Department Electric Wheelchair Sports

GAME RULES FOR ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR HOCKEY

Edition 2008

Valid from 2008/07/01

Contents

1 Eligible Players

2 Teams & Team Captains

3 Duration of Match & Time-Out

4 Field & Ball

5 Start of Match

6 Goaltender & Goalroom Area

7 Goal

8 Fouls & Consequences

9 Referee’s Discretionary Authority

10 Time Penalties & Disqualifications

11 Penalty

12 Bully

13 Goaltender Ball

14 Referee Ball

15 Free Ball

16 Opening Ball

17 Stick

18 Dress Code

19 Loss of Stick

20 Referee

21 Timekeeper & Timekeeping

22 Condition of Wheelchair

23 Dead Ball

24 Appearance

25 Classification

26 Basic Referee Signals

Addendum A - Field

Addendum B - Goalroom Area

Addendum C - T-Stick

Rules are effective Month Day, Year

1. Eligible Players

1.1. All persons that are in possession of an official and valid sports license including valid sports pysician’s supplemental sheet issued by DRS (German Wheelchair Hockey Association), are able to show an Electric Wheelchair Player’s Pass issued by DRS, Department Electric Wheelchair Hockey Sports, and are classified in accordance with Classification Regulation for Electric Wheelchair Hockey, Department Electric Wheelchair Hockey, DRS, are eligible to play in official competitions. For all other games, each individual is eligible to play who is evidently depending on a wheelchair in his everyday life, electric or manual, and, in case of doubt, can produce an adequate medical certificate.

1.2. All League and Cup games of the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, DRS, as well as tournaments sponsored by the Department Electric Wheelchair Hockey, DRS, are considered official competitions.

1.3. If a referee detects that a player is in violation of Rule 1.1 during an official competition game he must break off the game immediately. In such case, the game must be assessed as 3:0 victory for the opponent – unless different rules of the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, DRS, apply. Further disciplinary actions by the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports are possible.

2. Teams and Team Captains

2.1 Each of the two teams competing in a match is allowed 4 fieldplayers maximum and 1 goaltender maximum. The timekeeper is to supervise this. Ultimately, the adherance to Rule 2.1,1, is always the responsibility of the team.

2.2 Each team is to name a captain who must be recognizable by an appropriate armband. Captains are contact persons for the referees.

2.3 If the captain leaves the playing field he has to inform the referees of a new captain.

2.4 In official competition games, the sum of classification points of the players of one team on the field may not exceed 11 points. There may not be two (2) 5-point-players playing at the same time. The timekeeper is to supervise this (see Rule 21.2). Ultimately, the adherance to Rule 2.1,1, is always the responsibility of the team.

2.5 If a referee detects during a game that a team is in violation of Rules 2.1 or 2.4 he must break off the game immediately. In such case, the game must be assessed as 3:0 victory for the opponent – unless different rules of the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, DRS, apply

2.6 Each team may nominate 10 players at the most. The name of each player/substitute player as well as the name of the coach have to be given to the timekeeper before the match begins. The timekeeper will enter those names on the appropriate form. Players/substitute players whose names are not entered on the form are not allowed to participate in that match. Ultimately, the adherance to Rule 2.6,6, is always the responsibility of the team. In an official competition game, the number of each player/substitute player and his classification points need to be entered on the form in addition to his name.

2.7 If a team does not comply with Rule 2.6,3, the referee is to break off the game immediately. In such case, the game must be assessed as 3:0 victory for the opponent – unless different rules of the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, DRS, apply. Further disciplinary actions by the Department Electric Wheelchair Sports are possible.

2.8 All substitute players and the coach of the team should remain in their team zone during the match.

2.9 During a game, each team may substitute players as often as they wish, however, only during halftime as well as when the game is interrupted. The coach or team captain must inform the timekeeper of this beforehand.

3. Playing Time And Time-Out

3.1 Playing time is 2 x 15 minutes with a break of 5 minutes. Playing time may not be less than 2 x 10 minutes. During the halftime break, teams will switch sides.

