Section 0: Terminology

For better understanding of the Rules contained herein, please read this terminology section. Note that specifics of each term listed here are left to a subsequent sub/section that provides additional detail.

• Alley : Any of the three access gaps across midcourt. The Center Alley is the alley between the inner net support posts, through which each goal has an unimpeded view of the other. The Outside Alleys are the alleys between each outer net support post and the outer playing wall.
• Ball : An international play adult-level tennis ball of almost any type, including partially “flat.”
• Conduct Foul : Violation of rules of personal conduct, such as physical contact with other players, non-play activities, verbal interactions, and general “fair play”.
• Extended net plane : A plane projecting upward from the top of the uppermost point of the net with an exterior post [see definition of net! ], vertically to infinity, and extending parallel to the net face infinitely far horizontally.
• Goal : The portion of the outer playing boundary that resides in the center of either court end and into which the ball must travel to tally a point.
• Net(s) : Hanging, partially see-through devices that (approximately) bisect and are centered on the TH court. Any cable attachments that hold the net on its posts are considered a part of the net.
• Penalty : A period during which a player is held off the court due to a Conduct Foul. A penalty may include temporary suspension from the game (1, 2, or 5 minutes) similar to a hockey Penalty, or a representative suspension in conjunction with permanent removal from the court of play.
• Play Violation : Violation of gameplay, such as where and when the ball may be played, how players may be positioned, etc.
• Player : Any of the persons on the court holding racquets and tasked with playing the ball.
• Racquet (aka racket) : A strung instrument with a “head” and a “handle”, originally designed (generally) to USTA specifications.
• Referee : The one who calls the fouls and penalties.
• Restart : An unobstructed play of the ball from a specified spot.
• Surface : A play of the ball either (a) over one of the nets or (b) over the extended net plane but not under a net.

Section 1: Court Dimensions

• Tennis Hockey shall be played on a rectangular court with a goal at the center of either end.
  • The distance between goals shall be no more than 40m and no less than 32m.
  • The width of the court shall be no more than 36m and no less than 29.4m.
  • Tennis Hockey originated on paired full-size (doubles-inclusive) courts, as well as the physical surface connecting them plus the court beyond the baseline.
  • This layout is easiest to find in most areas, but these rules do not preclude TH-specific courts.
  • Based on the dimensions of the TH court, the “visual” alleys between doubles courts are ~2.5m-4.5m. These are NOT the same as the Central Alley and Outside Alleys.
  • The highly specific minimum width is to accommodate all other rules about court sizes. Alley widths, expected doubles court widths, and local limitations on space all play into this, and while someone may find a smaller court, this is damn near the smallest possible.
• Two nets shall bisect the court at the approximate midpoint of the court between the goals, defined as the court centerline.
  • Each net shall consist of, at minimum, a tensioned support cable at the top and whose central net:
    • Fully spans no less than 11m;
    • Is partially see-through;
    • Is free of holes large enough to allow the ball to pass through or become stuck in.
  • At all points, both nets shall reside within 40cm of the court centerline.
  • Variance in individual net placement relative to the court centerline may be no more than 10cm across the span of the net.
  • Variance in combined net placement relative to the court centerline may be no more than 20cm at all points from the inner edge of one outer alley post to the inner edge of the other alley post.
  • Each net shall be supported on either side by a cylindrical or square post with as few protrusions as possible, placed no less than 12m apart.
    • Each net shall hang freely at the center from the supporting cord drawn between posts at either
      • “Singles sticks” or other interior vertical net support devices used to ensure net rigidity during play shall be removed, and no center strap shall be used.
      • Additional affixing cords may be used to more closely affix the edge of the to the post.
    • The nets shall be tightened to no more than 1800 N and no less than 1200 N.
      • If no tensiometer is available, the nets may be tightened such that the top of the net at its lowest point hangs no less than 1m off the ground.
