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*Updated November 2024

1. LEAGUE OVERVIEW

i) Defaults

• A default occurs if a team does not have 4 players, including a ‘goalie’ and at least one female at the start of the game – which is defined as 5 minutes after the start time on the schedule.
• If both teams meet the minimum player requirements, the game will be played and must start on time – teams are not permitted to delay the game to wait for more players. If the minimum is not met at the start of the game, it will be a default and a scrimmage game may be played for fun. The team that defaults will be assessed a $75 fine and the other team will be awarded a 8 – 0 win.
• Also, if a team has less than two women, they can play short-handed the whole game with one woman and two men on the floor, and not forfeit.
• Please note: If your regular goalie is missing, someone must play goal if the game is to be played. Ensure someone is ready to play in net at the start of the game.
• Teams forfeiting more than one game will be suspended and will not receive a refund on league funds.

ii) Playing the game 

• Each team will have a goalie plus 4 players on the floor, with a minimum of 2 women on the floor at all times (not including the goalie.) Teams may pull their goalie for an extra player (this can be a male or a female). No shots above the waist are permitted. 
• There is also a mercy rule. If a team gains a lead of 8 goals in a game, the score will freeze (for reporting purposes) and the two teams may continue to play for fun with no tracking of goals. IBHL Rules and Regulations must still be adhered to even in the event the game is called by a mercy rule.

iii) Game times 

• Total floor time for each game is 60 minutes, including warm-up. Teams will be allowed a 5-minute warm-up. After that, the referee will blow the whistle and teams must be ready to play. This will be strictly enforced to ensure games are kept on time. 

Iv) Tied games

• Teams who win the game will receive 2 points. The losing team will not receive any points. In regular season games that are tied after regulation time, each team will receive one point. There will be no shootouts in regular season play after a tied game.
• If a playoff game is tied, teams will go to a NHL style shoot-out. An NHL style shoot-out will take place: 3 players from each team will get to take a penalty shot. One of the 3 shooters from each team needs to be female. It does not matter the order in which these players shoot. After three shots each, the team with the most goals wins. If the score remains tied, each team alternates shooters until the tie is broken per pair of shooters. At this point, the players will alternate between male and female until the tie is broken. No player can shoot twice until all players have gone.

v) Ball in play

• All areas (walls and nettings) are ‘live’ except for ceilings. Face-offs occur if the ball is out of play (center face-off circle), after a goal (centre), or after an infraction/stoppage in play. There is no icing or offsides. On faceoffs, the ball must hit the ground before the player can contact the ball. If the player contacts the ball before the ball drops, the referee will conduct another faceoff and the infracting player will be waved from the faceoff circle.

vi) Crease rule

• Offensive players may NOT stand in the crease area blocking the goalie’s movement or ability to play the ball. Offensive players may be allowed to move through the crease during a goal. However, if there is goalie interference of any kind, the goal will be disallowed. This is at the discretion of the referee.
• Goalies will be allowed to move freely from their crease. They are advised to do so at their own discretion as leaving the crease define them as a regular player who may experience incidental contact with another player and high stick rule would apply to goalie at that time.
• Closed hand over the ball in the crease by a regular player would be an automatic penalty shot awarded to the opposing team. Penalty shot can be taken by any player of opposing team that was on the floor at the time of the call.

vii) Equipment

• Players may use any sticks of their choice.
• Players must wear non-marking running shoes. Shin guards and hockey gloves are allowed, however any greater amount of equipment is NOT RECOMMENDED. The reason for this is that the people wearing the most equipment tend to be the most reckless with body contact and careless with their sticks and shots. SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY and it should be yours as well.
• Goalies can use gloves, blockers, mask, chest protector, cup, hockey pants, goalie’s stick and regular ice hockey leg pads. All goalies must have at least a facemask, leg pads, and a blocker and glove in order to participate in the game.  

