GREATER OTTAWA BALL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
2017
(Highlted rules are 2017 addition/changes)
RULES AND REGULATIONS
All rules apply C.A.H.A and to the standard game of hockey with the following exceptions:
The game official has the final say in ALL cases.
PLAYERS
1.1 All players that are playing in the Greater Ottawa Ball Hockey Association (GOBHA) must be at least 18 years of age or over before they play a game, unless supervised directly by a parent/guardian. If the player is under 18, they must wear a full face shield of some sort. A player could be asked to provide photo ID at a moment’s notice, players under 18 must have parents sign the waiver forms
1.2 Each player must have been placed on a team roster.
1.3 Each player must have filled out a NewLifetime Waiver form before playing in any GOBHA league game.
1.4Pick up rules for 2017: You are allowed a maximum of two players on your roster, that play in a division, one level higher, if they play one game for a team in a division that is a minimum of two levels higher it is illegal and the game is an automatic forfeit (Teams using Attack players within the same division, do count as pickups)
EQUIPMENT
2.1 The player must wear the following equipment at all games or tournaments run by the GOBHA. A hockey helmet, protection on the hands (ball hockey, broomball, lacrosse or ice hockey gloves only.), and running shoes must be worn at all times on the playing surface. All other equipment is optional, however, the league reminds all it’s players that the more protection worn means less chance of injury. All helmets must have a fastened chin strap. If the helmet comes off during play the player must retrieve it immediately before entering into play. If the player enters into play without their helmet, the referee will blow the play down and the player will receive a 2 minute minor penalty for an equipment infraction.
2.2 The teams must have matching jerseys in base color.
2.3 All equipment such as elbow pads and shin pads must be fastened securely and deemed in adequate condition. If the official feels it is not, they will ask you to remove the item. (They do not have to be covered as long as fastened properly, if not the official will ask the player to leave the floor).
2.4 All players must have a number on the back of their jersey. Each player on the floor must have a different number. If there is no legible number on the back, the player will be asked to leave the floor. The players representing Captain and Alternatives must be listed on the game roster sheet, before the game starts. Taped on letters are acceptable.
GAME PLAY
3.1If the games are running on time the timekeeper shall put five (5) minutes on the clock to allow the teams to warm up. With one (1) minute remaining on the clock the timekeeper will sound the horn notifying the teams to go to their respective benches except the starting lineups. When the five (5) minutes have expired the timekeeper shall put 16 minutes on the clock and start it after the opening face-off. The games will be played in two halves of 16 minutes each with stop time. Playoffs will go back to 15. If at any time there is a 7 goal differential, in the second half only, the clock will not be stopped at any whistles. With 5 minutes left in the game clock and a score of 5 or more the clock will automatically be run time. There is NO time outs allowed when the time is running. If a goaltender is permitted an extra time out due to heat or exhaustion, there is no line change allowed and all players must stay at face off area, no going to team bench at all. If player does a two minute penalty will be called for illegal player.
3.2 Time outs, you are allowed one per period, the first time out you use (even if it is a goalie timeout) will be considered your team time out, your first period time out will not be carried over if not used. after you use your first time out of the period, the only time a timeout can be called is your goalie time out (Please use respectfully, it is there to protect goalies, not to be used as an extra time out.). Time outs cannot be called when time is running. In the last two minutes of a game, their shall be no goalie timeouts allowed. If you have your team one still available, that can be used. Goalie time outs will be permitted if the temperature on the day is 30C or higher. (Again respect the game, this is for the health of the goalie, not to be used as team time out. At a goalie time out, the faceoff is in the end of the team that called goalie timeout, the players on the floor are to report to their faceoff positions and cannot communicate nor go to the bench, without officials permission. No line changes can be made during a goalie time out
3.2 At the half time mark, the two teams will get a 3 minute break. At the refs whistle the teams will get ready to commence the second half. No balls are to be brought on the floor at half time.
All games will start at the officials request.
If the games are running behind the scheduled time, the timekeeper shall use the same method as above but start the warmup at two (2) minutes.
At any point in the game, whereas the time left in the game matches the time left in the clock hour, the game will commence with running time, no matter the score.
No intentional physical contact is allowed. It is understood that some areas will require battling for the ball, but at no point should one use physical force to separate the opposing player from the ball. Battle for the ball, not the body.
