Elk Grove In-Line Hockey: Rules

ELK GROVE YOUTH IN-LINE HOCKEY
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES Version 11/07

MISSION STATEMENT

The Elk Grove In-Line Hockey Association is dedicated to the advancement of teamwork, camaraderie, and espirit de corps in young people. These principles are developed thru the guidance of dedicated parents utilizing the medium of sport.

COACHES

• Display good sportsmanship at all times. Always respect players, coaches, spectators and officials.
• Coaches must attend regularly scheduled meetings, practices and games.
• Coaches will stress sound scholastic standings, sportsmanship conduct and stress principles from the Character Counts program.
• Coaches will stress proper and safe playing procedures for the player's personal safety and the safety of others. Specific emphasis should be made on not permitting checking, tripping and high sticking.
• Coaches’ misconduct or insubordination will be subject to disciplinary action.
• Coaches will allow equal playing time for all players. (See Gentleman's Rule under General Rules Section)
• Coaches will train their assistant coaches to be head coaches.
• Coaches will prepare the court prior to the game to ensure safe conditions.
• Coaches will set up the scoreboard and assign a scoreboard operator.
• Coaches will secure league equipment after the last game of the day and turn off the lights, lock all doors to washrooms at RBF and Audubon, check washrooms, turn off lights inside and lock all doors on the warming house at Mead.

USA In-Line Hockey Rules

The rules as contained in the USA In-Line Hockey rules apply unless otherwise noted below. Wherever there is a conflict with the USA In-Line Hockey Rules, the EGV Youth In-Line Hockey Rules take precedence.

• Games will be comprised of:

Division 1 and 2: Each half will have 9-2 minute periods. The second half will have an additional tenth

period lasting 2 minutes.

Division 3, 4 and 5: 2-20 minute halves

• There will be a 5 minute rest between periods. This permits teams to change goalie equipment. If both coaches agree, the 5 minute period can be reduced.
• The Home Team shall be responsible for recruiting a time keeper.
• The clock will run continuously except for the following situations:

Team time outs: Time outs are to last one minute or less at the discretion of the team calling the time out.

Puck hit out of the rink (when referee blows the whistle). Deliberately hitting the puck outside of the rink is a violation of Rule #609.

Time out called by referee (e.g. injured player, hazardous situation, etc.)

Penalties: (when referee blows whistle to assign penalty, every time there is a stoppage in play, e.g. goalie freezes puck, net becomes dislodged, puck hit out of rink, etc.)

The 2-2-2 Rule: If the score of the game is within 2 goals or less (e.g. 4-2, 4-3, 4-4…) and the game is in the second half, beginning with 2 minutes left in the game, the clock will stop whenever the referee blows the whistle.

• Each team will be permitted one time out per half. Unused time outs cannot be carried over to the ensuing period(s). Time outs are to last one minute or less at the discretion of the team calling the time out.
• If the game ends in a tie at the end of regulation play, the game is declared a tie and both teams gain one point in the standings. Both team coaches should report the result to the division coordinator. Playoff games will utilize a 20 minute overtime clock. Playoff overtime is sudden death, the first team to score wins. If after 20 minutes no team has scored, a 2 minute break will ensue followed by another 20 minute sudden death overtime period. According to Rule 638B, goalies do not change ends during the overtime periods.
• During a running clock situation (e.g. no penalty, 2-2-2, etc.) each team will have 20 seconds to have players ready for the face off. Any team not ready will forfeit their right to participate in the face off. The referee will drop the puck for whoever is present after 20 seconds. The 20 seconds will begin the instant the whistle blows stopping the previous play. This rule does not apply to Division 1.
  

• Players cannot play in the game unless all required equipment is worn. The player may re-enter the game upon meeting the equipment requirements.
• Equipment: Each players must wear the following equipment:

In Line skates

Knee / shin protection

Elbow pads

Mouth Guard

Hockey helmet with full protective face guard (cage or clear shield) properly secured

Protective cup or pelvic protector

Shoulder pads (Traditional hard plastic shoulders or Hybrid shoulder pads)

Padded hockey pants or hip pads (Girdle) recommended though required in Division 1

Jersey: All players must wear their own jersey provided by the league. If a player arrives without his/her jersey, the coach must disclose this to the referee(s) prior to the start of the game. A substitute jersey may then be worn, if in the referee’s judgment, it is of reasonable color. If the proper jersey resurfaces, the referee(s) must be notified. No modifications to league issued jerseys.

Goalies (in addition to the above equipment goalies must wear the following provided by the league):

Goalie leg pads

Goalie chest protector

Goalie blocker, catcher and stick

Plastic neck shield regardless of whether or not the goalie supplies a goalie helmet.

