The mission of GHRA is to offer High School students an opportunity to represent their school by participating in an organized High School roller hockey league, and to promote roller hockey as an officially accepted High School sport.

 

Our goals are:

Ø      To promote the sport of roller hockey.

Ø      To facilitate skill development in playing, coaching, and officiating.

Ø      To emphasize the ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, respect for the rules and fair play.

Ø      To respect all individuals including fellow athletes, coaches, league officials, referees, team representatives, and parents.

 

I.                   DEFINITIONS

 

1.      “Championship Game” shall mean that game which is played after the end of the League’s regular season in each division, the winner of which shall be considered the League champion for their division.

 2.      GHRA “Board of Directors” shall mean such committee or group of people established pursuant to the League’s guidelines, charged with overseeing the operations of the League.  References to GHRA Board of Directors herein shall also refer to any committee or individual to which the GHRA Board of Directors assigns or delegates certain duties and responsibilities set forth herein.  The GHRA Board of Directors reserves the right to amend any Rules or Procedures set forth in this document as appropriate.

 3.      “League Season” shall mean September 1 through the following August 31, encompassing one complete League Season.

 4.      “League Game” shall mean any scheduled Regular Season Game or Playoff Game, both within a division, or Interdivisional play.

 5.      “Member Team” shall mean any team, which has been accepted as a Member of the League pursuant the procedures set forth herein.

 6.      “Playoff Game” shall mean any one or more of the games played as part of the League playoff schedule, as such schedule is established at the end of the regular season.

 7.      “Regular Season Game” shall mean any one or more of the games played as part of the League schedule, as such schedule is established at the start of the season.

 8.      “GHRA” shall mean the Georgia High School Roller Hockey Association.

 9.      “Team Official” shall mean any person serving as coach, manager, team representative or other official capacity or assisting on the Players’ Bench during a League Game pursuant to Penalties/Misconducts ~4.1 herein for a Member Team.  All “Team Officials” will be required to submit a “background check” form, provided by the league, prior to the start of the season.

 

II.                MEMBER TEAM PARAMETERS

 1.      Application for Membership

Schools wishing to join the League for the first time must submit a membership application in writing, no later than September 21, 2008.  The GHRA Board of Directors shall decide whether to admit the applicant based on a number of factors, including availability of rink time.  Meeting the requirements set forth in the application does not guarantee admittance into the League.  However, any teams meeting such qualifications but not admitted to the League at that time will be admitted as rink time becomes available or Member Teams drop out, in the order in which qualified applications were received.  All league fees [$2,175.00 per team] are due at the registration deadline, September 19, 2008.  Any late registrations up to September 24, 2008, will be assessed a $200.00 late fee in addition to the $ 2,175.00.  League registrations will close on September 24, 2008.  Any exceptions must be submitted to the Board of Directors for a decision.

2.      Coach Selection

Each Member Team shall be responsible for selecting all of its coaches and team officials.  In the event a Member Team is having difficulty finding a head Coach, the GHRA Board of Directors may assist in the process by providing names of potential coaches to a representative of the Member Team seeking a Head Coach. Upon selection of a Head Coach by a Member Team, such Member Team shall notify a member of the GHRA Board of Directors of its selection. 

All coaches and team officials are subject to final approval by the GHRA Board Directors, with such approval not being unreasonably withheld.

 

3.      Player Selection

 Coaches / Team Representatives should contact School Administrators and discuss GHRA’s Mission and Guidelines.  Enlist school support for letting you promote and advertise player tryouts.

 Announce Tryout date(s) in advance to allow students time to discuss and plan their attendance.

 Make your selections based on “Player Eligibility Parameters” set forth herein.

 

 

 

III.             PLAYER ELIGIBILITY PARAMETERS

 

General

 

Ø      A team shall be comprised of a minimum number of eight [8] skaters and one [1] goaltender.

Ø      A maximum number of players shall be no more than sixteen [16] skaters and three [3] goaltenders, per GHRA guidelines.

Ø      The individual coaching/team manager staff, within the minimum and maximum range, per GHRA guidelines, shall determine the actual roster size.