If a team is short players at the start of the game, the clock will start, after two minutes has run off the team will be given a delay of game penalty. The game must start. If no goalie is there, the game will start as if the goalie was pulled. If they are short a runner, they must have at least three runners to play, remember the penalty rules if a penalty is called and you do not have a player to serve it that leaves at least three runners on the floor, the game is call a forfeit.
If before the game it was not determined the teams would switch at half time, they do not. If one teams wants to switch at half time, and makes it known to the officials before the game started, then the two teams must switch. If it is determined before the game that they are switch, the goalie must start the game in the teams opposing end first.
If at game time the goaltender is not there, the team is responsible, you can borrow a goalie from the other teams playing before you, if they wish to stay. However, the game will start, if you have no goalie you must play with 6 players as if the goaltender was pulled, all rules will apply as such i.e. player cannot freeze the ball in crease.
3.2A hand pass may start in any zone, but must be completed in the defensive zone, otherwise a stoppage of play will exist.
PLAYERS IN UNIFORM
4.1 A maximum of 21 players may dress for a game and that would include 1 goaltender. Players may enter the game at any point during regulation time providing they have checked in with the timekeeper. If a player steps on the floor during a game without first having checked in, it will result in a 2 minute minor penalty for that player.
4.2 The timekeeper will report on the game sheet all players that are playing in the game. Every player must play at least Six (6) games to qualify for playoffs. Doctor’s certificates are required for missed games due to health. A player must play half a game minimum to qualify for a game played, there will be no signing in and leaving. If a player signs in and stays with the team on the bench for a minimum half game, they will receive a game played. Discretion of game officials.
4.3 A player can enter the game at anytime during regulation play, but if they don't get half the game in, they do not receive a game played for playoffs availability.
4.4Rosters have no limit of how many players, keep in mind pick up rules dont change, also players must qualify for playoffs still. When a player plays their first game they are part of the twenty roster
4.5If your goalie cannot make a game, you may grab any goalie from any division lower, but can only grab a goaltender from one division higher, if you need to go higher, league approval is needed first
INJURIES
5.1 If a goaltender gets injured during the game and cannot continue to play, the team will have five (5) minutes to replace the goaltender. If they goaltender is not ready in five (5) minutes the team will play without one and will have an extra runner on the floor until the goaltender is ready.
STICK
6.1 The shaft of the stick must be made of wood or composite.
PENALTIES
7.1 Penalties are two (2) minutes for minors, five (5) for majors and ten (10) for misconducts. Double minor penalties (4 minutes) will be assessed for all stick related infractions. The official of the game has the right to impose a (2), (4) or (5) minute infraction, depending on the severity of the intent.This includes high sticking a player, slashing and cross checking. This type of double minor will count as two infractions. The offending player shall serve the time unless otherwise specified. That player shall report immediately to the penalty box and remain there until the penalty time has expired. The only exception is when a game disqualification penalty is imposed on the player, that player will be represented by a team mate in the penalty box.
7.2 If the penalty time is unexpired at the end of a period, the penalty carries over into the next period or overtime.
7.3 For a minor penalty, any player (other than the goaltender) shall be ruled off the floor for two (2) minutes, and their team will play shorthanded until either a goal is scored by the opposing team, or the penalty time expires.
7.4 When coincidental penalties are assessed, the two (2) teams will play five (5) on five (5).
7.5 With any major penalty or game misconduct comes an automatic game ejection and an automatic $10 fine.
7.6 Three (3) minor penalties also constitute a game ejection with an automatic $10 fine. Penalties for high sticking the ball (if there was nobody in the immediate area) or over the glass for delay of game will not count towards your (3) penalty accumulation.
7.7. If a player receives a major penalty and a minor penalty at the same time, it will also come with an automatic game ejection and $10 fine. The major penalty will be served first.
7.8 If a goaltender received a minor penalty, a player from the floor at that time will serve it. If the goaltender receives three (3) minor penalties (delay of game not included) or a major penalty, the goaltender will have to be replaced.
7.9 A ten (10) minute misconduct will be served by the offending player in the penalty box. If the ten (10) minute misconduct is assessed to a player within the last ten (10) minutes of the game, that player will be asked to leave the floor and go to the dressing room. They have received a game ejection, along with that a ten dollar fine.
