*Last Updated May 20th 2007

Draft Order:

• Coaches draw numbers out to determine the draft order.

• The draft will be a ladder draft: the order will be 1-2-3-4-5-6 and then it will reverse 6-5-4-3- 2-1 and then it will start back up again.

Parent Coaches:

• Coaches are allowed to claim their children and 1 assistant coaches children. These players are then removed from the draft pool

Coaches without children:

• If over 50% of the teams in any division have children assigned to their teams before the draft starts (due to coaches and assistant coaches children). Any coach who does not have children will be allowed a compensatory pick to assure that all coaches start with at least 1 child per team. If more than one coach doesn’t have any children, the order in which they pick will be the order they are in the draft.

Draft Progression:

• As coaches start down the draft order the following should take place: If during the assignment of the coach’s children, those of his/her assistant, or a coaches compensatory pick, he/she received a 1 rated player, he/she will have to skip his turn in the draft. He/she will restart drafting as soon as all the other coaches have the same number of 1’s as he/she does. This also applies to 2 and 3 rated players.

• If a coach decided to draft a lower rated player before they enter that round (i.e. a coach selects a 2 rated player while still in the round drafting 1 rated players) that selection is considered the coaches 1 rated player pick. The coach does not have to skip his turn in the 2 rated players draft since the player has been chosen as a 1 rated player.

Goalies:

• Goalies are drafted in the same population as the other players. A coach cannot draft more than one goalie until every team has drafted a goalie.

Rosters:

• There will be no trading of players or draft picks between coaches.

• Each coach will be responsible for filling out the appropriate league roster paperwork for their team and handing in their rosters at the end of the night.

Draft Questions:

• There will be representatives from the competition committee, along with LECRHA board members, available to any division to clarify any questions regarding the draft rules.

• Any questions or discrepancies that coaches may have must be brought up to one of these representatives the night of the draft.

League officials and LPD – Exchange Club Roller Hockey Association board members will work in conjunction with each other to decide when a rain delay is necessary. Once a rain delay has been declared, the following policy will be put into place:

• All players are to immediately remove their skates and change into their shoes.

• If lightning is involved, all players need to remove their helmets and move to a safe place.

• All coaches and parents need to make sure their players/children move off of the playing surface in a safe and orderly manner.

• A stoppage in play will immediately result in a 30-minute delay from the nearest 5-minute interval (i.e. game stopped at 10:13, delay in affect until 10:45).

• Delays will be updated 10 minutes prior to restart time in 15 - 30 minute intervals. (i.e. in the previous example, by 10:35 the league must decide whether to resume play or push the delay out a further 15 – 30 minutes).

• If play resumes, games may be shortened by either minutes or periods, depending on the length of delays.

• If rain continues and it is decided that the day has to be cancelled, the communication committee shall contact local radio and TV stations.

• All updates on rain delays and restarts will be posted on the league web site (www.lpderollerhockey.com) as soon as possible.

• If a majority of games in one division has been played before the cancellation of a day (i.e. 4 of 6 teams have played) the league will try and reschedule. Teams may have to make up a game during their scheduled practice time during the week (which team’s practice time will be used will be determined by a coin flip, if necessary).

• If neither team wants to make up their game, a 0 – 0 tie will be entered for that game.

• In the event a rainout occurs during the tournament and games cannot be made up during the scheduled weekend, the tournament may be postponed one week.

• All league decisions are final.

For the safety of all LPD league participants, the following equipment is required at all league-sponsored games and practices:

• Knee pads or shin guards
• Protective helmet with face guard or goalie helmet
• Elbow pads (Including goalie)
• Hockey-style padded gloves
• Rubber end or tape on butt end of stick
• Skates (expect goalie) in good condition and correct size
• Official numbered game shirt (except goalie)
• Chest protector (goalie only)
• Protective leg pads (goalie only)
• Strongly Recommended:
• Mouth guard and cup or pelvic protector

Penalties for equipment violations:

The first time a player on a team is called for an equipment violation, the team will be issued a warning and the player will be removed from the game in order to correct the problem. As soon as it is corrected, the player may return. The second time any player on that team is called for an equipment violation in the same game, the team will be issued a penalty. After that, any further equipment infractions will result in penalties.

