WTAA Dek Hockey
Dek Hockey Guidelines and Rules
1. OBJECT OF THE GAME:
Object of the game is to shoot the ball into the other teams net. Street hockey is a team sport that requires stamina, stick handling skills and passing skills between teammates.
2. PLAYING SURFACE: Street hockey can be played on almost any indoor or outdoor surface .We will be playing at the Waterford Twp. rink.
3. EQUIPMENT:
Approved Street Hockey or Ice Hockey Gloves, Helmet with Cage, Shin guards, Athletic Cup, Elbow Pads, Stick and a Mouth Guard . Goalie is to have approved Helmet with Cage, Chest Protector, Blocker, Catching Glove, Goalie Shin-Pads and a Protective Cup.(Wtaa will provide Goalie equipment )To prevent injury No player or kids are to be on the rink without helmets at any time.
4. TEAM DIVISIONS AND AGE GROUPS: Born Before Dec 31st
5 & 6 Will play in same age group: CHIPMUNKS
Chipmunks Birthdate cutoff is born before Dec 31st (This is for insurance purposes for the WTAA and no exceptions can be made)
7/8/9 Will play in same age group: PENGUINS
Penguins Birthdate cutoff is born before Dec 31st (This is for insurance purposes for the WTAA and no exceptions can be made)
10/11/12 Will play in same age group: BEAVERS
Beavers Birthdate cutoff is born before Dec 31st (This is for insurance purposes for the WTAA and no exceptions can be made)
13/14/15 Will play in same age group: CADETS
Cadets Birthdate cutoff is born before Dec 31st (This is for insurance purposes for the WTAA and no exceptions can be made)
5. GAME FORMAT:
All games will be three 15 minute periods with a running clock 3 minute intermission between periods (Chipmunks time will be 10 minutes because of their age with a continuous clock and 3 minute intermission also ) Line changes on the fly the players must be within 10 feet of the box to change . There will be one 5 minute period of overtime in regular season games which first team to score wins. If no goals are scored after overtime it will go to a shootout. After both sides shoot 3 times if one team is ahead then they are the winner. If not it goes player for player until a winner is decided .Playoff rules are continuous 10 minute periods until a winner is decided no shootout.
Ages 5 to 9 (CHIPMUNKS, PENGUINS) will play 5 vs 5 with a goalie on each team with Standard rules.
Ages 5 & 6 :They will not play offside ,but no cherry picking is allowed (which means having a player stand down opponents side of the rink waiting for the ball. This teaches the kids nothing about offside. When they move up to the Penguins league they won’t understand. This is about teaching them hockey at this age .(Any cherry picking goals will not count ,coaches must tell players to get back as if they are playing offside and that they need to come up with ball not wait in opponents end )
Ages 7/8/9 : Offside applies along with Basic penalties and infractions .(See Page 6)
Ages 10 to 15 (BEAVERS, CADETS) will play 4 vs 4 with a goalie because of the size of the rink we use.
Ages 10 to 15: Offside applies along with Basic penalties and infractions .(See Page 6)
6. Tryouts:
For each division and age group there will be tryouts with the draft to follow after tryouts.(The players will tryout given a number making it easier for coaches to evaluate players with the draft sheet .Players will be evaluated in age group at different times one after another starting with Penguins, Beavers and finishing with Cadets.(Chipmunks will not be evaluated )
(a)Penguins ,Beavers and Cadets(7 to 15) will be stick handling between cones from end to end with a wrist shot at net .They will take 3 slap shots and will do 2 one timers from coaches from both sides of net and finishing running back full speed to where they started .
(b) Goalies for ages (7 to15) If we have enough goalies we can also hold tryouts for goalies.