    • Posts shall be no more than 15cm in diameter or 15cm square, with protrusions that extend no more than 4cm into an alley or 2cm toward either endline.
    • No element of a post or its protrusions shall reside within 1.8m of the edge of the playing area.
    • No element of a post or its protrusions shall reside within 1.8m of another post or its protrusions.
  • Specifically, all alleys should be 1.8m or more wide at the net.
  • Specifically, neither end of the court shall be more than 80cm longer than the other at any point.
  • Nets should be hung approximately parallel to the goal front.
  • Nets should be even with each other as well, with no significant “jump” in central placement. The maximum such jump should be no more than 20cm.
  • Bounding example 1: Consider a court in which one net is 40cm off the midline toward the North goal at the outer alley and 30cm off the midline toward the North goal at the center alley. The other may be placed 20cm off the midline toward the North goal [thus remaining within the 20cm total variance] so long as its outer alley post is centered no farther south than 20cm and no farther north than 30cm toward the North goal.
  • Bounding example 2: A court is perfectly, precisely designed, and one net is perfectly placed to be exactly at the midline of the court. The other net is placed erroneously 20cm toward the South goal of this midline at the outer alley. So long as the net is parallel to the original net, this is a valid placement; if the inner posts are placed at the midpoint, the net placement is unacceptable, as the incorrect placement of one net exceeds the 10cm single-net variance.
  • Contrary example: [To illustrate the absurdity of poor placement and why we should dwell on it.] Consider two nets, with one net 40cm off the midline toward the North goal and one net 40cm off the midline toward the South goal. This presents a center alley with an 80cm N-S (lengthwise) separation between the alley posts. If the alley is 2m in width, that represents a large enough offset that the alley is now “angled”. This would be unacceptable for play.
• Each goal shall be rectangular, bounded by posts integrated in the court boundary, and spanned by a taut net or fencing across its front.
  • Goals at either end of the court shall be the same dimensions to within 5cm in width and 3cm in height.
  • Each goal shall be no less than 2.5m wide and no more than 3.2m wide
  • Each goal shall be no less than 1.3m tall and no more than 1.6m high.
  • Each goal’s court-presented area shall be no less than 3.8 m^2 and shall not exceed 4.8 m^2.
• The court shall generally be bounded by a taut net or fencing.
  • The exterior boundary shall extend at least 3m above the ground.
  • As it was historically developed on a tennis court, incidental elements such as a practice board have been found to introduce interesting play options. Similar to baseball, this is embraced as a feature of Tennis Hockey courts. Other non-standard elements may include, e.g., posts at varying separating distances, entrance doors, or signs on the exterior.
• A diagram:
  

Section 2: On-Court Elements

• Each team shall consist of no more than 6 and no fewer than 3 players.
  • Teams shall agree upon the number of players on each side prior to the start of the game.
  • Teams shall designate a goalkeeper prior to the start of the game.
    • The goalkeeper is allowed goalkeeper-specific rules only while in the vicinity of the goal and performing acts associated with goalkeeping, as determined by the referee.
    • Goalkeepers may be re-designated during any play stoppage preceding a Full Restart. Only the most recently designated goalkeeper shall be allowed goalkeeper-specific rules. (See also Substitutions and Player Changes .)
  • All players on each team shall wear shirts of identical color that are distinct from the color worn by the other team.
    • Each player shall display a distinctive marking such as a number in a manner the referee deems acceptable to suitably distinguish between players.
    • Note that this does NOT preclude players from doing something like, say, assigning a “symbol” to each player. All that matters is that everyone’s got a unique identifier that the referee can see. Players can even write a number on their arm in grease pen if that’s the sort of thing they’re into, so long as the referee is fine with it.
    • Of course, in informal games nobody has a uniform.
• On-court equipment shall be as follows:
  • Game equipment shall include:
    • A single tennis ball.
      • The ball shall have a fabric-covered surface of uniform color and type, except for stitchless seams (if required).
      • The ball mass shall be no less than 55g and no more than 59.4g.
