Game rules

TOURNAMENT ORGANIZATION

• The size of the playing field is approx. 12x28 meters.
• It is played on mini goals without a goalkeeper.
• Players over the age of 18 are allowed to participate (deadline February 16, 2006). Participants will be asked to submit a medical certificate at the accreditation. If a participant is unable to provide a medical certificate, a self-declaration must be signed. The organizing committee is not liable for accidents or damages.
• Teams must register a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 9 players. Players may only be registered with one team. Should a team field a player who is not registered, the game will be scored 0:5 for the other team.
• The game is played 3 against 3, with a maximum of 6 substitutes per team with flying changes.
• Each game is refereed by a representative of the European Pond Hockey Championship. This referee will monitor and surveil the game, reporting the result to the tournament committee.The organizing committee has the right to exclude players who pose a danger to themselves or other participants from the tournament.
• The organizing committee has the right to change the rules if necessary. These changes will be communicated to the teams immediately before the first matches.

POND FIELD HOCKEY RULES

Finding volunteers to help us referee at the European Pond Hockey Championships takes considerable effort. The willingness of these volunteer referees to invest time and effort makes our tournament possible. It is of utmost importance that teams behave respectfully towards each other and especially, towards our volunteer referees. We want players to compete, but we do not accept any mistreatment of our staff. Therefore, any verbal or physical attack on our referees will be punished with immediate exclusion from the tournament.
Please remember that pond hockey is based on the coming together of hockey enthusiasts for the fun and enjoyment of the game. Pond hockey is not an official sport and due to the small area and the high speed of play, officiating the game is very difficult. Therefore, players are asked to always conduct themselves in a fair and respectful manner. It is each team’s responsibility to be aware of the rules of the tournament before stepping on the ice.

• Faceoff: At center ice - only at the start of the game. The referee does not enter the ice. Both teams line up 3 vs. 3 with both faceoff players having their stick on the ground and the puck in the center (no throw-in). The game starts on the referee's whistle.

• The duration of the game is 1 x 12 minutes in the group phase and 2 x 10 minutes in the knockout round; exact game times can be found in the tournament schedule. If a team does not show up on time or does not show up at all, the game will be scored 0:5 against the team that did not show up.
• No goals can be scored from your own half of the pitch (even if the puck is deflected off a defender's stick or skate). Goals can only be scored in the attacking half, i.e. behind the center line.
• After a goal, the players must skate back into their own half and may not advance. They wait on their own side until the opposing team (which has scored a goal) brings the puck into the center of the ice area. If the team that has scored a goal takes too long to attack and delays the game, it loses possession of the ball.
• No slapshots/snapshots/wrist shots or shots that are too hard.
• Pucks that leave the ice will be returned to the game by the team that did not touch the puck last. The defending team must maintain a distance of at least one stick length from the player who returns the puck to the nearest possible spot where the puck left the ice. The player with the puck must attempt a pass (no goal) to continue play. The referees are equipped with spare pucks so that play can continue without delay. As the game moves very quickly and the referees cannot see all actions, players are asked to be honest about who last touched the puck before leaving the rink.
• Goaltending - No player may throw himself onto the ice in front of the goal, block the goal with his skates, throw or place his stick in front of the goal or stand in front of the net to prevent a goal by the other team. Should this nevertheless occur, the referee raises his hand and admonishes the defending team. If the referee's repeated warning is not respected. If the referee blows his whistle and is able to award a goal to the attacking team, the attacking team receives the puck and can attack again from its own half.
• Flip passes are generally permitted. Intentional lifting of the puck is not permitted. However, if the "flip pass" endangers players or spectators, this will result in a minor penalty -> Loss of puck
• Body contact and body checks of any kind are prohibited. Basic infractions such as leg-stepping, hooking, stick-hitting or obstruction are considered "minor penalties". The same rules apply to stick handling as in ice hockey. High stick - contact with the puck above hip height results in a minor penalty, safety first. It is not allowed to shoot high. Slap shots are not allowed, sticks must remain on the ice → minor penalty
• Minor penalty means loss of puck, repeated offenses can also result in a goal being scored against the team.
• Each team is assigned to one half of the field - this can also be decided by the referee if necessary. There is a bench next to the pitch for the substitutes. Substitutions are made on the fly, as in ice hockey.
• If a player leaves the pitch behind the goal, the player making the substitution may not enter the pitch. The same applies to the sides of the generic substitution are. This explicitly means that the substitution zone is only in the lateral own half (players' bench) up to the center of the field (referee). Change errors result in a warning, loss of puck in case of repeated offenses, a goal against can also be awarded.
• The tournament management reserves the right to exclude players from the tournament if they are a danger to themselves or others.
• In the event of a violation of the rules, it is at the discretion of the referees to award a goal and possession of the puck to the opposing team.
• Both teams ensure that the playing surface is free of snow before the game. Snow shovels are provided on each playing field.

SEVERE PENALTIES

• Any kind of insult or attack on the referee will be punished as a serious penalty. Penalties of this type include excessive swearing, arguing and fighting over a referee's decision.
• Serious penalties or incidents that endanger the safety of players, volunteers and spectators will result in the player responsible being excluded from the rest of the tournament.

EQUIPMENT

• All participants must play with ice hockey skates (no figure skates, goalie skates or speed skates). Helmet, ice hockey gloves are mandatory as well, shin guards and elbow pads. No other equipment is permitted.
• Goalkeeper sticks or other goalkeeper equipment as well as blocking one's own goal is not permitted.
• Teams should bring one light-colored and one dark-colored shirt.

DRAW

• In the group stage, a draw is possible as a match result. As soon as the signal sounds, the game is over.
• In the KO round a 3-minute overtime period is played with a possible subsequent "shoot-out" of 3 shooters from the center line to the empty goal.