• The Hot Line is available for the use of coaches/referees only to provide a status update on the game (e.g. cancellations due to weather).
• Circumstances may exist where the Hot Line indicates that the game(s) will be played however, there is rain at game time. It is the decision of both coaches whether the game should be played. If the coaches disagree, the referee will decide.
• If play has commenced, it is the decision of both coaches whether the game should continue. Again, if the coaches disagree, the referee will decide. Safety should always be the sole consideration. Play must be halted if any of the following occur:

Sighting of lightning

Wet surface which makes skating unsafe

Any other condition which places the safety of players, coaches or spectators at risk

• If a game is suspended due to weather, the game will be continued beginning with the score at the time of the suspension. However, the coach of the team that is trailing in the score may elect to forfeit the balance of the game.

• Games are played at the time and location scheduled. In the event of weather related cancellation, the director of referees will reschedule the game based on facility and referee availability.

• No checking is permitted. If a player illegally checks another player, a "roughing" penalty will be called.
• Each team is permitted up to 5 players on the rink (except for penalty situations).

• D5 Goalies: Absent D5 goalies in the regular season can be substituted by any D5 player or the team may choose to skate 5 players. During the playoffs, a substitute goalie is allowed providing the substitute agrees and does not have a subsequent game that day. The team may also skate 5.

• If a team does not have at least 4 players in uniform (with specified gear) equipment at the scheduled start of the game, the game will be considered forfeited. The shorthanded team must play that way or forfeit. If they choose to forfeit, they may substitute a player from another team in the interest of playing the game. The forfeiting team, regardless of the outcome, will gain zero points in the standings, the other team gains two. The forfeiting team is credited with zero goals while the other team is credited one goal in the goals for versus goals against differential.
• At the start of the game, each team will defend the goal at the opposite end of the rink from their bench and switch at half time.

• Cherry Picking Rule for Division One and Two:
• This is a judgment decision on the part of the referee. A player whose team is not in possession of the puck, must make every effort to return to their defensive half of the rink (as defined by the red line) when the puck is cleared past the red line. The referees must decide if the player made a reasonable effort to return to the defensive zone. If a player does not make a reasonable effort to return to the defensive zone, and the other team has control of the puck, the referee is to stop play. The Cherry Picking infraction will result in a face off in the offending team’s defensive zone at either face off circle. The Cherry Picking Rule does not apply to Division 3, 4 and 5.
• Reverse Cherry Picking hinders the development of a young player. For Divisions 1 and 2, there will be a solid white line connecting the top of the low face-off circles. A team in possession of the puck must make every effort to vacate the area between the goalie and the solid white line once the puck crosses the red line.

• If any player, coach or spectator uses profane language or makes profane gestures, the team will be assessed a 2 minute minor penalty and the player/coach/spectator is to be ejected from the game. Use of profanity will not be tolerated. ZERO TOLERANCE.
• There is a Disciplinary Committee. This committee will only rule on violations not covered by USA Hockey and amended Elk Grove In-Line Operational Guidelines.
• ZERO TOLERANCE policy for referee abuse: A coach (head or assistant), player or spectator (spectators are the responsibility of the head coach of the team they are cheering for but will not be penalized for spectator/player behavior) is not allowed to yell or “talk*” to a referee about a specific play or call either during or after the game * please see next bullet for add note*. Furthermore, they cannot “talk*” or yell out loud about any aspect of what they believe should or should not be a “call”. These actions will not be tolerated. Any question a coach has a specific rule or a “call”, must be directed to the referee coordinator of the league. The in-line hockey board has taken a ZERO tolerance stance on this issue and any coach who violates this rule will receive a one game suspension to be served at their next scheduled game in addition to being asked to leave the bench and relieved from coaching the game the incident occurred. The referees on the rink will enforce the Zero Tolerance rule. Any and all incidents shall be documented on the game sheets and telephoned in to the referee coordinator of the league. Any coach that is suspended twice in one season will be relieved of their coaching duties for the remainder of the season.

* Referees will be instructed that during a stoppage of play, the coaches may, in a non-confrontational way, ask for clarification. The referee has the discretion to deny the request.

• Any players involved in a fight will be assessed a 5 minute penalty and will be ejected from the game. Each coach is responsible for separating his or her own player from the aggressive encounter. The referee is to report the incident to the Head of Officiating. The Head of Officiating will review the matter, discuss the situation with the Disciplinary Committee, and render a suspension. After getting the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee, the committee will rule on the length of the suspension. A minimum suspension is 2 games (the game the player was ejected from and one more). If the situation warrants, a player may be suspended for the balance of the season. No refunds will be given. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee is final. While on suspension, the player is not allowed to practice with the team or participate in other league sanctioned events like the All-Star Game. If the suspended player is a referee, he/she will not ref during the duration of the suspension.
• Dangerous play: If during the course of play, a player is involved in play which in the opinion of the referee potentially endangers the safety of other players (e.g. intentional high sticking/dangerously hard slashing/butt ending/boarding/checking), the offending player will be assessed a 5 minute major penalty and be ejected for the remainder of the game. The referee is to report the incident to the Head of Officiating.
• Players, coaches and spectators are required to give the referees the utmost respect. Yelling at the referees or speaking to them in a disrespectful manner will not be tolerated. If, in the opinion of the referee, this occurs, the offending team will be assessed a 2 minute penalty. A second offense by the same individual will result in ejection from the game and the individual must leave the rink area. Failure to leave the rink area may result in loss of right to attend future games. The referee is to call the matter to the attention of the Head of Officiating who after consulting with the Disciplinary Committee will determine the length of suspension.
• If a player receives a third penalty in a game, that player will be ejected from the contest. The referee(s) will keep track of total infractions.
• Any of the above infractions, at the discretion of the Head of Officiating in consultation with the Disciplinary Committee, could receive additional suspension time depending on the severity of the infraction as well as past offenses. The decision of the committee is final.

