Proposal 69: Stricter penalties [ Revision 7 ]

Committee: 14. Hockey
Submitted on 2025-07-13
Status: Passed on July 29, 2025

Background

Players are rarely sent off and games can become dangerous.

Creating stricter rules for send offs would result in dangerous play being punished as leaving the decision up to refs rarely results in enforcement.

Proposal

Old

14B.9.5 Player Send-off

The referee can send a player off the field for two minutes, five minutes or for the remainder of the game. When a player is sent off for the remainder of the game they may not take part in the current match or their teams following match. However, after a five minute period the penalised team may bring a player on. These penalties are given in the case of unsporting behavior and also for intentional or dangerous disregard of the rules. While a player is in the penalty box, the team may not substitute a replacement for that player. Penalized players are prohibited from communicating with their team for the duration of the penalty. When enforcing a penalty, the referee should signal to stop the timer to discuss the required punishment, provide a precise start time for the penalty, and to explain their ruling to players. The referees should consider the following guidelines when punishing a player:

 The timer

should be stopped while referees discuss the appropriate punishment and explain their

ruling to players:

2 minutes:

·         Intentional delay of the game

·         Repeated fouls by the same player

·         Intentional foul

·         Dangerous play

·         Backchat to referee (Constant backtalking to the referee or questioning decisions)

·         Intentional usage of incorrect equipment and clothing

·         Intentionally having too many players on the field

5 minutes:

·         Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 2-minute penalty

·         Intentional dangerous foul

·         Violent conduct against other players, their team officials or spectators

·         for the remainder of the game:

·         Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 5 minute penalty

·         Repeated violence of a player who has already received 5 minutes before

·         Violence against referees



New

 

14B.9.5 Player Send-off

The referee can send a player off the field for two minutes, five minutes, or for the remainder of the game. For non-match send-offs, the offending team may not substitute a replacement while the player is in the penalty box. When a player is sent off for the remainder of the game, they may not take part in the current match and their team's following match. However, in the current match, the penalised team may bring a player on after a five minute period. Penalized players are prohibited from communicating with their team for the duration of the penalty. When enforcing a penalty, the referee should signal to stop the timer to discuss the required punishment, provide a precise start time for the penalty, and to explain their ruling to players.

The following list of offences lead to a 2-minute penalty; however, this list is not exhaustive. Referees may impose a 2-minute penalty for other actions that, in their judgment, constitute unsporting behaviour, create a safety risk, or significantly violate the spirit of fair play.

•         When a player intentionally commits a foul.

•         When a player commits a SUB or SIB at speed.

•         When a player forces or pushes an opponent into the walls or the goal causing them to fall.

•         When a player is guilty of dangerous play or careless physical play.

•         When a player hits another player with their stick above hip height.

•         When a player aggressively swings their stick at an opponent or the opponents stick (“slashing”), regardless of contact. Non-aggressive stick contact below knee height should not lead to a 2-minute penalty, but may still lead to a free shot. Raising an opponent’s stick above hip height is a foul, but does not automatically warrant a 2-minute penalty.

•         When a player throws their stick.

•         When a player violates right-of-way rules while riding at speed. If the referee deems that the infraction is not solely attributed to one player, or it was not clearly avoidable, only a free shot shall be given.

•         When a player persistently backtalks to the referee or questioning their decisions.

•         When a player insults the referees, players or spectators.

•         When a player actively obstructs the execution of a free shot. This includes violations of the 2 m rule during a free shot, corner shot, goalkeeper's ball, 6.5 m, or the restart after a goal (i.e. crossing the centre line before an opposing player or the ball has crossed the centre line).

•         When a player uses incorrect equipment or a player is missing correct rider identification (e.g. no identifying number). Where possible, the referee should inform players of equipment and identification issues prior to the start of the match.

•         When an incorrect substitution takes place. If the substitution occurs in a borderline or near-simultaneous manner, a penalty shall only be given if it impacts the play.

•         When a team has too many players on the field. The last player to enter the field shall receive a 2-minute penalty. The offending team must then reduce the number of players on the field so that they are playing with one fewer than their permitted number.

•         When a team systematically disrupts play by committing repeated offences leading to a free shot. This also includes when a team commits a number of rule violations during a short time. The player committing the last rule violation shall serve the penalty.

•         When a team intentionally delays play. The referee shall issue a warning to the captain on the first offence. A 2-minute penalty shall be applied for any further intentional delay.

 

5-minute penalties may be given for:

  • Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 2-minute penalty for the same foul

  • Intentional dangerous fouls

  • Violent conduct toward other players, team officials, or spectators

Match ejection (remainder of game) may be given for:

  • Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 5-minute penalty for the same foul

  • Continued violent conduct after already receiving a 5-minute penalty

  • Violence against referees



Body

Stricter rules for 2 min penalties to enforce safer play.

References

Discussion

View Discussion

Change Log:

Revision 7 changed by Steven Hughes (21 Jul 02:18)

Changed
•         When a player commits a SUB and SIB at speed.
to
•         When a player commits a SUB or SIB at speed.

Revision 6 changed by Steven Hughes (19 Jul 05:53)

Already Changed 14B.9.5 Penalty Box to 

14B.9.5 Player Send-off . also added in passed proposal "Penalized players are prohibited from communicating with their team for the duration of the penalty. When enforcing a penalty, the referee should signal to stop the timer to discuss the required punishment, provide a precise start time for the penalty, and to explain their ruling to players."

https://iuf-rulebook-2025.committees.unicycling-software.com/proposals/15

Revision 5 changed by Steven Hughes (18 Jul 07:15)

Standardised wording for 5 min and match send off

5-minute penalties may be given for:

  • Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 2-minute penalty for the same foul

  •  

Match ejection (remainder of game) may be given for:

  • Repeated fouls by a player who has previously received a 5-minute penalty for the same foul

  •  

 

Revision 4 changed by Steven Hughes (17 Jul 02:55)

The referee can send a player off the field for two minutes, five minutes, or for the remainder of the game. For non-match send-offs, the offending team may not substitute a replacement while the player is in the penalty box. When a player is sent off for the remainder of the game, they may not take part in the current match and their team's following match. However, in the current match, the penalised team may bring a player on after a five minute period. 

Reordered for clarity, Added current match match ejection clarification.

•         When a player commits a SUB and SIB at speed.

Combined SUB and SIB rule so that SIB must be at speed.

•         When a player forces or pushes an opponent into the walls or the goal causing them to fall.
Added causing them to fall.

Revision 3 changed by Steven Hughes (16 Jul 19:24)

Added that list was non exhaustive

Changed wording of

•         When a player actively obstructs the execution of a free shot. This includes violations of the 2 m rule during a free shot, corner shot, goalkeeper's ball, 6.5 m, or the restart after a goal (i.e. crossing the centre line before an opposing player or the ball has crossed the centre line).

Revision 2 changed by Steven Hughes (15 Jul 08:03)

Fixed typo. Added s to violation

Revision 1 changed by Steven Hughes (13 Jul 07:22)

Votes on this proposal:

11 out of 12 voting members have voted.

Agree: 10, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 1.

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