Game Overview - Penalties

Minor Penalties

A skater who commits a minor penalty must 'Take a Knee'. In other words they stop skating and drop to one knee at the spot where the penalty took place. The skater may bend, twist and stretch but the one knee, in contact with the floor, is not allowed to move more than a few inches from the original spot as a result of these actions. Dodgers that have Taken a Knee can continue to catch and throw balls but obviously their maneuverability is greatly restricted.

Stepping out of Bounds: During a Round, a skater's skate/foot may not touch the floor on the other side of line outside the zone(s) allowed for their current Player Position. This is always a penalty whether the skater does it intentionally or accidentally. This is by far the most common foul. During the Rotation phase skaters are free to cross into any zone on their side of the court. They may not however, cross into the other team's territory. They may not touch a ball that is on the floor in the opponent's territory.

Passing the ball through the air to a teammate: Teammates that are beside each other can transfer a ball with a handoff but tossing the ball to one another through the air is not allowed.

Kicking or blocking the ball with a skate: Skaters must avoid intentionally stopping a rolling ball or bouncing ball with their foot. Likewise they may not swing their leg and kick a ball in order to move it. However, there is no penalty if a skater is hit on the skate by a ball in flight that was thrown at them. Note: This rule is primarily intended to reduce the chance of tears or other damage to the ball should it get caught in, or run over by, a skate.

Rolling the ball: Skaters may not use a bowling-like action to move the ball.

Illegal Catch: Skaters that are Out of Play may not catch balls. A Dodger that has been hit and sent Out must wait until they have moved to the Outfield and have become a Fielder.

Hiding Behind a Referee: Skaters may not use the Referee as a shield to keep from being hit by a ball.

Major Penalties

A skater will be ejected for the remainder of the game in the event of a major penalty.

Fighting: The penalty goes to the skater who first crosses into the opponent's territory to make physical contact with another player. The referee has the discretion of also ejecting the skater who was 'attacked' if the referee has reason to believe they provoked the fight with words or gesturers. The referee is not required to give the skater(s) a warning before ejecting in this situation.

Deliberate mutilation of balls: It is possible that a skater could accidentally fall or skate over a ball and tear it or leave it misshapen. There is no penalty if that happens. However, a skater cannot rip or tear the ball deliberately. They cannot cause the ball to soak up liquids. They cannot intentionally coat the surface with oils, wax, or other materials as in making a 'spit ball' in baseball. The referee is not required to give the skater(s) a warning before ejecting in this situation.

Reckless Behavior: Continue disregard for the safety of spectators, staff and other players is not allowed. Nor is the deliberate destruction of physical property. The Referee must give the skater a verbal warning first and only expel the skater from the game if they do not comply.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:The use of Obscene language or gestures is one example of this. Another is the continued disregard for the rules. For example a skater who has 'Taken a Knee' for a minor penalty but intentionally moves around on the floor more than allowed. The Referee must give the skater a verbal warning first and only expel the skater from the game if they do not comply.

Insubordination toward the Referee(s): Skaters must comply with referee directions and commands quickly and without excessive arguing. The Referee must give the skater a verbal warning first and only expel the skater from the game if they do not comply.

Details - Special Cases - Exceptions

A skater is not out of bounds just because their skate crosses over a line so long as the skate remains in the air. However, as soon as the skate boot, wheels, toe-stop, etc. makes contact with the floor on the wrong side of the line, the skater has committed a minor foul. The line itself is considered In bounds. Likewise a head, arm, etc. can extend over the line so long as they do not touch the floor. If other parts of the body touch the floor the action would be considered a Fall as well as being out of bounds. In the case of a Dodger the Fall would send them Out and this supercedes the minor penalty which is ignored in this situation.