University of Chicago

Revised: Spring 2022

General

• All teams and players are subject to IM Rules and Policies.
• In general, NIRSA rules will be used in addition to the rules stated below.
• An official will be provided for each game by the IM Office.
• Only the team captain/manager should speak with officials regarding calls, questions, or clarifications.

Game Location & Ground Rules

• Ratner Athletics Center – Auxiliary Gym
• All players must have their UChicago ID card for access to RAC and swipe in at the front desk.
• Only water is allowed inside RAC.  NO FOOD, GUM, SPORT DRINKS, ETC.
• Anyone found to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs before, during, or immediately after a contest will be removed and subject to further disciplinary action. 

Equipment

• Floor hockey helmets, sticks, balls, goals, and goalie equipment will be provided for all games.
• All players are REQUIRED to wear protective helmets provided by the Intramural Office.  Helmets must have a full shield or cage that covers the players entire face.
  • Players are asked to inspect their helmet before and after use to ensure it is in good condition and will function appropriately.  Ensure all straps and fasteners are attached.
  • Players may choose to bring and wear their own helmet however it must be approved by the IM Director or Broomball Supervisor.
• Goalie Equipment (chest protector, leg pads, & glove) will be available for both teams. 
  • Goalie equipment (more than the helmet) is optional.
  • Goalies may use a stick but it is not required.
  • Goalies may bring their own glove.
  • No other personal equipment may be used.
• Sneakers or rubber soled shoes that are non-marking are required for all participants.
• Jewelry, including earrings, and other items which may be considered dangerous will not be permitted.
• Equipment should be neatly returned to the designated area after each game.
• Playing with a broken stick is not allowed and the player must inform the referee right away.

 

Players & Substitutions

• A team consists of five (5) players on the court at a time.
  • Coed = At least two (2) female-identifying players on the court
• A team may start and play with as few as four (4) players.
  • Coed = At least two (2) female-identifying players on the court
• Substitutions are unlimited and may be made on the fly or during a stoppage.
  • The player subbing out must be fully off the court BEFORE the replacement enters the game.
• For goalkeeper substitutions, the referee must be properly informed, and the change must be made during a stoppage in play.

Roster Submission

• Team managers/captains are responsible for inputting their rosters on IMLeagues. 
• Players must be listed on the online/printed roster to play.
• All players will check in with the IM Official or Supervisor prior to game time.
• Roster additions are unlimited and can be made throughout the regular season. 
• Rosters will lock at the conclusion of the regular season. 
• Only players on the official online roster on IMLeagues will be permitted to compete in the playoffs.

General Rules

• Games will consist of three 12-minute periods with a running clock.
  • Due to extenuating circumstances, officials may need to adjust the length of the game.
  • A short intermission will be provided between each period.  Teams switch sides each period.
• Teams must be on the court by game time.
  • This means arriving early to put on protective equipment and check-in.
  • A 5-minute grace period will be given if needed.  After 5 minutes, a forfeit will be awarded.
    • As long as a team has the required minimum number of players, the game begins on time.
    • Teams that forfeit are subject to being removed from the league.
• No timeouts.  Only the official may stop the clock for extenuating circumstances.
• All goals are worth 1 point.
• No overtime during the regular season.  Games can end in a tie.

Beginning the Game

• Play begins with a faceoff at center court to begin each half and after a goal is scored.
• One player from each team will take the face off.  All other players must be at least 5 feet away in their defensive zone.
• The official will drop the ball in the center.  Once it hits the ground, players may attempt to retain the ball using their stick.

