IHF RULES
2007-2008 Season
(revised
September 15, 2007)
CONTENTS
Forward
Governing Authority
SECTION I
IHF RULES
SECTION II
SECTION III
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
SECTION IV
SUSPENSIONS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCIPLINE
SECTION V
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Forward
Governing Authority
The IHF is the governing body for all
SECTION I
IHF RULES
Any team representing a
1. Teams shall consist
of players in the ninth through twelfth grade levels; players must be enrolled
and attending throughout the current school year. Players must be able to
provide a current and valid school ID on request.
2. Schools with two or
more teams must nominate a representative to serve either as a Game Supervisor
or as a Board Member. Participation on the Board is subject to Board
approval. Schools with two or more teams
that do not nominate a representative to help supervise games will be subject
to additional penalties including exclusion from the playoffs.
3. (A) All team members
must wear properly numbered jerseys that are significantly matched to the rest
of their teammates. “Out of uniform” players will not be allowed on the playing
surface. “Significantly matched,” as noted above, is at the discretion of the
IHF Game Supervisor on-site.
(B) Each player shall have a permanently
assigned jersey number for the entire season and this number must be permanently
and securely attached on both the home and away jerseys.
4. Each team must have a
set of home (light) and away (dark) jerseys with numbers matched to players as
noted above. There shall be a maximum of 2 numbers, “0” and “00” are
acceptable, and a 10” minimum size is suggested but not mandatory.
5. The Home team must
wear a light-colored jersey.
6. During the preseason,
no game rosters are necessary. Players may play on more than one team in the
interest of player assessment and placement.
Coaches or managers must ensure, however, that all players have current
949 Roller Hockey Center, or other rink facility membership. Final rosters must
be submitted as directed by the IHF Board of Directors for that season
7. At each game, coaches
or managers are required to provide the scorekeeper with an accurate legible
roster of players – using only the official IHF Roster form – signed by the
players participating in that specific game. This must be done before the team
takes the rink. Teams in violation may be assessed a 2-minute Delay-of-Game
penalty to be served at the start of the game.
8. Coaches shall
maintain control and discipline of their team at all times. Failure to maintain discipline can result in
suspension or removal from IHF competition. Coaches and players will display
good sportsmanship at all times. The use
of foul language, verbal or physical abuse or any other offensive behavior
shall be grounds for immediate suspension. All of the above are subject to the
IHF Game Supervisor’s discretion and review by the IHF Board for further
disciplinary action.
9. Any player issued a
penalty will remain seated while serving said penalty in the penalty box and
for the entire duration of the penalty save the last 10 seconds before
re-entering the rink surface.
10. Spectators are
prohibited from talking to players that are in the penalty box.
11. Coaches and players
must shake hands at the conclusion of the game. An unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty may be called, resulting in a one game suspension, on any individual
failing to participate in the handshake unless ruled “removed from the playing
surface” by the officials.
12. Zero Tolerance
Policy. The game will be stopped by game
officials when the parents and/or spectators displaying inappropriate and
disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to
the rink management and coaches for the purpose of removing parents and/or
spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time
will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary
action by the IHF. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall
include: Use of obscene or vulgar
language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time; Taunting of
players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing,
threat of physical violence or physical violence; Throwing of any object in the
spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on rink surface,
directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard; or coming on to the playing surface or bench
without being directed to do so by an official or an IHF Game Supervisor.
Anyone that violates any of these rules is subject to being banned from
attending anymore IHF League games. The proper authorities will be called to
remove anyone that causes such disturbances.
SECTION II
1. At least one
registered coach must be on the bench any time members of the team are on the
rink, either while practicing or during games.
A maximum of three registered coaches per team may be on the bench at
one time. A registered coach is defined as a person who:
A. Is
21 years old or older for all Varsity teams. Coaches between the ages of 18 –
21 years will be restricted to Junior Varsity; and
B. Has
signed and filed a Coaches Conduct form with the IHF.
PLEASE NOTE: No additional persons are allowed on the bench, except
photographers with IHF Board or Game Supervisor approval.
2. Teams must have five
eligible players ready to play at the scheduled game time. Failure to comply
will result in a delay of game penalty. At the conclusion of the penalty, the
team that cannot present its five players will forfeit the game. A goalie in
pads DOES NOT have to be on the rink to start or finish the game.
3. The team will not be
given a forfeit if the delay is the result of the goalie from a previous game
still possessing necessary goalie gear. A delay-of-game penalty will be
applied.
4. Game pucks will be
supplied by the rink and shall be red or black in color.
5. During a game, only
one player may approach the Referees or the IHF supervisor at the scorer’s
table with any question relating to interpretation of rules which may arise
during the progress of a game. Any
player who comes off the bench and makes any protest or complaint to the
Referees for any purpose may be assessed a misconduct penalty. A complaint
about a penalty is NOT a matter “relating to the interpretation of the rules,”
and a minor penalty may be imposed against any player making such a complaint.
