I. Eligibility Kent State University or affiliated University students, grad students, alumni, faculty and staff are eligible to compete in Ice Arena Broomball. A player may only play on one coed team per division. II. Roster Freeze The team rosters are final when you hand them in. The only exception will be if a player suffers a physical injury which prohibits the player from participating. In this circumstance a medical report must be provided which verifies the injury. Teams will be allowed to fill their roster spot until the injured player can return, at which point the replacement player must be dropped. III. Team Names & Jersey Designs A) No obscene language B) No reference to alcohol or other drugs C) No reference to sexually explicit, invasive, or violent activities D) No discriminatory references (race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapped, veteran) IV. Player s Equipment A. Skates are not allowed in Broomball; any type of shoes, boots, or sneakers, except those with cleats, alterations, or additions to the sole may be worn. Broomball shoes are suggested. No alterations may be made to the bottom of any shoes. B. All brooms, balls, helmets with masks and pullovers are provided by the Ice Arena. Legal helmets with legal masks must be worn by all participants. Ice Hockey standard in effect. C. Gloves, shin pads, elbow pads, and mouthpiece are optional, but recommended. Shins pads or knee pads with plastic on the outside must be worn under clothing. Goalie pads/leggings are not allowed. Hand protection is limited to the use of winter, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, football, soccer gloves D. All players must wear helmets with certified face masks closed at the chin. E. It is the responsibility of each participant to select a properly fitting helmet. F. All helmets must be snapped. First offense=warning; Second offense=minor delay of game. G. Players may use their own sticks provided that the stick is legal. An illegal stick is considered one with a shaft longer than 53 inches, a significantly altered broom/head portion, or a stick that provides a significant advantage to the player because of alteration. The final decision rests with the Arena Director or designated representative. H. All jewelry must be removed V. Player Check In We will check out all equipment. This includes helmets, sticks, and jersey pullovers. It is each player s responsibility to turn in each of these things for check out. The check in procedure is as follow: Each player must have a valid Kent State University, NEOUCOM College, or Driver License I.D. The I.D. must have a photo on it. A. To ensure there are no illegal players, face painting will not be permitted B. All equipment will be checked in at one time by an arena employee, so please get a helmet and stick before you get your jersey. C. Spectators are not permitted to use a player s equipment at any time, on or off ice. Each player is held accountable for the equipment when it is checked out to them. D. If a player does not have the required identification they will not be allowed to play. E. Teams with their own jerseys are fine, as long as the numbers can be read easily from a distance and all jerseys are the same color. F. Teams with their own jerseys must still check in other equipment and provide a valid form of identification. G. Players who have all of their own equipment must still check in and provide an I.D. 1
III. Player Check Out KENT STATE UNIVERSITY Players are responsible for turning in the same equipment they were given during check in. A. Each player must turn in the equipment immediately following their game. B. You must be sure that the arena employees check your equipment. They will then check off that you turned it in. C. Do not throw the equipment down somewhere or give it to someone else. D. If your name is not checked off it will be assumed you did not turn it in and you will be held accountable for its replacement and possible suspension. VII. Illegal Players A. An illegal player could be someone who plays on two teams in the same division, a player who plays and is not on the roster, or violates eligibility. If a player plays on two teams illegally or violates the eligibility, the players as well as the team are held accountable. B. Penalties for players/teams found guilty: (based on situation, point of season, etc.) 1. To the team:...forfeiture of the game, suspension from the remainder of the season, and potential additional suspensions for team members for future seasons. 2. To the captain...suspension for the remainder of this season and possible suspension for the following season. 