7.10A game misconduct will mean the removal of that player, goaltenders are included for that game and the following game. If the game misconduct is a second offence, that player will receive a two (2) game suspension plus the game he was removed from. If a third offence, there will be three additional games on top of the original game. A $20 fine is imposed for each game served.
7.11A player that has been removed from the game must report to the team dressing room and must not return to the bench. If the player is involved in anything outside the dressing room, that player will be expelled from the league.
7.12If the referee determines that a player on the floor has issued a punch (with or without glove) or was involved in a fight, that player will receive an automatic major penalty and game misconduct and the case will be further reviewed. Once reviewed the player could serve an added suspension or be expelled from the league for life.
7.13Oncea player reaches 36 penalty minutes (per each team he/she plays on), said player will be assessed a one game suspension. If the player reaches 46 minutes in penalties, he/she will be assessed a two game suspension. If 56 minutes is reached, said player will be assessed a 4 game suspension. If 60 minutes in penalties is reached by any player, they will be suspended for the remainder of the season. *NOTE* Accumulated penalty minutes do not include 10 minute misconducts.
When any player, while in his defending zone, shoots or bats (using his hand or his stick) the ball directly (non-deflected) out of the playing surface, except where there is no glass, a penalty shall be assessed for delaying the game. When the ball is shot into the players’ bench, the penalty will not apply. When the ball is shot over the glass ‘behind’ the players’ bench, the penalty will not be assessed.
If a player shoots the ball out of play up in the roof, from their own defensive zone and it hits the roof before the blue line, it will be deemed a delay of game penalty.
7.14ZERO tolerance regarding any verbal abuse towards an official (including timekeepers). Verbal abuse will be penalized with a 10 minute misconduct penalty, the second call is a game ejection.
7.15Face washing or any head contact with body or equipment will be penalized with a 5 minute major (at minimum). Which follows with an automatic game ejections and fine. If a player is wearing a visor and the defender is just moving the shield from hitting their face, in a calmly fashion, there shall be no call for face wash
7.16If a player has not been recorded as eligible to play the game (Marked off on roster sheet before the game) they must report to the official or time keeper before the step on the floor, if they do not do so, an automatic illegal player 2 minute penalty will be assessed to them. Only mark off the players that are on the bench when the game starts.
7.17Anytime a player slides on the floor and makes contact with an opponent (Ref Discretion on degree) the player can be penalized for sliding. If there was a possibility of an injury (whether ball touched or not), a sliding penalty shall be assessed. If the opposing players seems to have embellished it, a diving call should be called.
7.18Highsticking the ball, is a two minute minor, and will be blown down immediately.
7.19 During a shoot out, it shall be deemed stopped when a player moves the ball backawards, there shall be no spin-a-ramas on shoot outs.
7.20 If the ball goes over the glass, after a goaltender has made a save, it is not deemed a penalty, moreso a deflection. if the goaltender bats the ball over the glass, this is not a deflection it is a save and therefore is a penalty for delay of game.
PENALTY SHOT
8.1A penalty shot will be called for every infraction that stops a true scoring opportunity.
8.2The team that is awarded the penalty shot has the choice of a penalty shot or for the player to serve the two (2) minute penalty.
8.3 The penalty shot shall be taken by the player fouled. If the player can not take the shot due to injury, the penalized team will select a player that was on the floor to take it. If there was no player fouled, the captain of the team given the penalty shot will choose the player from the floor to take it.
ON FLOOR OFFICIALS
9.1The league shall operate with two (2) referees during all games. Either official may call an offside or infraction.
9.2 The timekeeper has the right to call an infraction if the referees fail to see it, the timekeeper is a known official.
9.3The on floor official must wear an official referee jersey (black and white striped). If they do not have their jersey, they can only officiate at the approval of the team captains.
9.4 They must have a clear sounding whistle
9.5 The referees have sole authority and control of the game. The decision of the referee is final. The referees shall enforce all rules and if there is no rule to the scene they will use their logic in making a decision. The referees have the power to increase the time of penalties if they feel the need. Referees will come onto the floor for the warm up of the game and be the last to leave the floor upon completion of the game.