Ø      Upon entering high school, a student/athlete has four consecutive calendar years of eligibility to play InLine hockey.  No “red shirt” athletes in high school InLine hockey, and …

- Any InLine hockey player who turns 19 prior to May 1^st of the previous school year is not eligible to play InLine hockey the next season.

The GHRA Executive Board has adopted 4 criteria in the team selection process.  Eligible players must fall within these criteria.  Two-thirds [2/3] of a team roster must be comprised of student’s attending the High School the team represents, keeping in mind that a maximum of 4 players can be acquired from criteria 2, 3, and 4.

 

 

1.      Criteria 1

The first order of selection is a resident High School player representing their school.  Every reasonable effort must be made to generate interest and participation from within the school that the team represents.  Two-thirds [2/3] of the team roster must attend the High School that the team represents.

 

2.      Criteria 2

The second choice will come from home schooled or private school, High School grade level players from within the attendance district of that High School.

 

3.      Criteria 3

The third selection available will be High School students whose school attendance district does not have its own team.  Those students may play for the nearest adjacent High School that does have a GHRA team.

 

4.      Criteria 4

The fourth and final criterion is an 8^th grade student athlete.  Prior to the start of each GHRA season, the High School coach must designate up to two [2] Middle School “feeders” from which players may be chosen.  These players must be in the attendance district of that High School for enrollment the following year, or meet the requirements as a home schooled or private school student designated in Criteria 2.

 

Ø      There shall be a maximum of up to four [4] players, as designated in Criteria 2, 3, & 4, on a single team

 

NOTE: 10/8/08 It was brought to the board's attention that changes were neeed with the goalie rules in the "Varsity Division". The addendum to the below rule is in bold green.

5.      Goaltender Rule

As some GHRA teams have only one goaltender and proposals have been suggested to address this issue, the GHRA Board has adopted the following policy:

Any team that does not have a goaltender available for a game due to illness, injury, etc., may request to "borrow" a goaltender from another team.  The borrowed goaltender must be from the same division or a lower division of play (unless "during the 2008-2009 GHRA Season in the Varsity Division only" - these following options are also available

-          If a 3A team plays a 4A team and the 3A team needs to borrow a goalie the 3A team could borrow a 4A goalie or lower for that game.

-          If a 3A team plays a 4A team and the 3A team needs to borrow a goalie the 3A team could borrow a 4A, 5A goalie or lower for that game.

-          If a 4A team plays a 5A team and the 4A team needs to borrow a goalie the 4A team could borrow a 5A goalie or lower for the game.

The opposing coach must be told prior to the start of the game. 

The spirit of this decision is to allow teams to compete with the use of an experienced goaltender.  It is not intended for a team to make itself more competitive.  This rule should only be invoked due to legitimate reasons and not to improve your team.  The requested goaltender should not be the other team's #1 player, if others are available.

6.      Establishment of Team Parameters

The GHRA Board of Directors shall establish parameters for individual teams for the upcoming season no later than the September 24, 2008.  Such parameters will be established pursuant to the guidelines set forth herein.

7.      Exceptions

Any deviations from the standards set forth herein shall be at the determination of the GHRA Board of Directors.  Persons or teams seeking such deviations shall submit, in writing, via e-mail, a request for an exemption to a member of the GHRA Board of Directors [Doug Russell at druss22@msn.com] No Later than September 17, 2008.  In this request please provide all the necessary details as to why you are seeking this exception to the Rules and Procedures set forth herein.  The GHRA Board of Directors shall make a final determination of all such applications no later than September 24, 2008.
 

8.      Proof of Eligibility – Completed Registration Packages

As part of the On-Line Registration package, an official GHRA Roster must be submitted with the attending school information completed, no later than September 19, 2008.   Each team must submit their completed On-Line registrations by the September 19, 2008 deadline.  Any team that has not completed and turned in the entire registration package On-Line, with associated payment by September 19, 2008 [to include $200.00 late fee from September 20 through September 24, 2008], will not be eligible to participate for the upcoming season.  If a question arises regarding eligibility, the GHRA Board may require a copy of a student ID. 

IV.             Roster Additions / Changes 

1.      Prior to the Start of Season

Students, who change schools prior to the start of the season, must play for the team representing the school that the student has transferred to, unless the new school does not have a team.

