THE TEAM 

5-aside

  • The number of players shall be five (5) players.

  • The team must include a minimum of two (2) females and all remaining players can be any gender including gender diverse people.

  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy 

  • Substitutes can be used as long as they have created an account and signed the most up to date Urban Rec waiver. During game play, substitutes can be made at any point in the game.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME 

The game is played in two (2) 20 minute halves with a few minutes break at half time. Each team will be granted one timeout for each half.  Timeouts do not carry over to the 2nd half. If a team does not use their timeout in the first half it is unable to be used. All timeouts are 30 seconds each.  The game clock will be stopped for the duration of the timeout.

COURT BOUNDARIES

The court will be approximately 22m wide and 43m long and will be surrounded by court barriers so the ball is always in play. This may vary depending on the venue. 

STARTING THE GAME 

Games start with a face-off, with either the Event Host or one of the participants dropping the ball at center.  The ball must touch the floor on the faceoff.  Players cannot bay the ball out of the air.  After each goal, play is re-started with a face-off at the center.  The team that scores the goal drops the ball at center.  The ball must hit the floor before being touched by any players’ stick.

SCORING 

A goal is awarded when the ball goes into the net. The team with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

RULE SPECIFICS

EQUIPMENT

  • Only Urban Rec supplied floor hockey sticks may be used.  

  • Runners are the only shoe type permitted

  • Players are encouraged to wear soccer-style shin pads if desired 

  • Players may also wear gloves (hockey/lacrosse/winter mittens) – this equipment is optional and not mandatory

  • Urban Rec supplies goalie gloves and face guard, and the goalie can choose to wear this at their own discretion.

SUBSTITUTIONS 

Unlimited substitution of players is permitted.  Substitutions can be made ‘on-the-fly’ mid-play.  The game remains continuous and the time does not stop to allow substitutions.  The exception is a goalie substitution, which must be made at a play stoppage, and the Event Host must be notified. 

OUT OF PLAY

In the event that the ball goes out of bounds, the team that did not hit it out will take possession of the ball.  The opposing team must give that player 5 feet and 3 seconds to play the ball.  Once the player moves the ball, the opposing team may defend them.  If 3 seconds elapsed without the player moving the ball, the opposing team may defend them.  

GOALIE PLAY

If the goalie freezes the ball and stops play, then they may place or drop the ball either beside or behind the net for the defensive team to take possession.  The opposing team must move at least 5 feet away and 3 seconds of time for the defensive player to move the ball (as above with the out-of-bounds rule).

  • If the ball goes into the net as a result of the goalie accidentally dropping/placing the ball in the manner described above, it is NO GOAL.  

  • If the goalie attempts to throw or play the ball up to a player that is not beside/behind their net, the ball shall be considered live as soon as the goalie releases the ball.

  • The goalie must place or drop the ball for it to be a ‘stop-play-start.’  If there is a forward movement of the ball, the ball is live, and the opposing team can play the ball at any point (i.e. opposing players do not have to wait 3s and 5 feet before playing the ball).

  • The goalie is permitted to freeze the ball if they have any part of their body touching the crease area.  If the goalie freezes the ball and part of their body is not touching the crease area, the offensive team will receive possession of the ball at center.

  • The goalie is not permitted to come across the center.  If the goalie does cross the centerline, play will be stopped and the opposing team will get possession of the ball at center.  If a team wishes to ‘pull’ the goalie during the play, the goalie must leave the court and a regular player may come on to play.

OFFENSIVE PLAY AND THE GOALIE CREASE

  • Players may NOT enter the goalie’s crease.  Some venues do not have a crease marked, so we ask that an area extending approximately 4 feet from the goal line is used as the crease area.

  • Players may stand outside the crease area in an attempt to screen the goalie or deflect a shot, but may not enter the crease. 

INFRACTIONS

If an infraction occurs, the opposing team will receive possession of the ball under the following circumstances:

  • If the infraction occurs against a defending team, the offensive team will receive the ball at center court.

