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The
Official TPWHL
Local
League Rule Book
Rules as of December 1, 2007. These
rules are subject to revisions/change when deemed necessary.
Click Here to Download
Section I
[Game Rules]
A.
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A minimum of six
players is recommended on each team's roster. A total of five
players (including goaltender) are required on the floor to play
a game. If a team does not have the required number of players
[five], they will be permitted to substitute only one player to
field a team. A team must have three of their players present, or
they must forfeit. A team will be allowed to play shorthanded the
entire game (five against four) rather than forfeit.
The player that is
substituted must be of equal ranking or less, must be a
registered League player. (The coaches for both teams must agree
to the substitute players’ participation) Points accumulated
(goals and/or assists) by the substituted player will not be
recorded on their individual statistics, but will count in the
score of the game in which they are playing. No new players can
be added to a team during the play-offs.
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B.
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Player transactions must be
approved by all League coaches.
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C.
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A
team may only play two level 1 ranked players on the floor at
the same time. A level 1 or 2 ranked player can be considered a
level 3, only if he/she tapes the stick (or uses a bracket or
stick mount) to their chair (See player classifications in
Section IX of the Rulebook).
A level 3 ranked player must be on the floor at all times,
playing a forward or defensive position.
Goaltenders
cannot be a level 1. A goaltender can be played by a level 2 or
level 3 player.
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D.
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A team may make line changes
(change players) at any time during the game. The player(s)
coming into the game cannot come on the court until the player
he/she is replacing is next to the team bench.
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E.
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The game will begin with a
face-off at the center face-off circle. The referee will place
the ball at the center of the circle and blow the whistle to
start play. After each period, teams (goaltenders) will change
ends. In overtime, teams will remain on the end in which they
began the third period. Each period will begin the same as the
start of the game. After a goal has been scored, play will resume
with a face-off at the center face-off circle.
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F.
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A face-off will be called by the
referee if the ball becomes unplayable by rolling under a
player's wheelchair, into a team's bench area,
scorekeepers/timekeepers area, or into an unplayable area such as
a hallway or bleachers. Players (except goaltenders) must attempt
to move off the ball or play the ball, or risk getting a delay of
game penalty (See minor penalties in Section VI of the Rulebook).
The face-off will take place in the face-off circle closest to
where the play was stopped. This includes resuming play after a
penalty or a time-out has been called. If the ball was shot from
beyond the center line [half court] and becomes unplayable, the
face-off will take place in the zone from where the ball was
shot.
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G.
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A goal is scored when the ball
completely crosses the goal line. A goal will not be allowed if
the ball was kicked by an offensive player and entered the goal
either directly or after deflecting off any player including the
goaltender. At any time if a team is slow in returning to the
face-off circle, the referee will issue a warning. If it happens
again, a delay of game penalty will be called.
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H.
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A face-off will be called by the
referee if there is a save/frozen ball by the goaltender. The
whistle will be blown immediately [equivalent to a count of
one-thousand-one]: (1) when the referee identifies/sees that the
ball is under some portion of the goaltender's wheelchair
(including, feet rests/pedals, battery box, wheels) or trapped
securely between his/her stick and the outside of the goal; (2)
when the ball is shot or rolls under the goaltender's wheelchair
and clearly does not go into the net, or roll away from the
goaltender; and (3) no player may reach under a goaltender's
chair to try and score a goal. Any goal scored in this manner
will be disallowed and a face-off will take place in the face-off
circle closest to where the play was stopped.
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I.
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Players are not allowed to use
their feet or hands to carry or hold the ball while it's in play,
but they may use their feet to stop the ball. For example, if the
ball rolls into the front of a player, he/she may stop the ball
with their feet and direct it to their stick. But they are not
allowed to kick the ball ahead of them, out of the goal crease,
out of the zone, to a teammate, or away from an opposing player.
All players (including goaltenders) will not be allowed to reach,
kick, stretch or raise their legs in an effort to play or defend
the ball.
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J.
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An offensive player is OFF-SIDE
if their entire chair crosses the center line prior to the ball.
