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SBHL Rules

The SBHL is officiated under the CBHA rulebook. In addition, the SBHL has placed additional rules/procedures in place that are outlined in the downloadable manual. Please ensure your managers/teams/players are aware of all procedures in place.

Please see below for some quick rule references - please note this is not all encompassing. Please see manual for full details.

For any questions please reach out to Tyler Dea here.

ball hockey quick rules

  • Floating Blue Line
  • Game Ejection - Any 3 penalties result in removal from the game
  • YOUTH - Mandatory use of shin pads

sbhl specific rules 2026/27

  • YOUTH - High sticking the ball remains a 2-minute penalty
  • CO-ED - 2 of each gender must be on the floor at all times (exceptions exist)
  • CO-ED - No Slapshots allowed. This is governed by a "hip-height" max wind-up
  • Adult *NEW 2026*  - Teams can choose faceoff location in end zone following an icing or at the start of a powerplay
  • Adult *NEW 2026*  - No Change Icing
  • Adult Men's *NEW 2026* - Hybrid Icing

2026/27 Rule changes

Penalties

  • Slashing, High-Sticking and Cross-Checking are now 2-minute penalties.
  • High-Sticking has the option for a double-minor (2+2) if accidental injury occurs (e.g., blood).
  • All other previous 4-minute penalites are now double-minor (2+2) penalties and do NOT have to be served as a misconduct as in previous years. Should a goal be scored in the first 2 minutes the penalty would be reduced to 2 minutes and the player would then come out on a goal or at the end of their penalty.​​​​​​​

Faceoffs

  • All stoppages due to ball out of play, ball becoming unplayable, etc., in the end zone will result in the faceoff remaining in the end zone regardless of which team caused the stoppage. This also applies to stoppages in the neutral zone while the zone is set; the faceoff will occur outside the blue line but will the zone will remain set regardless of who caused the stoppage. (Exceptions apply such as offensive hand-pass).
  • In our Adult divisions teams will have the option to select which end-zone faceoff dot they would like to have the faceoff at following icing's and at the start of powerplays. This must be done in a timely manner and should undue delay occur the referee shall pick a side.


Icing

  • In our Adult divisions no change icing will be in effect.
  • In our Adult Men's divisions hybrid icing will be in effect.

u5/u7 General guidelines

Please find general guidelines for the U5 and U7 divisions linked below. Each SBHL location has discretion to adjust these guidelines as necessary to meet the needs of their specific teams and players.

In addition, some locations will utilize refs in both U5 and U7, some just in U7 and some in none.

Coaches, please consider reviewing this document with your opposing coaches and referees at the start of the season.

U5/U7 Guidelines

SBHL Game Procedures Manual

In effect for the 2026-2027 season.