1.0 Teams:

1.1 Team rosters must be composed of a minimum of 12 total players, with at least 4 of each gender.

1.2 Teams consist of five (5) players on the floor at one time, four (4) players and a goalie.

3. A minimum of four (4) players (including goalie) is required to start and continue a game.

1.4 Teams must play a minimum of two (2) players of each gender at all times except when serving two simultaneous penalties, in which case the team must play at least one (1) player of each gender.

5. The goalie counts toward a team's on-floor gender requirement.

1.6 Unrostered game substitutes (players who are not registered with the team) are strictly prohibited. Teams found to be playing with a non-roster player will forfeit the game.

2. Equipment:

1. The NHSSC will provide all necessary equipment for all players and goalies, including pucks, sticks, masks and gloves for the goalies, and protective eyewear, however, players may provide their own equipment provided it meets the following requirements:

2. Sticks with plastic blades are allowed.  Wood and composite sticks are also permitted.

3. Players must wear protective glasses and/or a full hockey-type helmet.

4. A 3-inch hollow plastic ball shall be used and approved for floor hockey use.

5. Players may wear gloves for hand protection.

6. Players must wear protective eyewear.

7. Players may not wear jewelry.

8. Goalies must use a regulation catcher's mask or a goalie mask.

9. Goalies may wear a street-style goalie glove or baseball or softball glove on their non-stick hand and goalie pads.

10. Players must wear their NHSSC-provided t-shirt uniform.

3.0 Game Time:

3.1 Each game will consist of 3 periods (12 minute running time).

2. A two-minute interval will separate each period.

2. In the last two (2) minutes of the third period, the time will be stopped for penalties and face-offs. Unless there is no more than a three (3) goal difference.

2. Each team will be allowed one (1) time-out per game, one (1) minute in duration. A team may call a time-out while in possession of the puck, or at a stoppage of play.

4. An official time out may be called for an injured player or for other circumstances deemed appropriate by the officials.

4. All ties will remain at the end of regular season games except during playoffs.

4. During playoffs, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 5-minute sudden death period will be played. If no goal is scored, additional 5-minute periods will be played until a winner is determined.

4.0 Playing the Game:

4.1 A face-off is used for the following: to begin each period, after each goal, an inadvertent whistle, an official cannot determine which team caused the puck to go out of play, when a player is given a penalty, or if the ball is tied up in the corner or along the walls, after a team time-out, after a missed penalty shot, or after a penalty.

2. Offside will only apply on face-offs. All players must be on their respective sides during the face-off.

2. Absolutely no unnecessary body checking or contact will be tolerated.

2. There is no icing.

2. A hand may be used to catch or touch an airborne ball. The ball must be dropped immediately within the radius of the catching player's stick.

2. A goalie may catch the ball in their glove, but must keep it in play only if there is no opposing player nearby.

2. Goalies may shoot the ball with their stick.

2. Substitutions are allowed and can be made at any time during the game. When the play is live, a player can only enter the game when the other player is completely off the floor.

5.0 Scoring:

5.1 A goal is scored when the puck passes completely across the plane of the goal-line.

2. Goals may be scored from anywhere on the floor.

5.3 Goals will not be allowed if the ball is tipped with a stick from the offensive player above the waist level, kicked in, or the puck is batted in with the hand.

4. If the ball bounces off a player's body and into the net the goal shall be allowed, or if the contact with the person is incidental (official's judgment).

4. A goal will be disallowed if an offensive player's feet

(1 or 2) are in the crease.

6.0 Penalties:

6.1 Teams cannot play with fewer than four (4) players. If two players are penalized during the same time, penalties shall be served in succession.

2. Minor penalties will expire if a goal is scored by the team playing with the advantage. Penalty minutes will carry over into the next period, if necessary. If two (2) or more players are penalized only one (1) player may return per goal scored against their team. The player who has the least amount of time left on their penalty will return.

6.3 When a penalty occurs, a delayed penalty (held whistle) will be called if the offended player/team retains possession of the ball and has a clear opportunity to score.

7.0 Player Misconduct:

7.1 Misconduct penalties will result in a player ejection from game in playing area.

2. Misconduct penalties include:

• Excessive use of profanity.

• Extensive abuse of the facility and/or equipment.

• Unnecessary rough play.

• Fighting.

• Deliberate roughing/checking.

• Verbal or physical abuse towards an official or opponent.

• Any unsportsmanlike conduct that in the opinion of the official warrants ejection.

8.0 Minor Penalty:

8.1 All minor penalties will result in the player serving a TWO minute penalty. Penalty will begin at the next face-off.

2. Minor penalties include:

• Tripping - intentional tripping with the stick or any part of the body.

• Elbowing - use of the elbow to impede an opponent.

• Throwing the stick - intentional throwing of the stick or an opponents stick to gain an advantage.

• Hooking - wrapping the stick around a player.

• Checking/Roughness - any unnecessary body contact.

• Intentional delay of game.

• High sticking – Holding the stick above the waist (on the wind up and follow through) anytime during play.

• Holding a player or holding the stick of an opponent to gain advantage.

• Interference – Intentional impeding progress of an opponent which is not in possession of the ball, or knocks the stick out of the opponent's hand, or who prevents a player from regaining possession of a dropped stick.

• Illegal substitutions.

• Throwing the ball.

• Slashing – Hacking a player with the stick or using 2 hands in a chopping motion on the opponents stick.

• Deliberately moving the net by the defensive team with no shot at net (if intentional act with shot on goal, it will result in a penalty.

• Contact with the goalie inside the crease whether accidental or not.

• Too many players on floor.

• Too few of a gender on floor.

9. Stoppage in Play (blown whistle):

9.1 Results in the loss of the puck and face-off at the point of infraction.

2. Stoppage in plays are:

◦ Offside or interference on a face-off.

◦ Hand pass in the offensive zone only.

◦ Goalie throwing ball past center line (may be shot with the stick) and/or throwing ball above waist height.

◦ Goal crease violation – If an offensive player is in the crease with one or two feet and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

3. Dangerous Play – Absolutely no diving, sliding or playing in a reckless manner.

3. Body contact - incidental or accidental body contact.

10.0 Penalty Shot:

10.1 A penalty shot will be awarded to a player who, in the official's judgment, has a clear opportunity to score a goal and was prevented from doing so by an opposing player either by tripping, holding, or a thrown stick. A goal will be awarded if a defensive player stops a clear opportunity by throwing their stick in the crease (no penalty will be given).

2. All players except the goalie and player attempting the penalty shot will move to the opposite half of the floor.

10.3 The shooting player will place the ball on the center line. The shot shall be taken following the official's whistle.

10.4 The goalie must be inside their crease, until the ball is touched by the opposing player.

10.5 If the shot is missed, the play will immediately be called dead and a face off will occur at the spot the penalty was called. If the goal is scored a face-off will occur at center court.

11.0 Officials:

1. The NHSSC shall provide an official for all games.

2. The NHSSC official shall be responsible for:

◦ Keeping time

◦ Recording each win and loss

◦ Calling all penalties and stoppage of plays.

12. Forfeits:

1. Teams that arrive at game time with fewer than four players shall forfeit the game, and the opposing team shall be awarded the win.

2. If both teams arrive at game time with fewer than four players (including goalie), both shall forfeit the game, and both shall receive no points in the league standings for that game.