If the ball leaves the offensive zone, that team's players must
clear the zone before the ball can be carried or shot back into
the offensive zone. If the off-side is whistled the face-off will
take place in the offending team's zone at the face-off spot
nearest the center line. If an offensive player crosses the line
before the ball that is shot, passed or deflected into the
offensive zone, but a defending player is able to play the ball,
the referee shall signal a DELAYED OFF-SIDE. The off-side
violation will be nullified if all offensive players in the
offensive zone clear the offensive zone by making chair contact
with the center line. The offensive zone must be completely clear
of offensive players before a delayed off-side can be nullified
with the ball still in the offensive zone. During the delayed
off-side, the referee shall stop play for the off-side violation
if ANY offensive player touches the ball or attempts to gain
possession of a loose ball while the ball is still in the
offensive zone or forces the defending ball carrier further back
in the offensive zone. *No goal can be scored on a delayed
off-side.
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Section II [Playing Area]
A.
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The playing area for electric
wheelchair hockey games will be the surface of a gymnasium,
approximately the size of a basketball court. If there is any
question as to the playing area, it must be brought to the
attention of the officials before the start of the game.
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B.
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The nets used for goals will be
provided by your local league officials. Generally the nets
should measure approximately 6 feet [183cm] wide by 3 feet [91cm]
high by 1 ½ feet [46cm] deep. In situations where nets are
not available, cones can be substituted. The goal crease should
measure approximately 8 feet wide [along goal line] and extend 5
feet outward from goal line.
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C.
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On the playing surface there will
be five face-off areas. One in the center of the court and one on
each side of both nets positioned approximately halfway between
the nets and center line.
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D.
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If possible, the scorekeeper,
timer, penalty area and team benches shall be on one side of the
court.
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E.
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All coaches and players must stay
in their team areas throughout the game.
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Section III [Equipment]
A.
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All
sticks handle, shaft, and blade, must be made of plastic or an
approved composite material.
Dowel
Sticks: A dowel may be inserted through the blade of the stick
for players with a limited ability to stick-handle. The dowel
should be made of plastic or similar material (the dowel cannot
be made of metal) and cannot exceed more than 3 inches in length
on either side of the blade, and it cannot be more than ½
inch in diameter. Wood dowels will be allowed (as long as they
meet the required measurements listed above), but that is the
only part of the stick allowed to be made of wood. Curving of the
stick is allowed, but the blade of the stick cannot wrap
around/enclose more than 3/4 of the ball.
T-Stick:
Similar to the “dowel stick” function, this is a larger piece
of material (plastic) affixed to each side (or put through the
blade) of the stick blade, to create at “T”. A “T” stick
can only be made out of a standard acceptable hockey stick
material discussed above. The “wings” cannot be higher than
the blade of the stick, and must be of similar width, and must
meet all other measurements as the “dowel stick”.
A team may challenge the legality
of an opposition player's equipment (See minor penalties in
Section VI of the Rulebook).
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B.
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A player may tape the stick to
their wheelchair (the blade must be placed in the front of the
wheelchair's front wheel/foot pedal), or to their hand/arm/leg if
they are unable to hold/grip the stick. Players are permitted to
use brackets or stick mounts, as long as it places the blade in
the front of the wheelchair's front wheel/foot pedal. No stick
blade may be placed between the front and rear tires, obstructing
passage of the ball through that area. *All objects/attachments
considered dangerous must be covered (taped/padded).
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C.
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If a goaltender chooses to use a
standard goaltender stick (larger/thicker blade), the stick must
be taped/mounted/bracketed to the wheelchair as defined in
Section III (B). Only goaltenders are allowed to use these types
of large-bladed sticks. If a goaltender is moved to another
position he/she must switch to a non-goaltender stick.
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D.
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All players must require the use
of an electric (power) wheelchair in their daily life. Players
who use only manual wheelchairs in their daily life will not be
allowed to transfer from a manual wheelchair to an electric
(power) wheelchair simply for the purpose of playing hockey. (
Any exception must be approved by the League Executive.)
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E.
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No
modifications shall be made to a wheelchair that will prohibit
the ball from traveling underneath or around the chair. No stick
blade may be placed between the front and rear tires,
obstructing passage of the ball through that area.
Although there is no "official limit" on the speed of
wheelchairs, alterations/modifications to increase the
manufacturer's speed of a wheelchair, which clearly shows that
chair to be excessively faster than all other chairs is not
allowed. Industry standard wheelchairs with industry standard
speeds are acceptable.
For
safety reasons, electric scooters/carts will not be allowed.
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F.
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A hollow plastic ball (2" in
diameter/baseball-sized) with holes in it will be used as the
official game ball.
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G.
