COLUMBUS BROOMBALL ASSOCIATION

2009-2010 Broomball Rules

DIRECTIVE TO ALL PLAYERS AND TEAMS

The Columbus Broomball Association (CBA) in cooperation with the Hamilton Center Ice Arena (HCIA) is proud to provide the participants with the biggest and best broomball program in southern Indiana. Help us do our job better. It is important that all players and teams understand and accept their responsibility as "participants." Those responsibilities are as follows:

A. All players and/or teams are responsible and accountable for their actions and conduct. The players must control themselves during the game and not rely on the officials for control. The on and off ice officials are there to facilitate the games.
B. Poor language, negative attitudes, dishonesty, physical violence and arrogance directed toward members of the staff and other members of the league cannot be tolerated. Again, all participants are accountable and responsible for their conduct.
C. All players and/or teams are responsible and accountable for the use of legal players only. Our objective is to provide a fair, safe, recreational program. The team's job is to follow the established rules and procedures.
D. Ignorance of any rules is not an adequate defense or excuse.

1. Eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in broomball with one exception. A team may choose to pick up one (1) high school student to play who is under 18. If a team chooses to have a high school student under 18, a parent or guardian must grant permission by signing for that player.

2. Roster Freeze
The roster freeze date is two months after the season begins. No players can be added to the roster after this date. Players cannot "jump teams" after the start of the season. That classifies the "jumper" as an illegal player. Special situations, such as the need to replace injured players after the freeze date, should be taken up with a CBA official for special permission.

3. Illegal Players
A. Honesty and integrity is what the program has been built upon. An illegal player could be someone who:
1. plays on two teams,
2. a player who plays who is not on the roster,
3. a player who violates rule #1 (above).
B. CBA penalties for players/teams found guilty will be:
1. Team: Game forfeited (still allowed to scrimmage).
2. Captain: One game suspension.
3. Player: If on another team, one game suspension.
C. Suggestion: If your team does not have enough players (see rule #4) or you are thinking of using an illegal player, don't take the risk. Please forfeit the game prior to play beginning and use the ice for a scrimmage. Therefore, players from other teams may now scrimmage with your team at no risk. The forfeit procedures (see rule #8) must be followed.

4. Composition of Teams
A. Each team may have up to 20 players max on a roster. Normal on-ice team for Co-Rec competition includes 6 players in which at least one player must be a female. Any one of the six may be the goalie. Therefore, each team will have 5 players and a goalie. Should a team lose players due to injury and/or to penalties, they may continue to play with less than 6 players. In cases of penalties, if a female gets a penalty, and is the only female present, a male serves her penalty.
B. All broomball games may begin with a minimum of 5 players (see forfeit procedures). A team may never have more than 5 males on the ice at once. Should a team lose players due to injury or penalties, they may continue play provided the team can put at least 4 players total (3+goalie or 4+no goalie) on the ice. If a female gets injured, and she is the only female, the team can continue playing short handed. After play begins, if at any time due to injuries or stacked penalties a team cannot put 4 players on the ice to play, the game will immediately be forfeited, with the winning team given the option of taking the existing score, or the 3-0 forfeit score.

5. Bench Personnel
Besides the players, a team can have a maximum of 2 non-playing coaches/trainers in the bench area. (Spectators for safety will be asked to stand along the side of the rink, or in the stands.) No players under suspension may be on the bench.

6. Time of Match
A. The scheduled game time is actually warm-up time. The game begins 3 minutes after the scheduled game time.
B. The game consists of a 3-minute warm-up, and three (3) 15-minute running periods, with a two-minute rest between periods. There will be one two-minute time-out, per team/per game.
C. Clock will stop for major delays: ball lost, net repair, glass repair, injury, etc.
D. If the score is within one goal during the last 5 minutes of the third period, a stop clock will be used.

7. Injuries
In the case of a serious injury, when a player cannot be moved, based on the scheduled time of the next game, the current game may be shortened. No game shall go more than 15 minutes into the time of the next scheduled game. For example, the 5:00 game will end no later than 6:15 (regular season play only). If the game cannot be completed, the score will stand as is.