*Coaches will help to ensure the players are well-protected and correctly wearing the specified equipment above. If any coach or parent has questions pertaining to the equipment rules or to the proper wear or use of said equipment, please ask a league official for clarification or assistance.

Proper care of the equipment:

It is important that the equipment provided by the league is properly cared for. Most of the equipment has been purchased through the donations of businesses and individuals. How we take care of the equipment is how we thank these people. Coaches should make sure that the equipment is well-cared for and returned to the equipment trailer promptly after the game and in a neat manner.

• No equipment should be checked out of the trailer more than ten minutes prior to a game or practice.
• Equipment is to be worn by LPD League members only and only at appropriate times.
• Equipment should be returned to the trailer immediately after each game.
• Any players, coaches and parents involved in the first or last games of the day are expected to help setup or tear down and store the Border Patrol systems.

Scorekeepers:

Each team will be required to supply one person to either keep score or run the clock per game. If a team can not supply one person to perform these duties, they will be charged with the following:

Delay of Game Penalty counting toward their penalty count for the game

Automatic Penalty Shot.

This will take place before the game clock is started.

The clock:

Each game will consist of three 15-minute periods. There will be a two-minute break in between periods. (The 8 and under age division also known as division “A” will be the only division that will play three 12-minute periods. The clock will stop every 2-minutes for a “complete line change expect for the goalie.) The clock will be on running time and will be stopped only for:

• Official time outs
• Injury time outs
• Penalty shots
• Weather
• Rules clarifications
• Equipment delays allowed by the referees
• Any time the referees deem it necessary

Stop time will occur in the final two minutes of the third period of any game when the game is within two goals. The clock will stop for example when the goalie freezes a puck and will start up again when the team with possession of the puck starts play again.

Time outs:

Each team will be allotted one 1-minute time out to be used during the game as wished. The timeout must be called by the coach during a stoppage in play. If a team is unnecessarily delaying the game and a delay of game penalty has already been issued, the team may lose it’s time out as compensation for the long delay. Referees may call time outs for injuries and in other warranted instances.

Shootouts:

Regular season games that are tied after three periods of play shall end in a tie.

Division finals (playoffs) games that are tied after three periods of play shall enter a shootout phase as follows:

Phase One (1):
Four players from each team shall be selected to participate in a series of penalty shot attempts. The players from each team will alternate attempts with the visiting team having the first attempt. Teams may change goalkeepers only at the beginning of the shootout or if a goalkeeper is injured during the shootout. The goalkeepers shall not change goals for the shootout. Whoever scored the most goals in the shootout will win by one goal. (For example, if the two teams are tied 3-3 going into the shootout and Team A wins the shootout 3 goals to 1, Team A will win the game by a score of 4-3.)

Phase Two (2):
If the game is still tied after phase one, the teams will do another shootout. The home team will have the first attempt. The teams will select four players to participate in this shootout. If both teams have at least four players who did not participate in the first shootout, then different players must be selected for phase two. If one or more of the teams must use players who have already participated in phase one, then both teams may repeat players. The scoring and the results work in the same manner as in phase one.

Phase Three (3):
If two teams are still tied after two shootout rounds, a modified sudden death phase will result. The teams will line up at the center red line in the order that they will shoot. A coin flip will decide who goes first. A round consists of one player from each team shooting. If both score or neither score, the next two shooters will attempt shots. If only one player scores, that player’s team win the shootout. The round proceeds until this latter event takes place.

Number of players and minimum number of players:

Teams will play four to a side. Any team that does have at least seven players including a goalie will forfeit the game to the opposing team 1-0. The games are often played in extreme heat and humidity. Seven players allows for only two substitutions in a four-on-four situation. Anything less in unacceptable. No players will be allowed to play on teams other than their own due to a shortage of players unless arrangements are made at least one full day before the game. (It is advisable for coaches to talk to players well ahead of time to determine who will be playing in the next game.)

*The arrangement of using substitute players must have the consent of the coaches involved in the game and league officials and can only be made if the substitute player(s) is or are needed to meet the minimum requirement rule. Players may not be added to make teams of more than seven players.

