The Rink (In-Line Hockey)
Rule 101. Rink
(a) The game of "in-line hockey" shall be played on
wood, cement, asphalt or plastic surface known as a
"RINK."
(b) The rink may be an outdoor, partially enclosed or
indoor facility.
Rule 102. Dimensions of Rink
(a) As nearly as possible, the dimensions of the rink
shall be 185 feet long and 85 feet wide. The minimum
size for a rink shall be 145 feet long and 65 feet wide.
In all rinks used for State, Regional and National
Championships, the surface dimensions shall not be
less than 165 feet long and 65 feet wide. It is
recommended that the corners be uniformly rounded
in the arc of a circle with a minimum radius of 23 feet
and a maximum radius of 28 feet.
(b) The rink shall be surrounded by a permanent or
temporary wall or fence known as the "BOARDS,"
which shall extend not less than 8 inches and not
more than 48 inches in height above playing surface.
The ideal height of the boards shall be 42 inches. It is
recommended that the kick plate at the bottom of the
boards be yellow or light in color.
The boards shall be constructed in such a manner
that the surface facing the playing surface shall be
smooth and free of any obstruction or objects that
could cause injury to players. All doors giving access
to the playing surface must swing away from the
playing surface.
It is highly recommended that the entire rink, including
players and penalty benches, be enclosed with safety
glass, fencing and/or other protective screens
designed to separate players from spectators. All gear
used to hold such equipment in place shall be
mounted on the boards on the side away from the
playing surface.
Rule 103. Goal Posts and Nets
(a) The goal frame shall be made of metal or other
approved material. The goal posts shall be set 6 feet
apart from the inside of the posts and the crossbar
shall extend vertically 4 feet above the playing surface,
connecting the tops of the goal posts. Alternative
sizes are acceptable for regular house league play.
The goal posts and cross bar shall be painted red and
all other exterior surfaces shall be painted white.
(b) Attached to each goal frame shall be netting
strong enough to withstand any shot by a puck or ball.
(c) A minimum of 12 feet to a maximum of 15 feet
from each end of the rink a red line 2 inches wide
known as the "GOAL LINE" shall be painted extending
completely across the rink and continuing vertically up
the side boards.
The goal shall be centered on the goal line and shall
be fixed in such a manner as to remain stationary
during the progress of the game. The goal posts shall
be anchored in such a manner as to permit a goal
post to become dislodged when hit by a player with a
significant degree of force.
Play shall be stopped immediately when the goal post
has been displaced from its normal position.
Rule 104. Goal Crease and Goalkeeper's
Privileged Area
(a) In front of each goal, a "GOAL CREASE" shall be
marked by a line 2 inches wide. The goal crease shall
be laid out as follows: A semicircle 6 feet in radius and
2 inches in width shall be drawn using the center of
the goal line as the center point.
In addition, an "L" shaped marking of 5 inches in
length (both sides) at each front corner shall be
painted on the surface. The location of the "L" marking
is measured by drawing an imaginary line 4 inches
from the goal line to the edge of the semicircle. At that
point, the "L" shall be drawn.
(b) The goal crease area shall include all the space
outlined by the semi-circular crease lines (including
goal crease lines) and extending vertically four feet to
the bottom of the cross bar.
(c) The goalkeeper's "PRIVILEGED AREA" is an area
bounded in the rear by the end boards, in front by an
imaginary line connecting the end zone face-off spots
and on the sides by imaginary lines extending
perpendicular from the end boards to the end zone
face-off spots.
Rule 105. Division of Playing Surface
(a) The playing surface shall be divided into two
halves by a "CENTER RED LINE" 12 inches wide,
extending completely across the rink and continuing
vertically up the side boards.
(b) The center red line shall be considered to be a
part of the zone in which the puck/ ball is located.
(c) The half of the playing surface in which the goal is
situated shall be called the "DEFENDING ZONE" of
the team defending that goal. The half of the playing
surface furthest from the defending goal shall be
known as the "ATTACKING ZONE."
Rule 106. Center Face-Off Spot and Circle
(a) One 12-inch in diameter blue face-off spot shall be
at the exact center of the rink.
With this spot as a center, a 15-feet radius circle shall
be marked with a blue line 2 inches wide. On both
sides of the circle there shall be two lines 2 feet long,
2 inches wide and 4 feet apart.
Rule 107. High Zone Face-Off Spots and Circles
(a) Four red face-off spots 2 feet in diameter shall be
marked on the surface 32-1/2 feet from the end zone
face-off spots along an imaginary line connecting the
end face-off spots. Within each face-off spot draw two
parallel lines 4 inches from the top and bottom of the
spot. The area within the two lines shall be painted
red.
Rule 108. End Zone Face-off Spots and Circles
(a) In both zones and on both sides of each goal, red
face-off spots and circles shall be marked on the
playing surface. The face-off spots shall be 2 feet in
diameter. Within each face-off spot draw two parallel
lines 4 inches from the top and bottom of the spot.
The area within the two lines shall be painted red.
With this spot as a center, a 15-feet radius circle shall
be marked with a red line 2 inches wide. On both
sides of the circle there shall be two lines 2 feet long,
2 inches wide and 4 feet apart.
(b) The End Zone face-off spots shall be located
equi-distant from the side boards and 20 feet from
each goal line. It is recommended that there be a 44
foot distance between the End Zone face-off spots in
the same zone.
Rule 109. Players' Bench
(a) Each rink shall have seats or benches for the use
of each team. Each player bench shall have
accommodations for at least 10 people and shall be
placed immediately alongside the playing surface, as
near as possible to the center of the rink.
All doors opening to the playing surface shall swing
away from the playing surface.
(b) Only players in uniform and Team Officials (up to
a maximum of four) shall be permitted to occupy the
bench area.
(c) During a game, Coaches, Managers, and Trainers
are restricted to the length of the player benches.
Rule 110. Penalty Bench
(a) Each rink must be provided with seats or benches
to be used for the seating of a penalized player, the
Game Timekeeper, and Official Scorer. The penalty
bench must be separated from the players' benches,
ideally on the opposite side of the rink.
(b) On the playing surface immediately in front of the
Penalty Timekeeper's seat there shall be marked in
red a semicircle of 10 foot radius and 2 inches wide
which shall be known as the Referee's Crease.
Rule 111. Signal and Timing Devices
(a) Each rink shall be provided with some form of
electrical clock for the purpose of keeping the
spectators, players and Game Officials accurately
informed as to all time elements at all stages of the
game, including the time remaining to be played.
Timing devices for both game time and penalty time
shall show time remaining to be played or served.
(b) Each rink shall be provided with a siren, or other
suitable sound device to signify the end of playing
time.
(c) Behind each goal, electric lights or similar devices
shall be set up for the use of the Goal Judges. A red
light or other signal shall signify the scoring of a goal.