General Gameplay

1. Games start at the :30 mark; if your goalie or players are not ready by :38 past the hour, you will receive a 1-min Delay of Game penalty. Games will be forfeited if a team is 15 minutes late. Management reserves the right to modify start times. If we are running late, the upcoming teams will not be held accountable.
   
   
2. You must pay to play – all players are to be fully paid by the start of their team’s 5th game (adult leagues), otherwise they will not be allowed to play.
   
   
3. Captains can add players up until the 5th game. After the leagues are set, additions must be approved by management.
   
   
4. If a team is protesting an illegal player, the protest must be made BEFORE the game starts. Rosters must be finalized by the team captain before the team’s 5th game.
   1. An illegal player may include, but is not limited to: not of proper age, not on the roster, a suspended player, or not a fully paid player.
      
      
5. You must have your $25 ref fees paid (turned in to the scorekeeper) before your scheduled play time.  If you are late, your team will receive a 1-min Delay of Game penalty.
   
   
6. Overtime Rules:
   1. Regular Season: 3 person shootout. If still tied after 3 rounds, any player may shoot in Round 4; the game will end after the fourth round regardless.
   2. Playoffs: continuous OT, first goal wins.
      
      
7. Teams have one timeout per game.  A timeout cannot be used between two periods of play, immediately after a timeout, or once teams are lined up for a faceoff. Officials reserve the right to disallow a timeout.
   
   
8. If you have to forfeit a game for any reason, you must give us at least 1-week notice. If we can fill your spot, you will not owe fees. If we cannot fill it, or it is less than 1-week, your team will be charged forfeit fees ($50).  This must be paid BEFORE you play again. Games will not be rescheduled at the request of teams. Management reserves the right to cancel team games if forfeit fees are owed.
   
   
9. If you forfeit 2 games in a row, your team will be removed from the schedule and players will be added to a prepay list.
   
   
10. If we lend you equipment, don’t steal it!  All teams have access to our extra equipment, please do not ruin it.  Each piece of equipment is available to rent for $1.
    
    
11. COACHES – Kids league teams (u15) must have a coach (18+) on the bench at all times. Freshman and Adult league teams can only have coaches or rostered, paid players on the bench.  NO EXCEPTIONS.
    
    
12. YOUTH DEK HOCKEY AGE CLASSIFICATION:  The age a player is on January 1 of a given year is the age that player is for the entire calendar year.
    
    
13. ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE WAIVERS FILLED OUT BEFORE THEY STEP ON THE RINK.  If you do not have one filled out, please come into the office and complete one.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in the player not being able to play in league games.  All individuals participating in rentals are asked to do the same.
    
    
14. Use caution at all times – especially when the surface is slippery.
    
    
15. If the weather is questionable, please call our office at 724-379-3325.  We do not cancel due to rain (except for roller).
    
    
    EQUIPMENT
16. All players on a team must have the same color on, not matching the opposing team.  The officials have the right to disallow a player to play if they do not comply.
    1. The team with matching jerseys/shirts reserves the right to request the other team to change - otherwise, the “home” team does
       
       
17. All teams must supply 3 balls for all games. We use the balls provided by the teams for game play. No balls = No game. Bill’s Dek Hockey is not responsible for balls lost when shot out of the playing area.
    
    
18. Our officials are not responsible for getting your jersey number right, especially if you are not wearing a number, or are wearing the wrong number.
    
    
19. All players must wear gloves and shin pads. All players in the youth leagues must also wear elbow pads and helmets with a full cage.
    
    
20. HELMET RULES:
    1. u16: must wear a hockey helmet with a full face shield (metal or plastic) and chin cup,
    2. 17: must wear at least a hockey helmet,
    3. 18+: not required, but Bill's Dek Hockey strongly recommends head protection.
       
       
21. Failure to wear the proper equipment will result in a minor penalty for Equipment Violation. Officials reserve the right to disallow players for equipment violations.
    
    
    PENALTIES
    Note that the following rules are not exhaustive. Bill’s Dek Hockey generally follows the penalty rules of USA Ball Hockey, unless otherwise noted.
22. Checking or pushing players down will result in a 1-min minor for Roughing - the officials reserve the right to assess a major penalty on the play.
    
    
23. If you slide and take a player's legs out, you will be assessed a 2-min double minor penalty for Clipping. Do not play reckless.
    
    
24. A player’s stick is not allowed to be carried or strike the ball above their shoulders or crossbar (except for winding-up/following through on a shot, or maneuvers around a player or net). This will result in a 1-min High Sticking minor.
    
    
25. Any striking of an opponent, intentional or not, up high with a stick will result in a 1-min High Sticking penalty. If blood is drawn, a 2-min double minor will be assessed.
    
    
26. If your stick breaks while playing, drop it immediately.  Failure to do so will result in a 1-min Equipment Violation penalty.
    
    
27. You are allowed to catch the ball, but must drop it at your feet. Carrying or throwing the ball (or gaining any advantage over the opponent) will result in a 1-min Delay of Game penalty.
    
    
28. Stepping on a ball intentionally will result in a 1-min Delay of Game penalty.
    
    
29. You cannot call someone’s name from the other team.  It is a 1-min Unsportsmanlike penalty.
    
    
30. Obscene language or gestures will result in a 1-min Unsportsmanlike penalty. Continued action or racial/sexist language will not be tolerated and will result in a Game Misconduct penalty and possible suspension.
    
    
    MISCONDUCT
31. Fighting is strictly prohibited and will result in a game misconduct, ejections, and possible suspension.
    
    
32. If any person leaves the bench (penalty box and stands included) during an altercation, his/her team has forfeited the game, and that person may receive a suspension. The officials reserve the right to determine if it is an altercation.
    
    
33. If a player is kicked out of a game, they must leave the property, and they cannot participate in any games or events at Bills Dek Hockey for the rest of the day. The officials reserve the right to penalize the player’s team and not restart the game until the removed player complies.  Any refusal or further escalation will result in the police being called.
    
    
34. Game Misconducts are subject to video review at management's discretion.
    
    
35. If you touch, push, excessively argue with, or spit on an official – you are guaranteed a lengthy suspension and/or arrest.  Don’t Do It.
    
    
36. If you damage any part of this facility on purpose, you will pay for it financially and in suspensions.
    
    
37. Any incidents outside the playing area will result in suspensions that are more serious and possible arrest.
    
    
38. If a player becomes a repeat offender in getting kicked out of games and/or getting suspensions, his/her suspensions will become lengthier.  Management reserves the right to ask a player not to play at this rink.

This is not an exhaustive list of rules.  If you have any questions, please ask our officials and/or management. Thanks.