7.Draft :
The draft will be completed after tryouts for each age group. The coaches will pick numbers who drafts 1st smallest number wins 1st pick next smallest gets 2nd so on and so on .It will be a snake draft so 1 to 5 then backwards 5 to 1 continuing until all players are picked .If we have brothers in the same age group it counts as next 2 picks .All coaches and assistant coaches get their kids.(All coaches kids have to be rated by other coaches as to what round they are counted as a pick in which you lose that pick of your draft .If your kid is good you will lose your 1st pick if your kid don’t try out he will be rated a number one pick so bring him to tryouts )The maximum amount of players on a team should be no more than 10 and a minimum of 7.We want to have more teams but if we are only getting 6 kids on a team we will eliminate a team so each team has subs .
8.Playoffs:
All basic regular season rules apply for all age groups. There will be no shootouts in the playoffs it will be continuous play of 10 minute periods allowing one timeout per overtime period until a winner is decided .( The playoffs will have 2 refs for each game after the 1st round )
(a) The playoff tournament will be a double elimination.(The teams will be paired in the bracket from their season record .First seed vs last seed until all teams have a opponent.( If number of teams is not even both lowest seed teams will play each other and winner will play #1 seed and loser will start in losers bracket )Losers bracket will also be highest seed vs lowest with winners going back to winners bracket .
9.Tournament Play Outside Wtaa :
Any coaches planning on doing a outside tournament after our annual season will have to get permission from the Wtaa to make sure the insurance covers the kids for outside tournaments. Any tournaments using the Wtaa name must hold tryouts and those kids playing must cover price of the tournament like in the past for jersey and tournament. If we get a good following of tournament play and it continues to be successful .We will look into other options to help cover some of these tournaments costs.
10.TIMEOUTS:
Each team will receive 1 timeout a period and a timeout can only be used when play is at a stoppage. Each team will receive one timeout in each overtime period needed to determine a winner
11.INJURIES
If any injury occurs during the game the clock is to be stopped by the referee .The clock will be started at the next faceoff after injured player is off the rink .(Any player injured must come off rink to be attended to and not allowed to be on for the next faceoff, if a stoppage of time occurred) This is for the players own safety and to prevent unnecessary time stoppages.
12. REFEREE FOR GAMES:
Head Coaches of both teams have their assistant coaches ref the game to make it fair that calls are made on both sides. (The Chipmunk Division one coach from each team will be allowed in rink and will both ref)
13.THE REFEREE:
(a) The referee shall have general supervision of the game and shall have full control of all game officials and players during the game, including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall be final. The Referees shall remain on the rink at the conclusion of each period until all players have proceeded to their benches.
(b) The Referee shall, before starting the game, see that the appointed Game Timekeeper and Penalty Timekeeper are in their respective places and satisfy himself that the timing and signaling equipment are in order.
(c) It shall be his duty to impose such penalties as are prescribed by the rules for infractions thereof and he shall give the final decision in matters of disputed goals.
(d) The referee has the right to eject any coach or assistant for abusive behavior or continuous heckling.
14. PLAYOFF REFEREE:
During the playoffs 2 refs should be used for playoff games especially in the final 2 rounds .This will only make sure that all the correct calls are made and should split the rink so that everything is always seen for fair play and to make sure we get the fairest outcome for each team.
15.Weather Issues:
Since being a outdoor rink we will have to deal with the weather .The Hockey Commissioner and the Wtaa Safety Director will make the calls on the weather or if the rink is at a safe enough standard for the safety of the kids.(Frostbite from wind chill or if there is a safety issue at the rink) Any games cancelled will be rescheduled at a later date . Complaints can go directly to the Commissioner. The Safety of the kids is the Commissioner’s only concern.
16.PROPER CONDUCT:
(a) No coaches or players are to argue with the referee, he is not being paid and don’t need to be heckled by any coaches or spectators and by continuing to debate or make comments your only making problems .The call that was made in his eyes was the right call, but screaming across the rink will only make future problems and make it harder for the league to get guys to ref.
(b) Any kids who are being overly aggressive and showing too much emotion from either losing (being a poor sport) or being out played are to be pulled of the rink and calmed down. I don’t want to see kids hurt from another kid who cannot control his emotions and trying to deliberately injure another player .The coaches need to stay on top of this issue we all know when our kids are getting out of control and we need to keep other kids safe
.
