JCC Floor Hockey Rules & Policies
As this league is about fun, safety, and parity, players are expected to behave with respect towards all of the other players in the league and to the referee. In the event that a player receives a suspension and/or more than 20 minutes of penalties during the year (including playoffs), their admittance to the following year is subject to review by the JCC Administrator. If a player is deemed to have either instigated a fight, deliberately attempted to injure another player, or flagrantly disrespected or taunted any member of the league in any manner, they will be banned from the league immediately, and forever. Simply put, the JCC Floor Hockey League is about building a fun, safe, and tolerant community.
No arguing with referees will be tolerated. Only team captains are permitted to consult with the referee during the game.
The following rules have been designed to ensure a safe environment. They are subject to review and modification by the JCC Administrator. Any changes will be communicated to all league players.
Admittance to the League
As this league is about fun, safety, and parity, players are expected to behave with respect towards all of the other players in the league and to the referee. In the event that a player receives a suspension and/or more than 20 minutes of penalties during the year (including playoffs), their admittance to the following year is subject to review by the JCC Administrator. If a player is deemed to have instigated a fight or has attempted to deliberately injure another player, they will be banned from the league forever.
Team Selection
As this is a fun, recreational league, the mandate of the team make-up is to allow for parity and fun. On the first night of hockey, the teams will be selected by the team selection committee. The committee will consist of the elected committee of both the current season (selected the first night) and the previous year's committee. The goal of the committee is to create a fun and balanced league. The floor hockey committee, in consultation with the team captains, can review the teams part way through the season and has the authority to make adjustments (e.g. trade players) in the event of an obvious need. Player's preferences will be taken into consideration in the event of any trade.
Team Captains
Each team will elect a Captain who will be their representative to the JCC Administrator. Only the Captains have access to the Administrator in dealing with any problems that arise throughout the season. Team Captains will be chosen by virtue of play, reflecting our code of conduct and the spirit of our league.
The Captain is the only team player that can express a team's concern to the referee during the game.
Referee
The league will have one referee who is hired by the JCC. The referee shall have the authority to call the game in a manner that ensures the safety of league players. It is expected that all league players will treat the referee with respect. Team captains (only) can approach the referee during stoppages of play to discuss concerns.
Equipment
The JCC provides the league with floor hockey sticks. Players have the option to bring their own sticks under the following conditions:
- Players must use dedicated floor hockey sticks made from plastic or fibreglass with plastic blades.
- Ice hockey sticks of any sort are prohibited (wooden, aluminum, composite sticks & shafts, etc..
All players are required to wear eye protection at all times. There will be no exceptions. The referee can assess a bench minor to any team if a player is not wearing proper eye protection.
Game Start Times
As there are three games per night, the games must start on time to allow all teams to play the full 60-minute games. All teams should be able to field a minimum of 3 players for a game by the start time. Teams with less than 3 players at the start time will be given the option of:
- forfeiting the game 1-0 and playing a scrimmage game; or,
- playing the game with a mercy rule for a goal differential of greater than 5
If the game is played, scoring statistics WILL count, but goaltending statistics WILL NOT. There is no mercy rule for regular games in which both teams are able to field three or more players.
Game Structure and Procedures
- The game starts when the referee and goalies are ready
- A game will be comprised of two 30-minute periods, with a 3-minute half-time break
- Teams are entitled to one 90-second time-out per period. Unused time-outs do not carry over to subsequent periods
- There is stop-time only within the last two minutes of the game, if the goal differential is 3 or less
- There is no overtime or shootout in regular season games
Absent Goaltenders
In the event that 1 or more goalie is absent or unreasonably late (10 min) due to extenuating circumstances, the referee shall confer with team captains and then choose the format he/she feels is fairest to both teams. The options are:
- Play the game with substitute goalies provided from within the participating teams. Teams may change their own substitute goalies at half time.
- If one league goalie is present, each team supplies their own goalie for one half of the game and uses the league goalie for the other half of the game. NOTE: After a game has commenced, no additional league goaltender will be allow to participate in that given game.
Using non-participating league members to substitute for absent league goalies is permissible. Once a game has commenced, the goaltending format and league goaltenders or their substitutes cannot change. Only teams supplying their own goalie can change them at halftime.