3. To the player:...suspension for the remainder of this season and the following season. VIII. Composition of Teams Each team may have a suggested maximum roster size of 15 players. Normal on ice competition includes 4 men and 2 women. Two females must be on the ice at all times with a total of six people on the ice. Anyone of the six may be a goalie. Should a team lose players due to injury and/or penalties, they may continue to play with less than six players. In cases of penalties or injuries: Situation A: Solution: Situation B: Solution: A team begins with two females present for the game. During the game, one of the females receives a penalty. The rules state that there must be two females on the ice at all times. Therefore, a male player will be substituted for the female in the penalty box. The female may remain on the ice and the team will play shorthanded. A team begins with two females present for the game. During the game one of the females gets injured and cannot play. A male player cannot be substituted for the female player. They can continue to play the game, but they must play shorthanded. They also have the option of forfeiting at that point. IX. Game Time A. The scheduled game time is actually warm-up time. The game begins 3 minutes after the scheduled game time. B. The game consists of a 3 minute warm-up, and two 15 minute running time halves. There shall be no time-outs except for injury or official time-outs. C. Stop time at the last 2 minutes of game if the score is within 3 goals. D. There is NO overtime. (Only in playoffs) X. Six Goal Parity Rule A. At any point in the game if the winning team leads by 6 goals, the game is declared complete and the 2
remainder of playing time will be a scrimmage. This rule is effective during the regular season and all playoff games. B. In the event that a game is declared complete and the remainder of play is scrimmaged, one referee must remain on the ice and continue to call the game. XI. Injuries If there is an injury that requires on ice medical attention, the clock will stop. In the case of a serious injury, when a player cannot be moved, we will deal with the continuation of the game based on its score and the time before the next game begins. Whether or not the game is finished will be left to the discretion of the on and off ice officials. If the game cannot be completed, the score will stand. XII. Forfeit Procedures A. A team does not have to be ready to play until after the 3 minute warm-up (3 minutes past scheduled game time.) B. A team may begin with more than 2 females on the ice, but not more than 4 males and the total must be 6 participants. C. All forfeits will be recorded as a 3-0 loss for the team who forfeited. D. There will be no rescheduling or schedule changes. E. The teams can have the option of a scrimmage with on ice officials or use the ice time for practice with the players on their rosters only. Those on the ice must leave at the scheduled time, regardless of what time is left on the clock. F. A team with 2 or more forfeits is ineligible for playoffs. G. Any player not on the roster who plays may force his team to forfeit that game, and both face the consequences stated in Section IV. H. Players striking an official shall be ejected immediately and may face permanent suspension. This could also result in possible team suspension. I. Players/Teams who verbally abuse an official or who constantly whine and complain, risk individual penalties and suspensions, along with the forfeiture of the game and potential team suspension. XIII. Standings and Officiating A. On ice officials and scorekeeper(s) will be provided by the Ice Arena. All decisions by on ice officials and Broomball Commissioners are final. B. The officials shall not permit any player to wear equipment which, in his/her judgment, is dangerous to other players. The official shall make the final decision on acceptable equipment. C. The officials shall have power to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules. The officials shall conduct the game in accordance with the rules. D. The officials shall penalize unsportsmanlike conduct by any player, coach, substitute, team attendant, or spectator by removing them from the game and the ice arena. E. Two points will be credited to a team for a win and one point for a tie. F. There will be no overtime during regular season play. XIV. General Playing Rules A. The object of the game is to advance the ball down the rink and across the goal line of the opposing team. B. Movement, Advancement and Shooting: 1. The ball may be advanced by the use of the broom or by kicking the ball. 2. A player may only use his/her hand(s) to knock down or catch an airborne ball which must be immediately dropped with no advancement or directional placement. The hand 3
cannot bat the ball to a teammate. Balls bouncing off of the ice must be knee level to be considered airborne. a. If a player bats the ball with a hand out of the defensive zone, a face-off will occur at the defensive end zone spot. b. If a player bats the ball to a teammate anywhere on the ice, a face-off will occur at the closest approved face-off spot. c. If a player bats the ball within the defensive or offensive zones, but is played by an opponent in that zone, play will continue. 