Ref's Crease

The current rules adopted by the British Ice Hockey Association (BIHA) is based on the 1994 edition of the official rule book of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). However, nothing is ever simple and there are numerous modifications, interpretations and additions to these rules which a far more difficult to pin down. The purpose of this page is to try to bring together anything beyond the book itself which seems to be in use in BIHA games (especially where applicable to women's games). I have also include rules which refs seem to forget (sometimes due to previous contradictory rules).

Rule 104 - Goal Crease

The goal crease area includes the whole of the semi-circle, not just the rectangle. It extends vertically to the top of the goal frame.

Rule 109 - Players' Benches

Each team must start the game with a Level 2 coach (Level 1 for U10/U12/Rec) running their bench. If the Level 2 coach is thrown out of the game then a Level 1 coach may run the bench if they are the only available replacement. Otherwise the game shall be abandoned. A Level 1 qualification is the minimum requirement for coaching on the bench during a match.

Rule 203 - Players in Uniform

A fully dressed substitute goalkeeper is not required.

If, in women's leagues, one team does not have a net minder they may borrow one from another women's team (including the opposition). If no female net minder is available they may borrow a male U14 net minder.

In men's junior leagues women may play as if they are two years younger than their chronological age. Women above the age of 21 may still play in male U19 teams.

Rule 206 - Injured Players

If the goalkeeper is struck on the head by the puck the whistle should be blown and play should stop for thirty seconds to check that the goalkeeper has not been stunned. If the puck enters the net before the whistle has been blown AND without being further touched by any player (including the goalkeeper) then the goal should be awarded. For example if a puck bounces from the goalie's body to the pipes to the goalie's head and then goes in the goal counts. However if the puck bounces from the goalie's head to the pipes to the goalie's body and then goes in the goal should be washed out.

Rule 402 - Minor Penalties

If a goal is scored against a team which is short handed the Minor Penalty with the smallest time left to run is cancelled. A Double Minor Penalty counts as two consecutive Minor Penalties.

Coincident minor penalties do apply if both teams are at full strength but more than a single minor penalty is given to each side (e.g. one player receiving a double minor penalty could be coincident with two opposing players receiving single minor penalties or a single opposing player receiving a double minor penalty.

Rule 404 - Misconduct Penalties

A referee's match report is not required for a Game Misconduct Penalty.

Rule 406 - Penalty Shot

Only one shot can be taken. If however the player attempts to shoot but makes no contact with the puck then the attempt does not count as a shot.

Rule 502 - Referee

Referees and Linesmen should wear white backed shirts. Off the ice they should wear a jacket, trousers (not jeans or trainers), shirt and tie for all games. For ED1/U19 a suit or blazer and slacks should be worn.

The referee should not take one of the game record sheets (e.g. the green copy). Information for a match report should be copied before leaving the rink.

Rule 601 - Abuse of Officials and other Misconducts

Racial abuse should incur a Gross Misconduct Penalty.

Rule 608 - Delaying the Game

At the start of the second and third periods, only the line-up starting that period may take to the ice. Violation of this rule will incur a Minor Penalty.

Rule 613 - Goal and Assist

Although a goal can be awarded if the puck is deflected into the net by the body of an attacking player, no goal will be awarded if the deflection is from an attacker's skate. This is because the deflection must be accidental and it would be too difficult to decide whether a skate deflection was accidental or not.

A player may not stand in his opponent's goal crease (including the line) or hold their stick within the crease (not including the line) unless the puck is already in the crease. Any goal scored while this is the case should be washed out unless the player was unable to get out of the crease in time because of the actions of a defending player. The face off after such a goal has been washed out should be taken at the closest neutral zone face off spot.

For the purposes of determining assists a deflection off the goal, an official or the defending net minder does not start a new play unless the net minder's contact gains some degree of control of the puck before releasing it.

Rule 615 - High Sticks

Accidentally hitting an opponent with a high stick should incur a Minor Penalty, unless the player is injured in which case the accidental action should incur a Double Minor Penalty.

Rule 621 - Kicking a Player

Note that a Match Penalty is the only penalty allowed for kicking or attempting to kick another player.

Rule 626 - Puck out of Bounds or Unplayable

If the puck is fozen against the net or becomes caught in the netting the face off should take place in the nearest neutal zone face off spot if the stoppage was caused by an attacking player.

Rule 632 - Start of Game and Periods

During the pre-game warm up neither team should be closer to the centre line than the edges of the centre circle. If, after sufficient warnings, an offending team continues to train too close to the centre line, the violation should incur a Bench Minor Penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, especially if the offending team is actually warming up on the opponent's side of the centre line.

Rule 633 - Throwing a Stick

Throwing a stick to try to prevent a goal normally incurs a Penalty Shot, unless the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice in which case a Goal is awarded. If, however, the team taking the shot is about to be called for a delayed penalty, the penalty still stands and a Penalty Shot is awarded. This is because of Rule 409 - Calling of Penalties which states that no goal can be scored by a team about to be assessed a delayed penalty (apart from 'own goals').

Rule 634 - Time of Match

Normally games consist of three twenty minute periods. In Women's and U16 hockey games consist of three fifteen minute periods (though three twenties is optional in the Women's Premier division). In U10/U12/U14 games consist of two twenty minute periods.

Minor Penalty

Short handed for two minutes.

Major Penalty

Short handed for five minutes.

Misconduct Penalty

The offending player is removed from the game for 10 minutes. This penalty is not shown on the scoreboard and the player may not return to the ice until the first whistle after their penalty has expired.

Game Misconduct Penalty

The offending player is removed from the game and has 20 minutes charged against them.

Gross Misconduct Penalty

The offending player is suspended until further notice and has 20 minutes charged against them. The referee must write a match report explaining the reason for the penalty.

Match Penalty

Short handed for five minutes. The offending player is suspended until further notice and has 25 minutes charged against them. The referee must write a match report explaining the reason for the penalty.

Game Fees 97/98 Season

Referees also expect to be offered cans of drink between periods.

This page was last updated on 16/2/98.