3.2 Each team is entitled to one time-out per halftime. Time-out is limtied to one minute. Time-out may last 1 minute at the most and may be taken during any interruption of the game. The coach or team captain is to show the timekeeper “Time-Out” beforehand.

3.3 Game interruptions include: Free Ball, Penalty, Referee Ball, Goaltender Ball, and Bully as well as Opening Ball decisions.

3.4 The game must be discontinued by the referee for the following reasons:

(a) Exchange of player/substitute player

(b) Time-out

(c) Treatment of an injured player during interruption

(d) If circumstances outside the game or playing field require such action

(e) Repair of a player’s defective wheelchair or stick during interruption

(f) Allocated time-out of a player

(g) Penalty

(h) Defective ball

Playing time will resume when the referee will continue the game.

3.5 When the game is discontinued for treatment of an injured player or repair of a player’s defective wheelchair or stick, the break may last no longer than one minute. Should the treatment of the player or repair of damage take longer, then the player must be exchanged by a substitute player.

3.6 Discontinuance of a game required due to circumstances outside the game or playing field may take no longer than 30 minutes. If the referee feels that the elimination of those circumstances may take longer than 30 minutes, he must break off the game. The result of this game will have to be cancelled and the game will have to be repeated at a later time.

3.7 The referee may also break off the game when he feels a player is seriously injured. The result of this game will have to be cancelled and the game will have to be repeated at a later time.

4. Field & Ball

4.1 The playing field must be between 24 m and 28 m long and between 14m and 16 m wide. The field must be rectangular.

4.2 The field must be surrounded by boards at a height of at least 7,5 cm.

4.3 Both goal area lines of the field must each be positioned 2,50 m (incl. line) before a short board (respective face side) and be parallel to it. A goal area line is 3,50 m long and must have equal distance to both long boards. Both goalroom areas of the field must be bordered by a semi-circle around the center of the goal lines with a radius of 1,75m (incl. boundary lines) and bordered by the goalroom area line itself. The boundary lines are part of the goalroom area.

4.4 The two penalty areas of the game field must each be as wide as the field. They must each reach 7,50 m (incl. boundary line) from a short board (respective face side) into the game field. The boundary lines of the penalty areas are part of the penalty areas.

4.5 The area between the two penalty areas of the game field is called neutral zone.

4.6 The point of Opening Ball is at the center of the center line which divides the game field in halves at the long side and must be marked by two 10 cm long lines crossing at an angle of 90°.

4.7 Size of each goals: 2,50 m wide; 0,40 m deep; 0,20 m high. These measurements are inside dimensions. The outside measurements may not exceed the inside dimensions by more than 5 cm. Both short sides of the goal as well as back and top sides of a goal must be closed in such way that the ball is unable to roll through. The posts and crossbar of a goal must be equal in width.

4.8 Each goal must be positioned directly behind a goal line in such way that the opening (front side of a goal) points toward the center line and the goal reaches in equal parts left and right across this goal line. On the left and right sides of the goal posts, lines of 10 cm length must be marked on the game field in order to make the original position of the goal identifiable.

4.9 A team zone must be available for each of the two teams on one of the long sides of the game field. Each of these zones must be 1,50 m wide and 7,50 m long. They must be directly next to the boards.

4.10 All lines applied to the game field must be at least 2 cm wide and may not exceed 5 cm. All lines must be equally wide.

4.11 The game ball must be a hockeyball with holes. Its circumference must be at least 22,4 cm and may not exceed 23,5 cm.

4.12 The host of the tournament is responsible that the field is in proper condition before the tournament starts.

4.13 Prior to start of game, one referee is to check the field and release it for the game. In order to do this the referee will use the designated “Gamefield Form”.

5. Start Of Match

5.1 The match starts with an Opening Ball whereby the ball is to be played forward.

5.2 Basically, a referee will allot the kick-off team. The opposite team will choose the field and will start the second halftime with the Opening Ball.

