Rules and Regulations Section 1 - Titles, roles, leadership, and decision making

Rules and Regulations Section 1 - Titles, roles, leadership, and decision making A. Titles and roles are defined as follows: a. The League The term the league is to be used in reference to all O.D.H.A. games that take place in the hockey rink at Greenwood Lakes Park in Lake Mary, FL. b. Commissioner This person has final authority on all O.D.H.A. league matters. The Commissioner is responsible for: i. Legal matters pertaining to the league ii. Financial matters pertaining to the league iii. Hiring staff for the league iv. Coach, Player, and Referee matters v. Public Relations for the league vi. Sponsorship for the league vii. General league business matters viii. Maintenance of the league website ix. Other matters as needed when appropriate c. League Relations Director This person is second in command and reports directly to the Commissioner. The Information Director is responsible for: i. League administration matters ii. Assisting with general league business matters iii. Logistical matters iv. Assisting with growth of the league v. Assisting the Commissioner as directed d. Head of Officiating This person is considered league staff and reports directly to the Commissioner. The Head of Officiating is in charge of all referees and responsible for: i. Handling disputes regarding rules ii. Assisting referees when and where needed iii. Assisting with rules and interpretations as needed iv. The same responsibilities as referees as listed below. (NOTE: In the absence of the Commissioner during league play, the Head of Officiating shall report to the League Relations Director.) O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 1

e. Referees These persons are considered league staff and report to the Head of Officiating. Referees are responsible for: i. Refereeing games in a fair, objective, and honest manner in accordance with the O.D.H.A. rulebook. ii. Maintaining order during league games between teams. iii. Being punctual, professional, and courteous at all times to other league members, players, and spectators to promote the general health and well being of the league. (NOTE: In the absence of the Head of Officiating during league game play, referees shall report to the Commissioner Director.) f. Coaches These persons are not league staff. They are in charge of their respective teams who play in the league. Coaches are responsible for and will be held accountable for: i. All conduct by members of their team. ii. Maintaining and promoting an attitude of competitive, clean, and fair play in all league games. iii. Internal discipline for their team. iv. Appointing an assistant coach for their team when the coach cannot attend a league game. v. Ensuring their team is prepared for games, that the team is punctual, the team is aware of the rules, and that the team is committed to following the rules during league play. (NOTE: In the absence of the Commissioner during league game play, Coaches shall report all concerns and questions to the Information Director.) g. Players These persons are not league staff. They are members of an individual team that plays in the league. Players are broken down into two categories runners and goalkeepers. Players are responsible for: i. Following their coaches direction. ii. Reading the league rules. iii. Playing by the league rules. iv. Maintaining and promoting an attitude of competitive, clean, and fair play in all league games. v. Assisting with general rink maintenance when asked to by their coach or league staff, when and where reasonable. h. Timekeepers These persons are considered league staff and report to the Commissioner. Timekeepers are responsible for: i. Operation of the scoreboard during all league games and assisting with and working with other league staff to resolve any questions or discrepancies regarding the scoreboard. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 2

i. Videographers These persons are considered league staff and report to the Commissioner. Videographers are responsible for: i. Operation of the recording equipment. ii. Recording all games as directed by the Commissioner. Section 2 - Location, season, game times, and playing surface A. All games are to be played at the hockey rink located in Greenwood Lakes Park in Lake Mary, FL unless alternative arrangements have been agreed upon by the Commissioner and team captains. The hockey rink shall be referred to hereafter as the rink or hockey rink. B. All persons associated with the league must register and play under their legal name. Aliases are not allowed in any form or usage for insurance purposes. C. The playing surface at the hockey rink shall be referred to hereafter as the dek or floor. D. The season shall consist of 10 games plus a playoff tournament. E. All games are to be scheduled for and played on a pre-approved day and time. If a game(s) cannot be played for any reason on that day, the game(s) shall be rescheduled by the Commissioner in cooperation with each team captain. F. Teams need to be ready to play 10 minutes prior to game. Each team will be given a courtesy 10 minute window to allow the team time for their players to arrive. Alternatively, the team may elect to start the game with the players currently available. If after the 10 minute courtesy window the team does not have a minimum of 5 players (4 runners and a goalie, or 5 runners and no goalie), that team shall have forfeited the game and be credited with a loss in the standings. The opposing team will be credited with a win. Pickup hockey may be played during the scheduled game time by anyone who wishes to participate. G. All entry ways into the rink (doors and gates) must be secured and closed at all times while games are in progress. If any entry way is opened during live play, whether inadvertent or intentional, play shall be immediately stopped by the referees. Play cannot resume until the rink has been properly re-secured by closure of all entry ways. 1. If the opening of the entry was intentional by a member of a team, that team will be assessed a two minute minor penalty for delay of game. The referees will determine which team player is to serve the duration of the penalty. H. The dek and bench areas are to be kept clean at all times from outside debris. This responsibility is shared by all league participants. I. When the dek is wet or otherwise unplayable due to weather or other factors, all attempts to make the dek playable will be made. It will be up to the O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 3