      • The ball shall have a diameter of no less than 6.54cm and no more than 6.86cm.
      • The ball shall exhibit vertical rebound no more than 147cm and no less than 105cm.
      • NOTE: These are current essentially USTA guidelines for new balls, encompassing high-altitude balls and “Fast” balls. New balls are fine, but the vertical rebound is pretty high. Slightly older, “soft” balls are actually better for gameplay, as they allow more finesse.
• Player equipment shall be as follows:
  • Required equipment for each player shall consist of:
    • A single, standard-size racquet.
      • The racquet head shall be no more than XX (m^2? Diameter? Not sure)
      • The racquet handle shall be no longer than XX cm, as measured from the base of the racquet to the beginning of the attachment curve for the head.
    • A pair of shoes.
      • Shoes may not contain wheels or accelerating agents. They’re just shoes, regular old shoes.
  • Optional equipment for each player shall include:
    • Gloves with exterior padding that is soft and no more than ¼” in thickness.
    • Shin pads or shin guards, of the soccer style.
    • Elbow pads with padding that is soft and no more than ½” in thickness.
    • A mouthguard.
    • Equipment not specified under this Part, which may be worn at the discretion of the referee, with deference to interests of safety during play, players’ religious or cultural beliefs, and local social custom and laws.
      • Regular game play may result in hand injuries. However, it is important that players be able to “feel” the pressure on their hands. Hence the restriction on glove size, to prevent players from donning hockey or lacrosse gloves and hacking one another. The sport is closer to soccer in physicality than it is to lacrosse, but obviously hands are one are that might suffer even if body checking isn’t really allowed.
      • Elbow pads may be thicker due to the possibility of, e.g., tripping over the net during play, but they must not contain ANY hard edges.
      • This rule does NOT preclude wearing, e.g., jewelry, or long pants or a head scarf, so long as safety is not compromised. Referee discretion MUST account for local laws and customs, as well as individual preferences. If a player wishes to wear no pants, this should not be considered against any particular TH rule, though it is likely to be against the law. And maybe a safety concern.

Section 3: Game Play

• Game Play
  • A Tennis Hockey game consists of two opposing teams.
  • A standard Tennis Hockey game consists of 3 (three) 20-minute, stopped-clock periods.
    • Clock stoppage shall occur for any goal, or for any extended delay at any other stoppage of play.
    • For example, Out of Play does not typically warrant clock stoppage, but it may require fetching a new ball or retrieving the lost ball. The clock should be stopped in this case.
  • The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposing team during the time provided.
    • Details regarding extra time to resolve a tie shall be determined prior to the start of the game.
    • Standard regulations regarding extra time are:
      • Single-play periods of additional play consisting of 10 minutes each, subject to the first of:
        • Either team scores 3 goals during additional time; or
        • One team leads after any additional play period.
  • A Tennis Hockey player may use racquet, body, legs, and feet to advance the ball.
    • Hands may not be used to intentionally contact the ball except by the goalkeeper. Such contact shall be called an Illegal Touch - a Play Violation - and the ball awarded to the opposing team
    • Goals may only be scored by an offensive player striking the ball with her racquet. Deflections off other players’ body parts count only if such contact is unintentional. (See Goals above)
  • During play, the ball may be passed between players in any direction.
    • A player may not carry the ball on her racquet or person. Performing such a carry shall be called an Illegal Carry - a Play Violation - and the ball awarded to the opposing team.
    • A player may briefly hold the ball under her racquet against the ground, boundary, net, or other player. Performing such a hold longer than 2 seconds shall be called an Illegal Hold - a Play Violation - and the ball awarded to the opposing team.
  • During play, the ball may be advanced through or under a net.
    • NOTE: Because the defined “net” includes the cable, a gap may exist between the net and each support post, so long as all other net requirements are met. The ball may travel through this gap, and play should continue if it does. This is a natural part of the potential variations in court construction.
