To:          All coaches and players in the LCIHA

From:     David Rockstraw, on behalf of  the LCIHA Board of Directors

Date:      November 9, 2005

Due to recent injuries and complaints to the LCIHA administration concerning the rough level of play (particularly in the U17 division), the following rules will be strongly enforced by officials, effective immediately.  Please note the rules from the USA Hockey Inline Official Rules booklet, as well as the interpretation for play in the LCIHA.  It is the intent of the LCIHA Board of Directors to return the level of play to that representing a recreational activity.

Rule 621 – Interference

(a)     A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck/ball, deliberately knocks the stick out of an opponent’s hand, prevents a player who has dropped the stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it, or shoots a stick or other object toward an opponent.

The last player to touch the ball/puck shall be considered to be the player in possession.

(f)(1) When the defending team secures possession of the puck/ball in its own zone and the other members of the same team run interference for the puck/ball carrier by forming a protective screen against forecheckers.

LCIHA Interpretation:  Any player who uses their body or stick to impede the progress of a player not in possession of the ball will be penalized as cited in Rule 621. 

Rule 619 – Hooking – (a) A minor penalty shall be assessed to a player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by hooking with the stick.

LCIHA Interpretation:  Any player who uses turns their stick over to hook their opponent’s stick, whether they are successful or not, shall be penalized as cited in Rule 619.

Rule 633 – Slashing - (a) A minor penalty or major plus a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be assessed to any player who slashes or attempts to slash an opponent with the stick.  Referees should penalize as slashing any player who swings the stick at an opponent (in or out of range) without actually making contact, or when a player on the pretext of playing the puck/ball makes a wild swing at the puck/ball with the intent to intimidate an opponent.

LCIHA Interpretation:  Any player who swings a stick wildly in a slashing manner, whether or not contact is made, shall be penalized as cited in Rule 633.  If contact is made more than 6 inches above the hossle of the stick (the curve at where the blade and shaft come together), a major plus a game misconduct penalty will be assessed.

Rule 606 – Charging and Checking from Behind

(a)     A minor or major plus game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be assessed to a player who runs, jumps into, or charges and opponent.

(b)     A minor penalty or major plus a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be assessed to a player who body-checks an opponent from behind.  A major plus a game misconduct must be assessed to a player who intentionally body-checks an opponent from behind into the boards or goal frame.

LCIHA Interpretation:  This rule will be assessed as stated.

Rule 617 – High Sticking

(a)     Carrying of the stick above the normal height of the shoulders is prohibited.  Referees shall assess a minor penalty or major plus a game misconduct penalty to any player who strikes an opponent with a stick so carried.

LCIHA Interpretation:  This rule will be applied to defensive players who lift the stick of an offensive player in such a manner that the lifted stick is elevated above the offensive player’s shoulders.  A properly executed stick lift will raise the stick a few inches off the playing surface such that possession of the ball can be secured by the defensive player.  Anything more is excessive, and will be penalized as “high sticking” under Rule 617.

Rule 640: Unnecessary Roughness

(a)     At the discretion of the Referee, a minor or double minor penalty may be assessed to any player who uses unnecessary roughness against an opponent.

(b)      A minor or double minor penalty for unnecessary roughness must be assessed every time an opposing player makes unnecessary physical contact with the player in possession of the puck/ball.

LCIHA Interpretation:  Any rough play not explicitly outlined by the rules discussed previously will be penalized as unnecessary roughness under Rule 640.