NYC Social Sports Club Rules

• Remember, this is a social league!  Keep a relaxed attitude, meet some new people, and have a good time!
• There should be equal co-ed playing time.
• Referees will be judging your sportsmanship, so be gracious whether you’re winning or losing.
• You always need your t-shirts!  They are our only way of identifying you!
• Our referees are not professionals.  They are people just like you, so please treat them with respect.
• Any aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or expulsion from our leagues, please be respectful!
• Please be on time!  We recommend showing up at least 15 minutes early to avoid any problems and the chance of forfeiting.

Number of Players

A team consists of a minimum of six and maximum of 16 players.  Six players play at a time and at least two of them must be women (not including the goalie).

Substitutions

If a team is short the required number of players in a regular season game, the team may invite players from other teams in their division to sub in for their game.  Substitutions from outside the division are now allowed as well; for more info and to register as a Sub, CLICK HERE.  Substitutions during the playoffs are not permitted.

Game Length

Games will consist of two 20-minute halves. The clock will run continuously and will only stop on injuries. The clock will stop in the last two minutes of the second-half for injuries and for balls that are hit out of play.  There are no time outs. 

The grace period rule is in place to deter and/or punish teams that show up after the scheduled game start time. All events are tightly scheduled to allow for maximum participation so keeping the games on schedule is very important.

Teams are allowed a maximum five-minute grace period. If a team is not present and ready to play after five minutes they will receive a forfeit.

In games in which one team is late, the team that is signed in and ready to play at the scheduled starting time will be awarded one goal.  Due to tight ice schedules and fair play, five minutes will be deducted from the first half when the game is started late.  If both teams are late there will be NO late points awarded to either team.

***Reserve clause: The NYC Social Sports Club Staff reserves the right to make time adjustments to accommodate scheduling conflicts and unforeseen events.

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.

ICE BROOMBALL SOCIAL RULES 

Start of Play

A face-off at center ice will start each half and will resume play after a goal has been scored.

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.  The following actions will result in a goal being disallowed:

• The broom contacts the ball above the shoulder before being hit into the net.
• The ball is directed into the goal by something other than a broom (e.g. going off a foot or knee, excluding the defense putting the ball in their own net - regardless if by the broom or any body part).
• 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. Two-minute penalty can be given if deemed malicious.
• The ball is hand-contacted (slapped down) by an offensive player and there is no broom contact by that player before being hit into the goal by a teammate (i.e. hand pass).

Playing the Ball

Players may not catch, carry, or throw the ball. The ball may be knocked down using a hand, but it must be played by the broom of the player who knocked it down before another team member touches it.

The broom may be swung above the shoulders, but any attempt to contact the ball must be made from below the shoulders. No stick may be carried over another player’s head. Two-minute penalty can be given for a high stick.

Broomball is a non-contact sport. Players must play the ball at all times, not the person, or a penalty will be assessed.

Substitutions

There are unlimited substitutions that take place "on the fly" during the match and/or during any stoppage of play.  All substitutes must enter from the team bench and the switch must occur at the wall if substituting “on the fly.”

Goalie substitutions are permitted only on a stoppage of play or from the bench if “on the fly” (i.e. a player on the ice cannot switch to be goalie while ball is live). Substituting player must come from the bench & goalie must return to the bench if “on the fly.” A 2-miute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be issued by the player trying to illegally substitute with the goalie.

Goalies 

Goalies must use a broom at all times and keep it in their hand.  They can use their hands and may catch and/or freeze the ball as long as some part of their body is in the crease.  If completely out of the crease and ball is frozen, a free pass is awarded to the opponent at the spot of the infraction.  Goalies leaving the crease lose all goalie privileges.

Goalies in possession of the ball have 5 seconds to get rid of it. Opponents must back off enough to allow the goalie to pass the ball.

Goalies must throw the ball underhand and it must land on the ice before it hits the centerline.

Goalies may be pulled or put back into goal at any time, as long as the officials have been notified. If the official is not notified, a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team. Teams must adhere to the goalie substitution rules (see above). 

Inside the Crease 

No offensive player is allowed in the crease. If an offensive player plays in the crease on purpose (not pushed into it by a defensive player), a free pass would be awarded to the defensive team.   A defensive player can play in the crease and can use their broom or body to stop a shot. If a defensive player covers or stops the ball with their hand and holds onto it a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team.  Any goal scored by an offensive player in the crease is disallowed, unless a defensive player pushed the player into the crease.

PENALTIES

Minor penalty  

A minor penalty 2-minute penalty. Player leaves ice and team plays a person down for 2 minutes.  The offending team will play a person down for the entire 2 minutes, unless a goal is scored, in which case the offending player can re-enter the game.