    • The ball may not be advanced over either net. Such an advance is called a Surface and is a Play Violation.
    • The ball may not be advanced through any alley over a line extending from the highest point of any net - including its cable connectors - across the width of the court (extended net plane). Such an advance is called a Surface and is a Play Violation.
    • The net may be lifted by any player, except with the intention of causing an opposing player to trip on the top of the net or with the sole intention of preventing an opposing player from jumping the net. (See Illegal Net Lift under Penalties and Fouls below. See also Ejections.)
    • The ball may travel over the net or over the extended net plane if propelled backward by the offensive team.
    • A hit, kick, or other primary advance of the ball by an offensive player that bounces off any player (unintentionally) and/or off any court element in such a way that it results in a Surface shall be a Play Violation.
    • NOTE: So long as the ball travels under or through the net, it may do so at ANY height, even one which, in the alleys, would be considered too high.
      Example 1: Defensive Player A takes the ball and hits it toward the net to clear. It is about to hit the net, but instead hits Offensive Player A in the arm and skips over the net. This is a Play Violation.
      Example 2: Same situation, but Offensive Player A lunges to stop the ball. The ball skips off the tip of her racquet and bounces over. This is not a Play Violation.
  • During play, the ball may be advanced only minimally using intentional dribbling.
    • Dribbling is defined as striking the ball against the ground with intent to increase or maintain its bounce height, either via a downward racquet head angle involving active or passive motion, or an upward racquet head angle and active motion, or a combination of these.
      • A player may dribble for no more than 2 racquet plays in any 4 ball contacts with the racquet, unless in the judgment of the referee such dribbling was not unreasonable for the play.
      • A player may dribble for no more than 2 consecutive racquet contacts.
      • A player may dribble for no more than 3 racquet contacts during her period of possession, unless in the judgment of the referee such dribbling was not unreasonable for the play.
      • A player may dribble during no more than 2 segments of her period of possession.
      • Violation of any of these dribbling rules shall be called an Illegal Dribble - a Play Violation - and the ball awarded to the other team.
      • NOTE 1: This rule is designed to allow a player to flip the ball up to themselves - achieved using either the racquet lip or a short-hop dribble in which a short bounce is accelerated using a single strike - then use this initial flip to proceed forward, and finish a run by once again flipping the ball up to themselves.
      • NOTE 2: The referee needs to exercise judgment on this rule. It’s not perfect, but most people will know dribbling when they see it. Intent is more important than adhering to an imprecise standard offered by this textual description.
      • Example 1: Player dribbles 2 times, contacts the ball 3 more times while running the court, then dribbles 1 time again to make a shot. This is legal.
      • Example 2: Player dribbles 1 time, contacts the ball 3 more times, dribbles 1 time, contacts the ball 3 more times, dribbles 1 time. This is a Play Violation.
  • Mild to moderate physical blocking and checking is part of the game.
    • Players shall make every effort to avoid overly violent or dangerous contact with other players.
    • During blocking or checking, the racquet shall be used to make contact only with an opponent’s racquet or the ball.
    • A player may not grab or physically restrain another player except through their body positioning.
    • Violation of any of these blocking or checking rules is nominally a Conduct Foul but may escalate to a Penalty under specific circumstances.
  • Should a player lose her racquet during the natural course of the game, she may continue to play without a racquet but may not play the ball with her hands.
    • Should a player break her racquet during the game, she may play with the broken racquet only as long as no opportunity exists to safely remove the broken racquet from play.
  • All physical elements interior to the boundary of the court are considered in-play, and all deflections off such are considered as performed by the player responsible for the ball or persons engaging them.
    • If a ball is played out of the court boundary, the ball shall be ruled Out of Play and awarded to the team opposite the one that last touched the ball.
    • If a ball becomes embedded in a court element in such a way that it cannot be safely or legally extracted, the ball shall be ruled Out of Play and awarded to the team opposite the one that last touched the ball.