6. Goaltender And Goal Room Area

6.1 Goaltenders only may move around in their own goal room area.

6.2 A goaltender may leave his goal room area and participate in the game like a field player.

6.3 He may play with a T-stick or without any stick.

6.4 The wheelchair of the goaltender must have a chassis clearance of at least 8 cm.

7. Goal

7.1 A team has scored a goal when

· the ball either has passed goal line between goal posts and below crossbar to the full extent while the goal is in place according to appropriate rules or the ball has completely passed the goal line at a point which, according to the referee, is between the original position of the goal posts and underneath the original position of the crossbar, in such case when the goal has been moved from its position according to the appropriate rules.

· the ball has crossed the opponent’s goal room area before.

· the match has not been interrupted and/or finished before.

· no player of the team that has scored the goal has fouled another player prior to that.

7.2 A goal can only be counted when the ball has been touched last within the opponent’s half. This does not hold true for own goals. Goals hit from center line directly are acceptable. In case of an irregular goal, as in 7.2.1, the opponent will be granted a Goaltender Ball..

7.3 After one team scored a goal, the match is to be continued with an Opening Ball by the other team.

7.4 After an Opening Ball, at least two players must have touched the ball before a goal can be scored.

7.5 The team that scored most goals during the match is the winner. In case no goals are scored during the match or both teams scored the same amount of goals then, the match is “tied”.

8. Fouls And Consequences

8.1 A player may neither drive against his opponent’s wheelchair or T-stick.

Establishment of responsibility during contact:

· If two opponent players are driving straight – not parallel – to a free spot on the field then that player is responsible for the contact whose wheelchair or stick reaches that spot last.

· If two opponent players are driving parallel to each other that player is responsible for the contact who cuts into the lane of the other player before completely passing the farthest point of the opponent’s wheelchair with his own upper body.

· A player is responsible for contact when he is standing and then moves toward an opponent player who is driving not giving the opponent enough time or space to avoid contact.

Contacts that do not impact the opponent player do not fall under the aforementioned regulation and do not constitute a foul.

Such fouls must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - FreeBball for opponent team

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team when fouled

in the opponent penalty area

- penalty for opponent team when fouled

in own penalty area

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul behind goal line area - Free Ball for opponent team

8.2 Intentionally raising or grabbing an opponent player’s stick is prohibited. It is also off-limits for a player to hit against an opponent’s stick. “Hitting-against-an-opponent’s-stick” does also include a player using a t-stick driving against the stick of an opponent player without the slightest possibility to touch the ball.

Such fouls must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team when fouled

in the opponent penalty area

- penalty for opponent team when fouled

in own penalty area

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul behind goal line area - Free Ball for opponent team

8.3 A player is not allowed to intentionally move the goal from its position. This does not apply when during an interruption of a match a player is trying to move a goal back to its original position after it had been moved. Such foul must be punished with free ball for the opponent team. If a player is repeating the same foul he will receive time penalty in addition.

If a goal is not in its original position during a match, strictly a referee only may move the goal back to its original position as the course of the match allows.

8.4 A player may not throw the stick. If a stick is thrown at the ball that spot is the location of offense where the ball is located at.

Such foul must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team and time

penalty for the player who threw the stick

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team and time

penalty for the player who threw the stick

when foul occurred in the opponent

penalty area

- free ball for opponent team and time

penalty for the player who threw the stick

when foul occurred in own penalty area

Foul behind goal line area - Free Ball for opponent team

8.5 If the referee feels that the match is being played rough and also dangerous and/or a player does not conduct himself properly (e.g. if a player drives sideways with his t-stick between the front and rear wheels of an opponent player’s wheelchair while he is driving), he must penalize him.

Such foul must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team when fouled

in the opponent penalty area

- penalty for opponent team when fouled

in own penalty area

- additional time penalty for gross or

same repeated fouls of a player

Foul behind goal line area - free ball for opponent team

8.6 For safety reasons a player is not allowed to move the blade of his stick across the head of another player. This violation is to be penalized with Free Ball for the opponent team. If the player will be repeating the same foul he is to be punished with an additional time penalty.

8.7 If a player intentionally violates rules 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, or 8.6 during the interruption of a match, he is definitely to be penalized by the referee with a time penalty contrary to what is described in those rules. However, if the violation was not intended the player will be exempt from punishment.

