Rules and Regulations

1. Games shall consist of two (2) twenty-minute straight time halves. If the score is within two goals or less the last three minutes of the second half shall be stop time.
2. Teams must consist of a minimum roster of 9 players including goalie(s). The maximum number of players has been left OPEN but each team will be required to declare only 15 players including goalie(s) for any one game. A player must play in a minimum of 2 round robin games to be eligible for the playoffs. If at any time the number of players participating for one team in a game falls below 5 the game will be forfeited.  Each team is only allowed to dress 3 players under the age of 30 for each game.  The number of under-aged players is unlimited on each team but they must meet the round robin minimum requirements to be eligible for the playoffs.
3. Games will be played 4 vs. 4 and one goalie.
4. Teams are required to provide their own jerseys with a clearly identifiable number on the back. The team designated as "HOME" on the schedule will wear light uniforms or as otherwise agreed upon by the team captains prior to the game.
5. Player equipment will consist at a minimum of a proper ball hockey stick, running shoes, protective hand gloves, and a clearly identifiable team jersey. Baseball caps and/or visors will be permitted to wear during game play.
6. Goalies will be required to provide full and proper goalie equipment including protective head gear. Goalies will also be allowed to keep a water bottle on/in their net if they wish during the games.
7. A face off at center controlled by the head referee will start the game and will restart the game after each goal.
8. There is no traditional offside rule utilizing a blue line or icing infractions. There will however be a 2-line pass rule in effect as follows:
9. The surface has been divided into 3 equal sections that are clearly marked by two thick red lines spanning the entire width of the rink - let’s call these the DEFENSIVE zone, NEUTRAL zone, and OFFENSIVE zone. Once a player has crossed over the line in their defensive zone they are then free to pass to anyone ahead of them in the neutral or offensive zones.

If a player is BEHIND the line in their defensive zone they can only pass to players in the neutral zone and not players past the second line in the offensive zone.

A two-line infraction will result in a face-off at the circle closest to the origin of the pass in the defensive zone. In the case where the ball is cleared all the way down the rink by a player in their defensive zone, any players who were inside the offensive zone must first “clear the zone” (exit/re-enter the offensive zone) before playing the ball. Any players who were not inside the offensive zone at the time the defensive player cleared the ball down the rink are free to play the ball live in the offensive zone.

10. Teams are allowed a one minute timeout during regulation play and an additional one minute timeout in the case of overtime. Timeouts will stop the game clock and are not cumulative.
11. If a player interferes with a goaltender, while he is in his crease, and the ball enters the net the goal shall be disallowed.
12. Raising the stick above the normal height of the shoulders to play the ball (successful or not) will not be allowed. The first infraction will result in a warning with subsequent infractions resulting in a penalty.
13. A player may catch the ball providing he drops it immediately to the floor. No advantage over an opponent may be gained by holding the ball. Infraction of this rule will result in a face off.
14. Body checking is not allowed and will be penalized by either a minor or major penalty depending on the severity of the check. Incidental contact and "rub outs" will be tolerated provided no one is put at risk.
15. Teams are asked to print full names on the score sheets. Score sheets will be checked carefully given the parameters listed above in Rule #2. Players not listed on the score sheet before the game begins may be asked to leave the game.
16. Major penalties will be assessed for the following offences: cross-checking, high sticking, spearing and butt ending. A major penalty may also be assessed for other offences where the severity of the offence requires more than a minor penalty.
17. All major penalties will result in an immediate game ejection, a 5 minute major penalty to be served by a teammate, as well as a one-game suspension. A second major penalty will result in an immediate game ejection, a 5 minute major penalty to be served by a teammate, as well as tournament suspension.
18. The goaltender is not allowed to pick the ball up unless part of his body is inside his crease. First infraction will result in a warning and subsequent infractions will result in a minor penalty.
19. Penalties will be timed from the moment the ball is dropped at the face-off AFTER the penalty has been assessed. Time served will be as follows:

• Minor - 2 minutes

• Double minor - 4 minutes

• Major – game ejection; 5 minutes

20. When the goaltender picks up the ball legally there will be a referee controlled face-off.
21. The netting surrounding the rink is IN PLAY and all balls should be played live. If the ball should become stuck in the netting, go over the netting, go into the bench area, or hit the roof or any part of the lighting the referee will blow the play dead and a controlled face-off will take place.
22. Excessive "dumping" of the ball to kill game clock will be left up to the discretion of the referees. First infraction will result in a warning with the second infraction resulting in a minor delay-of-game penalty.
23. There will be no overtime in round robin games. Ties will result in each team being allocated 1 point.
24. Playoff games ending in a tie will proceed as follows:

• 2-minute intermission
• 10-minute running time with the last 2 minutes stop time - no "golden goal" rule is in effect
• If the score is still tied after the overtime period then the teams will proceed to a shootout with each team nominating three (3) shooters to alternate penalty shots. The team scoring the most shootout goals will be deemed the winner of the match.

25. To determine the playoff allocations into Group "A" and Group "B" the organizing committee, along with the tournament officials, will seed the teams after the preliminary round is completed. Playoff matches will continue thereafter according to the tournament schedule.
26. All teams / players will be required to fill out and sign tournament waiver release before participating in any games.

The rules committee reserves the right to amend or add to these preliminary guidelines right up to the tournament start date.