  • If the infraction occurs against an offensive team, the defending team will receive the ball by their own goal.

  • The game restart procedure will be followed as outlined above with the 5 feet and 3 seconds given to the player restarting the play.  However, the player may NOT shoot the ball at the goal (the restart must be indirect).  If a goal is scored off a shot or a rebound from the restart, the goal will not count.

NON CONTACT

  • High-sticking, slashing, body contact and slap shots are strictly forbidden. Each player is responsible for their own stick, and must be able to contact it.  

  • There is no slashing at a goalie, glove or blocker in an effort to free a ball or try to force the ball into the goal.  This also includes trying to pry a ball loose under a goaltender, or jamming your stick at a goalie’s equipment to try and poke the ball into the net. 

  • A player’s wind up may NOT go higher than their knee as a backswing in order to shoot the ball (i.e. NO SLAPSHOTS).

  • A player may NOT engage with an opposition player, or their stick, unless they have the ball. This includes ‘trying a player up/lifting his/her stick when they do not have the ball.

  • There is no intentional body contact allowed (this includes ‘pick’ plays).  This also includes a defensive player pushing into the back of an offensive player, or an offensive player backing into a defensive player (even if they have possession of the ball).  

  • Initiating physical contact will result in the opposing team receiving possession of the ball in the nearest corner (defensive team) or at the center (offensive team).

HIGH STICKING

  • Any ball contacted by a stick above the height of the waist (of the player who is doing the high-sticking) is considered to be high-sticking, and the opposing team will receive possession.  

  • If the player keeps their stick below the height of their waist while playing the ball, but makes contact with an opposing player with their stick, this is an infraction, and the opposing team will receive possession of the ball.  

  • If you attempt to lift their stick, and your stick contacts an opponent above the waist, this will also be considered an infraction.  

  • Any goal scored in a play including high sticking will not count.

UPRIGHT PLAY

A player may not do the following to either check another player or to block a shot. The opposing team being awarded possession at center;

  • dive or lay down on the floor

  • go down on one knee to block a short, and leaving their feet to sprawl across the floor 

Goalies are exempted from this rule for the purpose of blocking the shot while in the crease. A goalie MAY NOT leave their feet outside of the goal crease in an effort to poke-check or block an opponent’s lane to the net.  If a goaltender commits an infraction outside of their crease, then the opposing team will be issued a ‘penalty’ shot that any member on the floor may take except the goalie. 

NO HAND PASSES

  • A player may not use their hand to intentionally move the ball to a teammate.  If the player intentionally touches the ball with their hand and the net player to gain possession of the ball is their teammate -> this is considered a hand pass, and the opposing team shall receive possession. 

  • If the ball unintentionally deflects off of a player’s hand, then play shall proceed regardless of which team gains possession of the ball next.

Goalies are exempted from this rule (i.e. a goalie may play the ball to a teammate using their trapper or glove. 

URBAN REC SPECIFICS

FUN FIRST POLICY 

All Urban Rec leagues, irrespective of skill level, are fun-first. Our Event Hosts facilitate a fun, safe environment for teams. They will acknowledge, coach and make calls according to your level of experience playing the game. Urban Rec leagues expect a certain level of self-officiation, meaning that players are expected to display good sportsmanship to govern their behaviour. Open communication and camaraderie between teams is encouraged.

DISCIPLINE

Urban Rec Event Hosts have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules, your Event Host has the right to ask you to sub and take a break. If your Event Host then has to warn you more times then they have the right to ask you to leave the field or court and an assessment will be made if you can return to play. We don’t tolerate idiots, play fair.

INCLUSION

Urban Rec seeks to provide a safe, inclusive and happy environment for our members, staff and participants. Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary participants are welcome to play within our leagues along with any sexuality and persons from any background. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment. 

Note that the above details are generic Hockey rules. The rules for each specific league may differ.



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