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All
players must wear protective eye wear. Participants are free to
wear other protective gear such as, a helmet, knee or arm pads,
etc.
For
safety reasons, limbs must be generally kept within the proximity
of the chair.
The League Executive may disallow
any protective gear at any time if they find the size of such
gear to be excessive and unfair.
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H.
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Team members must wear the same
jersey. The jersey should have a number that can be seen by the
referee if necessary. If jerseys are not available a team should
wear the same color shirts.
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Section IV [Timekeepers, Scorekeepers, and Referees]
A.
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It is the League Executive’s
responsibility to ensure that a timekeeper, scorekeeper, and
referees are available and ready for each game.
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B.
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Each game will consist of three
fifteen-minute periods. The game will be played on a non-stop
[running-time] basis. The final two minutes of the third period
will be played on a stop-time basis, meaning the clock will be
stopped after each whistle [stoppage of play], if the score of
the game is within three goals. Between each period there will be
a two minute break. After the break teams will switch playing
ends. Each team will be allowed one time-out per game consisting
of one minute in length. A team may only call time-out during a
stoppage in play. (For instance, when the ball becomes unplayable
[out-of-play], after a goal is scored, or after a penalty has
been called.) If the game goes to overtime, and a team has not
used its time-out, the time-out will be carried over to the
overtime period.
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C.
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If possible, the official game
clock should be large enough and placed high enough so that the
referees can see the clock from anywhere on the playing area.
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D.
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The timekeeper is responsible for
keeping track of the time for each period, any time-outs, and the
time for any penalties. The timekeeper must also instruct the
penalized player when he/she may return to the game.
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E.
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The scorekeeper will record the
time of each goal, the name and number of the player who scored
the goal, and the name and number of the one (or two) player(s)
who assisted on the goal. The scorekeeper is also responsible for
recording any information regarding penalties.
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F.
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It is the referees'
responsibility to inform the timekeeper and scorekeeper of all
penalties called. This includes the name and number of the
penalized player, the time of the penalty, the type of penalty,
and the duration of the penalty.
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Section V [Penalty Stipulations]
A.
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If a goaltender receives a
penalty, a teammate on the floor at the time of the penalty must
serve it. The player serving the penalty will be chosen by the
penalized team.
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B.
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A player serving a penalty must
return to the playing area after completion of a penalty before
he/she can be substituted.
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C.
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After three game misconduct's in
one season a player may be subject to further penalty or removal
at the discretion of the League Executive.
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D.
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Any player given a game
misconduct must exit the playing area.
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E.
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If a level 1 ranked player is
serving a penalty, his/her team may have only one level 1 ranked
player on the court until the penalty has expired. The level 1
ranked player serving the penalty is still considered to be on
that line even though they are in the penalty box. If a level 3
ranked player is serving a penalty, the player is still
considered to be on that line, and his/her team does not have to
put another level 3 on the floor to replace the penalized player.
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F.
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If coincidental penalties are
whistled/called (meaning one player from each team is called for
a penalty), teams will play shorthanded [four-on-four].
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Section VI [Minor Penalties]
A.
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HOOKING: When a player places
his/her stick around another player, player's stick, or
wheelchair in attempts to stop or hold the player. [Two-minute
penalty.]
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B.
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BOARDING: Recklessly "riding"
a player into the boards with excess. [Two-minute penalty.]
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C.
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HOLDING: When a player, with
his/her hands or wheelchair, impedes another player's progress by
holding the player, player's stick, or the player's wheelchair.
[Two-minute penalty.]
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D.
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INTERFERENCE: Making contact with
another player who does not have possession of the ball.
[Two-minute penalty.]
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E.
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UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
Swearing, arguing or abusing other players, officials, or
equipment. [Two-minute penalty.]
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F.
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IN THE CREASE: No player except
the goalie is allowed to go into the goal crease at any time
unless the ball goes in first. Players may go into the goal
crease if the ball is in there first, but must immediately
attempt to exit the goal crease by driving through or backing out
of the crease. An attacking (offensive) player stopping/parking
any part of their wheelchair in the goal crease at any time will
result in a stoppage of play, a penalty, and an automatic
face-off in the attacking (offensive) player's zone. If an
attacking (offensive) player is trapped [boxed in, unable to back
out or drive out] while attempting to exit the goal crease, a
whistle is blown and a face-off will occur in the attacking
(offensive) player's zone. Players are permitted to have their
sticks in the goal crease only if the ball enters the goal crease
first. If an attacking (offensive) player's stick is in the
crease before the ball, a whistle is blown, a penalty is
assessed, and a face-off will occur in the attacking (offensive)
player's zone. Any goal scored on that play would be disallowed.
