Rules

Off-sides

• No off-sides during play.

• Off-sides applies only on faceoffs.

Icing

• No icing.

Line Changes

• Substitutions may be made at any time (during play or stoppages), but must occur through the door for safety.

• During stoppages, substitutions must be completed before play resumes.

• The clock continues to run unless the game is in stop-time in the 2nd half.

• If a team has more than three skaters, each player must sit out at least one shift per half.

Faceoffs

• Each half begins with a faceoff.

• Faceoffs occur at center after goals.

• Penalties result in a faceoff in the offending team’s zone.

• The ball must hit the ground to be legal.

• If played before hitting the ground, play is blown dead and the faceoff is redone.

Penalties

• The following penalties are 1.5 minutes, or until the Power Play team scores.

• Injury-related infractions may be assessed as a 3-minute double minor.

• Officials will raise their hand upon witnessing a penalty, indicating a delayed penalty situation.

Penalties include:

• Roughing

• Tripping

• Elbowing

• Kneeing

• Slashing

• Hooking

• Goaltender interference

• High-sticking (contact above the hands)

• Delay of game

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

Delay of Game

• Goalies cannot cover the ball for a stoppage without having at least a body part inside their crease.

• Intentionally shooting the ball out of the rink = minor penalty.

• Accidental defensive clear = no penalty.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Abuse of officials

• Excessive taunting

• Complaining or yelling

• Throwing equipment

Officials are volunteers—respect their decisions.

• Repeated offenses may result in ejection or suspension at officials’ or commissioners’ discretion.

Contact

• No checking.

• Incidental contact is expected and judged at officials’ discretion.

Fighting

• Any fight = ejection for the night.

• 2 fights = 2-week suspension.

• 3 fights = season suspension (Commissioner determines reinstatement).

Roster Rules

• Teams: 1 goalie + up to 7 skaters.

• Format: 3-on-3 plus goalies.

• Minimum to avoid forfeit: 2 skaters from the roster + a goalie at game time.

• No unapproved out-of-league substitutions.

Substitutions

• Short teams may use subs with opposing captain approval.

• Playoffs: rostered players only.

• Exceptions require Commissioner approval in advance.

Game Format & Timing

• Game times: 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30

• Two 12-minute halves; 2-minute halftime.

• Running clock.

Stop-Time

• Activated if the goal differential is 2 or fewer in the final 2 minutes.

Timeouts

• Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game.

Overtime / Shootout

• Regular season ties → best-of-3 shootout, then sudden death.

• No points for OT loss.

• Playoffs → sudden death OT.

• Teams switch sides every 12 minutes in OT.

Game Start / Forfeit

• Games may be delayed up to 5 minutes.

• If minimum players are not present after 5 minutes → forfeit.

League Communication

• Announcements will be posted on the league website when possible and via the Hood Park Facebook Page.

• Inclement weather may delay or cancel games.

• The Commissioner will aim to make a decision by 4:00 PM via the Facebook page.

Tiebreakers for Playoff Seeding

1. Wins

2. Goals For

3. Goals Against

4. Coin flip

General Play Rules

Possession Rule (Global Definition)

• A possession change means the opposing team takes control of the ball behind their own goal line, unless otherwise stated.

Gameplay

• Matching team shirts/jerseys required.

• Last touch determines possession on balls leaving the rink (goalie's are not penalized for making a save that sends the ball out of the rink).

Passing / High Sticks

• Hand passes allowed in the defensive zone.

• Offensive hand pass → possession change.

• Touching the ball with a high-stick (above crossbar-height) → possession change.

Scoring

• No goals kicked or gloved in.

• No goals scored with a stick above the crossbar → faceoff at center.

Out of Play

• Ball leaving the rink → possession change.

• Goalie covering the ball → stoppage.

Restart Rule

• For stoppages not requiring a faceoff:

  • The team gaining possession will start wih the ball from behind the goal line.

  • The team has 5 seconds (beginning when both teams and the officials are all ready) to advance the ball.  They can skate it up, skate behind the net, or pass the ball to advance.

  • Defending team must offer space 5 feet away from the goal line during those 5 seconds. Then they can cross the goal line and attack if they wish.

Live Ball

• Ball hitting netting behind the goal and returning to play → live.

Officials & Scorekeeping

• Scorekeepers are part of the officiating team.

• Officials may stop play to confer on goals or penalties.

• Officials may stop play for an excessive delay of a ball returning to play, player injury, etc.

Stats

• Players must confirm scoring stats before the game ends.

• No post-game stat adjustments.