League Format

Regular Season

• Eight game regular Season (one game per week).

Post-Season

• Single Elimination Tournament (played over a 2 week timeframe)
• All teams advance to playoffs except teams with 2 forfeits in the regular Season.

Rules

Players and Substitutions

• Six players per team (including the goalie). Teams must have at least 2 women on the ice at all times.
• Teams with fewer than 4 members present at game time will automatically forfeit. In the event a team is playing with the minimum number (4) of players, and a player becomes injured or has to leave (other than an ejection) the game will continue until it is deemed a farce as determined by the officials.
• Substitutions:
  • Unlimited Substitutions. Substitutions "on the fly" are permitted and Substitutes can enter on any stoppage of play. All Substitutes must enter from the team bench & occur at the wall if Substituting "on the fly".
  • Goalie Substitutions are permitted only on a stoppage of play or from the bench. Substituting player must come from the bench & goalie must return to the bench. Penalty - 2 minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to be served by the player trying to illegally Substitute with the goalie.
  • No Substitution is permitted for an ejected player. The team will play shorthanded for the remainder of the game. If a team loses two players due to ejection, the game will end immediately and they will receive a forfeit.
• Team Captains are the only individuals permitted to speak with officials regarding calls or questions. If another player attempts to dispute, a warning may be issued. Subsequently, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty may be called followed by a possible ejection.

Ejected Participants

All ejected participants will be required to send an email to NYC Social regarding why they should be allowed to play again. Additionally, any individual ejected will be placed on the Sanction List and will not be permitted to participate in ANY NYC Social hosted event until such time determined by the league.

Equipment

• Footwear: Broomball shoes are required. We have a few loaner pairs to get you started if you need them.
• Jewelry: All jewelry must be removed. This includes, but is not limited to, necklaces, earrings, newly pierced earrings, facial piercings, rings, bracelets, and watches. Individuals will not be allowed to tape over any jewelry item. If you cannot remove the item then you CANNOT play.

Other Equipment

• Official Broomballs and brooms will be provided.
• Helmets with full face masks are required. Both hockey and lacrosse helmets are permitted.
• Knee pads and elbow pads are required.
• Shin guards and mouth guards are strongly recommended.
• The following items are considered acceptable goalie equipment: shoulder/chest protector, shin pads, breezers, ice/inline hockey blocker, soccer gloves, football gloves, lacrosse gloves, batting gloves, & throat protectors. No gloves with webbing are permitted to be worn.
• All equipment should be able to fit under clothing aside from gloves & helmet.

Duration of Game and Grace Period

• Game Duration: Games will consist of two 20-minute halves. The clock will run continuously and will only stop on injuries, and official time outs. The clock will stop in the last two minutes of the game.
• Timeouts: No timeouts are permitted aside from official timeouts.
• Grace period: There is no grace period. We have 90 min of ice time & need 90 min to complete both games. Games will start promptly at their scheduled time, SO BE ON TIME.
• Reserve clause: The NYC Social Staff reserves the right to make time adjustments to accommodate scheduling conflicts and unforeseen events.

Playing Rules

• A face-off at center ice will start each half and will resume play after a goal has been scored.
• The playing surface is the entire ice surface, including all boards, glass & backstop netting.
• A ball is only considered “out of play” if it goes into the area considered “the bench”, the stands, touches the ceiling, or is stuck between the glass & backstop netting.

Scoring

To score, the ball must be shot by the broom into the goal. The ball must completely cross the goal line in order to be considered a goal. Incidental contact with the body of an attacking player which results in a goal counts as a goal.

• The following actions will result in a goal being disallowed:
• The ball is contacted with broom above the shoulder prior to being hit into the net.
• Intentionally redirecting the ball with something other than a broom.
• The ball strikes the official and then goes directly into the net.
• If a player scores a goal, but their momentum carries them or their stick into the crease, or goalie, the goal will be disallowed and an interference with the goalie. Two minute penalty can be given if deemed malicious.

Playing the Ball

• Players may not catch and carry/throw the ball. The ball may be knocked down using a hand, but it must be played by the broom before it is touched by another team member unless it is knocked straight down.
• The broom may be swung above the shoulders, but any attempt to contact the ball must be made from below shoulder level at standing height.
• Broomball is a non-contact sport. Players must play the ball at all times not the person or a penalty will be assessed.
• You are not Sean Avery, so don’t screen the goalie. You be issued a warning & an unsportsmanlike penalty for subsequent offenses.

Goalies

• Goalies must hold onto their stick while playing.
• Penalty – Penalty Shot.
• The designated goalie is the only person allowed in the goal crease. The goalie may catch the ball only when in the crease, and must get rid of it within 3 seconds or it will be blown dead for a face off.
• Penalty – if a player on offense is in the crease – face off at the red line; if a player on defense is in the crease – penalty shot.
• The goalie may only clear the ball by throwing it or hitting it with the broom. In either case the ball must land on the ice in the goalie’s defensive zone before crossing over to the offensive zone. Offside Pass will be called if there is a violation.
• Penalty – Penalty Shot.