8. Forfeit Procedures
A. A team does not have to be ready to play until after the 3 min. warm-up (3 min. past scheduled game time).
B. Should a team not be ready to play because it has less than 5 players, a 5-minute grace period will be used. Should the necessary number of participants arrive and be ready to play within that time, the game will begin with the time remaining on the clock constituting the remaining time for the 1^st period. The delaying team will be assessed a 2 minute minor delay of game penalty at the drop of the ball. The clock for the grace period begins at 15:00 and runs down. At 9:59, if the team is not ready to play (minimum of 5 players), the game is a forfeit. Any use of the grace period brings an automatic 2 min minor.
C. However, if you start a game with 5 players. The 6^th player may enter the game on arrival.
D. All forfeits will be recorded as a 3-0 loss for the team who forfeited.
E. Rescheduling or schedule changes will not be made to prevent a team from forfeiting.
F. The players from each team have the opportunity to divide up and scrimmage for the remaining allotted time.
G. Any player not on the roster after the freeze date who plays may force his/her team to forfeit that game.

9. Equipment
A. Skates are not allowed in Broomball; any type of shoes with rubber soles, except those with cleats or alterations/additions to the sole, may be worn. Broomball shoes are suggested. No alterations may be made to the bottom of any shoes.
B. Brooms, balls, helmets with masks will not be supplied by HCIA.
C. All players must wear helmets with facemasks closed at the chin. HCIA will not have helmets available for rent but will have some for purchase through the pro shop.
D. All helmets must be snapped. Penalty: 1st offense - Warning; 2nd offense - Minor for delay of game.
E. Players may wear any other type of protective equipment if they desire. Kneepads, elbow pads, groin protection and gloves are strongly suggested.
F. NO TYPE of external “hockey goaltender” equipment is allowed. (i.e. catchers, leg pads, goalie specific hockey pants) Chest protectors and arm pads ARE allowed. This rule excludes legal hockey size blockers and softball/baseball mitts.
G. HCIA pro shop will have equipment (hockey helmets, brooms, etc.) available for purchase.
H. Many different types of broomball sticks exist. The shaft of the broom must be wood, aluminum or graphite composite only. The head of the broom must be between 7-9 inches in height (from the handle attachment to the tip of the broom). The width of the head must be between 4-6 inches, with the tip, or base of the broom, being no less than 2½ inches. Tape may not cover up a cracked stick. Any bent or cracked shaft could be found unsafe and removed from the game by the referee. The stick must be less than 54” in total height and have no exposed screws on the broom head or the shaft.

10. Standings and Officiating
A. At least one referee and one HCIA representative will be provided by the CBA. Their decisions are final.
B. The visiting team will provide a scorekeeper if a full time volunteer is not available.
C. Two points will be credited to a team for a win and one point for a tie.
D. There will be no overtime during regular season play.
E. It is the team's responsibility to inform CBA of any perceived standings errors in a timely manner. It is also the team's responsibility to check and know what time their playoff games are played. Please do not call the arena for this info, but rather eliminate all risk by checking the HCIA Web site (www.hamiltoncenter.net).

11. Protests
Only protests regarding illegal player(s) will be considered. The protesting team shall inform the referee that he/she wishes to protest. The referee will inform the captains and scorekeeper and will investigate and make a decision. If the protest is upheld, the team with the illegal player will forfeit the game and the captain/player will face the penalty laid out in Rule #3. The protest must be made before, during or immediately after the game. Protests as a result of judgment, omissions, or mechanical error cannot be considered.

