Rules
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association cuurently follows the rules of the Internatinal Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) along with any New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation (NZIHF) additions and some extra rules specific to ice hockey in Dunedin.
Download DIHA Rule Book
The following is a an introductory overview of the rules for new players.
Players
Teams are allowed to have up to 20 players plus 2 goalies, although in most local Dunedin and regional competitions teams typically have 10-15 players. However only 6 players (including a goalie) may be on the ice at any one time. Players may swap (sub) as many times as they like during the game (typically every 1 – 3 minutes). Hockey has the unique feature that players may sub on the fly, players subbing off may still be on the ice as the next player is entering the game so long as the player coming off does not interfere with the game in anyway. It is important to sub up as often as you can as your team mates will often get very angry if you don’t! Not subbing is fairly common amongst beginners and is a common angst amongst the more experienced players when they compete alongside newbies.
A full hockey team is very large! (Photo borrowed from UofC Dino’s web site)
Apart from the unique position of goalie, all players are treated equally by the referee (in theory!). However players are usually given distinct positional roles to fill by their team captain or coach. A common practice is to have separate defensive and forward lines. The defensive players are seated at the bench closest to the their goal and the forwards at the end of the bench farthest from their goal. The forwards concentrate on the offensive side of the game, including conducting face-offs and scoring goals in front of the net, whereas the defense typically stop the opposing forward from scoring goals and feed the puck up to their forwards.
Periods
Major ice hockey events consist of 3 x 20 minute periods conducted stop-time (clock stopped whenever a stoppage of play occurs). However local Dunedin competitions are often shorter and usually conducted running time (clock not stopped during the game). During the first and third periods a teams goal/goalie is at the same end of the rink as their bench, however in the second period their goal/goalie is at the other end.
Uniforms and Captains
In-house games in Dunedin usually require only matching team jerseys. In situations where two teams may have the same predominant uniform colour one team will either need to provide a different coloured uniform or wear coloured bibs over their uniforms. In some situations, such as at the National championships and in the NZIHL, teams may be required to provide matching socks, helmets and shorts.
The captain of a team must wear a ‘C’ on their jersey and two assistant captains must wear an ‘A’ on their jersey. Captains and assistant captains are the only players who are allowed to discuss the game/calls with the referee. Captains will typically ask the referee to watch out for trippings, slashings etc. if they become a problem during the game. The ‘C’ and ‘A’s are typically made with tape before the game, but can be printed or stuck on.
Off-sides
The referee will stop play by blowing his whistle if the puck crosses the blue line into the offensive zone after a player of the attacking team has already crossed into the offensive zone already. This commonly happens when a player enters the offensive zone too early and the puck carrier either dumps the puck into their offensive zone or carries it in. When an off-side is called the referee will conduct a face-off in the neutral zone at the closest face-off dot to where the off-side occured.
An off-side infraction. The puck traveled into the offensive zone after a player on the offensive team.
If an attacking player is off-side but the defending team gains control of the puck before the referee has called the off-side, then the referee will raise one arm vertically indicating a delayed off-side. The referee will only blow the whistle for the off-side if an attacking player touches the puck inside the defensive zone. If all the attacking players leave their offensive zone then the delayed off-side is cancelled and play resumes as normal.
Icings
Icing occurs when the defensive team shoots the puck from their side of the red line over their opponents goal line. When an icing occurs, the referee will blow their whistle and conduct a face-off in the offending teams defensive zone. Icing is not called when a team is short handed due to a penalty.
An icing infraction. The puck was shot from behind the center line across the defending teams goal line.
Other Stoppages of Play
The referee will blow their whistle and conduct a face-off at the nearest face-off dot if:
the goalie covers, catches or anyway takes the puck out of action
the puck leaves the rink during play
a player knocks the puck down by lifting their stick above their waist
the two or more players are fighting for the puck against the boards and it becomes lodged in place or is out of sight of referees for an extended period of time
a player passes the puck to another player using their hand
Team captains/assistant captains may request one time-out during a game.
