Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for all participants. The mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this new initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession, and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive advantage.

 

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body checking or body contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position (non-checking classifications) to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.

 

The principle of this new enforcement standard include the following:

 

- The use of the stock will be limited to only playing the puck.

- The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player's progress.

- The use of a free hand / arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player's progress.

- Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.

- Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

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New Rules as of the 2020 Fall Session

 

---All Players MUST wear a  numbered jersey. (Fall and Winter Session  Referees will enforce this rule.

---Players who fail to make payment in full before the first game of the session will pay a one time $50 late payment fee.

---Players who owe LAIHA fees from previous seasons may not register or play until past fees are paid in full

---Goalies must be current on fees to recieve first priority

---B League Goalie team assignments will be drafted by the team Captains at the B League draft.

---C League Goalies will be drafted each year based on the prior year standings with the Championship Team recieving last pick regardless of regular season finish.

 

---House Rule Hybrid icing in effect:

The rule is essentially "delayed offsides" except players may not attack until the opposing team gains control.  Players clear zone same as delayed offsides or referee blowes whistle for icing. Icing waved if a "breakaway" opportunity exists. Players may enter the zone when the opposing team gains control. If the goalie plays the puck, icing is waved ( No Change). It is the responsibility of the Team Captain to explain this rule to his team and it is the responsibility of referees to remind all teams of this rule as needed during play.

---Clock set to run at 22 min first period, then 18 min for 2nd and 3rd

---Last 2 minutes the clock will stop with a goal difference of 1 or a tie if the game is held in rink 1. The last 3 minutes the clock will stop with a goal difference of 1 or a tie if the game is held in rink 2. 

---In the absence of a score keeper, either team may provide a clock operator to stop the clock in the last 2 minutes of a game during a tie or a one goal difference.

---A full time player who recieves 2 or more penalties in a game will be suspended after 5 multi-penality games in a 20 game session. If the Full time player accumulates 3 additional multi penalty games, that player will be suspended for the remainder of the session. ( 8 Multi penalty games total)

---A part time player who recieves 2 or more penalties in a game will be suspended after 3 multi-penality games in a 20 game session. If the Part time player accumulates 2 additional multi penalty games, that player will be suspended for the remainder of the session. ( 5 Multi penalty games total)

---2 fighting majors accumulated in 2 years from the first major will result in indefinte suspension. The suspension is automatically appealed to a hearing before a review board. The player must request a hearing for this appeal to an LAIHA League Officer

---A team may use a non rostered player when there are less than 8 players for a game. The team may use up to 3 non rostered players in that game with approval from the opposing Team Captain or designee.

---A team must have a minimum of 5 rostered players on the ice at the begining of the game or the game will result in a forfeit for that team.

---No Team may use a non rostered player in a game when they have a minimum of 8 skaters for a game

--- A non rostered player may NOT play in any game where a team has 8 or more skaters for a game without an LAIHA approval. ( The exception may be a guest player or a former player visiting ).

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Enforcement Standard  - These penalties are to be called with very strict enforcement

 

HOOKING:

- A player cannot use his/her stick against an opponent's body (puck carrier or non-puck carrier) to gain a positional advantage. Examples include: tugs or pulls on the body, arms or hands of the opponent which allows for the space between the player to diminish. Placing the stick in front of the opponent's body and locking on - impeding the opponent's progress or causing a loss of balance. Stick on the hand/arm that takes away the ability for the opponent to pass or shoot the puck with a normal amount of force.

 

TRIPPING:

- A player cannot use his/her stick on the legs or feet of an opponent in a manner that would cause a loss of balance or for them to trip or fall. Examples include: placing the stick in front of the opponents legs for the purpose of impeding progress, even if on the ice, with no effort to legally play the puck. Placing the stick between the legs of the opponent (can opener / corkscrew) that causes a loss of balance or impedes the progress of the opponent.

 

HOLDING:

- A player cannot wrap his/her arms around an opponent or use a free hand to clutch, grab or hold the stick, jersey, or body of the opponent in a manner that impedes their progress. Examples include: wrapping one or both arms around the opponent along the boards in a manner that pins them against the boards and prevents them from playing the puck or skating. Grabbing the opponent's body, stick or sweater with one or both hands. Using a free arm/hand to restrain or impede the opponent's progress.

 

INTERFERENCE:

- The use of the body ("pick" or "block") to impede the progress of an opponent (no puck possession) with no effort to maintain normal foot speed or an established skating lane. Examples include: intentionally playing the body of an opponent who does not have possession or possession and control of the puck. Using the body to establish a "pick" or "block" that prevents an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier. Reducing foot speed or changing an established skating lane for the purpose of impeding an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier.

 

ALLOWED ACTIONS:

- A player is entitled to the ice he/she occupies as long as they are able to maintain their own foot speed and body position between opponent and puck.

- Players are allowed to compete for body position using their strength and balance in front of the goal or along the boards.

 

SLASHING:

- The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck. Any stick contact, as result of a slashing motion, to the hands/arms or body of the opponent will be strictly penalized. In addition, hard slashes to the upper portion of the stick (just below the hands) of an opponent, with no attempt to legally play the puck, shall also be penalized.

 

OTHER INFRACTIONS:

- In addition to the above mentioned enforcement standards, all other infractions, including contact to the head, checking from behing, cross checking, high sticking and roughing (including late avoidable check) shall be penalized to a strict enforcement standard.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

All members of USA Hockey share an equal responsibility to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld. The onus to incorporate change is not only on the officials, but also the administrators, coaches, parents and players, as well.

 

Administrators are expected to hold players, coaches, officials and parents accountable for their actions in an effort to promote a safe and positive environment for all participants. Coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold their players accountable for illegal and dangerous actions, regardless as to whether they are properly penalized, or not. Parents are expected to support the decisions of the officials and support the coaches in teaching the proper skills in a safe and positive environment. Officials shall enforce a strict penalty standard according to the guidelines that have been established. Players are expected to compete within the playing rules.

 

All USA Hockey members must demonstrate awareness and support for the application, spirit and the respect of the rules in order for continued improvement in the game of hockey.