Commissioner and team captains to determine if the dek surface is playable or if the game must be rescheduled. J. After each game is completed, the teams who have just participated in the game are responsible for clearing their equipment from the bench area as quickly as possible to allow the next team time to set up for their game. Section 3 - Equipment A. Each team will be required to have like-colored jerseys or shirts with numbers located on the back of each. Teams should bring both a light and a dark set of jerseys/shirts in the event that two teams have similar colors at game time. For regular season games, a coin flip to determine choice of color shall take place. For playoff games, the higher seeded team gets choice of color. B. Runners and goalkeeper s equipment shall consist of sticks, running shoes, protective equipment, and uniforms. C. All protective equipment except gloves, helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and leg guards must be worn entirely underneath the uniform. (Example: shoulder pads, rib cage guard, athletic cup) D. Mandatory protective equipment for runners shall consist of: 1. Shin guards 2. Gloves of any kind E. Non-mandatory equipment for runners is recommended as follows: 1. Mouth guard 2. Helmet 3. Protective eyewear 4. Athletic protector (aka cup or jock ) 5. Other items not listed here but which can be permitted by league staff F. Players not wearing the required protective equipment will not be allowed to participate. G. Players not wearing the recommended protective equipment do so at their own risk. H. Any player or goalkeeper who: wears his equipment in a way that may cause injury to an opponent wears any non approved equipment uses or wears illegal or dangerous shoes, sticks or equipment does not wear previously specified equipment entirely under his uniform does not wear their protective equipment shall be ruled off the dek and a WARNING shall be issued to their team. For a second violation by any player of the same team for any offence listed in Section 3.H, the referees shall assess a two minute minor penalty for illegal equipment. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 4

I. Any players who break their stick must immediately drop their stick on the floor. Players who intentionally play with a broken stick shall incur a 2 minute minor penalty as specified in the Penalties section. J. Mandatory protective equipment for goalkeepers shall consist of: 1. Helmet 2. Chest protector 3. Thigh pads 4. Goalie leg pads 5. Glove or trapper 6. Blocker 7. Stick 8. Shirt that fits OVER all chest equipment Section 4 - Game format, game play, and overtime A. Games are 3 periods in length. Each period shall consist of 15 minutes running time. Stop time shall be used when: a penalty has been assessed The last minute of 1 st and 2 nd period The last two minutes of the 3 rd period when a team trails by < 2 goals The Commissioner may adjust this as needed based on mitigating factors such as teams being late for their game, weather, etc B. Stop time is in effect for all penalty situations. C. Each team shall have a single 90 second timeout to use per game. D. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, there will be a 5 minute overtime period played with each team using 4 runners plus their goaltender. If the game is still tied after the 5 minute overtime, a shoot-out will incur as follows: Each team chooses 3 players as shooters. The teams shall shoot in an alternating fashion, with the away team shooting first. All players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they have been ejected (even if a penalty fails to conclude when overtime ends. In this case, the penalized player must be the last overall shooter). Once the shootout begins, the goalkeeper cannot be replaced unless he is injured. No warm up shall be permitted for a substitute goalkeeper. A runner may NOT stand in as a goalie in a shootout. After each team has taken three shots, if the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible for that team has shot. If one team has fewer players eligible for the shootout than its opponent (guys not showing up, injury or ejection), they still maintain the same shooting order. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 5