1. A player may be allowed to substitute up an age division in which they play in. No player may substitute down or parallel to an age division in which they play in. (The 8-under division may substitute in the same age division in which they play in.).
2. Team member(s) that show up after a game has started shall immediately replace sub(s).
3. A team that is not able to start a game with at least 5 original team members shall forfeit the game.

Technical violations:

1. Goalie crease - No opposing player may enter the crease before the ball. If this occurs, the referee will give the other team possession at the center line. Any goal scored with a player in the crease will be negated if the player reached the crease before the ball. The other team will gain possession at the center line.
2. Hand pass - A hand pass is only considered legal when a player hand passes the ball to a teammate and the pass is “initiated and completed” in his or her defending zone. If the goaltender throws the ball forward toward the opponent’s goal and it is first played by a teammate, play will stop and loss of possession will occur.
3. Out of bounds - If the ball is hit or deflected out of play, the last team to touch the ball will lose possession. The other team will gain possession at the point it was last touched.
4. Penalty shot - A penalty shot will occur when a defending player other than the goalkeeper picks up the ball in the goal crease from the playing surface with the hands or holds or “freezes” the ball while it is in the goal crease.
• A penalty shot will occur during a breakaway if all the following conditions are met:
  • No defending player is between the player on the breakaway and the goalkeeper.
  • The player on the breakaway is fouled directly from behind resulting in the loss of a reasonable scoring opportunity.
  • When a penalty shot is awarded, no minor penalty will be assessed or tallied.
5. Playing the ball with a high stick – A player is not to play the ball with a stick higher than the shoulder. Loss of possession will result unless the ball is batted to an opponent (and the opponent plays the ball), in which case play shall continue. Any goal scored employing a high stick above the crossbar will be negated. On the junior rink, a slap shot will be considered a high stick and loss of possession will result. (A shot is considered a slap shot when, in the back swing, the stick comes above an imaginary line parallel with the playing surface.)

Minor Penalties:

1. Abuse of an official and other misconducts – Any player or coach who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official, attempts to incite an opponent, or creates a disturbance during the game shall be penalized. An official is given great latitude when assessing penalties for “abuse of officials and other misconduct”. This is to allow the official to penalize a player or team according to the severity of the infraction.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct – Involves a player or (in extreme situations) a fan receiving a minor penalty.
3. Bench minor – A minor penalty assessed to players or team officials in the vicinity of the bench.
4. Misconduct penalty – Involves the removal of a player other than the goalkeeper for a period of ten clock minutes. A misconduct penalty will not be tallied as a team penalty. A misconduct by the goalkeeper shall be server by another player who was on the rink at the time the penalty was committed.
5. Game misconduct - A team official may receive a game misconduct if he or she persists in any course of conduct for which the team official has previously been penalized. A team official receiving a game misconduct will be suspended for the balance of the game and must leave the bench area.
6. Butt-ending - Striking an opposing player with the butt end of the stick.
7. Charging - Skating with excessive force into an opposing player.
8. Change of players - Players may be changed at any time from the players’ bench, provided that the player or players leaving the playing surface are within 5 feet of the players’ bench and out of the play before the change is made. If, in the course of making a substitution, either player deliberately plays the ball while the retiring player is still on the playing surface a bench minor penalty for “too many players” shall be assessed. If in the course of the substitution either player is accidentally struck with the ball, the play shall not be stopped and no penalty shall be assessed.
9. Checking - Using the body to impede the progress of a player with the ball.
10. Cross checking- Gripping the shaft of the stick with both hands and forcing it into an opponent while no part of the stick touches the ground.
11. Delay of game - Any tactic that purposely or negligently interrupts the game.
12. Delay of game by the goal keeper - The goalkeeper may not cause a stoppage of play by freezing a ball that is behind and imaginary line extending from either end of the goal line, unless some part of the goalkeeper’s body is in contact with the crease. This violation will result in a minor penalty for delay of game.
13. Elbowing – Using the elbow in a threatening way to strike an opponent.
14. High sticking – Hitting an opposing player with a stick above the shoulders.
15. Holding - Grabbing an opponent in order to impede his or her progress.
16. Hooking - Using the stick to impede the progress of an opposing player.
17. Interference - Using the body to impede the progress of any player that does not have possession of the ball.
18. Roughing - Pushing or using undue force against an opposing player.
19. Slashing - Forcefully striking or slashing an opponent with the stick.
20. Tripping - Employing the stick or foot to trip an opponent.

