Rules

Some of the Rules...

  • Ringette is played on any standard rink.
  • 5 skaters and a goalie.
  • The object is to score goals in the net of your opponent.
  • A straight stick of wood, fibreglas or aluminum is used to pass, control and shoot an 8" hollow ring between teammates.
  • Play is started by a free pass similar to the start of a soccer game.
  • The player "taking the free pass" has five seconds to pass the ring to a teammate...and the game is on!
  • Any stoppage in play will result in a free pass to re-start the game, usually in the nearest free pass circle.
  • Some defensive free passes are replaced by a "goaltender ring".
  • Rules restrict any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the ice (no ring hogs).
  • The ring must be passed over each blue line to another player, which means more players can be involved in setting up the goals.
  • Free play lines (see Diagram) define restricted areas in the deep offensive and defensive zones.
  • Teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so over-crowding is minimal.

Penalties

  • There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all rules geared towards safety.
  • The most common are body contact, tripping and interference.
  • Most penalties are 2 minutes but a 4 minute major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough.
  • Go To the Links section on the Homepage for Ref's handsignal diagrams and meanings

Age Divisions

  • Bunnies 7 yrs. & under
  • Novice 9 yrs. & under
  • Petite 11 yrs. & under
  • Tween 13 yrs. & under
  • Junior 15 yrs. & under
  • Belle 18 yrs. & under
  • Open 19 yrs. & over

Equipment

  • Mandatory Equipment
    • CSA approved Helmet & Face mask
    • BNQ Approved Neck Protector
    • Elbow Pads
    • Protective Gloves
    • Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection
    • Shin Guards
    • Hockey/Ringette Skates (no picks)
    • Uniform Jersey
    • Track Pants or "Cooper alls"
    • Ringette Stick
  • Goalie Equipment (Extras or Different)
    • Goal Pads
    • Chest Protector
    • Goal Stick
  • Optional Equipment
    • Skaters: Shoulder Pads, Mouth Guard
    • Goalies: Goal Skates, Blocker, Trapper, Arm Pads, Goalie Mask, Plastic Throat Protector (must still have a BNQ Throat Protector on)

The Rink

Team

Teams have 1 goalie, 2 defense, 2 forwards, and 1 center on the ice at full strength.

How Ringette is Played

Even though ringette is played on the same ice-surface as hockey, comparable in equipment and numbers, the similarities end there. More similar to basketball, soccer or lacrosse, ringette is a team sport with a different strategy.

The rules promote team play so that a single player cannot carry the ring from end to end and score a goal. Teams are usually made up of 11 to 17 players; with six skaters on the ice at the same time (a goalie, two defense, a center and two forwards).  

The Game begins much like soccer with the Visiting team being awarded a Free Pass in the Centre Ice Free Pass Circle (known in Hockey or Lacrosse as the Face Off Circles). Free Passes are also ringette's way of restarting games after penalties, violations, goals or any other stoppage in the game. Depending on where the play stopped after a violation or penalty, the free pass is awarded to the appropriate team in the circle closest to where the action ceased. One player takes possession on the whistle and has five seconds to either shoot or pass the ring to a teammate. The ring must be passed completely out of the circle, and the player cannot skate out of the circle with the ring. No other players are allowed in the Free Pass Circle during the five second count.

Blue Lines - A player cannot carry the ring over a blue line in either direction. The ring must be passed over the blue line to another teammate. That teammate is permitted to skate ahead of the ring carrier and already be across the blue line before the ring crosses it.

Goal Crease - If the ring lands in or on the crease, the only player who can touch it is the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper usually picks up the ring and throws it to a teammate. The goalie has five seconds to pass it out of her crease.

 

Ringette promotes a no-contact policy when it comes to the physical aspect of its game. Penalties are given when a player, intentional or not, makes excessive body contact with another player, checks a player too high on the stick, trips, hits or interferes another player. 

The details and further explanation of these rules can be found in Ringette Canada's Official Rule Book, or you can click HERE for a PDF version of them.

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