Overtime & Shootouts (Playoffs & Playoff Qualifiers Only)
Games tied at the end of regulation time will determined by:
- A single 10-minute sudden-death overtime period proceeded by a 5-man shoot-out format if required
- In the event that a team is not able to field a 5-man rotation, the shoot-out rotation will consist of the maximum number of players the team in question is able to field. Both teams' rotation must always consist of the same number of players
- Teams do not have to field the same 5 rotation for each round of the shootout
- Both teams must shoot against the same goalie for each "round" of the shootout
- Goalies may switch only at the end of a complete round
Face-offs
Players' bodies and stick blades must be in the inner face-off circle. Both the players stick and body must remain fairly centered at the 6 and 12 o'clock points of the face-off circle. Players violating or cheating on face-offs will be asked to leave the face-off circle after one warning. Careless stick swinging and "shooting" off the face-off is forbidden. Please see diagram:
Note to self: Insert Updated Diagram
Stick height
On wind-up, the bottom hand on the stick may not come above the player's waist. On tip-in opportunities, the player's stick may not come above the waist. Both of these occurances result in a change of possession.
Play Around the Perimeter of the Gym
There is zero tolerance for checking, or interfering near the walls. Safety is more important than winning. We want no accidents. The referee will assess a five-minute penalty to players for any contact deemed to be dangerous.
Goalies and the Ball
The Goaltender may close his/her hand on the ball and/or smother it in any way and maintain possession, within the defined goal area. If the ball is frozen outside this area, possession goes to the other team. The borders are defined as the foul line (basketball) extended to the three point arch and then perpendicular down towards the back wall. If the goaltender covers the ball without pressure on him, play must be immediate. A delay of game in this manner results in a change of possession.
Playing the ball behind the net (Defending Team Only)
When a player has the ball behind their own net, they have three seconds to play the ball. Hiding, or waiting behind the net to kill time is not allowed, and a two-minute "delay of game" penalty will be assessed. This rule does not apply in a penalty-kill (short-handed) situation.
The Goaltender's Crease
The Goaltender may close his/her hand on the ball and/or smother it in any way and maintain possession, within the crease. Infractions whereby the player willingly enters the crease will result in a turn-over. The goalie cannot cover the ball or force a stoppage in play behind the net.
Out of Bounds Balls
Balls which come into contact with the basketball nets, as well as the jogging track railings behind the net, or enters a team bench are considered out of bounds. Ball possession goes to the team which did NOT last touch the ball. As goaltenders are considered defensive players, balls going out of play off the goaltender will be awarded to the opposing team. If "Last Touch" is undetermined by the Referee(s), a face-off will occur.
Possession of Ball
In possession awards, a "check-in" will occur. It must be an easily acceptable pass. The player with possession must pass the ball, and not "run up court" with it. A player cannot shoot and score from a check-in. The defender must give four feet of free space. The offensive player must pass the ball within seven seconds, or a change of possession will occur.
Penalty Policies
Minor Penalties (2 Minutes)
The referee can call two-minute penalties for the following infractions: tripping, interference, checking (or any other inappropriate physical contact), holding, holding the stick, slashing (including chopping down on an opponent's stick), delay of game, unsportsmanlike conduct, too many players on the floor and goalie interference. ANY PENALTY ALONG THE WALL will be an automatic 2 minutes. However, if the ref deems the play "dangerous", he can hand out 5 minutes and/or a suspension.
The referee does not need to explain every call/non-call. Rudeness, obscenities, poor sportmansmanship and repeated outbursts are subject to a 2 minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and/or 10-minute match penalty.
Stick play: Any stick play above the waist is most likely an infraction. Using your stick, hands, and arms against the opponent's body is most likely an infraction.
In front of the net: Any play in front of the net must be with your "hips" only. No cross checks, no pushing with hands or arms. A 2 minute roughing penalty will be assessed.
Bench infractions: Any team whose players and/or equipment come into contact or affect the flow of the game from the bench area will be subject to a two minute bench penalty.