3. A shot may be taken only by shooting or deflecting. Shots which unintentionally bounce into the goal off of a player shall be legal scores. a. A broom may be swung above shoulder height. Players are responsible for their stick. Any high backswing or high follow through could result in a penalty if you that player strikes an opposing player with a high stick. b. Goals will not be counted if: i. An offensive player intentionally kicks the ball in or the ball is kicked by an offensive player off an opponent and in the net. Violation: Face-Off outside the end zone (Neutral Zone). ii. iii. The ball is batted in with the hand, or is batted in off an opponent (by offensive player). Violation: Face-Off outside the end zone (Neutral Zone). The offensive player may not direct the deflection into the goal. Accidental deflections off of arms, legs, etc., are legal goals. No Goal is up to the discretion of the referees. An attacking player is in the crease when the ball enters the net. Violation: Face-Off outside the end zone (Neutral Zone). 4. The net surrounding the ice surface is in play unless the ball lands on the players bench. C. Face-offs will be used to begin each period of play and to resume play after any stoppage. 1. When the ball goes out of play, the face-off will occur at the spot from where the ball was shot or deflected. 2. During a face-off all players must be on their defensive side of the circle. 3. All players except the two facing-off shall be 10 feet away from the face-off spot. They may not move until the ball is dropped. The offensive team center must put his/her stick down first. D. Free substitution shall be allowed at all times provided that the player coming off the ice is at the bench area and out of play before a substitute enters the game. Violation: a bench minor penalty will be imposed. E. Most conventional USA Amateur Hockey penalties will be in effect, along with the revisions unique to our broomball program. All minors are two minutes in length, and majors four minutes. When a player receives a minor penalty, and his/her team gives up a shorthand goal, that player may leave the penalty box with the team returning to full strength. Majors are served in their entirety with no 4
substitutions allowed. F. No co-incidental penalty rules will be in effect. (Except in the case of majors.) I. To avoid teams delaying when shorthanded, a shorthanded changes may occur on the fly only. Injuries will stop the clock. Fake injuries will bring an unsportsmanlike conduct minor. G. Strange delayed penalty situation: Team A has a power play then there is a penalty on Team B. If Team A scores, the first penalty wipes out and the delayed (2 nd ) penalty must be served at two or four minutes. H. Suspensions: There will be an automatic one (1) game suspension for any Game Misconduct. Based on the situation, conduct, type of penalty and severity of the incident, greater suspensions are at the discretion of the Arena General Manager and Broomball Coordinator. I. Any bench minor or delay of game penalties may be served by either male or female. J. Goaltender Penalties...all penalties assessed to the goaltender MUST be served by the goaltender. A substitute goalie must be put into the game and the team plays short 1 player. XV. Crease Play A. When the ball is in the attacking zone, and not in the goal crease, no attacking player shall enter, or allow their stick to enter the goal crease. Should the ball enter the goal crease, the attacking player and his/her stick may momentarily enter the crease so as not to risk danger to the goaltender. Violation: Face-Off outside the end zone (Neutral Zone) or a minor penalty will be issued. B. For defensive players standing in the crease, (other than the goalie), a 3 second basketball rule will be in effect (anti-defending). Violation: First offense = Warning or Second offense = 2 minutes for Anti-Defending. C. Goalies are allowed to freeze the ball without penalty providing they have a part of their body in the crease. Should a goaltender cause a stoppage of play outside of the crease, a minor penalty will be imposed on him/her for the delay of game. D. Goaltenders may catch or grab the ball, but for no more than 3 seconds (whistle and face-off). Goalies may bowl the ball laterally (underhand), outside the ice. Any ball bowled by the goalie must either 1. Hit the boards before crossing the Blue Line or 2. Be touched intentionally by ANY player before crossing the Blue Line. E. No player may make contact with his/her stick upon the goalie when the goalie is in possession of, and in the process of freezing the ball (before or after the whistle.) An automatic minor/major penalty will be issued for slashing. Any retaliation by the goalie or other players must result in minor penalties. F. A semi-circle six (6) feet in radius, using the center of the goal line as the center point, shall be marked on the ice in front of each goal. This space shall be known as the goal crease and is also painted blue. XVI. Goalie Rules A. The goalie cannot drop kick the ball down the ice. B. The goalie may use a broom. C. The goalie must either hold the broom in his/her hand or place it on top of the net so as not to interfere with the play. D. Goalies can use their hands and may catch and/or freeze the ball as long as some part of their body is in the crease. If completely out of the crease and the ball is frozen, a warning will be issued. The second offense will result in a two minute delay of game penalty, and will have to be served by the goalie. E. A goalie in possession of the ball has 3 seconds to get rid of it. If the goalie holds for the 3 second count, a face-off will occur in the end zone. F. If in the process of bowling the ball the goalie brings the entire ball back across the goal line during the back swing it will be a goal. G. Should a goalie leave his/her crease to participate in the play outside the crease, the goalie loses the goalie privileges and no one else can assume those privileges. Upon re-entering the crease, the 5