• General Rules

  • There is no Body Checking.
  • There is no Hand Passing.

  Penalties

  Loss of Possession Penalties

  Loss of possession results in a faceoff. Unless otherwise indicated, all loss of possession penalties are taken at the point of infraction.

  • Ball hit out of play. Play resumes face off in the neutral zone. (Exception if out of bounds is due to a clean shot on goal, play resumes with a faceoff in the attacking teams offensive zone)
  • Broom raised above the shoulders while playing the ball (high stick).
  • Knocking/passing the ball with one's hand to a team member in the teams offensive zone (there is no penalty for the ball deflecting to a teammate accidentally or knocking the ball straight down & being played by another teammate).
  • Catching & carrying/throwing the ball.
  • Icing. Icing occurs when the defensive team directs the ball from behind their blue line beyond the goal line on the opposing end. This is waived if either team make a play on the ball or the goalie moves to make a play on the ball.
  • Offsides. Offsides will be called if a player on offense enters the offensive zone in advance of the ball entering the offensive zone OR if a ball is cleared out of the offensive zone and an offensive player does not tag up and cross over the center line into their defensive zone in response to the clear before resuming play in the offensive zone or within 5 seconds of the clear. Some part of the foot must be touching the blue line to be on side. Face offs will be taken in the neutral zone.
  • The NYC Social Full Ice League uses USA Broomball’s "floating blue line" concept. That is, once an attacking player has crossed the blue line in the offensive zone, the red line now becomes the designated off sides line. Essentially, the blue line disappears as the off sides marker. The ball must completely clear the blue line before the player's shoes and no other attacking player can be in the zone before the ball in order for the attacking team to be considered "on sides."

  Two-Minute Penalties

  Two minute penalties will result in the offending team playing shorthanded for the duration of the penalty. If a goal is scored by the non-offending team while on a "power play" the remainder of the penalty is cancelled. Play will resume with a face off from the appropriate.

  • Slashing.
  • Tripping.
  • Checking (body to body).
  • Deliberate delay of game.
  • Throwing the broom.
  • Pushing or elbowing.
  • Cross checking (broom to body).
  • More than six players on the ice.
  • Sliding into another player.
  • Interference with the goalie in the crease.
  • Playing the ball with a broken broom (any broken equipment should be left on the ice until the next stoppage of play).
  • Please Note: No more than two players per team may be out on penalties at one time. If a third player is called for a two minute penalty while two others are still serving their penalty will be delayed until one of the other players returns to the ice.
  • Any player accumulating six (6) minutes of penalties in a game will be ejected from that game and must send an email to NYC Social and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. A Substitute may not enter the game for an ejected player. In addition, any one team accumulating twelve (12) or more minutes in penalties, the game will end immediately and that team will forfeit the game.

  Penalty Shot Penalties

  A penalty shot shall be taken by a fouled player or any teammate who is on the ice at the time of the penalty. The ball shall be placed in the center of the rink. At the Referee's whistle the shooter shall begin toward the goal, keeping in motion until the ball is shot. Only one shot is allowed. The penalty shot ends when: a goal is scored, the goalie gains possession or deflects the attempt, the offensive player loses control of the ball, or ten seconds elapse. UPON COMPLETION OF PENALTY SHOT, FACE OFF AT CENTER ICE. Penalty shots will be awarded in the following situations:

  • A defensive player other than the goalie interferes with a shot while in the crease.
  • An offensive player has been blatantly interfered with during an obvious breakaway situation, including throwing one's broom in the path of the shooter, tripping the shooter, etc.
  • If the goalie comes out of his/her crease and picks up the ball with his/her hand.
  • Goalie does not hold onto his/her stick while playing.
  • Offside Pass. [The goalie may only clear the ball by throwing it underhanded (rolling the ball) or hitting it with the broom. In either case the ball must land on the ice in the goalie’s defensive zone before crossing over to the offensive zone.]
  • A player on the goalie's team did not touch the ball before a goal was scored.

  Overtime

  • There is no overtime in the regular Season - ties are possible.
  • If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation, each team will take four (4) alternating 1-on-0 (1 offensive player vs. the goalie) penalty shots. Anyone is eligible to participate in the 1-on-0 penalty shots. No player may shoot twice. The shooters, starting at the Center Line, will be allowed only one shot and have 10 seconds to get the shot off. As soon as the ball is touched, the goalie may move but is not allowed to come out of the crease. In overtime, each team must use the same goalie that finished the game.
  • If the goalie leaves the crease at any time during the penalty shot, the shot will be whistled dead and the shooter will receive another try. If the goalie leaves the crease a second time, during the overtime period, an automatic goal will be awarded to the shooting team.
  • During the penalty shots, all other players must be out of the offensive zone, either on the bench or against the boards.
  • If the game is tied at the end of the 1-on-0 penalty shots, sudden death penalty shots will begin. Each team will receive at least one shot in the sudden death period, which will continue until a winner is determined.
  • The first team to shoot will be decided by a toss of the coin. A player cannot shoot again until everyone on his or her team has shot. teams must alternate male - female, members of one sex will shoot again to maintain the alternating order if there are not an equal number of males and females present.

