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 Team 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 Substitute in for their game. Substitutions from outside the division are now allowed as well; for more info and to register as a Substitute, CLICK HERE. Substitutions during the playoffs are not permitted.

Substitute players must check in with the Game Coordinator onsite to receive a league issued pinnie to wear in the Game.  Substitute players must leave a form of identification with the Game Coordinator in exchange for the participation pinnie. The ID will be returned to the player when the pinnie is turned in after the Game.

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

League Format

5 Weeks of Games

Players

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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. 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.
• In order for a team to qualify for the post-Season playoffs they must:
• Not forfeit 2 of their 8 regular Season games
• o Finish with a minimum 4.0 average Sportsmanship Rating accumulated during regular Season play

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship rating will be based on the following criteria:

• 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.

Teams that forfeit will receive a "3.5" Sportsmanship rating for the missed contest.

Teams that do not arrive to the game with the appropriate colored jerseys will be docked a half a point (.5) from their earned Sportsmanship Rating.

Any team receiving a below average Sportsmanship rating ('3.5' or below) during the playoffs will be eliminated from the playoffs, plus their team Captain will be required to send an email to NYC Social regarding why his team should be allowed back.

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 regarding why his team should be allowed back.

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.

Participation in any further NYC Social events prior to approval from the league will be looked upon as a blatant disregard of NYC Social policies. NYC Social when rendering any further penalties will take this action into account. Rulings may include, but are not limited to, probation, game/league suspension, and in severe cases, lifetime expulsion.

Equipment

• Footwear: Clean sneakers must be worn on the ice. No spiked footwear or Broomball shoes are allowed. Any questionable footwear will be reviewed by the NYC Social Staff Member on duty and his/her decision is final. METAL CLEATS, SANDALS, & OPEN TOED SHOES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If there are any questions concerning footwear, contact NYC Social.
• 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 are required. Helmet with full cage is STRONGLY recommended. Bicycle, snowboard, hockey, lacrosse, etc. helmets are permitted as long as they provide adequate protection. League officials have final decision on whether any helmet is approved for play.
• Knee pads and elbow pads are required.
• Shin guards and mouth guards are strongly recommended.
• Goalies are required to wear helmets with full face masks.

Goalies may use softball mitts, hockey gloves, etc. Goalies may not wear excessive padding, per the head Referee’s discretion.

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 for balls that are hit out of play, injuries, and timeouts.
• Timeouts:No timeouts.
• Grace period: 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.

o Teams are allowed a maximum five (5) minute late grace period. If a team is not present and ready to play after 5 minutes they will receive a forfeit/default.

o 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 (1) goal.

§ Due to tight ice schedules and fair play, five (5) 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 Staff reserves the right to make time adjustments to accommodate scheduling conflicts and unforeseen events.

• 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 ball is contacted with broom above the waist prior to 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, the goal will be disallowed and an interference with the goalie. Two minute penalty can be given if deemed malicious.
• Players may not catch and carry or 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.
• The broom may not be swung above the waist. Any attempt to contact the ball must be made from below the waist. No stick is to be carried over another player’s head.
• Broomball is a non-contact sport. Players must play the ball at all times, not the person, or a penalty will be assessed.
• No person may play the ball from the ground. A player must remain on 2 feet (not 1 foot & a knee) at all times when playing the ball.
• Goalies must hold onto their stick while playing.

Playing the Ball

Goalies

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 5 seconds.
• Penalty – if a player on offense is in the crease - free hit for the goalie; if a player on defense is in the crease - penalty shot.
• 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. Offside Pass will be called if there is a violation.
• A player on the goalie's team must touch the ball before a goal can be scored.

General Rules

• There is no Body Checking.
• There is no Hand Passing.
• All players must be upright at all times. If you fall, you must get back up again before resuming play. No sliding, no diving.

Penalties

Loss of Possession Penalties

Loss of possession results in a free hit (not a faceoff). All players other than the one taking the free hit must be at least 10 feet away from the ball. Unless otherwise indicated, all loss of possession penalties are taken at the point of infraction. All free hits are indirect (ie: player must pass to a teammate).

• Ball hit out of play. Play resumes in the defensive zone of the team that sent the ball out. (Exception if out of bounds is due to a clean shot on goal, play resumes with a faceoff in the attacking team’s offensive zone.)
• Broom raised above the waist while playing the ball (high stick) that does not endanger another player.
• Playing the ball from any position other than upright on 2 feet.
• Knocking/passing the ball with one's hand to a team member.
• Catching and carrying or throwing the ball.
• Goalie holding the ball for longer than 5 seconds.
• 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. Play resumes in the defensive zone of the offending team.

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 Center Ice.

• Broom raised above the waist while playing the ball (high stick) which endangers another player.
• 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 or Diving.
• 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, game play will resume with a 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.
• Goalies does not hold onto his/her stick while playing.
• 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 5 seconds.
• 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.
• 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

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.

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.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!

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!