8.8 If a goal is prevented from being scored due to entering the own goal room area the referee must penalize this violation with a 2-minute time penalty and penalty shot for the opponent team.

8.9 The referee is to punish a player with time penalty if he feels the player is conducting himself in an unsportsmanlike manner (e.g. insulting an opponent player). The player must be disqualified from the match if the referee feels it is a severe case (e.g. assault against an opponent player or explicit insult against the referee).

If the game was not already interrupted the referee must grant the opponent team free ball first.

8.10 If one or more players of a team are blocking the ball in such way that only players of this team can play the ball and the match is not interrupted the opponent team is to be granted Free Ball at the penalty area line of the team to be penalized.

8.11 A player who intentionally delays a game during an interruption he must be penalized with time penalty.

8.12 A player is not permitted to play the ball higher than 20 cm (not counting height of ball) with his stick as long as the game is not interrupted. Should the ball fly higher than 20 cm the game must continue if

· it cannot be identified who had the ball last,

· a player in such way that he cannot avoid the high ball, or

· a goalframe or board has been hit immediately prior to that

Such foul must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team

8.13 If a field player touches the ball with his stick in his own goalroom area while the game is not interrupted (does not apply to Goaltender Ball) or he enters his goalroom with at least one wheel the opponent team must be awarded a penalty shot. It is not prohibited to play the stick in the goalroom as long as the ball is not touched.

8.14 If a player enters the goalroom area of the opponent team with at least one wheel or touches the ball with his stick therein while the match is not interrupted the opponent team must be granted Free Ball. It is not prohibited to play the stick in the goalroom area as long as the ball is not touched and the opponent goaltender is not hindered.

8.15 A player is not permitted to intentionally play the ball with his leg (including foot), arm (including hand), body, or head while the game is not interrupted.

Such foul must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team

- additional time penalty for same

repeated fouls of a player

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team when fouled

in the opponent penalty area

- penalty for opponent team when fouled

in own penalty area

- additional time penalty for same

repeated fouls of a player

Foul behind goal line area - Free Ball for opponent team

8.16 A player is not permitted to intentionally play the ball with any other part of the stick but the blade or with possible attached sidewings on a t-stick resp. while the game is not interrupted.

Such foul must be punished as follows:

Foul in neutral zone - Free Ball for opponent team

- additional time penalty for same

repeated fouls of a player

Foul in penalty area - Free Ball for opponent team when fouled

in the opponent penalty area

- penalty for opponent team when fouled

in own penalty area

- additional time penalty for same

repeated fouls of a player

Foul behind goal line area - free ball for opponent team

9. Referee’s Discretionary Authority

9.1 Advantage law: The referees should abstain from penalties if they are convinced that the team that broke the rules would thus receive an advantage. However, it is at the referee’s discretion to impose a penalty later.

9.2 It is at the referee’s discretion to differentiate between intentional, accidental, and gross breach of the rules.

10. Time Penalties & Disqualifications

10.1 If a referee penalizes a player with time penalty the referee must communicate

that to the player by showing him the “Yellow Card”.

10.2 A player who received time penalty must report to the timekeeper who will allow

re-entry into the game only once the time penalty is over. The timekeeper will signal this to the referee (shortly ringing bell once).

10.3 A player who received time penalty must stay in his team zone for the duration of the penalty.

10.4 A player’s time penalty starts when the game continues after the referee has released the game after ordering time penalty. Time penalties last for two minutes of playing time and are only counted according to the actual playing time. Playing time interruptions delay the course of the time penalty.

10.5 A player who received time penalty may not be replaced by a substitute player during time penalty.

10.6 If a goaltender is penalized with time penalty the affected team may substitute a field player for the duration of the time penalty (only with t-stick or without stick).

10.7 The player who received time penalty may re-enter the game if the opponent team scored a goal due to his team playing under strength during the time penalty.

10.8 If a player was already allocated the “Yellow Card”, i.e. time penalty, during the game he is to be excluded from the game at the next violation punishable with time penalty.

10.9 If a player is excluded from the game the referee has to signal this by showing the “Red Card”.

10.10The exclusion of a player from the game continues during a possible overtime and/or penalty shooting.

