skip navigation

Rules

Game Play

Rules

All games are played in accordance with the USBOXLA Rule and Situational Book.

 

usboxla membership

All participants must have an active USBOXLA membership.  Any player on your roster that is in violation will be removed from the playing surface.  www.membership.usboxla.com


wooden sticks/WALLS

Wooden goalie or player sticks are not allowed in any division. Walls or Quads are not allowed for goaltending.

 

GOALIE EQUIPMENT

All goalies must conform to USBOXLA/CLA Tags on Chest/Arm Protectors and Shin guards.

Novice - CAT 2
PeeWee - CAT 2 (no exception even with doctor note) 
Bantam - CAT 3
Midget CAT 3
HS Elite CAT 3

 

Please Read Rule #12/#13 in USBOXLA Rulebook for more info.

If your goalie cannot find suitable replacements immediately for the game, a 5 goal penalty shall be awarded to the opposing team. 

 

FIGHTING

Zero tolerance for punches thrown.  Any punch thrown can result in entire tournament suspension.

USBOXLA Gameplay Coordinators will be notified of any fighting major (which is an automatic match penalty). A match penalty is a 5 min major, game ejection, plus potential suspension for any number of additional games including the entire tournament.  USBOXLA Gameplay coordinator will rule on multiple game suspensions dependent on severity and intent of altercation.

 

abuse of officials

Please note the USBOXLA Gameplay coordinators will not tolerate abuse of the officials or any staff by fans, parents, players or team officials. The USBOXLA Gameplay coordinators have the discretion to call bench penalties, remove parents/fans from the facility or issue a team disqualification in such an occurrence. 

 

Appeal process

On-Floor Call Appeal Process - There is no appeal process to protest an on floor call or outcome.  The referees' call on the floor will stand. 

Age Group Appeal Process - Any 'A' level team is under the scrutiny of all other 'A' level teams in their division.  If there is a potential violation a team's Coaches/Managers (No parents) may file an official appeal to the USBOXLA Gameplay Coordinator with a $200 cash bond. 

If the team is indeed found to be in violation the cash bond will be returned, the team in violation will be immediately disqualified, all scores will change to 1-0 and 2 pts will be awarded to their opponents for previous and future games.  The team may continue to play in the event however for schedule purposes but will not advance to the medal rounds. 

If the player is not in violation the cash bond will not be returned.

 

Game play

Official USBOXLA game play

  • 3 x 14 min running time periods.
  • 2 min rest between periods.
  • last minute of the 3rd period is stop time.
  • game clock starts on the hour whether teams are ready or not.  Any team in violation will be given a 2min delay of game penalty.
  • 1 x 30 second timeout per game.
  • if tied after regulation time teams immediately proceed to a USBOXLA Shootout (3 shooters each and home team decides on whether they will shoot first or second).  If tied after that, there is a sudden death shootout round (all rostered players must shoot before any player shoots twice).
  • Gold Medal A/B/C Level Games (sudden death period) will have a 5min sudden death overtime period immediately following the conclusion of regular time.  Goalies do not switch ends.  No Timeouts.  No stoppage in time.  If tied after 5min, teams proceed into a USBOXLA Shootout to determine a Gold Medal Champion.

 

over-aged players and rosters

Age Groups
To protect the high quality and fair gameplay at the USBOXLA Nationals age groups are strictly adhered to.

IF YOU VIOLATE AGE DIVISION RULES YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR TEAM WILL BE DISQUALIFIED IMMEDIATELY.  YOUR TEAM MAY CONTINUE TO PLAY IN THE EVENT BUT THE FINAL SCORE WILL BE ENTERED 1-0 AND YOUR OPPONENTS WILL GET 2 POINTS FOR THE WIN. THESE AGE GROUPS ARE BIRTH YEAR BASED ONLY.  MONTH, DAY OF BIRTH, PLAYER SIZE OR PLAYER SKILL LEVEL HAS NO IMPACT ON PLAYER PLACEMENT.

Overaged Players
In various age divisions you may have a maximum of 2 overaged players per team.  These overaged players cannot be 'impact players' but rather players used to help fill a roster.  An impact player is a player who possesses superior size and/or skill and/or ability and has a direct impact on the game's outcome.

 

setting of rosters

Your team rosters cannot change after Thursday Aug 3rd.  If you have players playing in 2 age divisions, or skill levels to round out numbers that is fine as long as these players are listed on the team's official roster that you submit before the event.  You cannot alter your rosters for medal games, recruit other team's players at the event or bring more players from one skill bracket to another for 'big games'.  If there is any infraction of this rule it will result in an automatic disqualification.  Before each game the scorekeepers will check to ensure accurate rosters.

 

Pool and bracket play

Seeding from pool play is determined in this order:

  • Points - 2 points for a win. 0 points for a loss
  • Head to Head 
  • Goals Allowed - The total of a teams opponents score. The smallest total wins the tie breaker.
  • Goals Scored - The total of a teams score. The higher total wins the tie breaker.

 

USBOXLA Game play coordinators

There are on-site USBOXLA Game play coordinators at each facility.  If you have questions or concerns they will help.  Please note that there is no appeal process to protest a call or outcome, there is zero tolerance and abuse could result in team disqualification or additional penalties for your team or organization.

 

Adam Gardner
USBOXLA Referee in Chief
Ontario
647-454-0342