goalie regains the privileges. To change goalies and privileges on the fly a distinct planned changes with a break in the action around the goal must occur with notification to the referee. H. No goalie or any other player may reach through the net with their stick or hand to play the ball. The penalty will be a minor for illegal use of the stick/hand. a. Goalies may use a blocker and/or a softball glove and will follow the Player s Equipment guidelines mentioned in Section IV. A helmet/mask is required and will be provided the Ice Arena. They may also wear a chest protector under their clothes. They may not wear any other goalie equipment i.e. leg pads or hockey goaltender glove. XVII. Penalties A. All calls are to be made at the referee s discretion along the guidelines of these rules. Any and all decisions made by the referees are final. B. Only a team s captain may discuss a call with the referees. (This provision does not equate in an opportunity for the team captain to be disorderly). If the captain is ejected, the team is to notify the referees who Co-Captain is. This player will then assume the responsibilities of the captain the remainder of the game. Any player other than the team captain that argues with the referee will be given a minimum of a two (2) minute minor and potentially a game disqualification. Any player or fan that is verbally or physically abusive to a referee will be given a minimum of a ten (10) minute major and if the abuse is continued, a game disqualification will be assessed. C. Minors - 2 minutes in length; double minors are two, 2 minutes penalties. D. Major Penalty - 5 minutes with no substitutions; a major penalty may or may not bring a game disqualification, and they can be coincidental. E. A 10-minute Misconduct - This is assessed to an individual for verbal or other type of misconduct. The team does not play short handed. This penalty is always preceded by an unsportsmanlike conduct minor. In the most severe cases, a gross misconduct is assessed which brings with it a game disqualification and a suspension. F. Game Disqualification (DQ) - Any player assessed, for example, a fighting major, gross misconduct, an attempt to injure penalty, will also receive a game disqualification from that game, and is suspended indefinitely from Broomball until they meet with the Arena Director and Commissioner. It is the responsibility of the player to contact the Arena General Manager (Bill Switaj) or Commissioner at 672-7456. It is the team s responsibility to insure the player serves the suspension. The minimum suspension is two games for each team on which the player plays. The two game suspension is a minimum and based on the situation, the player s conduct, the type of penalty, and the severity. Greater suspensions are at the discretion of the Arena General Manager. Should a second incident to the same player occur, in broomball, the player may be barred from future Arena play. G. Season Disqualification- Disqualification of a player or team for the entire season, including playoffs, with the potential of not being eligible for the remainder of his or her time at KSU. H. Fouling Out - Any player accumulating a total of four (4) penalties without a game disqualification in the same game will be ejected for the remainder of the game. That player can play in the team s next game. Should this occur to the same individual several times, further disciplinary action may be taken. XVIII. Minor Penalties A. Interference- You cannot impede the progress of an opponent with picks, kicking away the opponent s stick, knocking the stick out of an opponent s hand, etc. B. Tripping- Occurs by using one s leg, stick, arm, etc. If, when a player leaves his/her feet to play the ball, and the opponent falls over the player that left his/her feet (regardless of whether the ball is hit) a minor for tripping must be assessed. C. Holding- Of any part of the opponent including the stick. 6