 

Goalies

• Goalie Equipment (see Equipment section)
• Goalies are restricted to their goal area – the crease and the area directly surrounding it, including behind the net.
  • Once the goalie leaves the goal area, they are considered a floor player and lose goalie privileges
• The CREASE is the area roughly 2 feet in front of the net and 2 feet on either side of each post.
  • Only the goalie may occupy the crease.
  • Defenders may not be in the crease to defend against shots.
  • Offensive players may not score a goal with their body in the crease – the goal will be disallowed.
• GOALIES MUST PLAY ON THEIR FEET!
  • A goalie may only drop to their knees in the act of making a save.
• Goalies may play the ball with their feet or hands when they are in the crease.
  • Subject to same rules as all other players anywhere outside of the crease.
• All attempts at hitting the ball must stop once the goalie has it in their possession.
• Goalies may not distribute the ball over half court in the air

 

Penalties

• In general, we want to allow teams to play and for the game to move along smoothly.  Most minor violations will result in a whistle stopping play, an explanation of the call, and a free restart in for the other team from the spot of the violation.
  • Continued violations by the same team/player will result in penalties and could include ejection.
  • All restarts are DIRECT and can be a pass or a shot at goal.
    • The opposing team may not be within 5 yards of the spot of the restart.
• NO SLIDING/DIVING: Players may not leave their feet intentionally for any reason.
  • Playing the ball when you are on the ground is not allowed.
• HIGH STICKS:  Sticks may not be raised higher than the waist, including during the back-swing and follow-through.
• KICKED BALL: Players may not kick the ball for any reason.
  • Stopping/blocking a moving ball with your feet is permitted however.
• OFFSIDES will only be called in the most egregious situations (i.e. flagrant cherry picking)
• Players must always be in control of their bodies and movement and must avoid excessive contact with other players. 
  • The following is not allowed and may result in a penalty (length depending on the severity of infraction): checking, charging, slashing, holding, tripping, elbowing, spearing, obstruction; unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, delay of game.
  • Anyone deemed a risk to their own or others' safety will be asked to leave the ice if the problem persists.
• ABSOLUTELY NO CHECKING: Anyone checking will be removed from the court for the duration of the game.  Depending on intent and severity, the referee may award a penalty where the offender's team has to play down for a specified amount of time (5-10 minutes).
• Any player ejected from a game will serve a minimum 1 game suspension and must meet with the Director of Intramurals before they are allowed to play again.  Ejected players may be prohibited from playing in other IM sports as well. 

 

Penalty Shots

• The following will result in a penalty shot:
  • A defensive player (non-goalie) stopping a scoring opportunity by being in the crease.
  • A defensive player interferes with an offensive player who has an obvious breakaway, causing them to lose control.
  • Any violation that denies a goal scoring opportunity.
• Penalty shots will be taken approximately 8-10 feet in front of the goal
  • If a penalty shot is missed or saved it is a dead ball and the goalie will retain possession.
• Shooters will shoot on the referee's whistle. 
• A shoot-out or penalty shot may only be contacted once by the shooter.
• Sticks still may not be raised higher than the waist. 

 

Overtime (Playoffs Only)

• If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a 3-minute golden goal period will take place (first team to score wins)
• If the game is still tied after an OT period, a shootout will take place.
• 3 players from each team will attempt a penalty shot from the designated spot.
  • Coed Leagues - shooters must consist of at least 12 female-identifying players and alternate gender when applicable.
  • Shoot-out participants are limited to only those on the ice at the end of regulation.
  • The goalie at the end of OT remains the goalie for the shootout.
  • No player in the penalty box at the end of regulation may participate in the shoot-out.
• If still tied after 3 shooters, the procedure will continue in sudden death fashion until there is a winner.
  • Teams must continue to have at least a 1-1 ratio of female-identifying shooters to male-identifying shooters and alternate genders when applicable.
  • No person of the same gender may shoot a second time until every other eligible shooter of the same gender has shot.
• Goalies may take shoot-out shots.  
• See Penalty Shots Section for additional information. 

Tiebreakers

For playoff advancement and seeding, the following tiebreakers will be used as applicable:

1. Winning Percentage
2. Head-to-Head
3. Goals Against (Average per Game)
4. Record vs. Common Opponents
5. Record vs. Other Playoff Teams
6. Coin Flip