Ringette Rules

Ringette is a fast, exciting team sport played on ice. While it looks similar to hockey, it shares more in common with sports like basketball, soccer, and lacrosse—especially in how it emphasizes passing, movement, and teamwork.

👥 Team Setup

• Each team has 11-17 players.

• Six players are on the ice during play:

  • 1 Goalie

  • 2 Defense

  • 1 Centre

  • 2 Forwards

🥅 Objective

• Score goals by shooting the rubber ring into the opponent’s net.

• Defend your own goal to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

🔁 Starting & Restarting Play

• The game starts with a free pass from center ice.

• Free passes are also used after:

  • Goals

  • Penalties

  • Rule violations

  • Stoppages (e.g., when the ring becomes stuck)

Free Pass Rules:

• One player takes the ring inside a free pass circle.

• After the whistle, they have 5 seconds to pass or shoot the ring out of the circle.

• No other players can enter the circle during this time.

• A shot on goal is allowed from a free pass.

🔵 Blue Line Rule

• Players cannot carry the ring over the blue line.

• The ring must be passed over each blue line to a teammate.

• Teammates may skate across the blue line before the ring does.

• This rule encourages teamwork and passing.

🧤 Goal Crease Rules

• Only the goalie may enter or touch the ring in the crease.

• If the ring lands in or on the crease:

  • The goalie has 5 seconds to pass it out.

  • They can throw it like a frisbee or use their stick/skate.

  • The goalie cannot throw the ring past the blue line.

• If a player from either team enters the crease, it results in a change of possession.

🧊 Goalie Ring

• Used when the offensive team commits a violation in their attacking zone.

• The goalie has 5 seconds to put the ring back into play.

• Faster than a free pass—no player substitutions are allowed—so the game stays fast-paced.

🔁 Two Blue Line Pass

• No icing in ringette.

• If a team sends the ring across both blue lines untouched, no teammate can touch it until an opponent does.

• If touched too early, the ring goes back to the original zone for a free pass by the other team.

🚫 Penalties

• Given for actions like:

  • Tripping

  • Interference

  • Body contact

• Ringette is a non-contact sport—intentional rough play is not allowed.

• Most penalties are unintentional (e.g., accidental collisions or missed stick checks).

?? Violations

• Similar to basketball fouls—result in loss of possession, but not time in the penalty box.

• Examples:

  • Carrying the ring over a blue line

  • Delaying the game

  • Playing the ring out of bounds

  • Breaking the two-line pass rule