Regardless of the number of goals scored during the shootout portion of overtime, the final score recorded for the game will give the winning team one more goal than its opponent, based on the score at the end of overtime (e.g., if the score before the shootout began was 3-3, then the final score shall be recorded as 4-3). Only overtime statistics will count towards individual statistics. Shootout goals will not count towards individual or team statistics. E. The team with the most goals at the end of the game shall be declared the winner and receive two points in the standings. F. Teams losing in overtime or a shootout shall be credited for an overtime loss (OTL) and receive one point in the standings. G. Teams losing in regulation shall receive no points. Section 5 - Standings, playoffs, and tiebreakers A. All teams shall make the playoffs. B. In the event that two teams are tied at the end of the regular season with the same point total, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine the higher seed for the playoffs: 1. Head to head 2. Most wins 3. Least goals against 4. Most total goals scored during regular season 5. Coin flip C. In the event that three or more teams are tied at the end of the regular season with the same point total, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine the higher seed for the playoffs: 1. Head to head 2. Most wins 3. Goal differential (goals scored goals allowed) 4. Least goals against 5. Most total goals scored during regular season 6. Coin flip D. The playoff bracket is single-game elimination. All playoff games (both semifinal games and the final game) shall take place on the same day unless decided upon otherwise by the Commissioner. E. Playoff games shall have the same game format as regular season games. F. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation during a quarterfinal or semifinal playoff game, there will be one additional sudden-death overtime time period consisting of 5 minutes in length, with play. If a winner is not determined during the overtime period, a shootout will take place to determine the O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 6

winning team. Shootout rules as listed in Section 4 shall apply with the exception being that the higher seeded team has first choice of when to shoot. G. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation during the championship game, there will be a sudden-death overtime period consisting of 15 minutes in length. If there is still no winner after that period, the period shall be repeated until a goal is scored and a winner declared. Section 6 - General rules, penalties, and enforcements A. The following rules are in effect: 1. Face-off locations will follow standard NHL rules for face-offs. 2. If the ball is shot into the protective netting surrounding the rink but falls back into play without obstruction, it is to be considered a live ball. If the ball is shot into anything else (light pole, scoreboard, etc.) then it shall not be considered a live ball. A face-off shall ensue. 3. If the ball hits the netting or fencing and stays in the netting/fencing, the face-off will be low in the defensive zone if it is deflected off of a defensive player. If the ball goes into netting/fencing and is not touched by defensive player, the face-off will stay in the defensive zone at the high face off markers. 4. If the ball is shot into the player bench, penalty box area, or timekeeper area, a face-off shall ensue in the team s zone that last touched the ball. 5. In the event that the ball is cleared directly (non-deflected) out of play over the fencing along the boards from the defensive zone, the player will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game IF the player was behind the blue line face-off marker when they shot the ball. This includes all areas (including the high netting behind the goal nets) except the team bench and scorekeeper area. If the ball is shot into OR over the team bench/scorekeeper area, a face-off shall ensue in the team s zone that last touched the ball. 6. Center line off-sides and no touch flooring (flooring=icing) are in effect. For flooring calls, the player has to be below the concrete lines nearest to the high face off markers in the defensive zone when the ball leaves the player s stick. It is not flooring if: i. The player clears the ball and it is deflected off another player ii. The defensive team can make a play on the ball iii. The opposing goaltender attempts to make a play on the ball iv. The defender was attempting to make a pass and the receiving player missed the ball The ball must cross the goal line before the referee can blow the whistle signaling play has stopped. Note that some of these calls will be at the O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 7

referee s discretion. Players are advised and encouraged to not argue flooring calls. Only team captains should discuss calls with the referee. 7. Face-offs Players must square up for all face-offs. Players are allowed to put their sticks in the 'clear' part of the circle dot. The ball must touch the ground first before players are allowed to play it. 8. Lobbing the ball from behind the red line into the opposing team s zone is allowed. 9. Goaltenders may cover the ball under the following guidelines: i. Behind the goal line When the ball is behind the goal line, the goalie may cover the ball provided some part of their body is in the crease when the act of covering the ball takes place. ii. Ball in the air When the ball is batted or pops up into the air, the goalie may use their glove to secure the ball for a whistle provided the goalie takes no more than one step out of their crease in any direction or remains in the crease entirely. Goaltenders may not leave their crease for more than one step to catch the ball and then return to their crease for a stoppage of play. This act would be considered a delay of game. The goalie is allowed to jump while in their crease to attempt to secure the ball in their glove. iii. Coming out of the crease Goaltenders may cover the ball outside of their crease in front of the goal line provided the ball is not past the defensive zone face-off markers. 10. The raising of the stick above the shoulder area is allowed under the following circumstances: i. In the A division: 1. Windup or follow thru on shots. 2. Calling for a pass (If the stick contacts another player however, a penalty will be assessed). 3. Attempting to run or move around another player or between other players. 4. All other incidents where the stick is raised above the shoulder shall follow standard NHL rules for high sticking. NOTE: In all instances where the stick contacts another player while above the shoulder, a penalty shall be assessed to the player. ii. In the B division: 1. Windup or follow thru on shots. 2. Attempting to run or move around another player or between other players. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 8