12. General Playing Rules
A. The object of the game is to advance the ball down the rink and across the goal line of the opposing team.
B. Movement, Advancement, and Shooting:
1. The ball may be advanced by the use of the broom or by kicking the ball (kick passes are not allowed outside the defensive zone).
2. A player may only use his/her hand(s) to knock down or catch an airborne ball that must be immediately dropped with no advancement or directional placement.  Hand passes are not allowed anywhere on the ice.
3.  A shot may be taken only by shooting or unintentional deflection of the ball. Shots that unintentionally bounce off a player and into the goal shall be legal scores.
4. Goals will not be counted if:
    i. An offensive player intentionally kicks the ball in, or the ball is kicked by an offensive player off an opponent and into the net. Violation: Neutral zone face-off.
    ii. The ball is batted in with the hand, or is batted off an opponent (by offensive player) and in. Violation: Neutral zone face-off.
    iii. The offensive player may not "direct" the deflection into the goal. Accidental deflections off of arms, legs, etc., are legal goals. The discretion of the referee rules.
   iv. An attacking player is in the goal crease when the ball enters the net. See Rule 14 for goal crease play. Violation: Neutral zone face-off.
C.  Face-Offs will be used to begin each period of play and to resume play after any stoppage.
1. When the ball goes out of play (anywhere above the glass), a face-off will occur at the nearest dot to speed the game along.
2. During a face-off all players must be on their defensive side of the circle. The attacking player puts their stick down first.
3. All players (except the two facing-off) shall be 10 feet away from the face-off spot. They may not move until the ball is dropped.
D. Normal hockey icing and offside violations apply to broomball (see rule #27 Icing/Offsides).
E. Free substitution shall be allowed at all times provided that the player coming off the ice is at the bench area and out of play before a substitute enters the game. Violation: a bench minor penalty will be imposed.
F. Injuries will stop the clock. Fake injuries will bring an unsportsmanlike conduct minor.
G. There will be no spectators allowed on the rink at any time. Any interference will result in a face-off. Teams can be penalized for the inappropriate behavior of their spectators.
H. All minors are 2 minutes in length, and majors are 5 minutes. When a player receives a minor penalty, and his/her team gives up a shorthand goal, that player may leave the penalty box with the team returning to full strength. Major penalties must be served the full time.
1. If two players from the same team went into the box at the same time, it would be up to the team captain to designate which player would come out first due to a score.
I. Coincidental Penalties: This happens when a player from each team is involved and called for the same minor/major penalty. Both players enter the box and each team can put in an additional player to keep the game at 5-on-5. When the penalized players time is served, they can return to their bench as soon as no risk of being in play. If they become involved in play, then a minor will be called for having to many players on the ice.
J. Strange Delayed Penalty Situation: Team A has a power play then there is a delayed penalty on Team B. If Team A scores, the first penalty wipes out and the delayed (2^nd) penalty must be served.
K. Either a male or female may serve any bench minor or delay of game penalty. If only one female is present, a male must serve the penalty.
L. Goaltender Penalties: another on ice player may serve all minor penalties assessed to the goalie.

13. Broken Broom and Possession of Brooms
A. A player may participate without a broom. In the event that a player breaks their broom, they must immediately drop the broom. Failure to do so shall be a minor penalty.
B. A replacement broom may be obtained from another player from the team bench as long as it is handed off to the player. Another player on the ice may slide their broom to that player as long as the broom does not interfere with play. No broom can be thrown from one player to another, or thrown off the team bench.
C. If a thrown broom interferes with play an optional penalty shot or minor penalty shall be assessed.

14. Crease Play
This is an area that has created great concern in the past. The rules will be interpreted as follows:
A. No attacking player shall enter, or allow their stick to enter the goal crease whenever the ball is outside of the crease. Should the ball enter the goal crease, the attacking player and his/her stick may momentarily enter the crease so as not to risk danger to the goaltender. Violation: Whistle and neutral zone face-off. Minor if unnecessarily endangers the goaltender.
B. For defensive players standing in the crease, (other than the goalie), a 3 second basketball rule will be in effect (anti-defensing). Violation: 1st occurrence is a warning. 2nd occurrence - 2 minutes for anti-defensing.
C. Goalies are allowed to freeze the ball without penalty providing that the goalie has a body part touching the crease when freezing the ball. Should a goaltender cause a stoppage of play outside of the crease, a minor penalty (2 min.) will be imposed on him/her for delay of game.
D. Goaltenders may catch, grab, or stop the ball, but for no more than 3 seconds (whistle and a face off). Goalies can kick the ball in a forward direction, roll the ball behind the red/goal line, or place it on the ground and play it with their stick/foot.   3 Second Violation: face-off inside zone.
E. The goalie is not allowed to throw the ball forward. The goalie can however, hit the ball with their stick wherever they desire (icing rules apply).
F. No player may make contact with his or her stick upon the goalie when the goalie is in possession of, and in the process of "freezing" the ball (before or after the whistle).
Penalty before whistle: Automatic minor for slashing. Any retaliation by the goalie or other players must result in a minimum of a minor penalty.
Penalty after whistle: Automatic major for roughing/slashing.
G. Players may not put “their stick in the goalies face” when he/she has possession of the ball. The goalie must be provided the “opportunity” to move the ball. Penalty: Face off outside the zone. Possible minor will be enforced if continued for goalie interference.