If the student’s new school does not have a team, see Criteria 3 under “Player Eligibility Parameters”.

2.      After the Start of the Season

Students changing schools within the GHRA member teams, after the start of the season shall be able to complete the current season with the team representing the school that such player started the season with.  However, the following season such players must try out for the team representing the school they are attending.  If the student’s new school does not have a team, see Criteria 3 under “Player Eligibility Parameters”

Students transferring into a school after the season starts may be added to the team’s roster, providing there is an eligible roster spot open.

3.   Roster Deadline

All rosters for the upcoming GHRA season must be submitted to the GHRA Board of Directors On-Line by September 19, 2008.  No player may be added to a team’s roster after September 28, 2008 without approval by the GHRA Board of Directors. 

4.   Rosters

 Current Rosters are considered final and closed by the League Season’s September 28, 2008, deadline.  Player’s may only appear on one team roster.  School’s having more than one team may not carry any individual player on multiple rosters.  Teams may submit in writing a request to add a student transferring in to a school, or school attendance district [under criteria 2, 3, or 4], provided there is a roster vacancy [see maximum roster guidelines].  The Board of Directors will respond to such requests within 15 days of receipt.  Should a player be injured and will miss a large portion of the season, you may submit an exception request to the Board for consideration to add another player.  The Board will rule on this request with 10 days of submission.

 

           

 

5.   Player Movement - Lower Level to Upper Level Teams from the Same School

 Each GHRA team may make a permanent player shift, of a maximum of 2 players, upwards only once per year effective January 15 of that season. No player maybe moved to a lower division team. (Effective the 2007-2008 GHRA Season)

           

 

V.                LEAGUE SCHEDULE – GENERAL

 

1.      Organization of Teams by Conferences and/or Divisions

 

Organization of Member Teams into conferences and/or divisions shall be at the discretion of the GHRA Board of Directors.  Teams will be placed into divisions based on anticipated skill level.  Teams will be allowed to submit information relevant to the teams expected skill level at the time a roster is submitted.  No appeal will be considered once the Board of Directors has made its decision.

The number of divisions and the number of teams assigned to each division will be decided based on the number of teams registered.  The goal is to produce a balanced, competitive schedule.

No school shall have two or more teams placed in the same division without the Board’s approval.

 

 

VI.             LEAGUE GAMES

 

1.      General

The rules and regulations set forth in this section shall be applicable to all League games, including Regular Season Games and Playoff Games.

 

 

2.      Seven Goal Rule

If at any time during a League Game, the score differential reaches seven (7) goals, the game clock shall be operated using a running time format until such time as the differential is reduced below seven.

3.      Jerseys & Hockey Pants

All League Teams shall have two sets of jerseys – one white or light-colored and one dark. 

The designated home team shall wear dark jerseys.

     All hockey pants must not have holes in them allowing pads underneath to be exposed or sticking out.

4.      Protective Equipment

All players on Member Teams for all on-rink League practices and games must wear all protective equipment required by AAU InLine Rules, including mouthpieces.

 

VII.          REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

 

1.      General

The number of Member Teams, number of League Games each team plays, times of games, length of season and other elements of the League Schedule shall be determined at the discretion of the GHRA Board of Directors.

No Regular Season Game shall be scheduled prior to November 1, or later than May 15, during any League Year.

Each Member Team shall be scheduled to play the same number of Regular Season Games each Season.

2.      Regular Season Game Format

All Regular Season Games shall be limited to three periods of not less than ten (10) minutes, utilizing the stopped clock concept.  If, at the end of regulation time the score is tied, there will be one 5 minute, run-clock, sudden death, overtime period.  The first team to score will be declared the winner, thus ending the game and receiving 2 points for the win.  The losing team is awarded 0 points.  If, at the end of the 5 minute OT period the score remains tied, each team will receive 1 point in the standings.

There will be NO timeouts during the OT period.

 

 

 

 

3.      League Standings – Regular Season 

League standings shall be determined by awarding two (2) points for a victory, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. 