3. All other incidents where the stick is raised above the shoulder shall incur a 2 minute penalty to the player for high sticking. 11. Intentional off-sides will be called in the event that a player on the floor intentionally touches the ball for the purposes of stopping the play while off-sides or refuses to follow the referees direction to gain the line when the referee has given fair verbal warning. In such an event, the ensuing face-off will take place deep in the offending team s zone. 12. The Mercy Rule is in effect. If, at any point in a game, the score reaches a 10-goal differential (i.e. 10-0) the game will end with the leading team being declared the winner. Pickup hockey may be played for the remaining game time. 13. No goal shall be scored: i. If an attacking player deliberately kicks, throws, or bats with the hands or otherwise directs the ball by any means other than his stick into the goal. ii. If an attacking player contacted the ball with the stick above the crossbar. iii. If the ball has been directly deflected into the goal off an official iv. If an attacking player uses their body or stick in the goal crease so as to interfere with the goalkeeper when the ball enters the goal, unless he has been physically interfered by the action of any defending player so as to cause him to be in the goal crease when the ball enters the goal, unless if in the opinion of the referees, he had sufficient time to get out of the crease. v. If the goal has been displaced from its normal position prior to the ball crossing the goal line. B. Penalties and enforcements: 1. All standard hockey penalties will be enforced. NOTE: This list is not all inclusive. The official NHL rule book shall be considered the final authority on whether or not a penalty shall be assessed. i. Minor Penalty = 2 minute 1. Abuse of officials - Arguing with, insulting, using obscene gestures or language directed at or in reference to, or deliberately making violent contact with any on or offfloor official. Players who continue to abuse officials after the call has been made will be given a 10 minute game misconduct, ejection, and a 1 week suspension which shall be served the immediate week after. If the offense takes place during the playoffs, the player must serve their suspension during the next season s first week. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 9

NOTE: Players are advised to not argue any calls with referees. This includes both non-penalty and penalty calls. Players should discuss with their team captains any calls they believe are incorrect. Only team captains are allowed to discuss calls with referees. 2. Butt-ending Jabbing at an opponent with the end of the shaft of the stick. 3. Checking Some body contact is allowed in O.D.H.A. However, using your body to contact an opponent with sufficient force so as to risk potential injury to either player is not allowed. This call will often be at the referee s discretion. 4. Closed hand A player closes their hand around the ball while in the offensive zone or while in the defensive zone and makes any motion other than to place the ball directly in front of them. 5. Cross-checking - Hitting an opponent with the stick when it is held with two hands and no part of the stick is on the ice. 6. Delay of game - Stalling the game. For example, shooting the ball out of play, holding the ball in the hand, refusing to send players out for a faceoff, repeated deliberate offsides, interfering with rink equipment to force a stoppage of play, a goaltender covering the ball past the defensive zone face-off marker. Other items not listed may be called at the referee s discretion. 7. Double hit Hitting the ball two or more consecutive times with any part of your body other than your legs, torso, and head. 8. Elbowing - Hitting an opponent with the elbow accidentally. Intentional elbows may be escalated to more severe penalties at the referee s discretion. 9. Goaltender Interference - Physically impeding or checking the goalie. Standing in front of an opposing goalie and engaging in actions such as waving ones arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender" will draw a minor unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Visually impeding the goalie's view of the play with your body, called "screening", is legal. 10. High-sticking - Touching an opponent with the stick above shoulder level. A minor penalty is assessed to the player. If blood is drawn, a double-minor (4 minutes) may be assessed at the discretion of the referee. A double-minor when blood is not drawn may also be assessed at the discretion of the referee. Also, a goal that is scored by means of hitting the puck with a high stick O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 10