Line changes: Teams are allowed 7 feet grace when making line changes as long as the referee does not deem the line change to have had an impact the flow of the game. Any teams exceeding the 7 foot grace rule when making a line change or affecting the play of the game under any circumstance, will be subject to a "too many men" minor penalty.
Major Penalties (5 minutes)
The following are Five-Minute Penalties and, at the referee's discretion, may be subject to a game misconduct and/or suspension/expulsion from the league.
- Any dangerous play along the wall
- Butt-ending
- Charging
- Spearing
- Deliberate high-sticking
- Dangerous or reckless play (intentional or unintentional)
- Kicking
- Head butting
- Deliberate body checking & pushing
- Fighting and fight instigation
- Intent to injure
Closing of Hand on Ball
The hand may not be closed on the ball by anyone other than the Goalie. If it is done inside the defensive crease it is a penalty shot; otherwise, it is the other team's possession. The ball may be "batted down" with the open hand, but only to oneself. Hand passes are not permitted in any zone.
Highsticking
- On wind-up, the bottom hand on the stick may not come above the player's waist. On follow-through, it may not come past your chest.
- On tip-in opportunities, the player's stick may not come above the waist.
- Balls that are "batted out of the air" or struck down at a height greater than the net's crossbar are also considered high-sticking.
- Any high stick in the crease will result in a penalty shot.
- Any stick that comes into contact with an opposing player's face will be a five-minute penalty.
- Any intentional, aggressive, high-sticking will result in a game misconduct and/or suspension.
Throwing or Losing the Stick
- Any team with a player deemed to be intentionally throwing the stick in an attempt to alter the ball trajectory or to interfere with a with a scoring opportunity will be automatically subject to a penalty shot to be taken by a member of the opposing team that was on the floor at the time of the infraction
- Any team with a defending player who unintentionally drops, throws, or looses their stick, thereby interfering with the ensuing play with be automatically be subject to a 2-minute penalty. Players are to be responsible for their sticks at all times.
- Any unintentionally dropped stick or equipment that does not interfere with a scoring opportunity or intentionally pose a threat to any players on the floor will not be subject to a penalty.
- Throwing or losing your stick regardless of how must result in you picking up your stick before re-entering the play, otherwise a 2 minute interference penalty will be assessed. If the stick is broken, players must get off the floor or get a new stick from the bench.
Body Contact
While this is a non-contact league, some jostling is inevitable. The referee has full discretion when two players battle for position, or come into contact as a result of playing the ball. Following a path is permitted, creating one by contact is not. No "picks" are allowed. Hitting from behind, pushing or blindside contact is never permitted.
Concurrent vs. Consecutive Penalties
All penalties are to be served concurrently, provided the penalized team is able to field a minimum of one defender. If a team is unable to field the minimum of one defender, penalties may be served consecutively at the referee's discretion.
Note: In the event a team is not able to field a minimum of one defender due to multiple infractions, and time does not permit penalties to be served consecutively, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty shot, regardless of the infraction.
Offsetting Penalties
- In the event that both teams are penalized on the same play, the penalties offset each other, allowing 3 on 3 play to continue. Penalized players must serve their penalties from the penalty area, and can only return to their benches after their penalties have been served and during a stoppage in play.
- In the event that both teams receive penalties on two different, but overlapping plays, the penalties do not offset each other, resulting in 2 on 2 play as the penalties would have different expiration times.
- In the event that one of the penalized teams is not able to field enough players to continue 3 on 3 play, then penalties do not offset each other and 2 on 2 hockey must be played.
Penalized players are allowed to return to the floor if a goal is scored against their team during minor penalty. Major penalties must be served in full.
Six-minutes in Penalties
Six minutes in total penalties for one game will result in the player being ejected for the rest of that game.
Match Penalty in the Last Two Minutes of a Game
If the referee assesses a match penalty during the last two minutes of a game, the penalized player is automatically suspended for the following game.
Penalty Shots
Penalty shots are awarded for the following:
- Gloving the ball in the crease area (closed hand on ball)
- Goaltender throwing the stick
- Any penalty taken on a player with a clear breakaway
Game Misconducts/Suspensions
Fighting, as well as any action that is determined by the referee to be a deliberate attempt to injure or an attempt to provoke or instigate fighting will be subject to an automatic game misconduct and expulsion from the league forever.
