAPSHOTS)
    
4. A player may NOT engage with an opposition player, or their stick unless they have the ball. This includes ‘tying a player up’/lifting their stick when they do not have the ball. You must play the ball, not the body or stick.
    
5. Any ball contacted by a stick above the height of the waist (of the player who is doing the high-sticking) is considered to be high-sticking, and the opposing team will receive possession. Needless to say, any goal scored in this manner will not count.
    
6. If the player keeps his/her stick below the height of his/her waist while playing the ball, but makes contact with an opposing player with his/her stick, this is an infraction and the opposing team will receive possession of the ball. This also includes attempting to check another player, or their stick. If you attempt to lift their stick, and your stick contacts an opponent above the waist, this will also be considered a foul. Please be responsible for your sticks!
    
7. No Leaving The Feet – A player may not dive or lay down on the floor, either to check another player or to block a shot.  Players may NOT go down on one knee to block a shot, and leaving his/her feet to sprawl across the floor in an attempt to check a player or to block a shot will result in 1) the opposing team being awarded possession at centre, and 2) a warning being issued to the offending player.  If a player commits the same foul after being issued a warning, he/she will be ejected from the game.
   
   Goalies are exempted from this rule for the purpose of blocking the shot while still in proximity to their crease (i.e. they have a foot within 1 meter of the goalmouth). A goalie MAY NOT leave their feet outside their goal crease in an effort to poke-check, or block an opponent’s lane to the net. If a player commits an infraction of this rule in his/her goalmouth (they are inside or mostly inside the “crease” area- this will be at the EC’s discretion), or a goaltender commits an infraction outside of their goalmouth (they leave their feet outside the “crease” area and trip an opponent) then the opposing team will be issued a penalty shot that any member on the floor may take except the goalie. 
    
8. If a player throws his/her stick anywhere on the floor, a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team.  Any member of the non-offending team on the floor may take the penalty shot.
    
9. There is no intentional body contact allowed (this includes “pick”-plays). This also includes a defensive player pushing into the back of an offensive player, or an offensive player backing into a defensive player (even if they have possession of the ball).  At all times players on offense and defence may not initiate physical contact with an opposing player. All players should do everything in their power to avoid contact at all times!  Initiating physical contact will result in the opposing team receiving possession of the ball in the nearest corner (defensive team) or at centre (offensive team).
    
10. No Hand Passes- A player may not use his/her hand to intentionally move the ball to a teammate.  If a player intentionally touches the ball with his/her hand and the next player to gain possession of the ball is his/her teammate, then this shall be considered a hand pass and the opposing team shall receive possession.  Goalies are exempted from this rule (i.e. goalies may play the ball to a teammate using their trapper. If the ball unintentionally deflects off of a player’s hand, then play shall proceed regardless of which team gains possession of the ball next.
     
11. If a player commits any infraction (whether it is accidental or not), it is expected that that player will call themselves and give possession to the opposing team.  If a player does not call themselves, it is their captain’s responsibility to call the infraction on their own team.  If both the player and the captain fail to call the foul, the EC may step in and call it. 
     
12. If a player continuously fails to call his/her own infractions, the EC may, at his/her discretion, ask the captain to tell his/her player to take a 5-minute “break” on the bench. The EC will time the 5 minutes and notify the player when he/she may participate again.  
     
13. The EC’s decision is final, and may not be questioned or disputed.  The team captains are the only players who may bring an issue to the EC’s attention.  Communication between the EC and the team captains is encouraged to keep the league enjoyable for everyone.
     
14. Any player that is on a “5-minute break” will not cause his/her team to be short-handed, unless they do not have any substitutes for that player.  In this case, the team will play short-handed.
     
15. The first incident of any rough or physically unsafe play will result in a verbal warning by the League Coordinator. The second incident will result in a five-minute benching for the offending player. The third incident will result in that player’s IMMEDIATE EXPULSION from the game.  In this case, the team captain will be responsible for ensuring that his/her player leaves the premises. The LC’s decision will be final, and there will be no questioning the LC’s decision.  If the player refuses to sit out or leave the premises if asked to do so, the game will not re-start until that player complies.  If, in the LC’s opinion, the player takes too much time to comply, the offending player’s team will default the game (no matter what the current score is), and the opposing team will receive a 1-0 victory in the standings.
     
16. Any instances of verbal abuse by a player towards another player or the LC will result in that player’s immediate expulsion from the game and gymnasium, at the discretion of the LC.  This includes foul language directed at another player or comments made to another player with, in the judgment of the LC, the intent of instigating a confrontation.  If a player has been asked to leave by the League Coordinator, it will be the team captain’s responsibility to ensure that the player leaves without further incident.   

We want all participants to enjoy playing recreational co-ed floor hockey while exhibiting good sportsmanship.  Please enjoy yourselves!