A 2-minute penalty will be assessed in the following situations:

• Too many players on the ice.
• Deliberate delay of game - This shall include a player who deliberately or intentionally knocks or shoots the ball out of the reach of the official who is retrieving it or shoots the ball out of the playing area.
• Checking (body to body).
• Cross-checking (broom to body – i.e. holding the stick in both hands and hitting an opponent with this stick).
• Slashing with the broom.
• Interference - impeding the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball, who knocks a broom out of an opponent's hand, or who prevents a player from regaining possession of a dropped stick. Also includes interference with the goalie in the crease.
• Holding, tripping, pushing, and elbowing (includes the body, clothes, and stick).
• Slamming of brooms or any other equipment on the ice or in an inappropriate manner.
• Playing with a broken broom. Player must drop the broom to the ice immediately.
• Removing helmet during play.

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, the penalty will be delayed until one of the other players returns to the ice.

Any player accumulating six minutes of penalties in a game will be ejected from that game and must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues. In addition, any one team accumulating twelve or more minutes in penalties, the game will end immediately and that team will forfeit the game.

Major penalty

A major penalty is 5 minutes and/or ejection from the game. Player leaves ice and team plays a person down for 5 minutes (if ejected, player may not return but team may put a person back on ice after 5 minutes).  If opposing team scores during this period, the offending player does not return back to the ice until 5 minutes have elapsed.  A major penalty will be assessed in the following situations:

• Throwing broom or gloves at a ball
• Stick to the Helmet or head, whether intentional or unintentional (+3 game suspension)
• Checking or cross-checking a goalie (+ ejection or suspension)
• Getting a running start towards an opponent and deliberately checking or hitting that opponent. (+ ejection or suspension)

Game Misconduct Penalties (5 minute Major Penalty with an ejection, plus optional suspension)

A player will be automatically ejected from the game for the following situations:

• Disrespecting an official
• Any player who, after being warned by an official, persists in any action designed to delay the game or incite an altercation.
• The offending team will not play a man down and can substitute for the offending player unless another penalty is called on top of the Game Misconduct penalty.
• Any player receiving a Game Misconduct penalty must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues.

Automatic Suspensions (suspension from further games with no refund of league fees):

Players will be ejected from the current game and suspended for the number of games in parentheses for the following situations:

• Leaving bench or sidelines to participate in an altercation. (1 game)
• Using obscene gestures or language. (1 game)
• Unsportsmanlike conduct with repeated acts of abuse to officials. (2 games)
• Attempt to injure an opponent. This includes spearing, butting, or swinging hand or broom at a player (hitting or missing). (3 Game)
• Repeated checking, crosschecking. (3 games)
• Repeated slashing. (3 games)
• Fighting – One fighting penalty will result in ejection from the league for the duration of the season, with no refund of league fees.
• Any player joining an altercation from the sidelines will be ejected and given a 1 game suspension.
• Possessing or consuming alcohol on rink premises. (1 game)

Penalty shot 

When a player from the non-offending team takes a free shot on the goalie, no players leave the ice. Penalty shots will be awarded in the following situations:

• A defensive player other than the goalie covers a ball in the crease or stops play on purpose.
• 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.
• Throwing a stick or helmet in frustration or anger.

A fouled player or any teammate who is on the ice at the time of the penalty is eligible to take the penalty shot.  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 forward motion until the ball is shot.  Only one shot is allowed and the goalie cannot leave the crease.  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.
• Ten seconds elapse.

After each penalty shot, a face-off will result at the defending teams face-off circle nearest the goal (for unsuccessful shots), or at the center ice face of circle (for successful penalty shots).

Ball Out of Play

If a ball is deemed a shot on goal but goes out of play, there will be a face off in the attacking zone of the team that shot it out.  If a ball is hit out of bounds at any other time, there will be a face off as close as possible to where the ball went out.

Hand Pass 

Hand passes are only allowed your defensive zone.  No hand passes are allowed originating in the defensive zone to the offensive zone.

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 cross over the center line into their defensive zone before resuming play in the offensive zone or within 5 seconds of the clear.  Play resumes with a face off in the defensive zone of the offending team.

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 with the following exceptions:
• Teams that forfeited two games during the regular season.
• Teams that did not receive an average sportsmanship rating of '4' during the regular season.
• Teams must win AND receive a minimum sportsmanship rating of '4' to advance to the next round.

Mercy Rule

Mercy rule is at an 8-point goal differential. Both teams retain the ice & can divide to half ice for practice or continue the game in an exhibition manner. No more goals will be counted towards the goal differential once the game is ruled a mercy game.

Player Ejection 

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.

EQUIPMENT 

Footwear 

Clean sneakers or broomball shoes are the only acceptable footwear for ice broomball.  No spiked footwear is allowed.  The referee on duty will review any questionable footwear and his/her decision is final.  Metal cleats, sandals, and open-toed shoes are strictly prohibited. If there are any questions concerning footwear, contact NYCSSC prior to the game.

Brooms and Balls

Official broomballs and brooms will be provided.