10.11If a player is disqualified from the game by the referee this player may not be replaced by another substitute player.

11. Penalty Shot

11.1 The distance between goaltender and goal line may be no more than 30 cm. He may move only after the ball has been played.

11.2 If the goaltender moves too early, the penalty shot has to be repeated, unless a goal was scored.

11.3 The penalty shot must be executed by a direct shot toward the goal. The ball may not be guided. The executing player may not touch the ball twice in a row. The ball must at least reach the goal area or pass the goal line. In case of wrongfully executing this rule the opponent team will be awarded Goaltender Ball.

11.4 The penalty shooter must conduct himself sportsmanlike before and during the shooting. It is not permitted to bluff the goaltender by breaking-off the shooting.

11.5 All noninvolved players must stay outside the penalty zone. The player repeatedly entering the penalty zone during execution of the penalty shot will receive a time penalty of two minutes.

11.6 The match will continue after the penalty shot.

11.7 The penalty shot will be executed even if the playing time is over during which the referee decided the penalty shot.

11.8 If the penalty shot is not done correctly, it has to be repeated. If the penalty shot is repeatedly executed incorrectly, the opponent team will be awarded Goaltender Ball.

12. Bully

12.1 One player of each team must be ready to execute the Bully. The sticks of both players must be positioned at least 10 cm away from the point where the referee will put the ball for execution of the Bully. Furthermore, the players must position their sticks in such way that the ball is on the lefthand side of their sticks. The ball may only be played after the referee has released the game again. If a player plays the ball before or does not keep the minimum distance with his stick the referee will grant Free Ball to the opponent team.

12.2 A Bully must be executed at the point where the ball was at the moment when the game was interrupted because of the Bully (exemptions: penalty zone and penalty shot, see rules 12.3 and 11.6).

12.3 If a Bully would have to be executed in one of the penalty zones it will have to be executed at the corresponding side of the penalty zone line at a distance of approximately one meter from the sidebars.

12.4 Should one of the two executing players act unsportmanlike, the referee may request another from that team to execute the Bully.

12.5 All noninvolved players must be at least two meters away from the point where the bully is being executed. A noninvolved player who does not keep the minimum distance before the executing player has touched the ball during the bully or does not keep the minimum distance after having been requested to do so by the referee is to receive a time penalty after the referee has interrupted the game (unless it is already interrupted). The Bully has to be repeated if necessary.

12.6 The referee has to decide on a Bully if in his opinion a player is seriously injured, had an accident (e.g. tips over with his wheelchair) or if in his opinion circumstances in or outside the game and/or game field require this, unless the match has already been interrupted.

12.7 It is at the referee’s discretion if and when he will decide on Bully in case a player’s wheelchair and/or stick is/are defective, unless the match has already been interrupted.

13. Goaltender Ball

13.1The Goaltender Ball is carried out from the goal area line.

13.2During Goaltender Ball the ball must be passed on. The ball may not be guided werden. The executing player may not touch the ball twice in a row.

13.3Players of the opponent team must keep a distance of at least two meters to the goal area. An opponent player who does not keep the minimum distance before the executing player has touched the ball during the Goaltender Ball or does not keep the minimum distance after having been requested to do so by the referee is to receive a time penalty after the referee has interrupted the game (unless it is already interrupted). The Goaltender Ball has to be repeated if necessary.

13.4The Goaltender Ball must be executed within a timeframe of 10 seconds at the most. This timeframe begins after the ball rests and the referee has released the game for execution of the Bully.

13.5If the Goaltender Ball is done incorrectly by the executing team the opponent team will be awarded Free Ball.

14. Referee Ball

14.1 If the ball passes the playing field boundary the referee must place it approximately one meter parallel to the point where the ball passed the boards. .

14.2 If Referee Ball needs to be executed in one of the penalty zones it will have to be executed at the corresponding side and from the penalty zone line at a distance of approximately one meter from the boards.

14.3 With Referee Ball the ball must be passed on or directly shot at the goal. It may not be guided. The executing player may not touch the ball twice in a row.

