Rules & Regulations

Off-sides

A player may not precede the ball into his offensive zone. Rule 59a.   The position of the players feet and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an “off-side.”  A player is offside when both feet are completely over the outer edge of the centerline.

Note: A player is “on-side” when either of his feet are in contact with or are on his own side of the line at the instant the ball completely crosses the outer edge of the line regardless of the position of the stick.

Delayed & Double Offside

Delayed offside: When a player of the attacking team precedes the ball into his attacking zone but no player of his team has, or gains possession of the ball, the referee will signal a delayed offside.   If following the signaling of a delayed offside, all members of the offending team clear the attacking zone (or touchup) the delayed offside will be “waved off.”

Double Offside

If, while Team A has been signaled for a delayed offside, Team B also commits a “delayed offside” infraction, the referees will blow the whistle and conduct an offside face-off against the second team (Team B) to commit the infraction.

Clearing (Icing)

When a defensive player shoots the ball from his side of the clearing line and over the opposing teams goal line.

Note: The determining factor in judging this is the ball and not the player’s feet.

Clearing is washed out by either referee if, in their opinion, any of the following occurred:

• The ball touches the goal crease.
• The goaltender touches the ball before it crosses the goal line.
• A defensive player could have played the ball before it crossed the goal line.
• A team is playing shorthanded due to a penalty.

Body Checking

Body checking of any type is strictly prohibited in dekhockey. A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee, will be called based on the degree of violence of the impact.

High Stick

Carrying a stick (blade) above the normal height of the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be imposed.   Injury - When a player carries or holds any part of his stick above the height of his shoulder so that injury to the face or head of an opponent or drawing of blood results, the referee shall be required to assess a major penalty on the offending player.

Note 1: Players causing injury during the act of shooting will not be assessed a penalty.   Players may also carry their sticks above their shoulder for the sole purpose of going around a player and to avoid stick contact with that player.

Note 2: If a player mistakenly thinks his team has scored a goal and raises his stick in celebration, a penalty will not be called.

Lob

A defensive player may not intentionally lob the ball from behind his own clearing line over the head of the last offensive player and beyond the center blue line. Lobbing the ball is not a pass or shot, it is the act of flipping the ball high into the air so the offensive team cannot make a legal play to keep the ball in their offensive zone.  For this violation, a face-off will take place deep in the offending team’s zone.

Please note:   These are just a handful of rules that govern the sport of dekhockey. If you would like to get an official explanation of any other rules, see Frank in the Pro Shop.