Volunteer Referees

Referees are encouraged to communicate with the kids on the ice, especially the younger players. This includes telling the players when they are potentially off-side, or when their actions are becoming close to being a penalty. A referee does not belong to a team, and instead must represent the game of hockey, so that all the kids on the ice get equal enjoyment from their opportunity to play. We are all involved because hockey is fun to play, and we feel kids deserve to enjoy the game. That being said, it is the responsibility of the referees to call penalties and off-sides when they see them, and to call them fairly. Calling penalties fairly does not mean calling the same number of penalties for each team. Calling fairly means being consistant, so that if an certain action is deserving of a penalty once, it is deserving of a penalty every time.

Being a good referee requires experience and attitude. Players know the difference between a parent on skates being a baby-sitter, and a parent on skates being a referee. The kids playing hockey take the game seriously, so it is important for the referees to take the game seriously as well. Referees need to be a part of the game, and not just a spectator. The more time a volunteer referee spends on the ice, the more comfortable they will be at making the calls that need to be made. Thus, we know that our volunteer referees will make mistakes, as that is part of the normal learning process. Missing an off-side call, or being inconsistant in calling penalties is expected from new referees, and as a group of volunteers we expect our coaches and parents to be encouraging and constructive in assisting our referees in becoming more experienced.

Volunteer referees are not expected to memorize these rules, but should at least become familiar with the more common rules. All decisions made by the referee during the game are final, and whether or not they completely adhere to these rules will not change the outcome of a game. We understand that the volunteer referees are doing the best they can by making common-sense decisions during the game, and that the fun of the game is best served by a quick common-sense decision than by spending undue time searching for the official rules for a specific situation. We will assume that our volunteer referees are there for the benefit of all the kids in the league, and not just for the benefit of their own kids or team, until it is shown to be otherwise. Concerns with the ability of a volunteer to referee, or bias of a volunteer referee will be dealt with by representatives of the league.

There will be an absolute zero tolerance on abuse of our volunteer referees, coaches and time-keepers.

League Authority During Games

  1. The two referees are in control of the game, and the decisions they make during a game are final. They are expected to treat every player equally, regardless of which team they are on, and to ensure that the league rules are followed. They have the authority to send all players and coaches to their repective benches or dressing rooms in order to maintain control of the game.
  2. Coaches are in control of their bench and the players on their team. They are expected to take direction from, and at all times to support the referees and their decisions. They are also expected to provide equal support and encouragement to every player on their bench.
  3. Players are responsible for their own actions both on and off the ice. They are expected to immediately follow the directions of the referees, and are expected to take direction from their coach. They are also expected to provide support and encouragement for their teammates.
  4. Concerns about the actions of referees, coaches or players are to be brought to the attention of the league representatives as soon as possible. The league reserves the right to limit the access of parent volunteers and players to the ice and/or benches who disregard the rules of the league, or who's actions are detrimental to the league's objectives of providing a fun and safe hockey environment for the kids.

Quick Summary

  1. Teams do not take to the ice until preceded by at least one on-ice adult (coach).
  2. Players not adequately equipped may be denied permission to play until shortcomings are corrected.
  3. Slap-shots are not allowed at any time (wind-up over the knee).
  4. Intentional body contact is not allowed.
  5. Intent to injury constitutes immediate suspension from play for remainder of game plus one additional game. The offending player will be required to make appropriate apologies to players and coaches before being allowed to rejoin the team.
  6. Foul language, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct is not permitted. Benching and/or suspension of offending player is at the discretion of the player’s coach and/or game referee.
  7. Foul language, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct of parents/spectators will not be tolerated. Game referee and/or coaches may ask for game to be stopped until offending person(s) are ejected.

Runaway Games

  1. Should a game become one-sided to the extent that one team has managed to gain a seven goal lead over the opposing team, the game shall be awarded to the higher scoring team. The coaches will then redistribute players as required to create a more balanced set of teams, then the score will be reset to 0-0 and a new game shall commence.

Goals

  1. A goal shall be scored when the puck shall have been put between the goal posts by the stick of a player of the attacking side, from in front and below the crossbar, and entirely across a red line the width of the diameter of the goal posts drawn on the ice from one goal post to the other with the goal frame in its proper position.
  2. The goal frame is considered to be displaced if either or both goal peg(s) are no longer in their respective holes in the ice, or the net has come completely off the peg(s), prior to or as the puck enters the goal.

Handling Puck with Hands

  1. A player shall be permitted to stop or "bat" a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone, in which case the play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred, except when the offense occurs in the attacking zone in which case the ensuing face-off shall be conducted outside the defending Team's blue line in the neutral zone.
  2. Play will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own defending zone. A hand pass in the defending zone is considered to have occurred when both the player making the pass and the player receiving the pass have both of their skates inside their defending zone.