6. Each game will
consist of three fifteen-minute running time periods, with one five-minute
warm-up, and one-minute breaks between periods.
7. Stop time will occur
in the last two minutes of the game if the score difference is two goals or
less.
8. Games will be
considered final if 2 periods of play have been completed.
9. All games (pre-season
or regular season) that end in a tie after three periods will be considered a
tie. There are no shootouts or overtime periods.
10. If a Playoff or
Championship game ends in a tie, the game shall be decided by a sudden death
overtime period (or periods, as required). The clock for each overtime period
shall be set at 15 minutes. There will be no shootouts.
11. If coincidental
penalties are assessed, play will continue with teams at the same strength
(e.g., 4-on-4, 4-on-3, etc.) existing when play stops. The penalized players
will remain in the penalty box for the duration of the penalty time and may not
leave until play stops again.
12. Each team will play
three preseason games and fifteen regular season games. The top eight teams in
each division will play a single elimination playoff round in which they will
be seeded according to their regular season win/loss record. In the case of teams with equal records, the
following tie-breakers will be used:
A. Head
to head game(s);
B. Average
scoring margin;
C. Average
goals against;
D. Average
goals for; and
E. Coin
toss
SECTION III
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
1. Every player must be
a student who is currently enrolled and attending classes at the High School
represented by his or her team. Coaches are responsible to ensure that all
players are eligible for every game they play.
2. Every team in each
division must submit a Team Binder by the date directed by the IHF Board of
Directors for that season. A Team Binder copy must also be made available to
each roller hockey facility where the team may travel and play league game(s). This Binder must be
a 3-ring binder containing:
A. Official
IHF Final Team Roster (must be typewritten);
B. Legible
color copies of each student’s current school ID, enlarged to fit on an 81/2 x
11" page, with a photo that clearly shows the student’s face;
C. Completed
IHF Release Form for each player;
D. Completed
IHF Player Conduct Form signed by players and parents;
E. Completed
IHF Conduct of Coaches Form for each coach; and
F. Extra
copies of the team's official IHF Game Roster (must be typewritten)
3. Player additions to
any team will only be allowed prior to the 1st regular season game, or
subsequent to this at the discretion of the IHF Board through a majority vote.
4. Each team may roster
a maximum of 12 players.
5. No player shall play
on more than one team in any division per school, except as noted in the
special rule pertaining to goalies.
6. Player Movement –
Player movement is subject to the following restrictions:
A. During
the preseason games, a school can use any player in any division; and
B. Final official Rosters for each team must
be submitted prior to the 1st regular season game (the specific date will be
noted on that season's IHF Calendar). Players are locked in that division for
the remainder of the regular season, and may not play up or down. The IHF may
make an exception, but this is subject to IHF Board approval and will not be
given on short notice. The only
exception is for goalies, as noted below;.
Goalies
C. Each school may designate up to 3 players
per team or from another same-school team in a different division as
“substitute goalies” on the official Team Roster for that division;
D. A
goalie may play “out” in his or her rostered division. Similarly, any player may play goalie in the
division where he or she is rostered.
E. Goalies are only eligible to participate
in the playoffs in a particular division if they have played at least 3 regular
season games in that division. This is subject to review on a case-by-case
basis by the IHF Board.
7. Players who expect to
begin playing partway into the season must be named on the official Team Roster
at the beginning of the season and must otherwise meet IHF eligibility
requirements. Players may compete in
playoff games only if they are shown to have played in a minimum of five regular
season games on the official score sheets (three games for goalies).
8. Any player who
transfers out of a school may not compete for his former school’s team in any
game after the effective date of the transfer.
Further, that player may not compete as part of the new school’s team
until approved to do so by the IHF Board.
9. Any team found
skating an illegal player will forfeit all games in which that player has
illegally participated. Players must remain eligible throughout the entire IHF
season. Further, the player may face rink sanctions in addition to those levied
by the IHF.
10. Any team found playing
an illegal player will have an automatic suspension assessed to the head coach
of up to 5 games, based on the particular circumstances. The IHF Board may
assess additional disciplinary action if warranted.
11. Any exception to the
eligibility rules requires approval of the IHF Board.
12. All exceptions to IHF
rules are at the sole discretion of the IHF Board of Directors.
SECTION IV
SUSPENSIONS AND
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCIPLINE
1. Any player or coach
who physically or verbally incites, instigates, or participates in a fight
shall be immediately expelled from that game and assessed a MINIMUM one-game
suspension, to be served in the next scheduled game, with additional penalties
subject to IHF Board review.
