Eligibility Ball State University Intramural Floor Hockey Rules *All rules are governed under NIRSA Floor Hockey Rules with Ball State University exceptions. To participate in Ball State University Intramural Sports, you must: Be a currently enrolled student with a valid and current Ball State University ID Card. Be a current Ball State University faculty or staff member with a valid ID Card. Be a Ball State University Rec Cardholder with a valid current Rec Card. No Burris or Indiana Academy Student may participate in the intramural sports program. Participation in intramural sports may be limited due to the following constraints: Medical red shirts, as designated by the NCAA, cannot participate within intramural sports at any time. If you are currently participating (includes practicing/playing) with an intercollegiate athletic team, you may NOT participate in the associated sport (see Participant Guidelines under Handbooks & Manuals on IMLeagues.com) within intramural sports. Once you cease your affiliation with the intercollegiate athletic team, you may become eligible to play intramural sports in the associated sport. Once your eligibility ends and you have been removed from that team s active roster, you may participate within an associated sport in intramural sports. The Athletic Department Compliance Office to the NCAA reviews all eligibility designations and remains in full contact with this office. ONLY TWO registered sport club team members may participate on an intramural sports team in an associated sport relating to their club sport. If the participant has ANY Ball State University Recreation Services suspensions. Forfeits and Defaults A forfeit will be assessed under three conditions: o If zero members of a team do not show up at the scheduled starting time of the event. The opposing team will have the option to call the forfeit of the game. If less than the minimum number of eligible players required to start competition show up, the opposing team can grant a grace period of five (5) minutes starting at the time of start of the scheduled event. Teams should not see this as an opportunity to be late. For every minute late, the team with the minimum amount of players or more will receive one (1) point for a maximum of five (5) points. The clock will start on time and will continue to run until the opposing team is legally prepared to play or until the five (5) minute grace period is up. The highest possible Sportsmanship Classification
the opposing team can receive is a 2.5 ; therefore, any additional point deductions could result in the opposing team being removed from playoff/tournament play. If the opposing team elects to accept a forfeit from the team with less than the minimum amount of eligible players, no grace period will be permitted. o A game that ends in result of a team s unsportsmanlike behavior (i.e. 2 player misconduct ejections) will be scored a forfeit against the team that behaved inappropriately. o If a team is found to have an ineligible player on their roster. A team that forfeits twice in league play will not be eligible for the playoffs. A team that defaults two (2) or more times will not be eligible for playoffs. Protests Invariably, disagreements may arise due to lack knowledge of rules and procedures. A system has been set aside for participants to protest two items within an intramural sports activity. Thus, there are only TWO times that you can file a protest: An eligibility concern A misinterpretation of a published procedure or rule. o A protest CAN NEVER be filed on the judgment call(s) of an official** If a team feels that one or both of the following have happened, a team must do the following: Professionally approach the Ball State University intramural sports student lead(s) or sport official on duty and request a protest. A protest is considered valid only at the time that the discrepancy has taken place. For eligibility protests, you can protest prior to the start of competition, during halftime OR during a timeout. For a rule misinterpretation, a team must signify their intent to protest at the next dead ball. If subsequent play has started before the protest is signified, it is too late to protest. If a protest is deemed invalid or the official s rule interpretation is correct, play will restart at the time and location of the last dead ball. If a protest is signified in time, the protesting team s captain must make themselves available to file a protest form with the on-site intramural sports supervisor. The protest must be filed under the PARTICIPATION PROTEST FORM to be considered valid. This procedure will take a few minutes, as there is important information from participants, officials, and staff. The game will stop during this time and will resume when the proper paperwork is complete. The intramural sports supervisor will document all necessary information about the protest and game conditions. The game will continue when all paperwork is completed. Players Each team may have a maximum of five (5) players [4 offensive players and a goalie] on the floor at one time. A team may begin a game with a minimum of four (4) players [3 offensive players and a goalie]. All players must check in with the Intramural Student Lead on duty by using a valid Ball State University issued ID. Captains Each team shall designate the team captain or captains to the Head Referee. The team captain is responsible for all information contained in the Intramural Floor Hockey Rules. At the completion of each contest, captains will be required to sign-off on their team s sportsmanship classification with the Intramural Student Lead on duty.