In the case of a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season, the following guidelines shall be followed:

a)      Tie between two teams:

1)      Team with greatest number of wins in all division games

2)      Head-to-head record between the two teams

3)      Fewest goals allowed in head-to-head games

4)      Fewest penalty minutes in all division games

5)      Coin toss 

b)     Tie among three or more teams:

6)      Team with greatest number of wins in all division games.

7)      Fewest goals allowed in games among tied teams.

8)      Fewest penalty minutes in all division games.

9)      Coin toss.

 

Only those division games that count in the League standings will be used for tie breaking purposes. 

 

VIII.       LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

 

1.   Playoff format

The League playoff format is affected by numerous factors including the number of Member Teams.  Therefore, the playoff format may change from time to time and shall be determined by the GHRA Board of Directors prior to each League Year. 

 

 

2.   Playoff game format 

All Playoff Games shall consist of three periods of not less than ten (10) minutes utilizing the stopped clock concept.  

Overtime shall be utilized to determine the outcome of Playoff Games in the following manner:

 (a)    All Playoff Games, including the Championship Game, tied at the end of regulation time shall play one (1) five-minute stop-time overtime period.  If the game remains tied at the end of such overtime, a second five-minute stop-time overtime period shall be played.  If the game still remains tied, a shoot-out, as described below, will be utilized to determine the winner.

(b)   There are NO timeouts for the overtime format.

3.   Shoot-Out Format

(a)    Each coach will pick four (4) players to participate.  Each of those four players will shoot on the opposing goalie in penalty shot fashion.  The Home team coach will elect whether he wants his team to shoot first or second.  Once that is determined, the teams will alternate shooters until four from each team has gone.  The team scoring the most goals out of the four shooters is the winner. 

(b)   If an equal number of the four shooters from each team score, each coach will select a fifth shooter (who was not among the original four).  The teams will continue to alternate shooters in the order established pursuant to (a) above until one-shooter scores and the other does not.  Each team will continue selecting shooters who have not yet shot, until all players dressed for that team for that game have shot. 

(c)    In the event the shoot-out remains tied after all players dressed for one team have participated, the alternating shooter format described in (b) above will continue; however, each team will have its players shoot again, in the same order they originally shot.

4.    Playoff Eligibility

A properly rostered player must participate in at least 8 of his/her team’s regular season games to be eligible to participate in that team’s post season play.

IX.             PENALTIES/MISCONDUCTS

1.      General

The rules and regulations set forth in this section shall be applicable to all League games, including regular season and playoff games. 

Any player or Coach suspended pursuant to this section must serve the suspension during League play.  If a player is suspended pursuant to a Match Penalty or Gross Misconduct, the suspended player cannot participate in any AAU/USARS activities during such suspension.

 

 

 

2.      Official Rules of InLine Hockey 

Official Rules of InLine Hockey (USARS Rules), as applicable to the High School division, in conjunction with GHRA League playing rules as set forth herein, shall be used in all League games.  GHRA rules override USARS Rules if there is a conflict. 

Note:  Any player receiving a game suspension for a 3^rd time within a “League Season” for any reason will no longer be permitted to participate in GHRA for the remainder of that “League Season”.  The GHRA Board of Directors shall review the case for the following “League Season” to determine player status.  [A game misconduct resulting in a 3 game suspension would count as a single event for this rule].

 

 

3.      Game Misconduct 

Any player receiving a “Game Misconduct” penalty shall be suspended for the balance of the game in progress, plus an additional game suspension for the next scheduled game, unless the penalty is for Fighting or Intent to Injure, which is covered in Rules #4 & 5 below. 

4.   Fisticuffs 

Any player who receives a major penalty for Fisticuffs (Fighting) (USARS Rule 50) shall be assessed the following: 

If player does not make contact with a thrown punch:

 

First Offense: A Five (5) minute major penalty, a game misconduct and a THREE (3) game suspension.

 

Or

 

If player does make contact with a thrown punch:

 

First Offense:  A Five (5) minute major penalty, a game misconduct and a FIVE (5) game suspension.

 

Second Offense (same League Year):  A five (5) minute major penalty, a game misconduct and suspension for the remainder of the season, including playoffs. 

Any player who receives a penalty for being the third man into an altercation (USARS Rule 50(d)) shall be assessed a two (2) game suspension in addition to any other penalties assessed pursuant to this section (i.e. Fighting). 