15. Penalties
There are 5 types of penalty classifications:
A. Minors - they are two minutes in length. Sometimes double minors are assessed which are two, two-minute penalties.
B. A Major Penalty - 5 minutes, with no substitution.
C. A 10-minute Misconduct/Gross Misconduct - This is assessed to an individual for verbal or other type of misconduct. The team does not play short-handed. This penalty is always preceded by an unsportsmanlike conduct minor. In the most severe cases, a gross misconduct is assessed which brings with it a game disqualification or a severe suspension.
D. Game Disqualification (D.Q.) - Any player assessed a fighting major, stick or checking major, gross misconduct, an attempt to injure penalty, etc., will also receive a game disqualification from that game, and is suspended indefinitely from Hamilton Ice Arena until they meet with the CBA.
E. Fouling Out - Any player accumulating a total of three penalties (not to include serving a penalty for the "bench" or a teammate) without a game disqualification in the same game will be "ejected" for the remainder of the game. That player can play in the team's next game. Should this occur to the same individual several times, further disciplinary action may be taken.

16. Conduct toward Staff/Officials
A. Increased use of rude or profane language, arrogance or dishonesty, directed toward members of the CBA staff or other members of the HCIA may bring a Gross Misconduct and a minimum 3 game suspension.
B. Players making intentional malicious contact with an official shall be barred from all HCIA activities for three weeks with the possibility of being removed from the league.
C. Players/Teams who verbally abuse an official or who constantly whine and complain, risk individual penalties and suspensions, along with forfeiture of the game and potential team suspensions.

17. Minor Penalties
A. Interference - You cannot "impede the progress" of an opponent with picks, kicking away the opponent's stick, knocking the stick out of an opponent's hand, etc.
B. Tripping - Occurs by using one's leg, stick, arm, etc. If, when a player intentionally leaves his/her feet to play the ball, and the opponent falls over the player that left his/her feet (regardless of whether the ball was hit) a minor for tripping must be assessed (see #17.I below).
C. Holding - Any part of the opponent’s body or broomball stick.
D. Hooking - Using the stick to slow down the opponent.
E. Unsportsmanlike Conduct - The initial penalty assessed for language or any "unsportsmanlike conduct." A player who drops his/her stick with the intent to fight or to instigate a fight, but is prevented by the officials will receive this minor as a minimum.
F. Verbal Abuse from Bench
1. Any abuse from a non-playing bench person: penalty - bench minor then gross misconduct.
2. Abuse from identifiable player: penalty - unsportsmanlike minor, 10 min. misconduct, gross misconduct.
3. Abuse from unidentifiable player: penalty - bench minor, another bench minor, forfeiture. Bench minors may be served by anyone on the team.
G. Delay of Game
1. Because of the running time periods, a team who intentionally delays the game will receive a two-minute penalty. Should a delay-of-game penalty be called with under two minutes remaining in the game, a penalty shot must be awarded. The clock will stop for the penalty shot.
2. Falling on the ball - a minor penalty shall be imposed on any player other than the goalkeeper who deliberately falls on or gathers the ball into his/her body (a penalty shot will be awarded if any defensive player besides the goalie falls on the ball in the crease, see rule #23.D.2)
3. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who holds or freezes the ball with his broom, feet or body along the boards in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play.
4. Minor if a team is not ready to start the game (see grace period in rule #8 section B).
5. Repeatedly kicking or shooting/clearing the ball out of the playing surface after at least ONE warning.
6. Displacing the goal by a defensive player in a non-scoring situation (a penalty shot will be awarded if any defensive player intentionally moves the goal to prevent a obvious and imminent goal, see rule #23.D.4).
H. Roughing - Any contact with the gloves and an opponent's facemask or upper torso is an automatic roughing penalty. "Pushing" an opponent is also roughing (may be a single or double minor).
I. Intentionally Leaving Your Feet - A minor penalty (2 minutes) for "tripping" will be assessed if a player intentionally leaves his/her feet, and intentionally or accidentally trips or causes an opponent to fall. A player can leave his or her feet to shoot or block a shot provided no opponent is upended.
J. Should a team play with too many players on the ice a minor penalty will be assessed.

