Q: What equipment is needed?
A: Mandatory equipment: hockey helmet with face mask, hockey gloves, shin pads (soccer work best), proper running shoes, hockey stick.
**Adult's Division does not have to wear shin pads or face mask.**
** Adult Division 2001 and younger must wear full facial protection **
A: Recommended equipment: jock/jill, elbow pads
Q: How long does the season last?
A: 2025 season will begin May 13th and play until July 24th.
Q: Myself or my child have never played before, does that matter?
A: We welcome players of all ages and skill level!
Q: Do I need to go on the floor with my child for Timbits Learn to Play?
A: You do not need too but it is strongly encouraged to help assist with your child if they need a water break, washroom break or just need extra support. For 2025, I am hoping to only have one parent/guardian per player.
Q: Will jerseys be provided?
A: Yes, each player will receive their own t-shirt (Learn to Play) or jersey which each player will keep at the end of the season.
Q: My jersey is too large, what can I do?
A: The jersey is yours to keep so you can bring in the arms or elbow if you wish. You are NOT allowed to cut off the sleeves.
Q: How long are the games?
A: Learn to play is 45 minutes
A: Tyke Division are 3, 10 minute periods with a buzzer every 2 minutes for line changes.
A: Novice Division are 2, 16 minute periods changing on the fly.
A: Atom, Peewee, Bantam Division are 2, 16 minute stop time periods
A: Adult Division are 2, 16 minute stop time periods
Q: Is there overtime?
A: All youth games will end in a tie in regular season. Men's Division will go directly to a shootout.
A: All playoff games will play a sudden death overtime period prior to a shootout, if necessary.
Q: How do offsides work and what is this floating blue line?
A: Ball Hockey offsides are different from ice hockey...When the ball crosses the defending team's blue line, the attacking team is onside. The attacking team then has the entire zone up to the center line with which to work the ball around and still be considered onside. Once the ball crosses the center red line the attacking zone is "lost" and the attacking team's players must clear (retreat past) the defending team's blue line and have the ball enter past the defending team's blue line to be considered onside again.
Q: How many practices are there?
A: Tyke,Novice,Atom & Peewee/Bantam will have 1 practice at the start of the year. Remainder of season are games
Q: Are games full surface?
A: Yes, all games are full surface
Q: How do playoffs work?
A: Once the regular season is complete, playoffs will be 1vs4, 2vs3 with the winner advancing to Championship game and loser of each game playing in the Consolation Championship. Each series will be 1 game.
* If the Adult Division has 6 teams, playoffs will start a week earlier with Top Teams getting a bye, 3V6 and 4V5. 1st will play the lowest remaining seed and 2nd will play other remaining seed. Top teams advancing to Championship and other two teams advancing to Consolation. Other two teams will play an exhibition game.
A: Mandatory equipment: hockey helmet with face mask, hockey gloves, shin pads (soccer work best), proper running shoes, hockey stick.
**Adult's Division does not have to wear shin pads or face mask.**
** Adult Division 2001 and younger must wear full facial protection **
A: Recommended equipment: jock/jill, elbow pads
Q: How long does the season last?
A: 2025 season will begin May 13th and play until July 24th.
Q: Myself or my child have never played before, does that matter?
A: We welcome players of all ages and skill level!
Q: Do I need to go on the floor with my child for Timbits Learn to Play?
A: You do not need too but it is strongly encouraged to help assist with your child if they need a water break, washroom break or just need extra support. For 2025, I am hoping to only have one parent/guardian per player.
Q: Will jerseys be provided?
A: Yes, each player will receive their own t-shirt (Learn to Play) or jersey which each player will keep at the end of the season.
Q: My jersey is too large, what can I do?
A: The jersey is yours to keep so you can bring in the arms or elbow if you wish. You are NOT allowed to cut off the sleeves.
Q: How long are the games?
A: Learn to play is 45 minutes
A: Tyke Division are 3, 10 minute periods with a buzzer every 2 minutes for line changes.
A: Novice Division are 2, 16 minute periods changing on the fly.
A: Atom, Peewee, Bantam Division are 2, 16 minute stop time periods
A: Adult Division are 2, 16 minute stop time periods
Q: Is there overtime?
