Time
A game consists of two fifteen - twenty minute periods.
Blue Lines
The players may not carry the ring over a blue line, it must be passed over the line to a teammate, or touched by another player before she may touch it again.. If the ring goes over both blue lines, the opposing team must touch the ring before the attacking team may touch it again, similar to the icing rule in hockey, except that when the ring reaches the other end, the play does not stop.
Players
Each team is permitted to have up to 18 players, but may not have less than 7. Only 6 players on each team are permitted on the ice at one time, these usually being one centre, two forwards, two defence, and a goalie. An exception to this is when a player gets a penalty, and must serve the penalty in the penalty box. The team will be "down" a player on the ice, while the penalized player serves the time. The minimum amount of players on the ice will be 4 (3 skaters and the goalie). A goalie may be substituted for a skater, also known as "pulling" the goalie, in the event of a delayed penalty on the other team, or during the last 2 minutes of the game. At any other time, this is considered a violation. Players are permitted to substitute at any time during a stoppage in play, or "on the fly".
Free Passes
A free pass or free ring, is where a team has possession of the ring in one of the circles on the ice, as opposed to a face-off. This team has to pass the ring (hence the name) to another team-mate.
At the beginning of the first period the Away team starts with the ring, in the centre free pass circle. At the beginning of the second period, the Home team gets the ring, so neither team has an advantage.
A free pass is awarded after a goal, penalty, or most other stoppages of play. Some of the other rules pertaining to the free passes include time restrictions (The player has five seconds to pass or shoot) and mobility restrictions (No one may enter the circle until the ring leaves, and the ring carrier may not leave the circle.).
Free Play Line
Commonly referred to as the "Ringette line", the free play line is a red line situated between the blue line and the red goal line along the top of the face-off circles. The area between the free play line and the end boards, creates a "zone" where there are 3 skaters allowed inside for each team (not including the goalie). In the event of the defensive team only having 3 skaters on the ice (when they have 2 or more players in the penalty box), only 2 will be allowed in the zone. The penalized team is allowed to have all 3 players in the offensive zone. Four players are allowed in the zone if the goaltender has been pulled.
Crease
Goalies are the only players allowed in the crease. If another player enters the crease, possession of the ring is given to the other team. When a goalie makes a save, or possession is awarded to the defending team, it is called a "goalie ring". The goalie then has five seconds to throw the ring out to another player, but not past the blue line. If the goalie does not pass it within 5 seconds, the ring is awarded to the other team for a free pass from one of the offensive face-off circles.
Shot Clock
While the team is in possession of the ring, without the other team touching it, they have 30 seconds to take a shot, or give up possession to the other team. The shot clock is reset when possession of the ring changes teams, when a shot hits the goalie or a post, or when the ring stops in the goaltender's crease.
Penalties
Penalties in Ringette, are much the same as in hockey, with the notable exception of body contact. Penalties are given for several different offences, and most are 2 minutes in length. Players must serve their penalties in the penalty box Common infractions include: boarding, body-contact, charging, delay of game, high-sticking, holding, hooking, interference, slashing, tripping, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
A major penalty may be assessed which increases the penalty time served to 4 minutes. Misconduct and Match penalties may be called for serious offences, and result in ejection from the game.
If the opposing team scores a goal, then one player from the team the goal was against, is let out of the penalty box. However, if both teams are of equal strength when the goal is scored, then both players remain in the box.
Equipment
The required equipment for Ringette is: a CSA certified helmet with Ringette facemask, elbow pads, girdle, gloves, mouth guard (optional), neck guard, pelvic protection, Ringette stick, skates, shin pads, shoulder pads (optional),
Levels and Divisions of Play
There are several divisions of play in Ringette, categorized by age. They are:
Bunnies - 7 years and under
Novice - 9 years and under
Petite - 11 years and under
Tween - 13 years and under
Junior - 15 years and under
Belle - 18 years and under
Open - 19 years and older
Masters - 30 years and older
The Levels of play include AAA, AA, A, B, C and recreational.