14.4 The players of the opponent team must keep a minimum distance of two meters from the point.where the RefereeBball is being executed. An opponent player who does not keep the minimum distance before the executing player has touched the ball during the Referee Ball or does not keep the minimum distance after having been requested to do so by the referee is to receive a time penalty after the referee has interrupted the game (unless it is already interrupted). TheRreferee Ball has to be repeated if necessary.

14.5 The goaltender ball must be executed within a timeframe of 10 seconds at the most. This timeframe begins after the ball rests and the referee has released the game for execution of the bully.

14.6 If the Referee Ball is done incorrectly by the executing team the opponent team will be awarded Referee Ball.

15. Free Ball

15.1 Free Ball must be executed at the point where the ball was at the moment when the violation punishable with Free Ball had occurred (exemption: penalty zone, see rules 15.2).

15.2 If Free Ball needs to be executed in one of the penalty zones it will have to be executed at the corresponding side and from the penalty zone line at a distance of approximately one meter from the boards.

15.3 With Free Ball the ball must be passed on or directly shot at the goal. It may not be guided. The executing player may not touch the ball twice in a row.

15.4 Players of the opponent team must keep a distance of at least two meters to the goal area. An opponent player who does not keep the minimum distance before the executing player has touched the ball during the free ball or does not keep the minimum distance after having been requested to do so by the referee is to receive a time penalty after the referee has interrupted the game (unless it is already interrupted). The Free Ball has to be repeated if necessary.

15.5 The Free Ball must be executed within a timeframe of 10 seconds at the most. This timeframe begins after the ball rests and the referee has released the game for execution of the Free Ball.

15.6 If the Free Ball is done incorrectly by the executing team the opponent team will be awarded Free Ball.

16. Opening Ball

16.1 Opening Ball must be executed from the point of opening ball. The players executing the Opening Ball must all stay in their own game field during Opening Ball, the opponent team must all stay in their own penalty zone.

16.2 Opening Ball must be played into the opponent field.

16.3 With Opening Ball the ball must be passed immediately. It may not be guided. The executing player may not touch the ball twice in a row.

16.4 The players executing the Opening Ball may only cross the center line once the ball has been passed, as mentioned in rule 16.3.

16.5 The players of the not-executing team may only cross their penalty zone line once the ball has been touched by two players of the Opening Ball team.

16.6 If a player of the not-executing Opening Ball team crosses his own penalty zone line too early the referee must grant Free Ball to the executing team.

16.7 The Opening Ball must be executed within a timeframe of 10 seconds at the most. This timeframe begins after the ball rests and the referee has released the game for execution of the Opening Ball.

16.8 If the Opening Ball is done incorrectly by the executing team the opponent team will be awarded Opening Ball.

17. Sticks

17.1 Hand-Held Sticks

17.1.1 Any kind of field or unihockey sticks are permitted whereby the length of the shaft may not exceed 1,25 m.

17.1.2 The blade of the stick may not exceed 30 cm in length, 10 cm in width, and 1 cm in breadth.

17.2 T-Sticks:

17.2.1 The stick may be attached to the wheelchair at any place. The fastening of the stick as well as the stick shaft must have a minimum clearance to the ground of 8 cm at any point.

17.2.2 The blade of the stick may not exceed 30 cm in length, 10 cm in width, and 1 cm in breadth.

17.2.3 The tip of the blade may not be farther than 50 cm away from the foremost point of the wheelchair.

17.2.4 A sidewing may be mounted on one or both sides of the blade.

17.2.5 The sidewing, or both sidewings resp., must be in an angle of 90° to the blade. The permissible measurements per sidewing are 10 cm in height and 11 cm in length. The outermost centimeter of the sidewing may be bent forward by 45°.

17.2.6 The stick must consist of a material with certain flexibility. Rigid materials like iron, aluminum, acrylic glass etc. are strictly forbidden.

17.3 A player may only play with one stick at the most.

17.4 If a referee detects during the match that the stick or fastening of a stick at a player’s wheelchair is in violation of rules 17.1 or 17.2 he must assess time penalty to the player. If the game has been interrupted already the referee must grant Free Ball to the opponent team.