High Sticks

  1. Any contact made by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be imposed.
  2. An apparent goal scored by an attacking player when any part of his stick makes contact with the puck above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall not be allowed. The determining factor is where the puck makes contact with the stick. If the puck makes contact with the stick below the level of the crossbar and enters the goal, this goal shall be allowed.
  3. A goal scored by a defending player who strikes the puck with his stick above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall be allowed.
  4. Batting the puck above the normal height of the shoulders with a stick is prohibited. When a puck is struck with a high stick and subsequently comes into the possession of a teammate, there shall be a whistle. If a territorial advantage is gained by the offending Team, the ensuing face-off will be where the high-stick occurred. If a territorial disadvantage occurs to the offending Team, the ensuing face-off will be where the puck is touched. Play continues following a high-sticked puck if:
    • the puck has been batted to an opponent in which case the play shall continue.
    • a player of the defending side shall bat the puck into his own goal in which case the goal shall be allowed.

Hooking

  1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who impedes the progress of an opponent by "hooking" with his stick.

    (NOTE) When a player is checking another in such a way that there is only stick-to-stick contact, such action is not to be penalized as hooking.

Holding

  1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who holds an opponent by using his hands, arms or legs.

Holding an Opponent's Stick

  1. A player is not permitted to hold an opponent's stick. A minor penalty shall be assessed to a player who holds an opponent's stick.

Icing the Puck

  1. For the purpose of this Rule, the center red line will divide the ice into halves. Should any player of a Team, equal or superior in numerical strength to the opposing Team, shoot, bat or deflect the puck from his own half of the ice beyond the goal line of the opposing Team, play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the end face-off spot of the offending Team, unless on the play, the puck shall have entered the net of the opposing Team, in which case the goal shall be allowed.
  2. For the purpose of interpretation of the Rule, "icing the puck" is completed the instant the puck has crossed the goal line.
  3. For the purpose of this Rule, the point of last contact with the puck by the Team in possession shall be used to determine whether icing has occurred or not. As such, the Team in possession must "gain the line" in order for the icing to be nullified. "Gaining the line" shall mean that the puck (not the player's skate) must make contact with the center red line in order to nullify a potential icing.
  4. If, in the opinion of the Linesman, any player of the opposing Team is able to play the puck before it passes his goal line, but has not done so, play shall continue and the icing violation shall not be called.
  5. If, in the opinion of the Linesman, the goalkeeper feigns playing the puck or skates in the direction of the puck on an icing at any time, the potential icing shall not be called and play shall continue.
  6. If the Linesman shall have erred in calling an "icing the puck" infraction (regardless of whether either Team is short-handed), the puck shall be faced-off on the center ice face-off spot.

Injured Players

  1. When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his bench, the play shall be stopped immediately, regardless of which team has possession of the puck.

Interference

  1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
  2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who shall cause an opponent who is not in possession of the puck to be forced off-side, causing a stoppag in play.
  3. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent's hand, or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.
  4. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause him to be distracted.
  5. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the players' bench or penalty bench who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with the movements of the puck or any opponent on the ice during the progress of the play.

Kicking a Player

  1. A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who kicks or attempts to kick another player.

Off-sides

  1. The position of the player's skates 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 skates are completely over the outer edge of the blue line involved in the play.
  2. If while an off-side call is delayed, the Linesman shall drop his arm to nullify the off-side violation and allow play to continue if:
    • All players of the offending Team clear the zone at the same instant (skate contact with the blue line) permitting the attacking players to re-enter the attacking zone, or
    • The defending Team passes or carries the puck into the neutral zone.
  3. If the attacking Team does not clear the attacking zone, play shall be stopped for the off-side violation if any attacking player touches the puck, or attempts to gain possession of a loose puck while the puck is still in the attacking zone, or forces the defending puck carrier further back into the attacking zone.
    • If the puck enters the defending team's goal during a delayed off-side, the goal is disallowed. The face-off will be in the neutral zone.
  4. If a player legally carries or passes the puck back into his own defensive zone while a player of the opposing Team is in such defensive zone, the off-side shall be ignored and play permitted to continue.
    • If a puck clearly deflects off a defensive player in the neutral zone back into the defensive zone, all attacking players are eligible to play the puck.

Penalties

  1. Penalties are called at the discretion of the referee. Because some players are not as talented at skating as others, they have a tendancy to fall a disproportionate number of times. Every time a player falls while engaging with the other players on the ice, it does not suggest that was the result of an infraction deserving a penalty. Regardless of the no body contact rule, players will inevitably bump into each other without incurring a penalty, especially if the players are not as proficient at stopping or turning on skates.
  2. For a "MINOR PENALTY", any player, other than a goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for two (2) minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted.
    • If while a Team is "short-handed" by one or more minor penalties, the opposing Team scores a goal, the first of such penalties shall automatically terminate.
  3. For a "MAJOR PENALTY" in any one game, the offender, except the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for five (5) minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted. There are no conditions to automatically terminate a major penalty.
  4. A "MATCH" penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game plus at least one additional game, and the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. A substitute player is permitted to replace the penalized player after five (5) minutes playing time has elapsed from the time that the penalty was imposed. Players who receive a match penalty must appear before representatives of the league, accompanied by their parents, and may have to meet conditions impossed by the league before being allowed to play again. Generally, those conditions include as a minimum, having the offending player apologize to the offended party.