(c) Coaches need to keep in contact with parents on proper conduct at the rink .There have been too many comments to players to injure other players or to take them out. I have witnessed this first hand. We need to make it clear to everyone that it is a game and no scouts are at any of our games .We need to keep it competitive but teaching these kids to do harm to each other is unacceptable inside or outside the rink Please do you best to get this message across.
(d) .As coaches or assistants we are all role models to these kids and they see the way we act and conduct ourselves before during and after games . We all get caught up in emotions of games please try not to let a bad call or other issues get the best of you .We all are here for the same reason to help these kids learn the game of hockey and how to work together as a team and so many other things they will use in life .Everyone has put their busy schedule aside to help out and make this league work .Remember no matter how good we do, people only talk about the bad things that happen.
17. PLAYERS & SPORTSMANSHIP
Please remember that not all players are going to be great, but everyone has paid the same amount to play hockey and should get equal playing time .Everyone wants to win but it’s about having fun and enjoying the game. Any coach can win with all superstars but a great coach wins with average players who play together .If your destroying a team and are up by couple goals let off a little and don’t embarrass the kids that teaches them nothing, cause one day it could be your team on that end.
IF ANY ISSUES ARE IN QUESTION OR PROBLEMS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME BY PHONE OR EMAIL
[email protected]
Basic Hockey Penalties and Infractions
Penalty times shall be determined by the length of the playing period as follows:
PERIOD MINOR MAJOR MISCONDUCT
10-12 Min 1 Min 2 ½ min 5 Min
15-20 Min 2 Min 5 Min 10 Min
Playing in any athletic activity involves potential risks. Players should exercise caution when playing Street Hockey/Dekhockey or Ball Hockey, follow the rules and use the proper equipment while playing.
BODY/BOARD CHECKING (HITTING FROM BEHIND)
(NOTE) CHECKING OF ANY TYPE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN STREET HOCKEY.
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards or check, cross-checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent.
(b) Any player who cross-checks or pushes a player from behind shall be assessed a major and a game misconduct penalty.
CHARGING
(a) A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on any player who runs or jumps into or charges an opponent.
(NOTE) If more than two steps or strides are taken, it shall be considered a charge.
(b) A goalkeeper is NOT “fair game” just because he/she is outside the goal crease area. A penalty for interference or charging (minor or major) should be called in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goalkeepers for tripping, slashing or spearing in the vicinity of the goal.
CROSS-CHECKING & BUTT-ENDING
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who “cross-checks” an opponent.
(NOTE) Cross-check shall mean a check delivered with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the rink.
(b) A major penalty and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who “butt-ends” or attempts to “butt-end” an opponent.
(NOTE) Attempt to “butt-end” shall include all cases where a “butt-end” gesture is made, regardless whether body contact is made or not.
ELBOWING, KNEEING & HEAD-BUTTING
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who uses their elbow or knee in such a manner as to in any way foul an opponent.
(b) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately “head-butts” or attempts to “head-butt” or knees an opponent during an altercation and the circumstances shall be reported to the League for further action.
DELIBERATE INJURY OF OPPONENTS
A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner. In addition to the match penalty, the player shall be automatically suspended for further competition until the League has reviewed the issue.
No substitute shall be permitted to take the place of the penalized player until time has elapsed from the time the penalty was imposed.
GOALIE INTERFERENCE
No player is to come in contact with the goalie .Any player making contact with the goalie who is in the crease will be a penalty and any goals scored will be disallowed.
INTERFERENCE
A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball, or who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand, or who prevents a player who has dropped their stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it, or who knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal ball or other debris towards an opposing ball carrier in a manner that could cause him/her to be distracted.
*NOTE In interpreting this Rule, the Referee should make sure which of the players is the one creating the interference. Often, it is the action and movement of the attacking player which causes the interference since the defending players are entitled to “stand their ground” or “shadow” the attacking players. Players on the side in possession shall not be allowed to “run” deliberate interference for the ball carrier.
**NOTE A player is allowed to slide to block a shot or pass as long as they are not deliberately sliding to take a player out. If contact is made it is under the refs judgement to determine if interference or incidental contact from players in motion.