A team deep in discussion between periods
Photo borrowed from freezehockey.wpds.net
Faceoffs
Face-offs are conducted after any stoppages of play and at the start of the game. Only one player may conduct the face-off and all other players must be outside of the face-off circle. If there is no face-off circle then the other players must stand atleast ?? m away from the players facing off. Technically the visiting team player must place their stick on the ice first, however this is rarely enforced in local Dunedin or regional competitions. The players facing off must face each other square on and be still before the puck is dropped by the referee/lines person. If a player does not follow these rules when participating in a face-off then they will be asked to leave the face-off circle and one of their team mates will have to take the face-off instead.
A face-off. Note how the player in red intentionally passed the puck between his legs to the player behind. Moving the puck forward on the face-off is not normally a good idea as you are immediately giving the puck to your opposition!
Equipment, Body Contact and Slap Shots
Because of the vast differences in playing abilities and the level of equipment available to players here in Dunedin, there are three different sets of rules in relation to equipment, body contact and slapshots. The rules used are available in the “Event Notice” of each competition.
Full-contact
Body checking allowed
Slapshots allowed
Shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, internal mouth-guard, hockey helmet with half-visor or full visor/cage (required if under 18)
Protective equipment must be designed for the purpose of playing ice hockey
Non-Checking
as used in the DIHL A-grade
Body checking NOT ALLOWED
Slapshots allowed
Shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, internal mouth-guard, hockey helmet with half-visor or full visor/cage (required if under 18)
Protective equipment must be designed for the purpose of playing ice hockey
Non-Checking, No Slapshots
as used in the DIHL B-grade
Body checking NOT ALLOWED
Slapshots NOT ALLOWED
Shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, internal mouth-guard, hockey helmet with half-visor or full visor/cage (required if under 18)
Shin guards, elbow pads and gloves DO NOT have to be designed for the purpose of playing ice hockey.
Full equipment including shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, internal mouth-guard, hockey helmet with full visor/cage, mouth guard, throat guard, shoulder pads and protective shorts all designed for the purpose of playing ice hockey are strongly recommended for all players.
Penalties
Players who break the rules may be penalized. Penalised players are sent to the penalty box for either 2 (minor penalty), 5 (major penalty) or 10 (game misconduct) minutes . The other team then has what is called a power play during which they will have a one player advantage. If the other team scores during the power play then the player in the penalty box may leave and rejoin the game. When a penalty is called on a goalie one of their team mates has to go to the penalty box instead.
A player in the penalty box
Photo borrowed from www.pulsecode.net
Minor Penalty: (Two minutes).
hooking, spearing, tripping, charging, slashing, roughing, elbowing holding, and boarding.
Major Penalty: (Five minutes).
when minor penalties are committed with the deliberate attempt to injure or for slashing, spearing, high sticking, elbowing, butt ending and crosschecking.
Misconduct: (Ten minutes).
unsportsmanlike behaviour or for when a player receives two major penalties in one game. Substitute players are permitted for misconducts penalties. Misconduct penalties will usually be reviewed by the game organizers and further punishments may be handed out including game stand downs or even more severe punishments, particularly for repeat offenders
Penalty Shot
A free shot on the opposing teams goalie, usually handed out dur to a player who being illegally impeded from behind while in possession of the puck with no opponent between them and the goalie.
Delayed Penalty:
Whistle is delayed until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.
Information about referees, lines people, game organizers, scorekeepers, penalty time keepers and goal judges coming soon!
Ice Grooming
No players are allowed on the ice while the ice is being groomed or when the gate to the ice groomer is open. Players must leave the ice as soon as possible after the gate to the ice groomer is opened and may not get on until the gate is closed. At the referees discretion, players may be prevented from competing in their next game for being on the ice while it is being groomed.
Registration Fees
All players for the 2006 season must have paid either the full or associate membership fee to the DIHA, plus any associated costs for the league/competition they are competing in. For 2006, associate membership cost $15 and full membership $40. Players who haven’t paid the required fees will not be allowed to play.