- There is zero-tolerance for violence and unnecessary aggression of any kind in this floor hockey league. The JCC may review any incident at any time, regardless of any decision(s) made by the referee at the time of the infraction.
- Any team with a player receiving a game misconduct, will be subject to a 5-minute major penalty to be served by any player from that team. No penalty time is required to be served for offsetting game misconducts.
- Any team with a player attempting to violate a suspension will automatically be required to forfeit the game with a victory being awarded to the opposing team. The JCC may also choose to dismiss from the league, any player attempting to violate a suspension.
Standings Tie-breakers
In the event of a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season, the following tie breakers will apply to determine playoff seeding:
- Total points
- Most number of wins
- Team plus-minus
(e.g. the number of goals scored minus the number of goals scored against) - Most number of goals for
- In-season head-to-head record
- Coin toss
Playoffs
The playoffs will begin the week immediately following the regular season.
The two most important factors in our playoff format are as follows:
- Each team should play three first round playoff games.
- Teams that finished higher in the regular season standings should be rewarded in small ways during the playoffs.
With that in mind, here are the details.
ROUND 1: Three game round robin format. Each team plays three games, but only four teams advance.
Using the regular season standings, teams are seeded from 1 to 6. See Standings Tie-breakers above.
Round robin seeding matchups are as follows:
1st plays 4th, 5th, 6th
2nd plays 3rd, 5th, 6th
3rd plays 2nd, 4th, 6th
4th plays 1st, 3rd, 5th
5th plays 1st, 2nd, 4th
6th plays 1st, 2nd, 3rd
At the end of the round robin teams are ranked 1 to 6 based on their round robin record (2 pts for wins, 1 for ties). The top four teams advance. Tie breakers are wins, then goal differential, then goals scored, from round robin games; then by better regular season standing.
ROUND 2: Semi-Finals
The top four teams in the round robin advance to round 2. Seedings from the regular season determine how the four remaining teams are numbered 1 to 4. 1st plays 4th, 2nd plays 3rd; these seedings remain in effect for the finals.
ROUND 3: Finals
The two winning teams from the semifinal series play for the league championship.
Series format: Semi-Finals and Finals
The Semi-Finals and Finals series consist of two games. Teams with two wins, or one win and a tie, win the series. When both teams win one game each, or both games are tied, the series will be decided by sudden-death overtime ("Series Overtime"). Goal differential is not considered in this situation.
Overtime and Shootouts
Ties after regulation time in the round-robin will result in a single 5-minute sudden death overtime (better seed chooses goalie), and if no goal is scored the result will be recorded as a tie.
Ties after regulation time for games in both the Semi-Finals and the Finals result in up to two 5-minute sudden death overtime periods, with teams switching sides (goalies) after the first overtime. The better seed chooses the goalie for the first overtime. If no goal is scored after the two overtime periods the result will be recorded as a tie.
Series Overtime for a tied two-game series (Semi-Finals or Finals) takes place immediately following the conclusion of game 2, even when game 2 ended with overtime. This follows the same sudden-death overtime rules (switching sides after each five-minute period) but will continue until a winner is determined.
There are no shootouts in the current playoff format.
Top Seed Advantage
The top seed in any playoff matchup may choose initial side of the gym/goalie, starting overtime goalie, and whether they want to shoot first or second in a shootout.
Eduard Koehl Memorial Award (sportsmanship and hard work)
This award is dedicated to the memory of a former league player, Eduard Koehl, who passed away suddenly of a heart attack while playing on Monday, November 23, 1998. Ed consistently demonstrated a positive spirit in the game with his tenacious, hard working, and clean style of play. It is his example that serves as a guiding force in the philosophy and style of this league.
During the last week of the regular season, league members are asked to vote for the player who demonstrates these combined qualities of sportsmanship and hard work. Previous winners of the award are:
2003-2004 Ron Wener
2002-2003 Hooman Ganjavi
2001-2002 Tom Juranka
2000-2001 Patrick Hornsby
1999-2000 Andrea Swanson
1998-1999 Mike Tanner