  Team T-Shirts (& Jerseys)

  Each player on an official team roster will receive a league-issued Team T-Shirt at the start of the Season. The shirt must be worn and visible during each and every game of the Season. Players who forget their Team T-Shirt will cause their team a 0.5 point deduction (each) from that week's Sportsmanship Rating. Players who forget their Team T-Shirt or wear an illegally altered shirt (see below) to the game will be made to wear a pinnie in order to participate in the game.

  Players must leave a form of identification with the Game Coordinator to receive the participation pinnie.  The ID will be returned to the player when the pinnie is turned in after the Game.

  Team T-Shirts are also used by staff at the sponsor bar to determine whether a player is eligible to receive league discounts.

  While shirt customization is allowed, teams/players must abide by the following rules when personalizing shirts:

  • No company names or logos
  • No offensive language
  • No design that obscures or alters the NYC Social Sports Club logo

  Names, nicknames, numbers, and team logos are all welcome additions to the Team T-Shirts. Please also feel free to bedazzle, tie-dye, or apply patches to them, if you are so inclined.

  If a player's shirt no longer fits into the guidelines above, the player will be charged $10 and issued a replacement shirt.

  Alcohol, Controlled Substance, and Safety Policy

  Individuals (players, fans, or friends of players) will, at the discretion of NYC Social Sports Club, be ejected immediately if any of the following are true:

  • found bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to any venue or sponsor bar in use by NYC Social Sports Club
  • suspected of excessive pre-game alcohol consumption
  • suspected of abusing a controlled substance
  • deemed unruly or a danger to themselves or others at any time

  Anyone who is ejected from one of our venues or sponsor bars will be required to petition the Club for reinstatement before participating in or attending any subsequent NYC Social Sports Club event. Team(s) associated with the offending player, friend, or fan will lose 2 Sportsmanship points from its Sportsmanship Rating.

  These policies are in place for the safety, enjoyment, and continued camaraderie of all players, the sponsoring venues, sponsor bars, and the entire Club.

  Sportsmanship Score

  A Sportsmanship score (SP) is given to every team after every game, and is factored into overall league ranking. Teams (and their fans) begin with a ‘5.0’ and are deducted for policy infractions, poor attitudes, low attendance, or absence as described below.

  Any team receiving a score below 3.5 must email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to explain their actions and receive official approval prior to participating in future Club games, leagues, or hosted events.

  • 5.0 – Exemplary Conduct - Always cooperative with Gamestaff and other players. Rule interpretation and call discussions always polite. Captain has full control of players & fans.
  • 4.5 – Good, Not Great - Minor taunting, running up the score, excessive celebration, or other actions which diminish overall fun.
  • 4.0 – Passable Conduct - Team complains about Gamestaff decisions and/or shows minor dissent.
  • 3.5 – Needs Improvement, Without Penalty - Team frequently complains or is unpleasant, but no penalties are assessed. Teams alerting the office by 3pm the day of a forfeit (Friday for weekend games) will receive a ‘3.5’.
  • 3.0 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty - Team verbally argues or is disrespectful. Captain helps control team. Teams not providing timely notice prior to 'low-show' forfeits receive a ‘3.0’.
  • 2.5 – Two Penalties, No Ejection - No more than two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Captain attempts to help. Teams not providing timely notice prior to no-show forfeits receive a ‘2.5’.
  • 2.0 – Single Ejection - Team has multiple unsportsmanlike penalties and/or player gets ejected.
  • 1.5 – Single Ejection (Involving Captain) - Captain is ejected or is part of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
  • 1.0 – Multiple Ejections - Captain has no control of team and/or is unwilling to work with staff. Team receives a forfeit loss.
  • 0.5 – Multiple Ejections (Involving Captain) - Captain has no control of self or team. Team receives a forfeit loss.
  • 0.0 – Game Discontinued - Physical confrontation, multiple ejections, or poor behavior resulting in discontinuation of game.

  Note: players must wear appropriate colored, league-issued team T-Shirts during games. Half a point (.5) will be deducted from a team’s Sportsmanship Rating for each missing shirt.

  THIS IS A SOCIAL LEAGUE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way, but the beer is still cold and cheap afterwards!

  Ejected Participants

  Any ejected individual must get approval by NYC Social Sports Club prior to attending or participating in future Club games, leagues, or hosted events, including Post-Game Parties. Attempted participation without approval is subject to further penalties. Rulings may include, but are not limited to, probation, game/league suspension, or permanent expulsion.