HOLDING AN OPPONENT
A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who holds or pushes an opponent with hands or stick or in any other way impedes their way.
HOOKING
A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by “hooking” with their stick.
SLASHING
A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall
be imposed on any player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by “slashing” with his/her stick.
A major and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by slashing.
(NOTE) Referees should penalize as “slashing” any player who swings his/her stick at any opposing player (whether in or out of range) without actually striking
him/her or where a player, on the pretext of playing the ball, makes a wild swing at the ball with the object of intimidating an opponent.
SPEARING
A major penalty and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on a player who spears an opponent.
(NOTE 1) “Spearing” shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried with one hand or both hands.
(NOTE 2) Spearing may also be treated as a “deliberate attempt to injure”
(NOTE 3) Attempts to spear will include all cases where a spearing gesture is made without contact.
THROWING STICK
(a) When any player of the defending side deliberately throws or shoots a stick or any part thereof or any other object at the ball in his/her defending zone, the Referee shall allow the play to be completed and, if a goal is not scored, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side, which shot shall be taken by the player designated by the Referee as the player fouled. If, however, the goal being unattended and the attacking player having no defending player to pass and having a chance to score on an “open net”, a stick or any part thereof or any other object is thrown or shot by a member of the defending. team, thereby preventing a shot on the “open net”, a goal shall be awarded to the attacking side.
(NOTE 1) If the officials are unable to determine the person against whom the offense was made, the offending team, through the Captain, shall designate
a player on the rink at the time the offense was committed to take the shot.
(NOTE 2) For the purpose of this Rule, an open net is defined as one from which a goalkeeper has been removed for an additional attacking player.
(b)
A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who throws his/her stick or any part thereof, or any object, in the direction of the ball in any zone, except when such act has been penalized by the assessment of a penalty shot or the award of a goal.
(NOTE) When the player discards the broken portion of a stick by tossing it to the side of the rink (and not over the boards) in such a way as will not interfere with
play or opposing players, no penalty will be imposed for doing so.
(c)A misconduct or game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who throws his/her stick or any part thereof outside the playing area.
TRIPPING
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who shall place their stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that it shall cause his opponent to trip or fall.
(NOTE 1) If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player is unquestionably hook-checking the ball and obtains possession of it, thereby tripping the ball carrier, no penalty shall be imposed.
(NOTE 2) Accidental trips occurring simultaneously with or after a stoppage of play will not be penalized.
(b)When a player in control of the ball on the opponent’s side of the center line and having no other opponent to pass than the goalkeeper is tripped or otherwise fouled from behind, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side. Nevertheless, the Referee shall not stop play until the attacking side has lost possession of the ball to the defending side.
(NOTE) The intention of this Rule is to restore a reasonable scoring opportunity which has been lost by reason of a foul from behind when the foul is committed on the opponent’s side of the center line.
(c) If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the rink, a player in control of the ball is tripped or otherwise fouled with no opposition between the player and the opposing goal, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, the
Referee shall immediately stop the play and award a goal to the attacking team.
HIGH STICKS
(a)Carrying a stick above the normal height of the shoulder is prohibited and a minor
penalty may be imposed on a player violating this Rule.
(b)A goal scored from a stick so carried shall not be allowed, except by a player of
the defending team.
(c)When a player carries or holds any part of their stick above the height of their shoulder so that injury to the face or head of an opposing player of the drawing of blood results, the Referee shall be required to assess a major penalty on the offending player.
(NOTE) Players are fully responsible for the actions of their sticks, except in the act of shooting. Players causing injury during the act of shooting will not be assessed a penalty.
(d)Batting the ball above the normal height of the shoulder with the stick is prohibited and, when it occurs, the Referee shall stop the play, assess a minor penalty and start the ensuing face-off at the spot where the offense occurred. The exceptions to
the rule are:
(1) If a defending player, in his defending zone, bats the ball to an opponent, the play shall continue until the defending team gains possession.