17.5 If a player is in violation of rule 17.3 during the game, he will be assessed time penalty by the referee. If the game was been interrupted already the referee must grant Free Ball to the opponent team.

18. Dress Code

18.1 The fieldplayers of a team must wear uniform jerseys. The jerseys of the players of one team must differ well from the jerseys of the other team’s fieldplayers. If this is not the case, the fieldplayers named last in the game matching must in principle change their jerseys or wear additional unicolored uniform bands to better differentiate them.

18.2 The goaltender of each team must wear a jersey that differs from the jerseys of the remaining players participating in that match. If this is not the case, the goaltender in question must wear an additional unicolored band for better differentiation.

18.3 Each player of a team must have a different colored replacement jersey.

18.4 The jerseys of the players and substitute players of a team should carry different, well visible one or two digit numbers (player number) to better identify the players on the field. Also the classification points (CP) of the players must be included on the player’s tag.

19. Loss Of Stick

19.1 If a player loses his stick the game will not be interrupted. An assistant should be ready to pick up the hand-held stick or fasten the t-stick respespectively. Here, the game may not be hindered.

19.2 If a referee is of the opinion that the assistant picking up the hand-held stick or fastening the t-stick is hindering the game he has to assess a Bully.

20. Referee

20.1 In principle, the match will be umpired by two referees. Both referees decide on all

violations of the rules.

20.2 The host of the match must supply a referee with the necessary equipment to

umpire the match

20.3 If a referee is hit by the ball during the game, the game will be continued as if the referee had not been touched by the ball. A referee should try to avoid the ball.

20.4 When two referees are umpiring the match each of them should indicate every decision of the other referee.

20.5 A referees must notify the timekeeper of the beginning of a game interruption.

20.6The host of a match will appoint the required referees to umpire the game. This is also effective for official tournaments unless other regulations regarding referees were determined by DRS, Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, or adequate referees have already been appointed to umpire an official tournament. If possible, neutral individuals need to officiate as referees.

21. Timekeeper And Timekeeping

21.1 The timekeeper takes over the function of the referee in respect to timekeeping. Timekeepers must start the clock and stop it during interruptions of the game by the referee.

21.2 The timekeeper also takes over the function of the referee in respect to compliance with classification point regulation in accordance with rule 2.7. The timekeeper must monitor that the maximum allowable sum of players’ classification points of a team is not exceeded at start of match and exchange of players.

21.3 The timekeeper must notify the referee of the end of halftime by a signal (one-time long sound of the gong). The timekeeper has to also notify the referee of the end of halftime break by a signal (one-time long sound of the gong).

21.4 The timekeeper must also notify the referee of player exchanges and time-out two-time short sound of the gong).

21.5 The timekeeper must record all scored goals, player exchanges, times-out, time penalties, and disqualifications in writing.

21.6 The timekeeper’s only contact persons are the referees.

21.7 The timekeeper will allow the player disqualified for time penalty to return to the game after the allocated time is up.

21.8 The host of the tournament must equip the timekeeper with the necessary equipment to perform his duties.

22.9 The host of a tournament will appoint the timekeeper. This is also effective regarding official tournaments unless other regulations regarding timekeepers were determined by DRS, Department Electric Wheelchair Sports, or adequate timekeepers have already been appointed to lead an official tournament. If possible, neutral individuals need to officiate as timekeepers.

22. Wheelchair Condition

22.1 An electrically motorized wheelchair is to be used to play not exceeding a maximum speed of 10 kmh.

22.2 Clearance underneath the wheelchair must be such that the rolling ball is not hindered by cables, footrests, curblifters or other movable or adjustable parts.

22.3 No constructual changes may be made to the wheelchair that would affect the course of the ball.

22.4 If a referee detects during the match that a player’s wheelchair is in violation of rule 22.1 he must assess time penalty to the player. If the game has been interrupted already the referee must grant Free Ball to the opponent team.