    • Example 1: A player hits the ball toward her defensive endline, where a practice board has been installed. The ball bounces off the practice board, rebounds up the court toward her offensive end, and bounces over the net. This is a Play Violation for a Surface.
    • Example 2: A player strikes the ball, and it becomes lodged in the fence above the goal. The ball shall be ruled Out of Play and awarded to the defensive team.
    • Example 3: A player strikes the ball, and it ricochets off the practice board, deflects unintentionally off an opposing player, and exits the court. The ball shall be ruled Out of Play and awarded to the team whose player struck the ball.
• Goals
  • Each goal is worth 1 point, regardless of the location from which the ball is played or last touched.
  • A goal is scored if the following are true:
    • An offensive player plays the ball forward;
    • An offensive player contacts the ball with her racquet on the offensive side of the net; and
    • The ball subsequently contacts the objective goal area.
  • No goal is awarded if:
    • A defensive player intentionally plays the ball backwards into the goal;
    • An offensive player plays the ball forward from the defensive side of the net into the goal without an offensive player’s racquet on the offensive side subsequently contacting the ball;
    • An offensive player uses any part of her body (head, feet, knees, etc.) to intentionally deflect the ball into the goal without another offensive player contacting the ball with her racquet.
    • Own goals can only be scored if the ball deflects after being hit by an offensive player.
    • Goals must be scored from the offensive half of the court. This encourages teams to utilize all available players rather than have one “hang back” to play goalie.
    • Example 1: A player hits a hard shot from the outside and it deflects unintentionally off an offensive player’s leg. This is a goal.
    • Example 2: A player kicks the ball from the center of the court toward goal, and the ball deflects off an offensive player’s racquet, then goes into the goal. This is a goal.
    • Example 3: A player hits the ball from the top corner, and a player near the goal flicks it on with her foot. This is not a goal.
    • Example 4: A player kicks the ball from the center of the court toward the goal, and the ball deflects off an offensive player’s leg, then goes into the goal. This is not a goal.
    • Example 5: A player hits the ball from her defensive end through the center alley; another player from her team manages to touch the ball with her foot prior to it striking the goal area. This is not a goal.
    • Example 6: A player hits the ball from her defensive end through the center alley, where the ball deflects off a teammate on the opposite side of the net and goes into the goal. This is a goal.
    • Example 7: A player hits the ball from her offensive end, and a defensive player attempts to hit the ball. The ball deflects into the goal. This is a goal.
    • Example 8: A player hits the ball from her defensive end through the center alley, where the ball deflects off an opposing player on the opposite side of the net and goes into the goal. This is not a goal.
• Full Restarts:
  • Games, periods, and restarts after a goal begin with a Full Restart in which the possessing plays a stationary ball from within 20cm of the center of the center alley, from the possessing team’s defensive half of the court to the same half of the court.
  • Play starts once the ball has been touched by a second player from the possessing team.
  • Until play has started, all players of each team must remain on their respective (defensive) side of the court.
  • If any of these rules is not abided by the opposing team, a re-do of the Full Restart is performed.
  • If these rules are violated more than 2 times by the possessing team, possession is lost and a Full Restart is performed by the opposite team.
• Substitutions and player changes:
  • Substitutions may be made at any stoppage.
    • New players shall be fully established in their position on the court prior to the restart.
    • In the event of a goalkeeper substitution, a new goalkeeper shall be designated from among the on-court players.
      • Should the originally-designated player re-enter the contest, she shall not be afforded the rights of a goalkeeper unless so designated in an appropriate manner at an appropriate time.
    • A player under Penalty, including those who have been ejected from the game, may not be substituted for until the Penalty time expires.
  • At expiration of a Penalty, a non-ejected player may re-enter the court:
    • At any stoppage.
    • When allowed by the referee.
  • If the goalkeeper receives a Penalty, a temporary goalkeeper shall be designated from among the players remaining on the court.