(2) If a defending player, in his defending zone, bats the ball into his own goal, the penalty shall be waived and the goal allowed.
(e)In the event that either team is shorthanded and a player of the team with the greater numerical strength causes a stoppage of play with his stick held above the height of his shoulder, the resulting face-off shall be at either end face-off spot of the defending zone of the team causing the stoppage of play.
UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS
At the discretion of the Referee, a minor penalty or a double minor penalty may be imposed on any player deemed guilty of unnecessary roughness
DELAYING THE GAME
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the ball with their stick outside the playing area during the game or after a stoppage.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who throws or deliberately bats the ball with their hand or stick outside the playing area.
(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player (including goalkeeper) who delays the game by deliberately displacing a goal post from its normal position. The Referee shall stop play immediately when a goal post has been displaced.
If the goal post is deliberately displaced by a goalkeeper or player during the course of a “breakaway”, a penalty shot will be awarded to the non-offending team, which shot shall be taken by the player last in possession of the ball.
**(NOTE) A player with a “breakaway” is defined as a player in control of the ball with no opposition between him and the opposing goal and with a reasonable scoring opportunity. In the event that a goal post is deliberately displaced by a defending player or goalkeeper prior to the ball crossing the line a penalty shot will be rewarded.
FALLING ON THE BALL
(a)A minor penalty delay of game penalty shall be imposed on a player other than the goalkeeper who deliberately falls on or gathers the ball into their body.
(NOTE) Any player who drops to their knees to block a shot should not be penalized if the ball is shot under them or becomes lodged in their clothing or equipment, but any use of the hands to make the ball unplayable should be penalized promptly.
(b) No defending player, except the goalkeeper, will be permitted to fall on the ball, hold the ball or gather the ball into the body or hands when the ball is within the goal crease.(not pushed or incidental contact of falling on ball, has to be a deliberate cover up acting as a goalie)
***For infringement of this Rule, play shall immediately be stopped and a penalty shot shall be ordered against the offending team, but no other penalty shall be given.
**(NOTE) The rule shall be interpreted so that a penalty shot will be awarded only when the ball is in the crease at the instant the offense occurs. However, in cases where the ball is outside the crease, minor penalty may be imposed, even though no penalty shot is awarded
KICKING THE BALL
Kicking the ball shall be permitted in all zones, but a goal may not be scored by the kick of an attacking player except if an attacking player kicks the ball and it is deflected into the net by any players of the defending side, except the goalkeeper
OFF-SIDES
Off-sides – TOUCH UP Players of the attacking team must not precede the ball into the attacking zone. The position of the player’s feet and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an off-side. A player is off-side when both feet are completely over the leading edge of the blue line involved in the play.
A player is on-side when either of his feet are in contact with, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the ball completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line regardless of the position of his stick.
However, a player actually controlling the ball who shall cross the line ahead of the ball shall not be considered “off-side,” provided he had possession and control of the ball prior to his feet crossing the blue line. It should be noted that while the position of the player’s feet is what determines whether a player is “off-side,” nevertheless the question of an “off-side” never arises until the ball has completely crossed the leading edge of the blue line at which time the decision is to be made. If a player legally carries or passes the ball back into his own defending zone while a player of the opposing team is in such defending zone, the off-side shall be ignored and play permitted to continue.
Delayed Off-Side
A situation where an attacking player (or players) has preceded the ball across the
attacking blue line, but the defending team is in a position to bring the ball back out of its defending zone without any delay or contact with an attacking player, or, the attacking players are in the process of clearing the attacking zone.
If an off-side call is delayed, the Referee shall drop his arm to nullify the off-side violation and allow play to continue if:
(i) All players of the offending team clear the zone at the same instant (feet contact with the blue line) permitting the attacking players to re-enter the attacking zone, or
(ii) The defending team passes or carries the ball into the zone
If, during the course of the delayed off-side, any member of the attacking team touches the ball, attempts to gain possession of a loose ball , forces the defending ball carrier further back into his own zone, or who is about to make physical contact with the defending ball carrier, the Referee shall stop play for the off-side violation if during a delayed off-side, an attacking player in the attacking zone elects to proceed to his players’ bench (which extends into the attacking zone) to be replaced by a teammate, he shall be considered to have cleared the zone provided he is completely off the surface and his replacement comes onto the surface in his own defending zone. If his replacement comes onto the surface in the attacking zone, if the delayed off-side is still in effect, he too must clear the attacking zone. If the remaining attacking players have cleared the attacking zone and the Linesman has lowered his arm for the delayed off-side, he shall be considered on-side.
