Rules & Format

Sherwood Park Ball Hockey follows the official rulebook set forth by Canada Ball Hockey Association (CBHA)
 
Game Format - click here

Mercy Rule
  • Score board - show 7 goal differential only
    • Update score board if differential becomes 6 or less 
  • Clock - RUN TIME when there is 7 goal differential
    • Return to STOP TIME if goal differential becomes 6 or less
  • All goals recorded on gamesheet



2026/27 Rule changes

Penalties
  • Slashing, High-Sticking and Cross-Checking are now 2-minute penalties.
  • High-Sticking has the option for a double-minor (2+2) if accidental injury occurs (e.g., blood).
  • All other previous 4-minute penalites are now double-minor (2+2) penalties and do NOT have to be served as a misconduct as in previous years. Should a goal be scored in the first 2 minutes the penalty would be reduced to 2 minutes and the player would then come out on a goal or at the end of their penalty.​​​​​​​

Faceoffs

  • All stoppages due to ball out of play, ball becoming unplayable, etc., in the end zone will result in the faceoff remaining in the end zone regardless of which team caused the stoppage. This also applies to stoppages in the neutral zone while the zone is set; the faceoff will occur outside the blue line but will the zone will remain set regardless of who caused the stoppage. (Exceptions apply such as offensive hand-pass).
  • In our u15, u19 and Women's divisions teams will have the option to select which end-zone faceoff dot they would like to have the faceoff at following icing's and at the start of powerplays. This must be done in a timely manner and should undue delay occur the referee shall pick a side.

Icing

  • In our u15 and u19 divisions hybrid icing will be in effect.
  • Women's division will remain icing from the defensive blue line, due to small rink size.


CBHA has released a general rules change video here: click here 


Dressing Room & Facility Protocol - click here
  • Youth teams are co-ed (male & female) and all players must be included in pre and post-game team activities in the dressing rooms. There are additional dressing rooms for referees which can be used by male/female players, or players can go into the bathroom stall to change. Players should not be changing in the main dressing rooms on co-ed teams.
  • Coaches and volunteers - follow the "rule of two" and avoid situations where they are alone with a child. Leave the dressing room door open for transparency as much as possible. Coaches and players are responsible for their conduct in the dressing rooms and facilities, and may be sanctioned by Sherwood Park Ball Hockey for any harassment of players, officials, other volunteers or members of the public.
  • We follow Hockey Alberta Dressing Room Standards and Conduct



SUSPENSION GUIDELINES - click here


RULES & REGULATIONS
  • All divisions are NON-CONTACT
  • Standard ice hockey rules apply with a few additional ball hockey modifications
  • Automatic icing (Hybrid icing for U15 and U19)
  • Offsides
  • Floating blue
FLOATING BLUE LINE
  • Players must gain the attacking zone (blue line) in the same manner as they would in ice hockey
  • The ball must precede all attacking players to set the zone
  • Once that zone has been set the attacking zone reverts to the red center line
  • Players are free to participate in the play, make passes and control the ball anywhere within the red line
                                                             Floating Blue Line













 

 
GAME PLAY
  • Pre-game warm up - 2 minutes (games to start on time)
  • Youth games - 3 x 12 minute periods - stop time
  • Women's games - 2 x 18 minute periods - stop time
  • No time outs (except in playoffs - 30 secs)
  • No overtime (except in playoffs)
  • Note: The clock will be adjusted in the last 5 mins to 2 mins to ensure games are completed on time
Things to Note:
  • Standard ice hockey penalties apply with a few modifications for ball hockey
  • Any 3 penalties in a game will earn an automatic game ejection
Body Contact & Boarding (2 min or 5 min - referee's discretion)
  • Incidental contact can occur as players both try to play the ball, or when players are protecting the ball with their body.
  • Body contact is called when one player intentionally makes contact when it could otherwise be avoidable. For example: when the other player is stationary and the offending player makes no effort to slow down or avoid contact.
  • Body contact (whether incidental or intentional) that results in the opposing player crashing into the boards, will be assessed a boarding penalty, use extra cautioun near the boards.
 
Crease Violation vs Goaltender Interference
  • Attacking players may not enter the crease unless the ball is in it.
  • Any attacking player making deliberate contact with the goaltender, whether they are in or out of the goal crease.
 
CBHA Rulebook 2026 - click here