Penalties will be tallied by the statistician. When any team reaches three penalties, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty shot. The shot must be taken by a player on the rink at the time of the penalty. Any penalty after three will also result in a penalty shot. If two teams have two or more penalties and each team is assessed a minor penalty simultaneously, the penalties will be considered offsetting and no shot will be awarded. (See major penalties for other instances.)

Major Penalties:

A major penalty may be called by a referee when:

• He or she thinks a penalty occurred with intent to injure.
• Extreme disrespect is aimed at an official by a player.
• Any player engages in a fight.

A major penalty by any player will result in a game ejection. If the major penalty results before the half way mark of the 2nd period the player is only out for that game. If it is after the half way of the 2nd period, the player is ejected for that game and the next.

A major penalty will always result in a penalty shot by the opposing team unless there are offsetting major penalties called at the same time. Major penalties will be counted on the total penalty tally. During the playoffs, two major penalties will result in removal of the player for the remainder of the playoffs.

Face Offs:

A face-off will occur:

• If the ball comes to rest on top of the goal frame (play will stop immediately)
• At the beginning of each period.
• A violation or penalty is called.
• After any goal is scored during regulation time.
• When the ball is lodged for more than three (3) seconds on the back or sides of the goal.
• When it is unclear which team last touched a ball that went out-of-bounds.
• When the ball becomes lodged under a barrier.
• Any time a referee deems necessary.

During a face-off, two opposing players face each other with sticks about 16 inches apart tip to tip. (The referee’s feet or skates are approximately 18 inches apart in stance during a face-off.) Players must be on the side of the ball closet to their own goalie. If a face-off is deemed unfair by the referee, it will be done again. Any player who does not cooperate during a face-off may be ejected from the face-off by the referee and replaced with another player.

Change of Possession:

The ball will be awarded to a given team when:

• That team’s goalie holds the ball for a whistle.
• The ball is knocked out-of-bounds and the other team touched it last.
• A violation or penalty is called.
• The opposing team must give the team that gained possession at least 10 feet of space (about two hockey stick lengths). The opposing team may attack the ball as soon as it is touched by a player on the team gaining possession. If an opposing team attacks to soon, the other team will restart the change of possession. If it happens again on the same possession, a delay of game penalty will be assessed on the guilty player.

It is important that coaches model good sportsmanship to his or her players. Bench minors may be assessed on any coach who exhibits poor sportsmanship. Coaches will be issued a copy of these rules and should be familiar with them. Coaches must attend mandatory coach’s meetings. Coaches need to hold weekly practices – notify the rink manager to schedule a time.

Referees will be required to obtain and read these rules and make calls according to them. Referees need to be impartial and fair and keep an even temper. No referee is to call a game in which a son or daughter is playing unless no other referee is available. No player in any age group may be the sole referee in a game in that age group. The other referee must be an adult. Referees should attend any mandatory referee meetings. The referee(s) shall have full authority and final decision in all matters of dispute. These decisions are not subject to appeal during the course of the game.

It is important that line changes be instituted frequently. A line change may take place during play or while there is a stoppage of play. Players should not be on the rink more than 2 or 3 minutes at a time, especially in hot weather. Coaches should institute line changes in order to give all players approximately equal playing time.

Players and coaches from both teams will shake hands at the end of a game in order to promote good sportsmanship.

Points will be awarded to teams as follows:

• Two points for a win
• One point for a tie
• No points for a loss

Seedings for the playoffs will be established by the points earned during the regular season. Tie breakers are as follows:

• Head-to-head
• Greater number of wins
• Least number of goals allowed
• Least number of shots allowed
• Coin flip

Seedings will result in the following:

• First place plays fourth place
• Second place plays third place