Disallowed Goal /Offside
If the ball is shot on goal during a delayed off-side, the play shall be
allowed to continue under the normal clearing-the-zone rules. Should the ball as a result of this shot, enter the defending team’s goal during a delayed off-side, either directly or off the goalkeeper, a player or an official on the ice, the goal shall be disallowed as the original shot was off-side. The face-off will be conducted at the face-off spot in the zone closest to the point of origin of the shot or at the nearest face-off spot in the neutral zone adjacent to the attacking zone of the offending team. The only way an attacking team can score a goal on a delayed off-side situation is if the defending team shoots or puts the ball into their own net without action or contact by the offending team. Other than in situations involving a delayed off-side and the ball being shot on goal, no goal can be disallowed after the fact for an off-side violation, except for the human factor involved in blowing the whistle.
BALL STRIKING OFFICIAL
Play shall not be stopped if a ball touches an official anywhere on the rink, regardless of whether a team is shorthanded or not.
FACE-OFFS
(a)The ball shall be “faced-off” by the Referee dropping the ball on the rink between the sticks of the players “facing-off”. Players facing-off will stand squarely facing their opponent’s end of the rink approximately one stick length apart with the blade of their sticks on the rink. When dropped, the ball must hit the surface for the face-off to be legal.
(b)When the face-off takes place in any of the end face-off spots, the players taking part shall take their position so that they will stand squarely facing their opponent’s end of the rink. The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the blade on the rink within the designated area first. No other player shall be allowed to enter the face-off spot or come within fifteen feet of the players facing-off the ball and must stand on the side on all face offs. If a violation of the sub-section of this Rule occurs, the Referee shall re-face the ball.
(c)In the conduct of any face-off anywhere on the playing surface, no player facing-off shall make any physical contact with his opponent’s body by means of their own body or by stick, except in the course of playing the ball after the face-off has been completed. For violation of this Rule, the Referee shall impose a minor penalty or penalties on the player(s) whose action(s) caused the physical contact.
(NOTE) Conduct of any face-off commences when the Referee designates the place of the face-off and he takes up his position to drop the ball.
(d)If a player facing-off fails to take their proper position immediately when directed by the official, the official may order him replaced for that face-off by any teammate then on the rink. No substitution of players shall be permitted until the face-off has been completed and play has resumed, except when a penalty is imposed which affects the strength of either team.
(e)A second violation of any of the provisions of sub-section (a) hereof by the same team during the same face-off shall be penalized with a minor penalty to the player who commits the second violation of the Rule.
(f)When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been caused by any player of the attacking side in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the attacking team’s defending zone.
(NOTE) This includes stoppage of play caused by a player of the attacking side shooting the ball on the back of the defending team’s net without any intervening action by the defending team.
(g)When an infringement of a Rule has been committed by players of both sides in the play
resulting in the stoppage, the ensuing face-off will be made at the place of such infringement or at the place where play is stopped.
(h)When stoppage occurs between the end face-off spots and near the end of the rink, the ball shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot on the side where the stoppage occurs unless otherwise expressly provided by these rules.
(i)No face-off shall be made within fifteen feet of the goal or sideboards.
(j)When a goal is illegally scored as a result of a ball being deflected directly from an official anywhere in the defending zone, the resulting face-off shall be made at the end face-off spot in the defending zone.
(k)When the game is stopped for any reason not specifically covered in the official Rules, the ball must be faced-offed at the center of the rink.
(l)The whistle will not be blown by the official to start play. Playing time will commence from the instant the ball is faced-off and will stop when the whistle is blown.