This comparison chart is meant to serve as a quick reference for umpires officiating competitions governed by The
Rules of Hockey and modifications published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which governs
intercollegiate competitions, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which governs
most competitions between high schools. This chart is NOT a replacement for a rulebook. It is the responsibility of all
umpires to have a thorough knowledge of the rules governing the events they officiate.
If a topic is not listed, it means that there are no modifications. Within a topic, only modifications are included.
| |
The Rules of Hockey
Questions: Gus Soteriades,
|
NCAA Modifications
Questions: Jennifer Averill, |
NFHS Modifications
Questions: Contact Your State
Association |
| ADMINISTRATION |
| Clock: Duration of Each Half |
35 minutes |
Not Modified |
30 minutes (or less if opposing
coaches agree to fewer minutes) |
| Clock: Duration of Half Time |
5 minutes, or specified by
tournament rules |
10 minutes |
Not more than 10 minutes |
| Clock: Overtime |
Dependant on tournament |
Detailed in modification
document |
Dependant on tournament |
| Clock: Stopping after Goal |
The clock is not stopped |
The clock is stopped |
Unless otherwise adopted by State
Association, the clock is stopped |
| Clock: Time Outs |
No team time outs |
One two-minute team time out
per game; may be used in
overtime |
Two 90-second time outs per
team per game. Penalty for
requesting more than two. |
|
Composition of Team:
Minimum Number of Players
on Field |
One, a goalkeeper or player
acting as a goalkeeper (kicking
back) is required; in
tournaments, each team must
have a minimum of 8 players,
including a goalkeeper or a
player acting as a goalkeeper
on the field of play for a match
to be started or ontinued |
One, a goalkeeper or player
acting as a goalkeeper (kicking
back) is required |
Minimum of seven players; one
must be a properly equipped
goalkeeper |
| Match: Coin Toss to Start |
Winner of toss can either
choose to start the game with
the center pass or to defend a
particular goal during first half |
Not Modified |
Winner of toss can: [a] start with
the center pass in the 1st or 2nd
half, or [b] defend a particular
goal during first half |
| Match: Review of Umpire’s
Decision |
Not Permitted |
Not Modified |
Misapplication of rule only
(see rule 4-3) |
| Stick Check |
Dependant on tournament |
Required at all contest
(DI, DII, and DIII regular season
games and tournaments) |
When necessary |