Helmets and Padding

Helmets with full facemasks are required. Only certified hockey and lacrosse helmets are permitted.   Kneepads and elbow pads are required.  Shin guards and mouth guards are strongly recommended.  You must provide your own Helmets and padding.

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.

Goalie Equipment

Goalies may not use softball mitts, special gloves other than hockey gloves, and my not wear excessive padding as per the referee’s discretion. All standard goalie equipment allowed by USA Broomball is permissible except blockers.  No goalie may where a "mitt" designed to catch a ball.

OVERTIME 

Regular Season 

There is no overtime in the regular season - ties are possible.

Post-Season

If a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation, each team will take four (4) penalty shots.   Anyone is eligible to participate in the penalty shots, but no player may shoot twice.   At least one (1) female player must shoot out of the 4.  The first team to shoot will be decided by a toss of the coin.

Format for the Penalty Shot 

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 and the goalie cannot leave the crease.  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.

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.

Other Penalty Shot Notes:

• In overtime, each team must use the same goalie that finished the game.
• 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 4 penalty shots for each team, 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.
• Teams must alternate male – female in sudden death.
• Members of one sex will shoot again to maintain the alternating order if there are not an equal number of males and females present.
• A player cannot shoot again until everyone on his or her team has shot.

Sportsmanship Rules

Each team will be awarded a sportsmanship score following the game.   Teams must have an average sportsmanship score of 4.0 at the end of the regular season to participate in the playoffs.  Any team receiving below a 3.5 sportsmanship score will be required to send an email to the league explaining their actions before the team/offending players will be allowed to compete again.

5.0 – Excellent conduct and sportsmanship: This is the baseline, grading should start here. A team that does not have any problems will receive a '5'. Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly converses with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates & fans.

4.5 – Very few complaints. A good match with very little or no taunting or unsportsmanlike behavior exhibited by either team.

4.0 – Average conduct and sportsmanship: Team members verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissent.

3.5 – Team (and/or fans) complains more frequently and may get warned for unsportsmanlike behavior, but NO unsportsmanlike conduct penalties are assessed. Teams that alert the office before either a 'no-show' or 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3.5.

3.0 – Below average conduct and sportsmanship: Team shows verbal dissent toward officials and/or opposing team that merits an unsportsmanlike penalty. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates, spectators, but is in control of himself/herself.  Teams that don't alert the office before a 'low-show' forfeit are assigned a rating of 3.

2.5 – No more than two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. No ejections. Captain tries to help the situation.  Teams that don't alert the office before a no-show forfeit are assigned a rating of 2.5.

2.0 – Poor conduct and sportsmanship: Team member and/or spectators constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. Captain has some control over team. A team has no more than two unsportsmanlike penalties and/or will receive a 2.0 if one player gets ejected from match.

1.5 – Single ejection or multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.  The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, fans, or himself/herself.

1.0 – Multiple ejections. Captain has NO control over team and/or is not willing to work with NYC Social Sports Club Game Staff.

0.5 – Unacceptable conduct and sportsmanship: Captain has no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Captain gets penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior. Team is completely uncooperative. Any team which receives multiple ejections or has a match stopped due to sportsmanship will receive a '1' rating. Ejected players and team captain must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues.

0 – Out of control conduct and little to no sportsmanship: Fighting, shoving players, and shoving supervisors. Multiple ejections or behavior so poor that it merits comparison to a fight or to actual contact of an employee. If the match is discontinued due to teams’ poor behavior, a rating of '0' will be given. A team that receives a 0 rating must send an email to NYC Social Sports Club and get approval to participate in any future games or leagues.

Note:  Teams that do not arrive to the game with the appropriate colored jerseys will be docked a half a point (.5) for each missing t-shirt from their earned Sportsmanship Rating.  Any team that has two (2) ejections for unsportsmanlike conduct during the same contest will receive a loss and a '1' in sportsmanship rating, plus their team captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back.

Ejected Participants 

All ejected participants will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club 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 hosted event until such time determined by the league.  Participation in any further events prior to approval from the league will be looked upon as a blatant disregard of our policies. When rendering any further penalties, NYC Social Sports Club will take this action into account. Rulings may include, but are not limited to: probation, game/league suspension, and in severe cases, lifetime expulsion.

Playoffs and Awards

To be eligible for playoffs, teams cannot forfeit more than one game during the season.  They must also have an average sportsmanship rating of at least ‘4.0’.  .Any team receiving a below average sportsmanship rating during the playoffs will be eliminated from the playoffs, plus their team captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social Sports Club regarding why his team should be allowed back into future leagues. 

The playoffs will take place over two weeks and will include the top teams in a single elimination tournament. The top three teams will receive medals and prizes.  Bar and Spirit Awards will be awarded to individual teams.  For more info on our Season Awards, CLICK HERE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!

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