2. A “one-game
suspension” is defined as the next time that particular division plays. For
example, a player suspended from a Varsity game will sit the next time that
Varsity team plays, a player suspended from a Junior Varsity A game will sit
the next time that Junior Varsity A team plays, etc. At the discretion of the IHF Board, a player
who is a “named” substitute goalie (see Section III) may play for another of
the school’s teams while suspended from a specific division.
3. The first infraction
for fighting assessed to a player will result in a game misconduct and a
MINIMUM one-game suspension.
4. The second infraction
will result in the player being suspended for 3 games: a third will result in
removal from the league, subject to Board review and appeal.
5. Rink suspensions from
non-IHF league play will be honored by the IHF for the duration of the
suspension. There is no appeal to this through the IHF.
6. All Gross Misconduct
penalties and penalties with intent-to-injure will result in immediate
suspension. The player or coach will be
suspended until a review by the IHF Board and facility management is complete.
7. All suspensions
assessed shall commence at the next scheduled game. Removal from the playing surface with time
remaining in a game does not constitute serving a suspension.
8. The IHF Board will
review all “Game Misconduct with intent-to-injure” penalties. If, as a result
of the infraction, a player is injured and forced to miss a game (or games),
the suspended player may be barred from playing until the injured player is cleared
to play (or dresses for a subsequent game); at that time the suspension will be
served.
9. The on-site IHF Game
Supervisor has the right to cancel the games as deemed necessary to ensure the
safety of all parties.
10. Any verbal or physical
aggressive behavior exhibited toward any IHF Board Member or Game Supervisor
will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action including but not
limited to temporary or permanent suspensions from the league. This applies to
players, coaches, team officials and fans.
11. All protests and
appeals must to be submitted via email to the IHF Board by the Coach and
Team/Program Manager, and this action must occur within 7 days of the disputed
game or suspension. Any submissions after 7 days will not be considered.
12. A player will be
immediately expelled from a game after receiving three penalties in that game.
13. Any player ejected
from a game, for any game ejection or gross misconduct, must immediately leave
the rink and spend the duration of the game in his/her team’s locker room or
leave the premises. Failure to do this may result in IHF sanctions beyond any
assessed for the infraction.
14. Mouthpiece violations:
Any player without a mouthpiece in his or her mouth while on the playing
surface is subject to a 2 minute equipment violation minor penalty (the team
will play short-handed while the penalty is served). The referees will issue
one warning per team before assessing the penalty to any player in violation.
Further, the IHF Board Member or Game Supervisor assigned to that game may
direct the referees to call the penalty as deemed necessary in the interest of
safety.
15. If the IHF Member or
Game Supervisor watching the game observes any objectionable behavior (physical
or verbal abuse, profanity, etc.) not seen or called by the referees, major or
minor, he or she has the discretion to assess a game misconduct penalty to be
served the next game. The Board will notify the coach or manager about the
suspension as soon as possible and at least one day prior to the next game.
16. Except in the case of
mouthpiece violations and the unusual circumstances covered in rule 14 above,
the IHF Board Member or Game Supervisor on duty will not call penalties during
play for actions on the rink. The
referee, however, has the discretion to ask the IHF Board Member or Game
Supervisor for input.
17. The IHF may assess
penalties for actions that occur by players, coaches or team management off the
rink, separate or in conjunction with any sanctions imposed by the facility’s
management.
18. 10 PENALTY RULE: If a
team accumulates 10 or more penalties in one game, the coach will be suspended
for a minimum of one Game.
SECTION V
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
All approved equipment listed below is required by the IHF. All players shall wear any other safety
equipment required by the rink operator while on the playing surface. A minor penalty shall be assessed to any
player not wearing all required protective equipment. That player may not return to the playing
surface without all required equipment.
Forwards
and Defensemen Goaltenders
H.E.C.C. Approved Helmets H.E.C.C. Approved
Helmets
(must be worn at all times) (must be worn at
all times)
Inline skates in good repair Inline skates in
good repair
(5-wheel permitted) (5-wheel permitted)
Full fingered gloves Catcher and blocker
Shin pads extending over the knee and shin. Leg pads
Hip pads/girdles are recommended
Protective cup or pelvic guard Protective
cup or pelvic guard
Full length Hockey Pants or sweat (shells) Hockey Pants (Protective)
H.E.C.C. Approved Full face mask or cage H.E.C.C. Approved Full face mask or
cage
Elbow Pads Chest
protector
Mouth guards are required Mouth guards are
required
1. Inline skates with flush mounted axles are
required. No brakes of any kind are allowed.
2. No exposed protective equipment shall be
allowed.
3. Absolutely no lubrication of any kind is
allowed on goalie pads.
4. Excessive holes in hockey equipment may
eliminate a player (official’s discretion).
5. Failure to wear a mouthpiece may invalidate
insurance coverage for any injuries sustained during league activities.
(rev.
September 15, 2007)
IHF Rules
2007-08 are also available as downloadable pdf – click here