Equipment Recreation Services will provide hockey sticks, pucks (balls), goalie masks, goalie pads, goalie gloves, and various colored pennies for all players and teams. Teams are required to wear the same colored shirts that contrast with the opponents. If teams cannot provide their own shirts, they may use the provided pennies. Shirts/jerseys/pennies may not be tied in a manner that creates ant type of knot. All equipment is subject to the approval of the Intramural Staff on duty. o Players MUST wear athletic/tennis shoes. No sandals, boots, or metal/sharp plastic cleats will be allowed. o Players may NOT wear pads/braces above the waist, casts/splints at any time, baseball caps or bandanas with knots. o Players MAY wear kneepads, gloves, padded knee braces, headbands, and knit caps. o Players MUST wear athletic apparel with NO exposed metal o Players may not wear any exposed jewelry of any type. Medical alert bracelets and necklaces are allowed only when covered and held down. Please notify the Intramural Student Lead on duty when checking in and/or the Referee staff during the captain s meeting. o Goalies MUST wear a regulation catcher s mask, goalie mask, or athletic protective eye wear. o Goalies may wear a baseball glove on their non-stick hand and leg pads. Playing the Game Start of Game o The game shall start with a captain s meeting at the halfway point of the playing floor. o A face-off is used to begin each period. Sticks must be on the floor for a face-off. o Offsides will apply to face-offs. All players must be on their defensive side during the face-off. Timing o The game shall consist of three (3) 12-minute periods. A 2-minute interval will separate each period. o The clock shall stop in the last two (2) minutes of the third period for penalties and face-offs. Otherwise, the clock will run continuously barring injuries and halftime. If there is more than a three (3) goal difference, the clock will NOT stop in the last two (2) minutes of the third period. o Each team is permitted one (1) time-out per game, 1-minute in duration. No time-outs will be permitted in the last 4 minutes of the game OR in overtime. A team may call a time-out while in possession of the puck, or at a stoppage of play (other than an indirect free strike). o Tie breakers are to only be used in the playoffs. During the regular season, all ties will remain as such. Scoring o A goal is scored when the puck passes completely across the plane of the goal-line. o Goals may be scored from anywhere. o Goals will not count if a stick blade is above the waist level, kicked in, the puck is batted by the hand, or an offensive player is in the crease. o An automatic goal will be awarded if a defensive player throws a stick and/or enters the crease to prevent the puck from entering the net. o Shots which bounce off a player's body and into the net will be counted, if the contact with the person is accidental (official's judgment). o No goal can be scored while an offensive player's feet are in the crease. Mercy Rule
o The game will be called if a team is up by seven (7) or more goals with 5-minutes left to play. Substitutions o Substitutions are free and can be made at any time. Players must enter and leave the game from the corner of their team s playing half. If players enter elsewhere, a verbal warning will be given first. Any substitution infractions following the verbal warning will result in a time-out penalty for the player failing to comply with this rule. o Officials will not wave subs in. o When the puck is alive a player can only enter the court when the other player is completely off the court. Ball in Play o A face-off is used: To begin a new period. After each goal. After a team commits icing. Icing when a player hits the ball across both the center line and the opposing team s goal line (outside of the net) and remains untouched After an inadvertent whistle. When an official cannot determine which team caused the puck to go out of play. When both teams commit a penalty/violation. If the puck is tied up in the corner or along the walls. o Sticks must be on the floor for a face-off. o Play is started with an indirect free hit: After a team time-out. After a missed penalty shot. When a player is making no attempt to advance the puck or stalling. Or after a penalty/violation. o A hand may be used to catch or touch an airborne puck. The puck must then be dropped immediately within the radius of the catching player's stick. o It is illegal to hold the stick horizontal to the floor at any time. Goalie Play o A goalie may catch the puck in their glove, but must put it in play within three (3) seconds. If not returned or if the puck is trapped, then a drop will occur at the closest circle to the goal. o When clearing the puck, the goalie may NOT throw it above waist height, or throw it past the center line. However, goalies may shoot it with their stick. o In the 3rd period if a team is down, they may pull the goalie. Pulling the Goalie relinquishing goaltender rights; open goal; no goalie The goalie MUST completely leave the floor before an offensive player can sub in. If the losing team ties the game, then they are no longer allowed to pull the goalie. Penalties o Teams cannot play with fewer than three (3) players. If more than two (2) players are penalized during the same time, penalties shall be served in succession. Only one (1) player may return per goal scored against their team. The player who has the least amount of time left on their penalty will return. o Minor penalties will expire if a goal is scored by the team playing with the advantage. o Penalty minutes will carry over into the next period. o When a violation occurs, a delayed penalty (held whistle) will be called if the offended player/team retains possession of the puck and has a clear opportunity to score. o Player penalties shall be recorded by and kept with the Intramural Student Lead on duty. A player who receives five (5) penalties of any combination shall be disqualified from the remainder of the game.