will not be counted, except when the goaltender is credited with knocking the ball into his own goal. 11. Holding - Grabbing an opponent's body, equipment or clothing with the hands or stick in an attempt to restrain the opposing player from moving. 12. Holding the stick - Grabbing and holding an opponent's stick, also called when a player deliberately wrenches a stick from the hands of an opposing player or forces the opponent to drop it by any means that is not any other penalty such as Slashing. 13. Hooking - Using a stick as a hook to slow an opponent or impeded their progress. Note that no contact is required. If stick to stick contact is made, no penalty shall be assessed. 14. Illegal Equipment - Using equipment that does not meet standard hockey regulations or other commonly respected guidelines. Runners may not play with a goalie's stick except to deliver a goalie s stick back to the goalie in instances where the goalie lost control of their stick. A goalie may play with a regular player's stick. 15. Interference - Impeding an opponent who does not have the puck, or impeding any player from the bench. Note that no contact is required. 16. Playing with Too Many Sticks - When a player plays with more than one stick and attempts to make a play. For example, if a goalie were to lose his stick and a player from his team runs over to pick up the goalie stick and then, while running back to the goalie with both sticks, attempts to touch a live puck with either stick, that player will be called for Playing with Too Many Sticks. 17. Pushing Using your hands with sufficient force to knock an opposing player off balance or off of the ball or to generally interfere with a player s movement or position. Note that this is often a judgment call by the referee and should not be argued. 18. Roughing - Pushing and shoving after the whistle has been blown or checking an opponent with the hands in his face. Also when an illegal body check is made. A Roughing penalty will also be assessed to any player that uses force which in the referee s opinion is unnecessary or dangerous to other players. 19. Slashing - Swinging a stick at an opponent and making contact with any part of their body. Instances where one player prevents another player from gathering the ball by swiping their stick onto the other player s stick may incur a slashing penalty depending on the severity of the strike. 20. Tripping - Tripping another player by any means, whether incidental or accidental, or causing another O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 11

player to fall by any means. Note that no contact is required. 21. Too many men on the floor - Having more than six players (including the goalie) on the floor involved in the play at any given time. "Involved in the play" is key; players that are entering the rink as substitutes for players coming off (line changing) may enter the rink once the player returning to the bench is less than five (5) feet from his team's bench. At that point the returning player is considered out of the play, even if the play passes in front of the bench, unless he actively makes a move for the puck. Players entering the rink are part of the play as soon as their feet touch the floor. 22. Unsportsmanlike conduct - Arguing with a referee; using slurs against an opponent or teammate; playing with illegal equipment; making obscene gestures or abusing an official. Goaltender crosses the center rink line for any reason other than to leave the floor during a delayed penalty. May also be called if a player drops gloves and stick in preparation for a fight, but the nonoffending player does not drop the corresponding equipment and has committed no action (verbal or physical harassment) to attempt to instigate a fight. NOTE: Any player being assessed three (3) minor penalties in a given game will be ejected from that game. Another member of the player s team will be required to serve the 3rd minor penalty. ii. Major Penalty = 5 minutes with unlimited goal scoring 1. Boarding Inadvertently pushing an opponent into the boards while the player is facing the boards. If deliberate, penalty will be escalated to Attempt to Injure. 2. Intentional Checking Checking an opponent away from the play and in the opinion of the referee was in no way related to the flow the game or had any hockey value. 3. Checking from behind - Hitting an opponent from behind with force anywhere on the floor. This penalty will often be assessed at the referee s discretion. 4. Instigator penalty - Being the obvious instigator in a fight. Called in addition to the five minute major for fighting. Since fighting is an automatic ejection, another player from the team must serve this penalty. 5. Joining a fight - Also called the "3rd man in" rule, the first person who was not part of a fight when it broke out but participates in said fight once it has started for any reason, even to pull the players apart. O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 12

6. Kicking - Kicking an opponent without the intent to injure. If intent to injure is seen, the penalty shall be escalated to Attempt to injure. 7. Spearing Accidentally stabbing an opponent or thrusting at an opponent with the stick blade. NOTE: Any player receiving 2 of these major penalties in one game will result in that player s ejection from the game. Another member of the player s team will be required to serve the 2nd major penalty. iii. Major Penalty = 5 minutes + 10 minute game misconduct + ejection 1. Attempt to injure - Deliberately trying to harm an opponent, whether successful or not. 2. Fighting - Engaging in a physical altercation with an opposing player, usually involving the throwing of punches. Minor altercations such as simple pushing and shoving, and punching with gloves still in place, shall be generally called as Roughing. This infraction carries an automatic 10 minute misconduct and game ejection. 3. Secondary altercation - Issued when players engage in or attempt to engage in a fight after the original fight (between two separate players). NOTE: Players may be subjected to further discipline at the sole discretion of the Commissioner for any of the 3 infractions listed here in Part iii. Any player who receives a second penalty for Attempt to Injure Fighting Secondary altercation at any point during the season will result in that player being ejected for the remainder of the season and playoffs. That player shall also receive NO REFUND. FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! O.D.H.A. Rules and Regulations Page 13