22.5 If a referee detects during the match that a player’s wheelchair is in violation of rules 22.2 and 22.3 he must assess time penalty to the player. In addition, the player must be exchanged immediately and is disqualified from the game until he has obtained a wheelchair that is in accordance with the rules. At the next exchange of that player, the referee has to first confirm the correct wheelchair condition. If the wheelchair still is not conforming to the rules the exchange to re-enter the game is void.

22.6 The player’s number – and in official tournaments also the number of classification points – is/are to be marked legibly on an at least DIN A4-sized tag mounted on the wheelchair.

23. Dead Ball

23.1 Rules 23.3, 23.4, 23.5, and 23.6 do not apply if the game has already been interrupted..

23.2 If the ball is damaged the referee has to decide on Bully unless the game has already been interrupted. In such case the game will be regularly continued with a new ball.

23.3 If the ball remains at or in a wheelchair and does not fall down to the floor by itself the referee has to decide on Bully.

23.4 If the ball remains underneath a wheelchair outside the goalroom area for at least 3 seconds and cannot be played the referee will have to decide on Bully.

23.5 If the ball remains still within the goalroom area of a team the referee will have to decide on Goaltender Ball for that team. This is not valid in case the goaltender has damaged the ball (see rule 23.2).

23.6 If the ball passes across the boards after a player has touched it the referee is to decide on Referee Ball for the opponent team.

24. Appearance

24.1 During a game, no unnecessary objects may be placed on a wheelchair, e.g. bags, nets, plastic bags, clothing, cases, or similar.

24.2 During the game, the mobile phones of all players must be turned off.

24.3 If a referee detects during the match that a player is in violation of rules 24.1 or 24.2 he must assess time penalty to that player. If the game has not been interrupted already the referee must grant Free Ball to the opponent team before.

25. Classification

25.1 When, during an official contest, a player does not use auxiliary means listed in the classification index for mandatory reasons, he is not authorized to play until he has reported this to one of the referees umpiring the game. If this is an auxiliary means negatively relevant to the points in the classification system, then the player will receive one additional classification point for this game. With positive auxiliary means, classification points remain the same.

25.2 A player who uses additional or classification point relevant auxiliary means other than listed in the classification index during an official contest since the last classification, may only do so after his team or his club has requested a change of classification with the AK EH and has unsolicitedly shown an adequate, valid attestation to one of the umpiring referees before the game starts. For this game, the classification points will increase by one point.

25.3 As long as a player who was classified with more than 1 point plays in an official contest with a t-stick or without a stick the classification point will be 1.

25.4 A player who was classified with one point even or lower and has used a hand-held stick instead of a t-stick or no stick during an official contest since his last classification may only do so after his team or his club has requested a change of classification with the AK EH and has unsolicitedly shown an adequate, valid attestation to one of the umpiring referees before the game starts. For this game, the classification points will increase by one point.

25.5 If a referee detects during an official game that a player is violating rules 25,1,1 or 25.2,1 or 25.4,1 then this player must be disqualified from the game. If the game has not been interrupted yet, the referee must award Free Ball to the opponent team first.

26. Basic Referee Signals

26.1 Goal: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing to center of the field with both arms stretched out in horizontal position.

26.2 Free Ball: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing in the direction of the free ball with both arms stretched out in horizontal position.

26.3 Bully: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing straight up with both arms stretched out.

26.4 Referee Ball: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing in the direction of the referee ball with both arms stretched out in horizontal position.

26.5 Penalty Shot: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing with one arm in the direction of the penalty shot with the other arm pointing straight up.

26.6 Interruption of Game/Time-Out: Turn to time keeper and show a “T” with both hands above head.

26.7 Goaltender Ball: 1 blow with the referee’s whistle, a subsequent turn pointing both arms sideways stretched out in horizontal position.

26.8 Release of ball or game and interrupt game: 1 blow with referee’s whistle.

26.9 Time Penalty: Show “Yellow Card” to player being penalized.

26.10 Disqualification of a player: Show “Red Card” to player being penalized.

ADDENDUM A
Field

Addendum B - Goalroom ARea

and

ADDENDUM C - T-Stick

These regulations will be in effect until the party responsible for the Game Rules For Electric Wheelchair Hockey of Department Electric Wheelchair Sports of DRS has released new regulations.