A: All youth games will end in a tie in regular season. Men's Division will go directly to a shootout.
A: All playoff games will play a sudden death overtime period prior to a shootout, if necessary.
Q: How do offsides work and what is this floating blue line?
A: Ball Hockey offsides are different from ice hockey...When the ball crosses the defending team's blue line, the attacking team is onside. The attacking team then has the entire zone up to the center line with which to work the ball around and still be considered onside. Once the ball crosses the center red line the attacking zone is "lost" and the attacking team's players must clear (retreat past) the defending team's blue line and have the ball enter past the defending team's blue line to be considered onside again.
Q: How many practices are there?
A: Tyke,Novice,Atom & Peewee/Bantam will have 1 practice at the start of the year. Remainder of season are games
Q: Are games full surface?
A: Yes, all games are full surface
Q: How do playoffs work?
A: Once the regular season is complete, playoffs will be 1vs4, 2vs3 with the winner advancing to Championship game and loser of each game playing in the Consolation Championship. Each series will be 1 game.
* If the Adult Division has 6 teams, playoffs will start a week earlier with Top Teams getting a bye, 3V6 and 4V5. 1st will play the lowest remaining seed and 2nd will play other remaining seed. Top teams advancing to Championship and other two teams advancing to Consolation. Other two teams will play an exhibition game.
2025 Rule Changes
Rule 57e - Face Offs (Locations)
Any Stoppage of play that occurs in the end-zone because of the ball going out of play or being unplayable will result in the ensuing face-off taking place in the end-zone at the afce-off spot nearest to where the ball was last legally played, regardless of whether the defending or attacking team causes the stoppage.
Note: If the line was SET when the stoppage occurred and the ball was last legally played in the neutral zone (area between the red line and attacking blue line before going out of play or becoming unplayable, the ensuing face-off will take place at the neutral zone face-off spot nearest to where the ball was last legally played. Line remains SET.
Rule 67(L) - Face Offs (Locations)
When a penalty or penalties are assessed which results in the offending team playing short-handed (a time penalty on the clock), the ensuing face off shall take place in the offending team's defending zone at the nearest face off spot.
Exceptions to this rule:
5) When play has been stopped due to a premature substitution of the goaltender. In this case, the face-off will take place at centre floor, except in cases where the offending team would gain a territorial advantage, in which case the face-off would take place at the nearest face-off location that does not provide that advantage.
Rule 61 - Handling the Ball (Clarification)
A hand pass occurs when the player makes a DELIBERATE attempt to stop, knock down or push the ball with their hand and a teammate in the neutral or attacking zone gains control of the ball. This includes when a hand pass occurs, and the ball deflects off any person or object prior to the teammate gaining possession and control of the ball. What has changed?
Clarification that a hand pass infraction must be the results of a DELIBERATE action by the offending player even in the case that the ball does not go in the direction of the receiving teammate.
Rule 65 - Flooring the Ball
For the purposes of this rule, the centre red line will divide the floor into halves. Should any player of a team, equal or superior in numerical strength to the opposing team, shoot, "bat" or deflect the ball from her own half of the floor, flooring shall be signaled. The completion of flooring shall be based on the age level of the participants as follows:
(a) U13 and below (No Touch Flooring) - Flooring the ball is automatically completed the instant the ball crosses the goal line. The Referee shall immediately blow his/her whistle, stopping play. Nothing new from previous rules.
(b) U14 and above (including Adult) - HYBRID FLOORING
When there is no race for the ball, flooring will not be called until a defending player reaches the top of the end zone face-off circle and the ball has crossed the goal line.
If there is a race for the ball, the determining factor for Flooring to be enforced, once it has been determined that the ball will cross the goal line is which Player (attacking or defending) would be first to potentially touch the ball. This decision must be made no later than the instant the first player crosses the threshold of the top of the end zone faceoff circle. (In Collingwood we don't have circles on the floor so the ref will make a judgement call as to where this location might be).
- If a defending player is determined to be the first player to potentially touch the ball, then flooring will be called and play will be stopped.
- If an attacking player is determined to be the first to potentially touch the ball, then flooring will be waved off and play will continue.