Calling of Penalties

  1. Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a minor, major, or match penalty be committed by a player of the side in possession of the puck, the Referee shall immediately blow his whistle and penalize the offending player.
  2. The resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was stopped for the assessment of the penalty, unless the stoppage occurs in the attacking zone of the player penalized in which case the face-off shall be made at the nearest face-off spot in the neutral zone.
  3. Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a minor, major, or match penalty be committed by a player of the Team not in possession of the puck, the Referee will raise his arm to signal the delayed calling of a penalty. When the Team to be penalized gains control of the puck, the Referee will blow his whistle to stop play and impose the penalty on the offending player.
  4. The resulting face-off shall be located where the play was stopped when the offending Team gained control of the puck, except when they do so in their attacking zone, to which the ensuing face-off will be conducted in the neutral zone near the defending Team's blue line.
  5. If the stoppage of play is caused by the defending Team (puck frozen along boards, frozen by goalkeeper, shot out of play) and the attacking Team is to be penalized, the resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was stopped. The only exception to this face-off location is if, prior to the stoppage of play for the assessment of the penalty, the non-offending Team ices the puck, then the face-off following the stoppage shall take place in the neutral zone near the defending blue line of the Team shooting the puck.
  6. If the penalty to be imposed is a minor penalty and a goal is scored on the play by the non-offending side, the minor penalty shall not be imposed but major and match penalties shall be imposed in the normal manner regardless of whether or not a goal is scored.

Protection of Goalkeeper

  1. Any offensive player who impedes the free movement of a goalie within the goal crease, or who blocks the vision of the goalie while having a signifigant presence within the crease, or who interferes with a goalie attempting to return to their crease, shall be assessed a minor penalty for goaltender interference.
  2. Subject to a rebound situation described below, if an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
  3. In a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and offensive player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.
  4. Whenever the Referee stops play to disallow a goal, the resulting face-off shall take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot outside the attacking zone of the offending Team.

Puck Out of Sight

  1. Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally fall on the puck and the puck be out of sight of the Referee, he shall immediately blow his whistle and stop the play. The puck shall then be faced-off at the point where the play was stopped unless otherwise provided for in the Rules.

Roughing

  1. Family Fun Hockey abides by the "no body contact" rule. Any attempt by a player to trip, board, interfere, or check an opponent with their body is considered a roughing infraction, and a minor penalty is assessed. A player who attempts to trip, board, interfere or check with the body that, in the opinion of the referee, is done in a vicious or brutal manner, will serve a major penalty.
  2. Any attempt to injure results in the offending player receiving a match penalty.

Slap Shots

  1. Slap shots, in which the wind-up brings the stick above the level of the player's knee, are not allowed at any time. An illegal slap shot is treated the same as if the player had batted the puck with a high stick.

Slashing

  1. A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who impedes the progress of an opponent by "slashing" with his stick.
  2. A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by slashing.

Throwing Stick

  1. When any member of the defending Team throws or shoots any part of a stick or any other object at the puck or puck carrier in his defending zone, the Referee shall either:
    • Award a penalty shot if the stick or other object is thrown or shot at the puck or the puck carrier in the defending zone, preventing a reasonable shot or pass, or
    • Assess a minor penalty for interference if the stick or other object is thrown or shot at the puck or the puck carrier in the defending zone, but does not interfere in any manner with the puck or the puck carrier, or
    • If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed for an additional attacking player, a member of the defending Team throws or shoots any part of a stick or any other object at the puck or puck carrier, thereby preventing the puck carrier from having a clear shot on an "open net", a goal shall be awarded to the attacking side.
  2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the ice who throws his stick or any part thereof or any other object in the direction of the puck in any zone, except when such act has been penalized by the assessment of a penalty shot or the award of a goal.

Tripping

  1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who shall place his stick or any portion of his body in such a manner that it shall cause his opponent to trip and fall.
  2. When a player, in control of the puck (or who could have obtained possession and control of the puck) on the opponent's side of the center red line and having no other opponent to pass than the goalkeeper, is tripped or otherwise fouled from behind, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side.
  3. Nevertheless, the Referee shall not stop play until the attacking side has lost possession of the puck to the defending side.

(NOTE) Accidental trips which occur simultaneously with a completed play will not be penalized.

(NOTE) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player is unquestionably hook-checking the puck and obtains possession of it, thereby tripping the puck carrier, no penalty shall be imposed.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

  1. A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be imposed on any player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language to any person. If this conduct persists, he shall be assessed a match penalty.
  2. A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who intentionally knocks or shoots the puck out of the reach of an Official who is retrieving it or who deliberately throws any equipment out of the playing area.
  3. A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of any Official during a game. If the player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be assessed a major penalty and any further dispute will result in a match penalty being assessed to the offending player.
  4. A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any player or players who bang the boards with their sticks or other objects at any time, or who, in any manner, show disrespect for an Official's decision. If this conduct persists, he shall be assessed a major penalty and if this conduct further persists, a match penalty shall be imposed.