Current Section
USA Hockey Rules & Information
Rules and Information
Need to get extra clarification on a rule? You've come the right place. Download the rules book or check up a summary of the most recent rule changes.
Test your knowledge, let's you read about interesting sitauations that might arise. Check to see if you know the answer.
Test your "Rules" knowledge Q1
RULE 202 CAPTAIN OF TEAM
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench to protest the decision of the Referee. What should the Referee do?
Test your "Rules" knowledge Q2
RULE 202 PLAYERS IN UNIFORM
A player is listed on the game scoresheet as “Doe #14.” It is brought to the Referee’s attention that Doe is wearing #16 and no other player is listed as #16. Should Doe be allowed to participate further in the game and without penalty to his team?
What should the Referee do?
Should the player be allowed to continue to play?
Tell us your reasoning
Test your Rules Knowledge Revealed
Q1. RULE 202 CAPTAIN OF TEAM
A team refuses to designate a Captain at the beginning of the game. Should the Referee assess a penalty?
No. Rule References 202(a).
The Referee must, however, remind the Coach of the offending team that no player has the privilege of discussing with the Referee any matters relating to the interpretation of the rules until a Captain is appointed. The Captain does not have to wear the “C” on his sweater.
Q2. RULE 202 CAPTAIN OF TEAM
May a goalkeeper be designated as a Captain or Alternate Captain?
Yes. However, the goalkeeper cannot exercise the privileges of the Captain during the game as outlined in this rule. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is no rule preventing a goalkeeper from being named a Captain or Alternate Captain as an honor by the team to show leadership. However, that goalkeeper may not exercise
Captain’s privileges during a game. Doing so would unnecessarily delay the game if the goalkeeper were allowed to leave the goal area for any discussion and then go to the bench area to relay any message and finally back to the goal area and be prepared for the resumption of play.
Q1. RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
During the course of the game, a team no longer has a properly
registered coach available to them on the bench. Can the game
continue?
Yes. Rule Reference 201(b).
The game shall be allowed to continue provided that team has
adult supervision on the players’ bench. This person may
come from the stands and should be a registered member of
USA Hockey in some capacity. If no such person is available,
the game should be suspended and a report provided to the
proper authorities.
Q2. RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
During the game a Team Captain advises the Referee that the opposing team has more than the allowable number of Team Officials occupying the players’ bench. What action should the Referee take?
Once the Referee has become aware of the violation, he shall
direct the offending team to reduce the number of Team
Officials on the players’ bench to a maximum of four. Rule
References 201(b) and 610(h).
No penalty is assessed at that time. However, if the situation
is not corrected or occurs again during the same game, the
Referee shall assess a bench minor penalty for delaying the
game to the offending team.
RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-handed. Should the game be played?
No. Rule Reference 201(a).
A team is defined as having six players. If a team cannot put six players on the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered a “team” and must forfeit the game to its opponent.
RULE 103 GOAL LINE AND GOALS
During a scramble around the goal, the back end of the goal frame is accidentally lifted off the ice for a brief moment, but the goal posts remain properly positioned on the goal line. The moment the back of the goal lifts off the ice, a pass from behind the goal goes under the goal frame and directly out in front of the goal and an attacking player legally shoots the puck into the goal. Is the goal considered to be legal?
No. Rule Reference 103(b).
It is not necessary for the Referee to blow the whistle every time the goal frame momentarily lifts off the ice while the posts are in the proper position. However, it is not reasonable to allow a pass to take place that goes under the goal frame that has been lifted. In this instance, play should be stopped and a last play face-off occur.
Test your Rules Knowledge Revealed
Q1. RULE 202 CAPTAIN OF TEAM
A team refuses to designate a Captain at the beginning of the game. Should the Referee assess a penalty?
No. Rule References 202(a).
The Referee must, however, remind the Coach of the offending team that no player has the privilege of discussing with the Referee any matters relating to the interpretation of the rules until a Captain is appointed. The Captain does not have to wear the “C” on his sweater.
Q2. RULE 202 CAPTAIN OF TEAM
May a goalkeeper be designated as a Captain or Alternate Captain?
Yes. However, the goalkeeper cannot exercise the privileges of the Captain during the game as outlined in this rule. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is no rule preventing a goalkeeper from being named a Captain or Alternate Captain as an honor by the team to show leadership. However, that goalkeeper may not exercise
Captain’s privileges during a game. Doing so would unnecessarily delay the game if the goalkeeper were allowed to leave the goal area for any discussion and then go to the bench area to relay any message and finally back to the goal area and be prepared for the resumption of play.
Q1. RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
During the course of the game, a team no longer has a properly
registered coach available to them on the bench. Can the game
continue?
Yes. Rule Reference 201(b).
The game shall be allowed to continue provided that team has
adult supervision on the players’ bench. This person may
come from the stands and should be a registered member of
USA Hockey in some capacity. If no such person is available,
the game should be suspended and a report provided to the
proper authorities.
Q2. RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
During the game a Team Captain advises the Referee that the opposing team has more than the allowable number of Team Officials occupying the players’ bench. What action should the Referee take?
Once the Referee has become aware of the violation, he shall
direct the offending team to reduce the number of Team
Officials on the players’ bench to a maximum of four. Rule
References 201(b) and 610(h).
No penalty is assessed at that time. However, if the situation
is not corrected or occurs again during the same game, the
Referee shall assess a bench minor penalty for delaying the
game to the offending team.
RULE 201 COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-handed. Should the game be played?
No. Rule Reference 201(a).
A team is defined as having six players. If a team cannot put six players on the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered a “team” and must forfeit the game to its opponent.
RULE 103 GOAL LINE AND GOALS
During a scramble around the goal, the back end of the goal frame is accidentally lifted off the ice for a brief moment, but the goal posts remain properly positioned on the goal line. The moment the back of the goal lifts off the ice, a pass from behind the goal goes under the goal frame and directly out in front of the goal and an attacking player legally shoots the puck into the goal. Is the goal considered to be legal?
No. Rule Reference 103(b).
It is not necessary for the Referee to blow the whistle every time the goal frame momentarily lifts off the ice while the posts are in the proper position. However, it is not reasonable to allow a pass to take place that goes under the goal frame that has been lifted. In this instance, play should be stopped and a last play face-off occur.
Jon HUb ·
Check out this week's Test your "Rules" Knowledge!!!
Reply