18.  Stick Penalties
A. Stick penalties are very severe. Broomball sticks are not weapons. Deliberate use of a stick in an attempt to injure an opponent brings a major and game disqualification. Contact does not have to be made. Reckless use of the stick may be a minor, double minor or major penalty. A game DQ must be included with the major.
B. All players are accountable and responsible for the use of their stick. Reckless use of the stick will not be tolerated. No contact is necessary for a severe penalty.
C. A Minor, double Minor or Major at the discretion of the officials will be assessed for: cross checking, slashing (DQ if a major is assessed).
D. Automatic Majors plus Disqualification for: Spearing, Butt-ending, Deliberate attempt to injure.
E. Any contact (accidental or otherwise) of a stick with a standing opponent's helmet or upper torso brings an automatic penalty.
F. Slashing the Goalie - No player may make contact with his/her stick upon the goalie or wave it in his/her face when the goalie is in possession of, and freezing the ball (before or after the whistle): Penalty - automatic minor, or major, plus DQ for slashing. Any retaliation by the goalie or other players must result in minimum minor penalties as well (see #14.F & 14.G above).
G. High Sticking - Anytime a player raises their stick above shoulder height to play the ball, play will be stopped immediately, unless the opposing team gains possession, and the subsequent face-off will be in the offending teams defensive zone.

19. Checking Penalties
A. There is no deliberate body checking of any type. Any hit/contact not perceived as incidental will bring a minor, double minor, or major (plus game disqualification) at the discretion of the referees.
  1. Minor - Contact, but not dangerous.
  2. Double Minor - Dangerous contact, but not vicious.
3. Major plus game disqualification - Dangerous, vicious contact with intent.
B.Checking penalties include the traditional penalties called boarding, elbowing, charging, and checking from behind.
C.Checking can be called even if the player making contact is on his/her knees and slides into an opponent.

20.  Other Major Penalties
A. Assessed for kicking or kicking at an opponent, grabbing the facemask, head butting. Violation: Major plus DQ.
B.  Fighting - Fighting includes punching or wrestling. Violation: Major plus DQ.
C.  Players may not come off the bench (or penalty box) during an altercation. This only adds “fuel to the fire”. Any player coming off the bench during an altercation, whether getting involved or not, will receive a minor (at a minimum).
1.  If enough players leave the bench and there are not enough for the game to continue, the game will end. In this case, the score will be recorded as it was when the game was stopped, unless the winning team clearly instigates the altercation or cleared the bench first. In that case, the game will be a double forfeit. For having players leave the bench, the teams may also face additional penalties.

21. Instigator Rule
If the official(s) are able to determine a "clear instigator" to an altercation, that instigator will receive a minimum 1 game suspension. An instigator is not one who slashes/holds/etc. an opponent causing the fight. An instigator initiates the fight. Not every situation will have an instigator.

22. Important Goalie Rules
A.The goalie cannot drop kick the ball down the ice.
B. The goalie must either hold the broom in his/her hand or place it in the back of the goal line so as not to interfere with the play. Violation: 1^st offense warning, 2^nd offense Minor penalty for interference (official’s discretion).
C. Should a goalie leave his/her crease to participate in the play outside the crease, the goalie loses the "goalie privileges" and no one else can assume those privileges. Upon re-entering the crease, the goalie regains the privileges. To change goalies & privileges there must be a stoppage in play and notification to the referee.
D. No goalie (or any other player) may reach through the net with their stick or hand to play the ball: Penalty: Minor for illegal use of stick/hand.