If any goal is scored when in violation of this rule, it will be
disallowed. If a defensive player commits any of the above
violations it will result in a penalty. [Two-minute penalty.]
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G.
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BENCH MINORS: Can be called
against players or coaches for abuse against officials or other
players or for too many level 1 players, or players in general,
on the floor. [Two-minute penalty.] See Section I (B/1).
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H.
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RAMMING: A player may not
deliberately run into another player with his/her wheelchair. A
player may only "ride-off another player". Side-to-side
contact only. Backing into another player as they pass by, using
the front of a player's chair to make contact, or trying to push
a player's chair out of the way is not permitted. [Two-minute
penalty.]
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I.
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DANGEROUS DRIVING: Referee may
call this penalty if he/she deems that a player is driving
dangerously or recklessly. This includes driving in reverse at a
high rate of speed for more than two chair-lengths, or in a crowd
(referees' discretion). A player is permitted to drive in reverse
for more than two chair-lengths only if the player is attempting
to get back on defense and is the lone defensive player in
his/her zone. [Two-minute penalty.]
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J.
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CHARGING: Deliberately hitting
another player with a run of more than one wheelchair lengths.
[Two-minute penalty.]
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K.
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HIGH STICKING: No player shall
purposely raise their stick above their shoulders to make contact
with the ball or another player. A player may only raise their
stick shoulder height while in the act of shooting/hitting the
ball (including wind-up and follow-through). [Two minute penalty]
If the player's raised stick, makes contact, or is in close
proximity with any player a penalty will be called. [Four-minute
penalty.]
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L.
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DELAY OF GAME: A penalty will be
called if the ball is under a player's chair and he/she makes no
attempt to move off the ball or play the ball (this does not
include goaltenders). Goaltenders will be given a penalty if they
repeatedly, or intentionally knock the goal net off the goal
crease/goal line. A penalty will also be called for taking too
much time to return to the face-off circle after a goal, or other
stoppage of play. [Two-minute penalty.]
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M.
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ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT: During a
stoppage of play a team may ask the referee to examine a player's
equipment to see if it is in violation of rules. If the player's
equipment is illegal, the player will receive a penalty. If the
equipment is found to be legal, the challenging team will receive
a delay of game penalty. [Two-minute penalty.]
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N.
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THROWING/DROPPING STICK: A
penalty will be called if a player deliberately throws, drops, or
shoots a stick (or any other object) at the ball to prevent a
goal, or a player from advancing with the ball. [Two-minute
penalty.] If the player with the ball is advancing towards
the goaltender with no defender between him/her and the
goaltender, and a stick is thrown or shot at the ball, thus
preventing a goal, a penalty shot will be awarded to the
advancing player. If the player with the ball is advancing
towards an empty net, and a stick is thrown, dropped, or shot at
the ball, thus preventing a goal, the referee will award the
advancing player a goal.
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O.
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SLASHING: Non-shooting motion
contact with the hockey stick on another player's body, including
their stick. [Two-minute penalty.]
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Section VII [Major Penalties]
A.
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DRAWING BLOOD: If a player bleeds
after a minor penalty, a major penalty is then assessed.
[Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized
player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the
game.
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B.
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SLASHING: Deliberate contact with
the hockey stick on another player's body. [Five-minute player
penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a
game misconduct and be ejected from the game.
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C.
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SPEARING: Using the blade of the
hockey stick to spear another player. [Five-minute player
penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a
game misconduct and be ejected from the game.
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D.
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BUTT ENDING: Using the end of the
hockey shaft to hit another player. [Five-minute player penalty.]
At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game
misconduct and be ejected from the game.
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E.
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ATTEMPT TO INJURE: At the
officials' discretion, any conscious attempt to hurt another
player. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion,
penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected
from the game.
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F.
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FIGHTING: Using body or
wheelchair to fight with or injure another player. [Five-minute
player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may
receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game.
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Section VIII [Playoff Schedule]
A.