2. LEAGUE RULES

Players who take a penalty will sit out for two minutes while their team plays short-handed. Game and League misconducts may also be assessed at the discretion of the referee and the IBHL Committee. 

It is the absolute responsibility of all players, and particularly the team captains, to ensure that the games are played with the primary purpose of having fun. The IBHL will not tolerate play that is deemed rough or unsportsmanlike. 

i) Minor Infractions – these are rules that will result in stoppage of play or change in possession based on the infraction

Gloved/forward passes

Players cannot pass to a teammate by pushing or directing the ball toward them with their hands in the offensive zone of play. Defensive zone OPEN hand passes allowed. Referee will define defensive zone if unclear. Players cannot score by gloving the ball into the net. Players cannot carry the ball, as they are moving. They can catch the ball, but it must be dropped immediately in front of the player. If the player redirects the ball when it is dropped, possession will be given to the other team at the point of infraction.

Goalie gaining possession of the ball

Players cannot hack at the goalie’s hand while they are trying to glove the ball. If the goalie drops the ball behind the net, the opposing team must give the other team three seconds to make a play from behind the net.  

Too many players on the floor

If a team is playing with more than four runners, and their goalie is still in net, they will receive a penalty. This includes line changes where players are changing on the fly and do not return to the bench before another player enters into the play. The first infraction will result in a warning, with subsequent offences resulting in a minor team penalty. Either a male or female player may serve this infraction. In addition, if a penalty has been assessed and a player does not sit to serve the penalty, resulting in too many players on the floor, an additional penalty will be assessed to the team.

ii) Penalties – these will be enforced by a penalty being issued to the offending player/team

High sticking

Your stick cannot go above the cross bar when taking a shot including wind up and follow through. Your stick cannot go above the cross bar whether to knock down the ball, wave for a pass, or as a forward runs past a defender. Players must remain control of their stick at all time. If there is an attempted stick lift and it is missed, resulting in your stick going above the cross bar, this will also be considered high sticking. Teams will receive one high stick warning per game; subsequent offences will result in a two-minute minor penalty. 

Goalies

The goalie may glove the ball and then toss the ball behind the net. Goalies are not allowed to “cover” or “trap” the ball behind/through the net with their glove or stick, preventing players from playing the ball. If this occurs, possession will be given to the other team in the corner.

Interference

Players will not be able to use their body to run picks or interfere with another player in pursuit of the ball or receiving a pass. This includes preventing a player from getting past you, receiving a pass, using your stick over an opponent’s stick, or locking/holding arms around a player. In addition, moving laterally and without establishing body position, then making contact with the non-ball carrier is not permitted and will be penalized as interference.  

Inconsiderate play

Slashing, hooking, interfering, checking or tripping, throwing or slamming a stick, 

sticking another player. No body checking, no chopping, no shin-slapping, no vengeful shots made purely to induce injury. 

Body contact

IBHL recognizes incidental contact is part of the game of ball hockey. However, if an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with another player, the attacking player will receive a penalty, as the referee deems appropriate (major or minor penalty). 

Sliding

Under no circumstances are players allowed to slide in an attempt to reach the ball, block a shot, or in an attempt to steal the ball from another player. Players may block a shot by having one knee on the ground only. No player (with the exception of the goalie) can slide or dive to block a shot. The offending player will be issued a two-minute minor penalty.  

Aggressive or threatening behaviour

Verbally or physically threatening another player or the referee, including obvious or excessive roughness directed at a particular player, will not be tolerated. If your captain or somebody officiating a game asks you to modify your behaviour, it is your responsibility to be respectful of their requests. Under no circumstances may you verbally assault a referee or argue with his or her decision. Players who disrespect officials will find their time on the floor cut unceremoniously short. 

Tripping

A player or goalkeeper is not allowed to place a stick or any body part in such a manner that causes his opponent to trip or fall. A penalty shot will be awarded to the other team, at the referee’s discretion, if a player trips an opponent from behind while the opponent is in control of the ball on a breakaway. 