- If the race for the ball is too close to determine by the time the first Player reaches the top of the End Zone face-off circle, flooring shall be called. OFFICIALS MUST ERR ON THE SIDE OF PLAYER SAFETY WITH CLOSE PLAYS, IN FAVOUR OF STOPPING THE PLAY FOR FLOORING.
- Should the ball be shot down the floor in such a manner that it travels around the Boards and/or bounces off the end boards and travels above the goal line, the same procedure shall be in effect in that the Official shall determine, within a similar distance, who would be the first to potentially touch the ball.
Equipment:
Ball Hockey Blade Protectors are NOT ALLOWED. An image can be found here, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=ball+hockey+blade+protector
Any Stoppage of play that occurs in the end-zone because of the ball going out of play or being unplayable will result in the ensuing face-off taking place in the end-zone at the afce-off spot nearest to where the ball was last legally played, regardless of whether the defending or attacking team causes the stoppage.
Note: If the line was SET when the stoppage occurred and the ball was last legally played in the neutral zone (area between the red line and attacking blue line before going out of play or becoming unplayable, the ensuing face-off will take place at the neutral zone face-off spot nearest to where the ball was last legally played. Line remains SET.
Rule 67(L) - Face Offs (Locations)
When a penalty or penalties are assessed which results in the offending team playing short-handed (a time penalty on the clock), the ensuing face off shall take place in the offending team's defending zone at the nearest face off spot.
Exceptions to this rule:
5) When play has been stopped due to a premature substitution of the goaltender. In this case, the face-off will take place at centre floor, except in cases where the offending team would gain a territorial advantage, in which case the face-off would take place at the nearest face-off location that does not provide that advantage.
Rule 61 - Handling the Ball (Clarification)
A hand pass occurs when the player makes a DELIBERATE attempt to stop, knock down or push the ball with their hand and a teammate in the neutral or attacking zone gains control of the ball. This includes when a hand pass occurs, and the ball deflects off any person or object prior to the teammate gaining possession and control of the ball. What has changed?
Clarification that a hand pass infraction must be the results of a DELIBERATE action by the offending player even in the case that the ball does not go in the direction of the receiving teammate.
Rule 65 - Flooring the Ball
For the purposes of this rule, the centre red line will divide the floor into halves. Should any player of a team, equal or superior in numerical strength to the opposing team, shoot, "bat" or deflect the ball from her own half of the floor, flooring shall be signaled. The completion of flooring shall be based on the age level of the participants as follows:
(a) U13 and below (No Touch Flooring) - Flooring the ball is automatically completed the instant the ball crosses the goal line. The Referee shall immediately blow his/her whistle, stopping play. Nothing new from previous rules.
(b) U14 and above (including Adult) - HYBRID FLOORING
When there is no race for the ball, flooring will not be called until a defending player reaches the top of the end zone face-off circle and the ball has crossed the goal line.
If there is a race for the ball, the determining factor for Flooring to be enforced, once it has been determined that the ball will cross the goal line is which Player (attacking or defending) would be first to potentially touch the ball. This decision must be made no later than the instant the first player crosses the threshold of the top of the end zone faceoff circle. (In Collingwood we don't have circles on the floor so the ref will make a judgement call as to where this location might be).
- If a defending player is determined to be the first player to potentially touch the ball, then flooring will be called and play will be stopped.
- If an attacking player is determined to be the first to potentially touch the ball, then flooring will be waved off and play will continue.
- If the race for the ball is too close to determine by the time the first Player reaches the top of the End Zone face-off circle, flooring shall be called. OFFICIALS MUST ERR ON THE SIDE OF PLAYER SAFETY WITH CLOSE PLAYS, IN FAVOUR OF STOPPING THE PLAY FOR FLOORING.
- Should the ball be shot down the floor in such a manner that it travels around the Boards and/or bounces off the end boards and travels above the goal line, the same procedure shall be in effect in that the Official shall determine, within a similar distance, who would be the first to potentially touch the ball.
Equipment:
Ball Hockey Blade Protectors are NOT ALLOWED. An image can be found here, https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=ball+hockey+blade+protector