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 Ringette Rules |
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How do you play ringette?
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Ringette is played on any standard hockey rink. A team has a maximum of eighteen players and can go with no fewer than seven players. Five skaters and a goalie are on the ice for each team, unless of course there are penalties being served:
1 Centre: This player is able to play in any zone of the playing surface except for the goalie's crease
2 Forward: These offensive players shall play in the attacking zone, the centre zone and the defending zone between the free play line and the blue line
2 Defense: These defensive players shall play in the defending zone, the centre zone, and attacking zone between the free play line and the blue line
1 Goalkeeper: The goalie shall usually patrol in the crease area and may not venture beyond the defending blue line. When the ring stops or is held in the crease area, the goalie shall have five seconds in order to pass or throw the ring to a player
A game consists of two periods of equal time, either 15 or 20 minutes, depending on the age division.
The object is to score goals on the net of your opponent. How you do that, however, is where Ringette becomes unique.
A straight stick, similar to a hockey stick with no blade, is used to pass an 8" hollow rubber ring between team mates.
Play is started by a Free Pass, similar to the start of a soccer game. The ring is placed in the half of the center ice free pass circle closest to the visitors' goalie. On the referee's whistle, the player "taking the free pass" (from the visiting team) has five seconds to pass the ring to a team mate... and the game is on! Any stoppages in play will result in a free pass to re-start the game, usually in the nearest free pass circle. Some defensive free passes are replaced by a "Goalkeeper Ring", again, like a soccer goalie throwing in the ball.
What is a free pass?
A free pass allows a team five seconds to put the ring into play (ie. pass the ring out of the free pass circle). Free passes occur following all stoppages in play.
The various circumstances which have created a stoppage of play dictate which team receives the free pass and where it will be taken. No other player can play the ring until it is passed outside the circle. In lieu of a defending zone free pass, the defending goalkeeper is awarded the ring.
What is different about the blue lines?
The ring must be passed over the blue line, however, players are allowed to precede the ring into every zone. A ring sitting on or touching a blue line is considered to be in either zone and can be played by any eligible player by knocking or carrying it into one of the zones. The player that controlled it prior to contacting the blue line may not touch the ring in the next zone until another player from either team has touched it.
The ring cannot pass over both blue lines on a single pass between two team mates (two line pass).
Rules restrict any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the ice (no ring hogs). The ring must be passed over each blue line to another player which means more players can be involved in setting up goals.
The centre red line (used in hockey) is not used in Ringette.
What are free play lines?
Free play lines define restricted areas in the deep offensive and defensive zones. Teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so over-crowding is minimal. A wall of 5 skaters surrounding their goalie would make for little offensive opportunity, don't you think? There are exceptions to this rule, but only when two or more penalties are being served by one team, or if the goalie has been pulled for an extra skater.
How does the goalie play?
No player can pass through the goal crease at any time. A ring in the goal crease is played by the goalie. It must be cleared within five seconds of obtaining possession. The goallie may either throw it (but not beyond the defending blue line) or use their stick and clear it right out of the defending end zone. When the ring is entirely outside the goal crease, the goalie cannot bring the ring into the crease to be played but may use the stick to clear it away from near the crease.
Always remember that "The goalie's crease is the GOALIE'S CREASE--you just don't go there!" (From the Ringette Canada Video) Whether the opposing team's skater enters the crease intentionally or unintentionally, the play will be whistled down and it will be the Goalkeeper's ring! Again, this rule is geared to safety.
Penalties
There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all the rules geared towards safety. When contact does occur, however, penalties are assessed. The most common are Body Contact, Tripping, and Interference and are usually unintentional as players focus on checking the ring from an opponent's stick or skating to get a loose ring first. Most penalties are 2 minutes, but a 4 minute Major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough. A penalty is also assessed for any raising of the stick above the shoulder whether intentional or not when near another player...so keep the stick down when you score a goal!!!
First Ringette Rules and Evaluation During 1963 to 1965.
This link to the Gloucester web page provides you with the ORIGINAL notes and rule pages from the very beginning. Quite an interesting stroll down memory lane...
Mandatory Equipment
CSA approved Helmet & Face mask, BNQ Approved Neck Protector, Elbow Pads, Protective Gloves, Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection, Shin Guards, Hockey/Ringette Skates (no picks), Uniform Jersey, Track Pants or "Cooper alls", Ringette Stick.
Optional Equipment
Shoulder Pads, Mouth Guard
Why can't we use a hockey cage?
The helmet should be equipped with an approved ringette mask. This mask is made different from a hockey mask due to the nature of the ringette stick. For the safety of your child, this mask is mandatory equipment. Hockey cages cannot be accepted.
Goalie Equipment
(Extras or Different)
Goal Pads, Chest Protector, Goal Stick
Optional Equipment:
Goal Skates, Blocker, Trapper, Arm Pads, Goalie Mask, Plastic Throat Protector (must still have a BNQ Throat Protector on)
Tween B Minor/Markham Equipment Page
An EXCELLENT detailed list of required and optional equipment put together by the Tween "B" Minor/Markham Bears team. I couldn't have done a better job myself so I'm sending you to them!!! Follow this link to visit their page.
How long does the stick have to be?
Cut to proper length a ringette stick will fit under the armpit of the player while they are standing in their skates. (Check twice before you cut)
Penality Infractions and Signals
(Thank you to the Stratford Ringette Association for these images. They were taken from the Ontario Provincial 'A' Ringette Tournament Program 2002)
Penalties and infractions
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