o In addition, any player who receives two (2) major penalties shall be disqualified. o Any player ejection resulting in league suspension must make an appointment to discuss the situation with the Coordinator of Competitive Sports before they will be allowed to participate in any future intramural activity. Major Penalties o All major penalties will result in the player serving a FIVE- minute penalty. Play will start with an indirect free hit awarded to the offended team. o Major penalty fouls include: Tripping - intentional tripping with the stick or any body part. Elbowing - use of the elbow to impede an opponent. Throwing the stick - intentional throwing of the stick to gain an advantage. Hooking - wrapping the stick around a player. o Any unsportsmanlike conduct witnessed by an official or the Intramural Student Lead on duty warrants ejection. Player Misconduct o Misconduct penalties may include: Excessive use of profanity. Extensive abuse of the facility and/or equipment. Slashing. Unnecessary rough play. Fighting. Deliberate roughing/checking. Verbal or physical abuse towards an opponent, spectator, or any Recreation Services staff member. o Misconduct penalties will result in player ejection. Sportsmanship Policies This portion of the document is designed to be a summary of the Sportsmanship Policy for Intramural Sports. Please refer to the Intramural Policies and Procedures Manual for a complete version of this policy. No Player, Coach, or Team Follower Shall: o Use foul or derogatory language, threaten, or verbally abuse any other participant or intramural sports employee before, during, or after the game. This includes trash talk. o Participate in a game for which he/she is ineligible. o Argue or talk back to the game official. o Intentionally strike, push, or trip another person. Fighting is prohibited. o Mistreat the facility, equipment, or supplies of Ball State University. Warning/Ejection o A warning/ejection system will be used to enforce the sportsmanship policy. Individuals will be issued a warning for unsporting behavior. A second penalty will result in an ejection. Ejections may be issued without warnings in specific situations, including all those that involve fighting. Sport Warning Ejection Game Forfeit Floor Hockey 1 st Major Penalty 1 st Player Misconduct 2 nd Player Misconduct (-0.5 SC pts) (-1.0 SC) (-1.5 SC) o Team captains are responsible for the conduct of their players, sidelines and spectators.
o Fighting is defined as a participant intentionally striking, pushing, slapping, punching, elbowing, tackling or committing any other malicious act toward any other person. Fighting is never permitted during intramural sports contests. Participants who fight will be ejected immediately and suspended from all further participation until the outcome of a disciplinary action meeting with the Office of Recreation Services Staff. Sportsmanship Classification (SC) o Each team will be awarded a sportsmanship classification following each game. This classification will be on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 being the worst sportsmanship and 4 being the best. Teams must maintain a 2.5 sportsmanship classification average throughout the entire regular season in order to be eligible for the playoffs. If a team s sportsmanship is below a 2.5 average, they must meet with the Coordinator of Competitive Sports to discuss their eligibility for the playoffs. o Teams MUST receive a 2.5 Sportsmanship Classification each game during the playoffs. Failure to comply will result in REMOVAL from the playoffs. Co-Ed Modifications A team shall have a maximum of three (3) males and three (3) females on the floor at one time. At no point can males outnumber females. However, females are allowed to outnumber males. Accepted ratios are 3:3, 2:2, 3:2, and 4:2. The goalie may be either male or female, but cannot be substituted for on the fly. The captain must notify the official at a time when the ball is dead. o If a penalty shot is awarded, the goalie who was in the goal at the time of the infraction must remain in the goal for the penalty shot. Overtime Procedures During the playoffs, if the game is tied at the end of regulation time, a 5-minute sudden death period will be played. Additional 5-minute periods will be played until a winner is determined. Playoffs Playoff seedings will be determined by total win/loss percentage, head to head results, sportsmanship average, and point differential (total points allowed vs. total points scored). Teams that forfeit twice during regular season will NOT be eligible for playoffs. Also, a team that defaults two (2) or more times will NOT be eligible for playoffs. Winning teams for each division will receive an Intramural Sports Championship T-shirt. These rules are not meant to be all-inclusive. It is the team captain s responsibility to consult the Office of Recreation Services for clarification on any of these rules.