Any player who receives a penalty for leaving the bench to participate in an altercation (USARS Rule 61(a) shall be assessed a three (3) game suspension in addition to any other penalties assessed pursuant to this section (i.e. Fighting).

 

 

 

Included with the above mentioned disciplinary actions: 

1] A second [2] fighting offense for the same team (same or different player), during the same season, will result in that team forfeiting their next scheduled game, after an automatic appeal has been processed within 96 hours. 

2] A third [3] fighting offense for the same team (same or different player), during the same season, will result in that team forfeiting their next three scheduled games (including playoffs, if applicable), after an automatic appeal has been processed within 96 hours. 

3] A fourth [4] fighting offense for the same team (same or different player), during the same season, will result in that team forfeiting the remainder of the season (including playoffs), after an automatic appeal has been processed within 96 hours.  This team will also be subject to a Board of Directors review before admittance to GHRA for the following season. 

 

5.    Team Officials

At least one individual, age 18 or older [registered with AAU as a coach], shall be in each Member Team’s Player’s Bench area at all times during League Games.

No more than four (4) individuals [registered with AAU as a coach, and must be a minimum of 18 years of age], other than players, shall be in a Member Team Player’s Bench area during League games.

 

No parents, friends, relatives or other individuals who are not a Player or Team Official [Penalty box monitors are considered Team Officials] shall enter the Player’s Bench area, Penalty Box area, Scorekeepers’ area or attempt to enter any of these areas or the rink surface during a League Game.

Any Member Team violating the rules set forth in this section shall be assessed the following:

§         First Offense:  A two (2) minute minor penalty and the game shall be stopped until the offending individual is removed from the building.

§         Second Offense:  (same League Game):  The game shall be ended and declared a forfeit.

A violation of any rule set forth in this section shall be considered a first offense and any subsequent violation of any rule in this section shall be considered a second offense for the purposes hereof.  (It is not necessary that the violation be of the same type to declare the game a forfeit).

 

 

6.      Notification 

All game misconducts and suspensions (other than Match Penalties and Gross Misconducts) less than five games are automatic, non-appealable, according to USARS and League Rules.  No written notification is required by the Board.  An entry shall be made in Pointstreak noting the suspension in a reasonable time after the event.  It is the coach’s responsibility to verify his/her player has received a game misconduct with the referees immediately following the game.  If a player who receives a game misconduct [which carries a minimum one [1] additional game suspension] and attempts to, or plays in the next scheduled game; both the player and head coach will be subject to additional disciplinary action [see Section 9, sub-heading 9, Enforcement – Team Violations]. 

    7.      Serving Suspension 

A player suspended pursuant to this section (not including those players suspended for a specified number of days), shall be listed on the official score sheet and in Pointstreak as a Suspended Player for any game(s) for which such player is suspended.   

9.    Enforcement – Team Violations 

Any team using an ineligible player (one who does not satisfy the requirements set forth herein), shall forfeit any game(s) in which such player participates.  The official score of such game shall be 1-0 and all individual statistics shall be recorded as if there had not been a forfeit.  Further, both player and coach shall serve a two [2] game suspension, by the discretion of the Board of Directors, in addition to any previous suspension not yet completed. 

     10.  Amended rule: dated August, 2005

To All Coaches / Team Reps:

There was an incident during the "end of game" handshake at one of our playoff games in the 2004-2005 league season.  A senior on the losing team proceeded to "face rub" the opposing goaltender, then punched and knocked to the floor an opposing skater.  As the referees came in to break up the ensuing fight which developed with this same individual and another opposing player [both these players received major penalties, resulting in 5 game suspensions], the senior yelled obscenities to the crowd and told the referee"…you can't do anything to me, I'm a senior".  The result is the winning team loses a player for the rest of the playoffs, and the losing team seemingly walks away without any penalty.

 

As you can imagine, the Board has discussed this type of behavior in the past and now feel we must do something to discourage it from happening again.  We have to place the burden on the coaches and captains of each team to talk to their players before a game to let them know this is not acceptable behavior.  Further, the following rule has been adopted:

 

 

 

 

Amended rule, Section IX, # 10