D. Hooking- Using the stick to slow down the opponent. E. Unsportsmanlike Conduct- The initial penalty assessed for language or any unsportsmanlike conduct. A player who drops his/her stick with the intent to fight or to instigate a fight, but is prevented by the officials will receive this minor. F. Inappropriate Language/Actions Any language that is deemed excessive and inappropriate by the referees. This penalty can be assessed to either the players or their fans. This rule is defined by, but not limited to: swearing, harassing comments (racial, sexual, etc.), inappropriate gesturing. A player from the team must serve the penalty (10 min misconduct). The referees may ask fans to leave if a team cannot keep their fans under control. If the referees are unable to get compliance from the fans or the teams, the game will be stopped and the game ruled a forfeit. The team s opportunity to participate in Broomball includes it RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR by fans, guests, and individual team members. Delay of Game 1. Because of the running time periods, a team who intentionally delays the game will receive a two minute penalty. Should a delay of game be called with under two minutes remaining in the game, a penalty shot must be awarded. The clock will stop for the penalty shot. 2. Falling on the ball- a minor penalty will be imposed on any player other than the goalkeeper who deliberately falls on or gathers the ball into his/her body. 3. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who holds or freezes the ball with his broom, feet, or body along the boards in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play. 4. Double minor if a team is not ready to start the game. 5. Repeatedly kicking or shooting/clearing the ball out of the playing surface after at least one warning. 6. Accidentally displacing the goal by a defensive player in a scoring situation. 7. A prone player not making an effort to stand when the ball is close to his/her. H. Roughing- Any contact with the gloves and an opponent s face mask or upper torso is an automatic roughing penalty. Pushing an opponent is also roughing. I. Sliding (Intentionally Leaving Your Feet) - A minor penalty for tripping or roughing will be assessed if a player leaves his/her feet and intentionally or accidentally trips or causes an opponent to fall or causes any kind of contact whether it is intentional or accidental. A player can leave their feet to shoot or block a shot provided no opponent is upended or made contact with. J. Too Many Males-Should a team play with too many males on the ice; a double minor penalty will be assessed, served by a male. K. If a thrown broom interferes with a shot on net, a goal will be assessed and a misconduct penalty given to the violator. If a thrown broom occurs any other time on the ice, a minor penalty will be assessed along with a game misconduct. XIX. Stick Penalties A. Stick penalties are very severe. Broomball sticks are not weapons. Deliberate use of a stick in an attempt to injure an opponent brings a major and game disqualification. Contact does not have to be made. Reckless use of stick is a minor penalty. B. A stick penalty which results in the drawing of blood but without the intent to injure, is a major without a game disqualification. Referee discretion applies. C. All players are accountable and responsible for the use of their stick. Reckless use of the stick will not be tolerated. No contact is necessary for a severe penalty. D. A Minor or Major at the discretion of the officials will be assessed for: high sticking, cross checking, and slashing. E. A major high sticking penalty will also incur a game misconduct 7
F. Automatic Majors plus disqualification, spearing, butt-ending, deliberate attempt to injure. G. Any contact (accidental or otherwise) of a stick with a standing opponent s helmet or upper torso brings an automatic penalty. H. Slashing the Goalie- No player may make contact with his/her stick upon the goalie when the goalie is in possession of, and freezing the puck (before or after the whistle) Penalty- automatic minor or major for slashing. Any retaliation by the goalie or other players must result in minimum minor penalties as well. I. If the ball is in the air above a players waist and the player reaches for it with the head of the broom and knocks it down a high sticking penalty is automatically imposed. I. High Sticking- If a ball is knocked out of the air with the stick above the shoulder, an automatic whistle will occur with a face-off. If a players helmet is struck by a stick above the shoulder, an automatic high sticking penalty shall be called. Keep the sticks down. Referee discretion applies. J. Often, players end up prone near the ball, which does not give license to the offending player to accidentally hurt the prone player. If in the opinion of the Official, the offending player is too violent and injures the prone player, a minor/major may be assessed for slashing. However, when prone, that player must make an effort to get up and ignore the playing of the ball. K. Carrying a broken stick will result in a minor penalty. XX. Checking Penalties A. There is no deliberate body checking of any type. Any hit/contact not perceived as incidental will bring a minor, double minor, or major plus game disqualification at the discretion of the referees. 1. Minor- Contact, but not dangerous. 2. Double Minor- Dangerous contact, but not vicious. 