    • This goalkeeper designation reverts to the original goalkeeper once she re-enters the court, unless the referee is informed otherwise by the penalized team.
    • Should the goalkeeper be ejected, the penalized team shall additionally designate the player who shall be goalkeeper upon expiration of the ejected player’s Penalty time.

Section 4: Penalties of Play and Conduct

• After a Play Violation, a restart occurs in one of three ways:
  • Offensive Goal Restarts are where the ball is placed 3m from the goal and restarted by the offensive team.
  • Defensive Goal Restarts are where the ball is placed 3m from the goal and restarted by the defensive team.
  • Location Restarts are where the ball is placed at the spot of a foul for a restart.
• Restart type for a Play Violation or Conduct Foul is established according to:
  • Except for a Surface, a Play Violation is a Location Restart, unless the Play Violation occurs within 3m of the goal on the offensive side, or within 3m of the court’s end on the defensive side.
  • On a Surface, the Location Restart occurs on the non-offending team’s offensive side of the net, at approximately the location at which the ball went over the net or net plane.
  • An Offensive Goal Restart occurs when a Play Violation is committed within 3m of the goal of the offending team. In this case, the ball is placed 3m from the goal, at approximately the line connecting the goal’s nearest point with the location of the foul.
  • A Defensive Goal Restart occurs when a Play Violation is committed within 3m of the offended team’s “back line”. In this case, the ball is placed at the offended team’s discretion at any point up to 3m from its goal on the (width-wise) half of the court on which the Penalty occurred.
  • Restarts shall be moved to a minimum of 1m from the net or the edge of the court, or 2m from the corner of the court, to ensure sufficient play space during the restart.
• On an Out of Play Restart, the ball shall be placed according to where the ball exited the boundary of the court.
  • If the ball exits the boundary on the side, the restart shall be a Location Restart at the point where the ball exited, subject to reasonable distance limitations.
  • If the ball exits the boundary beyond the end line as a result of contact by the offensive team, a Defensive Goal Restart shall be awarded.
  • If the ball exits the court beyond the end line as a result of contact by the defensive team, the restart shall be allowed anywhere on an arc 2m from the corner of the court corresponding to the corner closest to where the ball left the court.
  • These are roughly the “goal kick” and “corner kick” of the TH world.
• On any restart, no player from the opposing team may stand within 2m of the ball until the ball has been contacted by the restarting team’s player.
  • The ball shall begin the restart on the ground.
  • The restarting player must play the ball to another player prior to touching the ball again.
  • If permitted by other rules of the game, a goal may be scored directly from a restart position.
  • Note that one may not, for example, score directly off a Full Restart (the ball is on the defensive half and must be played to the defensive half) or, indeed, directly off any restart in one’s defensive half of the court.
• The following Conduct Fouls shall result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team:
  • Trip - Intentionally or unintentionally tripping an opponent.
  • Illegal net lift - Lifting the net with the intention to (a) trip an opponent or (b) prevent an opponent from traveling over the net. Also called for holding the net up for an extended period that disrupts play.
  • Slash - Swinging one’s racquet at an opponent in a reckless or injurious manner.
  • Cross check - Using the portion of one’s racquet between the hands to aid in a body check or a hold of an opponent.
  • Holding - Restraining an opponent with outstretched arms, or sitting on, laying on, or leaning completely against an opponent with the intention of preventing that player from participating in the play.
  • High racquet - Swinging one’s racquet to play a ball above chest level while other players are in the vicinity, or swinging one’s racquet such that it ends in this position while an opponent is in the vicinity.
    • NOTE 1: High racquet should not be called if the racquet is not swung. Raising your racquet is not a foul; making an active swing is. The intention is to make the call to prevent dangerous play.
    • NOTE 2: This proscription suggests that OTHER PLAYERS need only be in the vicinity; a high racquet may be called if a player does this swing while a teammate is nearby. However, on a follow-through, this high racquet call should NOT be made if the only nearby players are from the offending player’s team.
