1995

INTERNATIONAL ROLLER HOCKEY

RULES OF THE GAME

Chapter 2. Details of the game

Table of Contents

Article 3. Marking of the Rink

The rink will be marked out in accordance with the following diagram and must conform exactly to the dimensions.

The rink shall be surrounded on all four sides with a barrier which must be 1 meter (3'3") high and must have woodem boards at the base to a minimum thickness of 2 cm (7/8") and a height of 20 cm (8"). The corners should be one meter (3'3") in radius.

When publicity panels are displayed on the inside of the barrier, they must be placed at least 30 cm (1') from the base, leaving a clear 20 cm (8") band around the rink. This band shall be painted a neutral colour to contrast with the colour of the ball (so as not to cause possible danger to the players).

A drop net (even a removable one) to a height of four (1+3) meters from the base, must be placed between the shorter corners of the rink.

The corners of the rink are only zones of passage and so players are not allowed to stop and block the ball in the corners.

The space behind the score line, between it and the end of the rink is to be at least 2.70 meters and not more than 3.30 meters.

Article 4. Publicity.

Publicity panels can be displayed behind the goal cages, according to the stipulation in Article 3 (Paragraph 3).

Inscriptions of any kind within the "penalty area" are strictly forbidden.

Article 5.

The width of all demarcation lines is 8 cm (3"), including the line across the goal mouth. The latter must be of a different colour from that of the ball being used.

Article 6.

Before commencement of a game, the referees will check that the demarcation lines are correctly drawn (measured internally). Although they are not responsible for their exactness (this is the organisers' responsibility), they will ensure that any errors liable to prejudice the good running of the match are rectified.

If the referees consider an incorrect detail to be of minor importance, and if both captains consent, they may disregard it. They must note the facts in the "referees' report" of the match.

Article 7. Rink (Size).

The rinks for the game are 20 meters x 40 meters. In all cases, the relation between length and width will be in a ratio of 2:1, however, a tolerance of 10% either way is allowed.

The length and width of rinks on which international matches can be played are as follows:

Length:	Standard	40 meters
	Minimum	36 meters
	Maximum	44 meters
Width:	Standard	20 meters
	Minimum	17 meters
	Maximum	22 meters

In special cases, National Federations may permit matches to be played on rinks of non-regulation size. However, international matches may only be played on regulation size rinks.

Article 8. The Stick.

The stick must not be longer than 115 cm (3' 9") or shorter than 90 cm (3'), measured around the outside circumference of its bend, and must be able to pass through a ring of 5 cm (2") in diameter.

It must not exceed 500 grams (18 oz.) in weight.

Sticks may be made of wood or plastic or another material approved by CIRH. They must not be made of metal or have any metal reinforcements. Binding of cloth or similar materials on the shaft of the stick is permitted.

Article 9. The Ball.

The ball must weigh 155 grams and be 23 cm in circumference. It must be of any one colour only and in contrast to the colour of the rink surface, thereby providing the best visual effect, particularly during television coverage.

For all matches only balls officially approved by the CIRH may be used.

In cases of disagreement on the ball to be used, the referee will always give preference to the one presented, provided it is of suitable colour and officially approved. It must always contrast with the demarcation lines and the boards surrounding the rink (see Article 3 and Article 5). When a ball offered is not of an approved make, the referees will select the one which, in their judgement, has the better balance and the least elasticity. The referees' decision is final.

Whenever a game is televised, the organiser may impose the colour of the ball.

Article 10. The Skates.

The players must wear roller skates that are fixed to the boots. The wheels must roll freely and the minimum permitted diameter of all wheels is 3 cm.

No kind of supplementary protection is allowed between the front and rear wheels.

Toe-stops can be fixed to the front of the boots or the skates only. Such toe-stops must not present any danger to other players.

Article 11.

Any kind of metal protection on the boots, even if covered by other material, is strictly forbidden.

The diameter of rounded type toe-stops or any other geometric form must not exceed 5 cm.

Article 12. Players' Protective Equipment.

All players may wear padding for protection against injury, but this must not be such as to give them any unfair advantage.

Players other than goalkeepers may not wear external protective padding on their legs (knee pad excepted). Shin pads in stockings, including the goalkeepers', shall not exceed a maximum thickness of 5 cm (2 inches). The use of metal in the protective equipment is prohibited except for helmets and face masks which are for the exclusive use of goalkeepers only, and the metal must be covered with some protective material such as plastic, leather or cloth. These fittings must not protrude beyond the surface of the mask.

Players wishing to control their hair may wear only cycle type head bands made of leather or plastic.

Helmets for Youths in Australia: All players in Youths and lower divisions may wear an approved helmet / head protection device, provided it complies with both the requirements in this article and with ASA Australian Standards.

Article 13. Goalkeepers' Pads.

The maximum measurements of goalkeepers' pads are:

Width at calf	30 cm (12 inches)
Width at knee and above	35 cm (13 inches)
Total length	75 cm (30 inches)
Maximum thickness	5 cm (2 inches)

These will be worn around the legs in a manner so as not to constitute a shield projecting from the side of the leg or legs. Goalkeepers may wear kicking pads over their boots but must be the same width and thickness as the main pads.

Article 14. Goalkeeper's Gloves.

Goalkeepers' gloves must not exceed 25 cm (10 inches) in width and 6 cm (2.4 Inches) in thickness, measured opened with the fingers spread out, laying flat.

The referee must enforce strict conformity and whenever he notices a player, and a goalkeeper in particular, wearing protective equipment other than that specified above, which could give the player an unfair advantage, he must order the player to comply with the rule.

Article 15. The Goal Cage.

The goal cage consists of an iron rectangular cage, with inside height of 105 cm and inside width of 170 cm, as shown below.

The frame must be made with steel tubing or similar material. The top, posts and internal face of the goal cage must be covered with a yarn netting which must be tough enough to resist the strongest shots. Metallic netting will not be allowed.

A drop net must be suspended from the near inside top of the cage with a depth of 45 cm measured from the top cross bar of the cage.

This cotton net must be thinner than the outside (external) one having a maximum width of 180 cm and height of 110 cm, must be suspended inside the cage to prevent the ball rebounding from the inside of the goal. This net must be white in colour and should be attached only at the top, allowing it to hang freely to the ground parallel to the posts of the cage.

The posts and front bar must have a circular cross-section, with 8mm (3 inches) diameter (external measure), painted in fluorescent orange. The other framing parts should be painted in white.

The goals are placed facing each other, at the midpoints of the two score lines.

The distance behind the score line to the end of the rink should be at least 2.70 metres and not exceeding 3.30 metres.

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