DRAFT RULES

  8  and under - 5 X 5                        Offsides will no longer be called!!!

10 and under – 5 X 5                        Offsides will no longer be called!!!

12 and under – 4 X 4

14 and under – 4 X 4

17 and under – 4 X 4            Use House rules

RULES

1. Players
   1. Age – Age on January 1 determines what age group person belongs in
   2. All players must have proper roller hockey equipment.
   3. All players MUST wear team jerseys.
2. Ratings – this the key to maintaining balance in the league.  
   1. Each player will receive a rating which is used to determine the lines
3. Coaches – head coach and ONLY 1 assistant are permitted on the bench during games.
4. The Game
   1. Time Outs – 1 time out per game, including overtime
   2. Team Points – 2 for win, 1 for tie, 0 for loss. If scored is tied after regulation time, each team will get 1 point. If a team wins in the shootout, they will get a 2^nd point for the game.
   3. Shootout – used during the regular season only. If at the end of regulation time the score is tied there will be a shootout. 2 players will be selected from each team. 1 player from each line. The B line players shoot first. If after both shooters the score remains tied that will be final. If a team has 2 goalies each will face a shot.
   4. Overtime – NO overtime during the regular season. There is sudden victory overtime in playoffs.
5. Time:
   1. 2 - 21 minute periods
   2. Clock stops every 3 minute for complete line change (see lines and substitutions)
   3. Clock stops for all whistles in the last minute if there is a 1 goal difference or score is tied.
6. Goalies:
   1. If you have 2 goalies they will each play 1 period
   2. IF you pull the goalie you MUST use a player from that line or a weaker line. If none are available you cannot pull the goalie. This means a 1st line player cannot be used on the 2nd line when a goalie is pulled.
   3. Goalie can only be pulled during the final 2 shifts of the game. If you choose to pull you goalie during the next to last shift (2nd line) with 6:00 minutes or less remaining then the goalie MUST remain off the rink when the final line shift takes place unless a goal has been scored. During playoffs, you can pull the goalie sooner but the same criteria WILL take place – must be out for 2 consecutive shifts unless a goal is scored and no player can play down.
7. Penalties
   1. If a penalty is given, that line will serve the penalty. If penalty is only partially served, balance will be served on the next shift. If it is that group’s last shift, the balance of the penalty will be served by the next shift regardless of line.
   2. Penalties are 1 minute 
8. Playing time - EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO GIVE EQUAL PLAYING TIME. There are going to be times when this is not possible due to unbalanced lines.

LINES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

***Putting players on proper lines and substituting properly is essential!!

Below is a lengthy description of how the lines are to be determined and how substitutions are made. Our scorekeepers chart every shift during each draft game. Following each game, we review every game to make sure each lineups and changes are done according to the rules.

1. Skaters – no exceptions

10 and under   5 X 5

12 and under   4 X 4

14 and under   4 X 4

17 and under   4 X 4   play by house rules

1. Lines – BOTH teams will play the same number of lines throughout the game. This is based on the number of skaters for each team – see below. The number of lines will be determined by the coaches prior to the game. If the coaches do not agree the senior official will decide. If the 2 teams have a different number of skaters, the coach with the most skaters will decide how many lines both teams will play during the game. If the opposing coach does not agree, the senior ref will make the final decision. Once determined, the entire game will be played with the same number of line shifts. If additional players come after the start of the game, the period will continue and after the period if the coaches agree, the number of lines can be changed. If both coaches do not agree to change, the starting criteria will continue. The criteria below should be used..
2. Line Sequence

***THE TOP PLAYERS WILL NOT PLAY ON LOWER LINES, If needed players from the lower lines will play up or be used to fill the top line

Game with 2 Lines

REGULAR SEASON – 2^nd line (less experienced) starts. After 3 minutes, horn sounds and the 1^st line (advanced line plays). There are 14 shifts; both lines will play equal time.

PLAYOFFS OVERTIME – Regular game played the same. In case of overtime, the last line playing (should be 1^st line (advanced) in regulation) goes to bench and the other line starts overtime. Same 3 minute line change rules will apply.

                        Game with 3 Lines

REGULAR SEASON

Start 1^st period with the beginner line ( 3 ), followed by the 2 line or intermediate, followed by the 1 or advanced line. Shifts will go as follows:  3213213213

Period 2 – start with your 1 line and shift as follows:

            1231231

PLAYOFFS

Continue the format used in period 2 so the 2nd would start followed by 3 then 1

            231231231

Continue till a goal is scored. 

1. Determining how lines are made up –
   1. At the start of the season all teams will have its players ranked. Ratings will be assigned either following evaluation day or from his coach from the prior season
   2. If a player has a rating – that rating will be used for the entire game. NOBODY referees or coaches can change a rating during a game. If there is a question about the rating the referee and 2 coaches should determine the proper rating and following the game the referee will make the change in the office.
   3. If a player is assigned to a team and does not have a rating. The player will be assigned to the 2^nd or B line if a rating cannot be determined prior to the game. He will remain on that line for the entire game unless the referee and ONLY the referee determines that he belongs on the top line. Following the game, the coach will give the player a rating and tells the office after the game.
   4. These rankings can be changed 1 time ONLY. Coaches can change the ranking 1 time up until the start of their 3^rd game. The change will not go into affect until they have been approved by management. ALL CHANGES MUST BE APPROVED!!!

After game 3, there will be no changes

1.  
   1. Prior to each game, the referee checks in both teams. Our leagues play 4 X 4 except the 10 and under division. We will use the 10 and under division for this worksheet
   2. After checking in teams, the 5 highest ranked players at that game and they will be line 1 for THAT game. The lowest ranked 5 players will be line 2. Line 2 starts every game. Once lines are set they WILL NOT be changed!!!
   3. The easiest scenario is when we have only 10 players or 2 full lines.
   4. If there are extra players (more than 10 skaters) those not yet selected will be assigned to line 1 or 2 as follows:
   5. If there are 12 skaters the top 6 ranked players will be on line 1 and the 2^nd 6 or lower ranked 6 will play on line 2. The coach will rotate those 6 on line 1 and the 6 on line 2 throughout the game. Each player must miss a shift
   6. If there are 11 skaters, the top 5 will play on line 1 and the bottom 6 will be on line 2.
   7. If there are not enough skaters to fill 2 lines, line 2 will be filled first with the 5 lowest ranked players. The remaining players will play on line 1.
   8. During the course of the game the players on line 2 will double shift and fill line 1. If you only have 8 skaters, then 2 players from line 2 will double shift onto line 1. The players on line 2 will be rotated equally.
   9. In the case of mixed lines or double shifting players on a line every effort MUST be made to substitute everyone on that line equally. Every player MUST miss a shift
   10. ****Players on line 1 WILL NOT play on line 2 unless the players on line 2 get hurt or tired and need to be replaced.

The key to the success of these shifts is communication. Coaches and refs must be on the same page and also the coaches need to explain to their players the shifting pattern for that game.