  • Abuse - General abuse of other players, which may include physical or verbal violence toward any other player, referee, or attendee.
• Penalty Shots are provided for in cases where a Conduct Foul or Play Violation by the defensive team eliminates a clear scoring chance by the offensive team.
  • A Penalty Shot consists of a single player approaching the goal, which is protected by only the defensive team’s goalkeeper.
  • The shooter may approach from any angle.
  • The shooter must release her shot from outside 3m away from any part of the goal.
  • If the shooter fails to perform an apparent shot during a reasonably continuous approach of the goal, the referee shall stop play with a call of No Shot and award the ball to the defensive team as a Defensive Goal Restart.
  • Standard scoring rules apply during a Penalty Shot.
  • Before the shot has been attempted, all other players in the offensive half of the court must maintain contact with the net with a part of their body.
  • Once the shot has been attempted, all players may enter into the play and follow up on a missed opportunity.
  • Example 1: The shooter starts a run, stutter-stepping halfway down the court to change angle, then shoots from the 3m line. This is allowed.
  • Example 2: The shooter starts a run and approaches the 3m line, then skirts the 3m line to travel ¾ of the way across the goal mouth before shooting. This is allowed.
  • Example 3: The shooter approaches the 3m line, then takes two steps left to skirt the line, then changes direction the other way. The referee shall deem this a discontinuous run and award a Defensive Goal Restart.
• Conduct Fouls may also result in assignment of a Penalty of up to 5 minutes. Penalty assessments are at the discretion of referees, but roughly correspond to the following:
  • 1 Minute: Typical for a Conduct Foul that results in a Penalty Shot but does not result in harm to another player.
    This may also be given as a warning to a player intentionally delaying or disrupting the game, such as by holding the net up for an extended period.
  • 2 Minutes: Typical for a penalty that endangers another player in an egregious manner but results in little or no physical harm. These fouls are usually not intentional, but they are dangerous.
    • Example 1: An extended stalemate along the fence ends when one player takes possession and begins to move around her opponent. The defeated opponent trips the other player with a dangerous last lunge.
    • Example 2: During a breakaway, a pursuing defensive player skims her racquet along the ground to knock the rolling ball from the offensive player. This does not harm the player, but it is quite dangerous. The 2 Minute Penalty is regardless of whether a Penalty Shot is needed.
  • 5 Minutes: Typical for a penalty in which the foul is intentional and dangerous.
    • Example 1: A player is leaping the net, and another player lifts it slightly with intent to trip the hurdler. (The offending player should be ejected as well.)
    • Example 2: During a breakaway, a pursuing player takes swings at the hands of the offensive player.
• Ejection of a player may occur at the discretion of the referee. Offenses for which ejection may occur:
  • Verbal abuse of other players, referees, or participants.
  • Physical abuse of other players, referees, or participants.
  • Physically rough play that clearly exceeds the bounds of proper on-court action.
  • Play designed to harm other players, such as knowingly lifting the net on a hurdler.
  • Two 5 Minute Penalties in one contest, four 2 Minute Penalties in one contest, or two 2 Minute Penalties and one 5 Minute Penalty in one contest.
  • Careless play or play performed so recklessly that the referee deems it to be too dangerous to allow the player to continue.
  • NOTE: Per above, lifting the net on another player with intent to harm is ejection-worthy. This may happen sometimes accidentally, where a player is lifting the net for an approaching ball and another player leaps the net behind them, in which case no penalty has occurred. If there’s any intent to harm or blatant recklessness to the act (like if you’re just lifting the net every couple seconds or something weird like that), you should be booted.
• Unusual restart circumstances may occur. The following shall be used to determine possession at a restart in these cases:
  • In the event of opposing Conduct Foul and Play Violations, the ball shall be awarded to the team that did not commit the Conduct Foul.
  • In the event of opposing Conduct Fouls, the ball shall be awarded to the team that did not receive a Penalty (of minutes) or Ejection.