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Each playoff game will be played
like a normal regular season game. If the score is tied at the
end of regulation time, there will be a fifteen minute overtime
period. The overtime period will be played on a non stop-time
basis, except the last two minutes, which will be stop time. The
first team to score wins. If a goal is not scored, subsequent
overtime periods will be played, time permitting. If at the
discretion of the league official present, time is within 10
minutes of expiring, there will be a shoot-out. Each team is
allowed three players who will each shoot once. If at the end of
the first rotation there is still a tie there will be a second
shoot-out with the first team [with even shots] to score a goal
winning. The goalie that was in the net for the majority of the
game must continue in net for the shoot-out. The goalie may not
be one of the players chosen to be one of the shooters in the
shoot-out.
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B.
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No new players can be added to a
team during the play-offs.
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C.
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A player must have played in at
least 50% of the regular season in order to qualify for
post-season play.
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D.
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The team finishing with the best
record will play the team with the worst [second best record
playing second worst etc.]. If there are an odd number of teams
in the league, the bottom two teams will play each other to see
who advances to play the top team.
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Section IX [Player Classifications]
A.
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Level 1
Players: A player who has the
upper body strength to lift the stick and hit the ball a good
distance and with speed. These players have the ability to shoot
and pass the ball quickly and with velocity. These players can
usually switch the ball easily from forehand to backhand (or
vice-versa) allowing good ability to carry, control, and maneuver
with the ball through/around other players. These are players who
can reach in front, across, or possibly even behind his/her
wheelchair with their stick relatively easily to bring the ball
into their control or take it away from another player.
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B.
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Level
2 Players: This level ranges
from (a) players who may be able to lift the stick and hit the
ball with fair distance and speed, but lack the power and
reaching ability as seen in a level 1, to (b) players who may
rely on the strength/momentum of the wheelchair to shoot and pass
the ball, and may be unable to easily lift and swing the stick.
These players generally keep the stick on one side of their chair
or hold the stick between their legs. They may or may not have
the stick taped/attached to their hand/arm/leg.
Level 2 players lack the ability to easily or effectively reach
with their stick to more than one side of their chair/body. These
players are able to carry and control the ball, but their limited
ability to reach restricts their capability to maneuver with the
ball through and around other players. A level 2 player will
commonly not have the strength to easily or effectively use their
backhand to shoot, control the ball, or pass the ball with force.
*Important note: Many
level 2 players will have the ability to shoot/pass the ball with
their own strength and may be able to take the ball from another
player. Unlike a level 1 player, these players are unable to
easily reach out in front, behind, or across his/her wheelchair
with their stick.
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C.
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Level
3 Players: A player who
tapes/mounts/brackets the stick to the wheelchair, or may hold
the stick between their legs. These players rely almost entirely
on the strength/momentum of the wheelchair to shoot, pass, and
control the ball. They are very limited in physical
ability/strength to maneuver with ball through/around other
players, and are unable to reach with their stick.
This classification
system is based solely on physical strength. It does not take
into account a player's knowledge in playing the game of Power
Hockey. It may be common for a level 2 or level 3 player to be
more beneficial to a team due to their knowledge of the game.
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D.
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In accordance with U.S. EWHA
rules, the League Executive will be in charge of player
classifications. The League Executive will set ratings and, when
necessary, vote on changing a player's level.
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Section X [Rule Notes]
A.
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DROPPED STICKS: If a player drops
his/her stick they are encouraged to keep playing until a
stoppage in play occurs, or the stick is handed to them. (Dropped
sticks are a common part of the game.) A referee's first priority
is to follow the flow of the game and the ball. If there is an
opportunity to pick up the player's dropped stick then he/she
will do so. A coach or team helper may come onto the floor to
pick up the stick for the player, but should wait for the ball to
move away from the area of the dropped stick. If he/she
interferes with game-play by getting hit by the ball or
obstructing an opposing player's path to the ball, that
coach/helper's team, at the referees' discretion, will be charged
with a penalty for interference. [Two-minute penalty].
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B.
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POWERCHAIR TIPPING: Although rare, a player's
power chair tipping over results in an immediate stoppage in
play. It is the referees' decision if the tip of the chair was
caused by a penalty, such as Dangerous Driving, Boarding,
Ramming, or Charging. If the tip was caused the player that
tipped he/she will be charged with no less than a Delay of Game
Penalty [Two-minutes].
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C.
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SEATBELTS: All players must wear a seatbelt
during play for safety reasons. If the referee notices a player
on the playing floor, not wearing a seatbelt, this will result
in a Delay of Game Penalty [Two-minutes] on that player.
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