Goalie interference

In all cases in which an attacking player(s) initiates unnecessary or intentional contact with a goalkeeper, which will be accessed at the referee’s discretion, and whether or not a goal is scored, the offensive player will be reprimanded with a two-minute minor penalty.

iii) Playoff Tie Breakers

After the regular season, the league begins playoffs. If a team is tied in the standings, the first tiebreaker is the number of wins. The second tiebreaker is head to head. The third tiebreaker is the team’s goal for/against differential. The fourth tiebreaker will be based on the number of goals for.

iv) Game Misconducts

At the discretion of the referee, any player may be ejected for repeatedly breaking any of the league rules. Also, any player involved in a physical fight with another player will be not be tolerated and immediately ejected from the game. The player will also be suspended for two games or greater at the referees’ discretion, including playoffs. A refund will not be issued.

v) Ending Games Early

At the discretion of the referee, if a game is deemed unsafe due to overly aggressive verbal or physical behavior from both teams, and after numerous penalties and warnings, the game will be stopped for 2 minutes. This acts as a time-out for players and teams. If play continues and the behavior of the teams does not change, the game will be called early. At this point in time, the score will be frozen at the time the referee has called the game. There will be every attempt to ensure games are not called early to ensure fair and adequate time is given to teams. However, safety is the number one concern and this rule will be enforced as required.

3. FACILITIES

The IBHL rents facilities from various private establishments. As tenants, players must respect the standards and rules of each facility.

• Alcohol is strictly forbidden inside gymnasiums, venues, or in parking lots.
• Players are expected to clean up after themselves, please do not leave any garbage behind.
• Any player who causes the IBHL to receive a complaint regarding a venue rented by the IBHL will face a $200 fine and may be ejected from the league. 
• The IBHL asks all players to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the game start time. This time should be used to change shoes, stretch, warm-up, and any other pre-game preparations. 
• Please do not warm up (shooting or passing balls) in the hallways.
• We are technically not allowed into the floor until the start of the permit time so be patient. 
• Players must wear clean non-marking running shoes. 
• Players will be held responsible for any property damage.

4. WEATHER

The IBHL does not cancel any games due to inclement weather. The only time games would be canceled and rescheduled would be if the facility is/are closed. Teams will be contacted if this is the case.

5. ROSTERS & SUBS

• When registering a full team, there is no maximum limit to the number of players that you can have on the roster.
• Any team may bring in subs (if they are short players for one game) that are not listed on the roster. However, the sub’s skill level must be replacing the same or lesser skill level player. They must fill out a waiver prior to playing. 
• A sub-list can be requested from the IBHL. If you recruit your own sub, it is your responsibility to ensure they are ready to play (know the rules, will play at the proper level, and have submitted a waiver).
• Teams may borrow players from other teams playing before them under this condition: to increase the team to a minimum full line-up. The IBHL considers it to be an unfair advantage if a team borrows players to bolster their line-up.
• In the spirit of sportsmanship, captains are expected to replace players with a person of a similar skill level. Bringing in “ringers” for regular season and particularly playoff games is discouraged. The IBHL encourages teams to play and win with your own team.
• Teams may bring in subs for playoff games but these players must have played at least two games during the regular season with the team, unless the team would otherwise default.
• If a team’s goalie is injured during the game, there will be a short (2 minute) timeout to replace the goalie with either another player or another goalie if there is one present waiting for the next game.
• Individual team rosters will be e-mailed out 48 hours prior to the first game. 

Subs in Playoffs:

• Subs are expected to play at the same skill level of the player that they are replacing. 
• The top 4 teams can only bring in subs that have played at least two games in the regular season. 
• To help avoid defaults in the playoffs, teams, excluding the top 4 (teams ranking 1-4 in the standings after regular season games), are welcome to bring in subs who have played at least one regular season game with the team.

IBHL Refund policy