The Elk Grove In-Line Hockey program is for players of all levels of skill and ability. Coaches are encouraged to provide equal playing time to all players. The league has established minimum playing time requirements. Coaches must keep in mind that this is a house league and that the desire to improve skill and abilities of individual players is more important than winning.

• Division 3, 4 and 5: No player shall play more than 5 minutes per shift. After five minutes, the player must retire to the bench for a minimum of two minutes and cannot return to the game until all players who were on the bench when he/she retired to the bench have gotten into the game for a minimum of two minutes Time spent in the penalty box is considered part of a 5 minute shift. This is a gentlemen’s agreement and is not enforced by the referee(s) and shall be referred to as “The Five Minute Rule.”
• When a Division 5 fulltime goalie gets injured, the effected team may borrow a goalie from another team. This also applies to Division 4 if all teams have a fulltime goalie.
• If a player is injured and unable to compete, the playing time rule is waived for that player.
• If a player is penalized, the time spent in penalty counts as part of his/her 5 minute shift.
• Each player must retire to the bench a minimum of three times per period for a minimum of two minutes each time.
• Division 1 and 2: Before the beginning of each game, each coach will exchange a lineup card numbering players from 1-8 (assuming there are 8 skaters) excluding the goalie. This order will remain in effect the remainder of the game. If the team makes a goalie change then those 2 players will exchange that number and the goalie again will not be counted. The coaches can put their players in any order.

Every 2 minutes during the game, the horn will blow, the clock and play will stop and a complete line change will occur. When the horn blows, the players on the bench will know it is time for a line change. The designated volunteer for that team will assist the coach in line changes.

If a player gets a penalty, they must come off the rink and can only return to the rink when his/her rotation slot comes around and the penalty has expired. The penalty will cease at the end of the three minute shift as to not penalize a skater on the next shift. If the penalized player is scheduled to play on the next shift, i.e., there are not two equal lines, the penalty continues the duration of the two minutes. According to Rule 403a, for a “Major Penalty”, the offending player will be assessed a game misconduct penalty and the offending team shall be short-handed for five minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted. If a goalie is penalized, there will be a penalty shot by the skater who was penalized.

If a player gets hurt and the whistle blows, the player can continue to play at their discretion. If he/she cannot continue, he/she will be substituted by the next player in sequence. This player will finish that shift and play the next.

If a player is tired, the team plays short-handed until the player is ready to resume his/her place in the rotation.

Goalies can be pulled only in the tenth period of the 2^nd half.

2/2/2 Rule: During the 2/2/2 portion of the game, the coach can disregard this rule. The same holds true for playoff overtime.

Rules Clarifications
When a team incurs a penalty while already shorthanded, both players serve their time concurrently (at the same time). This is Rule 408 attached below. Only when a third penalty occurs does the delayed penalty come into play. Because we do not have penalty boxes at Audubon, Rule 408B and C will be waved at Audubon only.Rule 408: Delayed Penalties (a) If a third player of any team is penalized while two players of the same team are serving penalties, the penalty time of the third player shall not commence until the penalty time of one of the two players already penalized has elapsed. Nevertheless, the third player penalized must immediately proceed to the penalty bench and may be replaced by a substitute until such time as the penalty time of the penalized player shall commence. Rule 205 states that players changing on the fly must be within 5 feet of the players’ bench. Since Mead has 2 doorways per bench and Audubon has one, Elk Grove In-Line Hockey modifies this to 5 feet of either entrance/exit doorway. If, in the course of making a substitution, either player deliberately plays the puck/ball while the retiring player is still on the playing surface, a bench minor penalty for "Too Many Players" shall be assessed. If, in the course of a substitution, either player is accidentally struck with the puck/ball, the play shall not be stopped and no penalty shall be assessed.

Playoff Tie-Breakers
In the event of ties in the regular season standings, playoff tie-breakers will be determined as follows:

1. Head to Head Record between the two teams.
2. Head to Head Goal Differential.
3. Least goals surrendered during the regular season.
4. Coin Toss.

In addition to the rostered players, each team will be allowed up to three coaching adults on the bench at one time. All others are expected to sit in the bleachers. When in violation, a bench warning will be issued. A second violation will receive a 2 minute bench minor.