23. Penalty Shots
A. All penalty shots can be "declined" and a 2-minute minor accepted.
B.  If the opposing team accepts the penalty shot, nobody goes to the penalty box.
C.  If the goalie commits an infraction during the act of the penalty shot (i.e. tripping) a goal will automatically be awarded
D. A penalty shot is called for the following reasons:
1. Delay of game in last 2 minutes (see Rule #17. G).
2. Defensive player falls on ball in crease (other than the goalie).
3. Intentionally throwing a stick anywhere on the ice to prevent a score or a scoring opportunity (breakaway).
4. Deliberate or obvious goal displacement to prevent a score or a scoring opportunity.
5. Player fouled from behind on a breakaway (must meet other criteria).

24. Tie Breakers
In case of a tie in the final season point standings, the following priority list will be used:
a. Most wins     b. Head to head      c. Most goals for     d. Least goals against     E. Flip of coin

25.  Officials/Supervisors Authority
If, at any time, the officials/arena supervisors feel that the game/players are out of hand (regardless of a lopsided score), they have the right to cancel the game at that point. Should a game have to end prematurely because of an injury, altercation, etc., the score will be recorded as it was when the game was stopped, unless the winning team clearly instigated an altercation.

26. Weather Problems
Should games be canceled due to weather problems, games will only be made up on an ice available basis. If games cannot be made up, the team's winning percentage will be used for determining playoff selection.

27. Icing / Offsides
Icing: When a player hits the ball anywhere behind the centerline, towards their team’s offensive goal, and it crosses the goal line without any other player touching it. When a team is playing shorthanded, due to serving a penalty, the icing rule will not be in affect.   The icing call will be waived off if a player from the opposing team can make a play on the ball but elects not to (referees discretion).
Offsides: This is called when a player crosses the blue line into their offensive zone before the ball does. A player can wait for the ball inside the zone as long as they are touching a part of the blue line with their foot. Offsides will also be called if an offensive player touches a ball that had cleared and re-entered the offensive zone before the player cleared and re-entered the zone.
Tag-Up Offsides: If the ball enters the zone while a player is in the attacking zone, then the official will raise his arm to signal a delayed offsides, the delayed offsides will terminate when either all the attacking players clear the zone at one time or an attacking player touches the ball or continues to force play deeper into the zone. When an attacking player is offsides, a shot on goal is considered to be intentional offsides and the face off will be conducted at the offending teams end zone face-off dot.

28. Time-outs
There is one two-minute timeout per team/per game.

29. Empty Net
Should the goalie be pulled or the net is totally empty and the opponent has a clear opportunity to score on the empty net but is fouled or a thrown stick prohibits the goal, the goal will be awarded.

30. Smoking/Chewing Tobacco
There is no smoking or chewing of tobacco anywhere within HCIA - this includes while playing. Smoking is permitted outside the building only.

31. Alcohol
Any player in the opinion of the officials, who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will be suspended from play. There is no alcohol permitted in the building. Teams risk suspension from the league, as the team is responsible for the players.

32. Official Time
The HCIA digital clock is the official clock.

33. Standings
It is the team's responsibility to inform the CBA of any perceived errors in a timely manner. It is also the team's responsibility to check and know what time their playoff games are played. Please do not call the HCIA for this info, but rather eliminate all risk by checking the HCIA website.

34. MiscellaneousA player must play in at least one regular season game to be eligible for playoffs.

BROOMBALL PLAYOFF STRUCTURE IN CASE OF A TIE
A 5-minute sudden death overtime will be played. First score wins. If still tied after the sudden death OT,
Shootout: (teams alternate shots and start at the center dot)
Best of 5 shooters.
1) Of the 5 shooters, at least one must be a female.
2) The last eligible goalie during regulation cannot shoot.
3) No player in the penalty box at the end of the game can participate in the shootout
4) The last eligible goalie during regulation must be the goalie in the shootout.
5) If the goalie commits an infraction during the act of a shot (ie. tripping) a goal will automatically be awarded
Double Shootout:
Best of 5 different shooters. If the team has less than 10 players, those that are eligible to shoot but did not participate in the first shootout, must participate in the Double Shootout.
Sudden Death Shootout:
Best of 1 shooter. (Each team alternates shots until someone wins) – Can be any of the first 10 shooters.A female must shoot at least once for every 5 shots taken.