  • In the event of both teams receiving equal Conduct Fouls, or both teams receiving a Penalty, a Full Restart shall be awarded to the team that wins a one-time rock-paper-scissors contest. The referee shall have the two goalkeepers stand on opposite sides of the net, backs facing, eyes closed, and count to 3, after which each party will select from {rock, paper, scissors}. The first selection by each player counts as their selection. No changesies. The contest continues until one player is the winner.
  • In the event of play being stopped due to an injury, an Out of Play Restart shall be awarded to the offensive team near where the ball was or where the injury occurred, whichever is more advantageous to the offensive team.
  • In the event of any other unclear play, the referee shall be authorized to use any of these methods to determine which team receives the ball and where the restart occurs.

Section 5: Referees

• Regarding referee uniform:
  • A referee shall wear comfortable clothing fit for use in an active sport.
  • A referee shall wear a solid color shirt that is distinguishable from all other colors on the field, or stripes of distinct pattern and color, such that players will not confuse the referee for a player.
  • A referee shall wear shoes that conform to the shoe regulations provided for players.
• A referee shall indicate a Conduct Foul has been committed by blowing her whistle, making the designated Conduct Foul motion (see below), then holding one hand above her head while pointing at the spot of the foul.
  • Explanation of the foul may be provided if warranted.
  • Should an Offensive Goal Restart be required, the referee shall also point to the Restart spot to indicate where the ball should be placed or place the ball herself.
  • In the event of a Defensive Goal Restart, the referee shall make an arcing motion while pointing to the goal after indicating the foul.
• A referee shall indicate a Penalty has been assessed by facing the offending player and holding up the number of fingers indicating the Penalty time.
  • Should the Penalty also result in an Ejection, the referee shall indicate the penalty time per above, then point diagonally in the direction of the bench.
• A referee shall indicate a Play Violation has been committed by blowing her whistle, then the following hand motions to indicate such Penalty:
  • Surface : Holding one hand flat, act as though holding a ball in the other hand and “hop” it over the net.
  • Illegal Touch : Hold up one hand, and with the other make a brushing motion as though contact was made.
  • Illegal Hold : Make a fist with one hand and place the other on top.
  • Illegal Dribble : Make a motion as though doing a basketball “carry” with one hand.
  • Illegal Carry : Hold one palm face-up and lift it up.
• A referee shall indicate a Conduct Foul has been committed by blowing her whistle, then making the following hand motions to indicate the offense:
  • Trip : Swipe one hand across an ankle.
  • Illegal net lift : With two hands, act like you are lifting the handle of a briefcase in front you.
  • Slash : Put out one arm and make a hacking motion across with the other arm.
  • Cross Check : Hold hands as though gripping a racquet parallel to the ground and several inches apart, make a pushing motion.
  • Holding : Make a fist, grab the wrist below with the other hand.
  • High Racquet : Make a one-handed overhand swinging motion.
  • Abuse : Cross arms in front of chest.
• A referee may stop play at any point if a player is injured during play and unable to continue (temporarily or permanently). Such stoppage is entirely at referee discretion, with regard to the flow and safety of the game.
• A referee should make every effort to minimize ball contact.
  • The referee is considered a part of the court, and referee contact with the ball does not stop play on its own.
    • The offense shall not be penalized for a ball that ricochets off the referee and results in a Surface.
    • If, in the view of the referee, such a ball would have resulted in a Surface without referee contact anyway, she shall award a Play Violation.
    • If the referee prevents a goal, tough shit.
  • Intentionally playing the ball with the intention of it hitting the referee shall be considered Abuse - a Conduct Foul.
• The referee is the final arbiter of all rules interpretations during the period of play. Failure by the referee to enforce one or more rules may be a failing of the referee but does not invalidate game results, unless a formal objection to a result is filed with the International Tennis Hockey Confederation within 72 hours of the end of the game.

Appendix: Interpretations

[TBC]