3. Major plus game disqualification- Dangerous, vicious contact with intent. XXI. Other Major Penalties A. Assessed for kicking at/an opponent, grabbing the face mask, head butting. B. Fighting is not allowed at any time in broomball. Any player in a fight will receive an automatic game disqualification and a five (5) minute major to be served by another player on the team. This also applies to any person who joins in a fight after one has started. If either bench clears during a fight, the game will immediately be forfeited and the team(s) involved will be given season disqualifications. IN ANY SITUATION INVOLVING FIGHTING, LET THE REFEREES HANDLE THE SITUATION. C. Third person alteration- There is no peacemaker rule. Should any type of altercation/confrontation occur, no player may intervene from the ice or from off the bench. An altercation is defined as any situation where at least one minor or major is called. D. Players may not come off the bench or penalty box during an altercation, whether getting involved or not, will receive a game DQ and face a more severe suspension. 1. If enough players leave the bench and there are not enough for the game to continue, the game will end. In this case, the score will be recorded as it was when the game was stopped, unless the winning team clearly instigates the altercation or cleared the bench first. In that case, the game will be a double forfeit. For having players leave the bench, the teams may also face additional penalties. E. Altering shoes- If a player is caught playing with altered shoes, they will receive an automatic game DQ and the team will receive a warning. If any player on that team is caught again with altered shoes the team will receive a season DQ. XXII. Empty Net 8
Should the goalie be pulled or the net be totally empty and the opponent has a clear opportunity to score on the empty net, but is fouled or a thrown stick prohibits the goal, the goal will be awarded. XXIII. Penalty Shots A. The team awarded the penalty shot can decline the shot and accept a 2 minute minor for the opposing team. This would allow them to play with a one person advantage. B. If a goal is scored on a penalty shot, nobody goes to the penalty box. C. A penalty shot is called for the following reasons: 1. Delay of game in last 2 minutes 2. Defensive player falls on ball in crease or uses hands to catch/stop ball in the crease. 3. Deliberate goal displacement at any time. 4. Player fouled from behind on breakaway. XXIV. Tie Breakers In case of a tie in standings, the following priority list will be used: A. Most Wins B. Head to Head C. Goal Differential (Goals Scored Minus Goals Allowed) D. Most Goals Scored E. Flip of Coin XXVI. Playoff Structure In Case of a Tie In the event that a broomball playoff game is tied at the end of regulation the following will be placed into effect: A. 7 minute Sudden Death Overtime if still tied: B. Penalty Shots: 1. Each team will choose three (3) team members to participate in the shootout 2. At least one female team member must be chosen 3. The last eligible goalie during the overtime period must be goalie in the Shootout. 4. At the end of three (3) shooters if the score is still tied. A Sudden Death Shootout will ensue. 5. In a Sudden Death Shootout, each team is allowed one (1) new shooter. The first new shooter will be a male. If there is need for a second sudden death shooter, a female will shoot. The sudden death rotation of shooters will alternate; male female. Once all male shooters have gone through the rotation, then an old shooter can go twice. XXVII. Officials/Supervisors Authority A. If, at any time, the officials/arena supervisors feel that the game/players are out of hand (regardless of a lopsided score), they have the right to cancel the game at that point. B. Should a game have to end prematurely because of an injury, altercation, etc. The score will be recorded as it was when the game was stopped. XXVIII. Weather Problems A. Should games be canceled due to weather problems, games will only be made up on an ice available basis. B. If games cannot be made up, the team s winning percentage will be used for determining playoff selection. XXIX. Alcohol 9
A. Any player in the opinion of the officials, who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with it on their breath, will be suspended from play and the team risks a forfeit or suspension, and further University disciplinary action. B. There is no alcohol permitted in the building. C. Teams risk suspension from the League, as the team is responsible for the players. XXX. Smoking/Chewing Tobacco There is no smoking or chewing of tobacco anywhere within the Arena-this includes while playing. Smoking is permitted outside the building only. XXXI. Miscellaneous A. Players wearing glasses are encouraged to wear protectors or shatterproof lenses. B. No locker room facilities will be provided. Prepare to come ready to play. C. Equipment use is a privilege. Each participant, and ultimately the team manager, is responsible for broken, missing, or abused equipment. D. Spectators are not permitted to use your equipment at any time, on or off ice. Players are held accountable for the equipment when it is checked out to them E. A player must play in at least three regular season games to be eligible for playoffs. F. The Arena Clock is the Official clock G. There are NO time out 10
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