Please check out this latest version of the IUF Unicycle Hockey rules. Rolf and
I have gone over some details, and I think it’s ready for inclusion in our
rulebook! As always, your comments are very welcome.
Begin actual rules from rulebook:
UNICYCLE HOCKEY INTERNATIONAL UNICYCLING FEDERATION OFFICIAL RULES For more
information, contact the Hockey Chairman of the IUF Skill Levels and Rules
Committee: Rolf Sander, 20 Sunfield Road North York Ontario, M3M 2V1 Canada
email: sander@turing.sci.yorku.ca After April 1997 his address will be: Rolf
Sander, E.-Klausener Strasse 6 40789 Monheim Germany Worldwide Web –
http://www.science.yorku.ca/cac/people/sander/uni/rules.html
PREFACE: Attention must be drawn to the safety of the players and spectators.
Thus, the safety rules have to be obeyed strictly and all equipment must be in
good condition. These rules cannot cover every situation. Teams have to agree on
a specific amount of elbow-room before playing. The different backgrounds of the
players and the conditions of the location have to be considered. Fairness of
everyone involved is vital.
-
PLAYING FIELD
2.1 DIMENSIONS: The field has a length of 35 to 45 meters and a breadth of
20 to 25 meters. It is surrounded by barriers. The corners are rounded
or beveled.
3.2 GOALS: The posts are 2.50 m in from the ends of the playing field (ground
lines), ensuring that the players can go behind them. The inside dimensions
of goal openings are 1.20 m high and 1.80 m wide. The goals must be made in
such a way that the ball cannot enter through the rear or sides. The goals
must not have sharp, pointed or protruding parts.
4.3 MARKINGS: The center line divides the field into two equal halves. There is
a mark in front of each goal at a distance of 6.50 m. The goal lines connect
the posts on the ground. The corner marks are on the extension of the goal
lines, 1 m in from each side line. The 6.50 m lines are parallel to the goal
lines and run through the 6.50 m marks. The goal areas are between the
5.50 m lines and the ends of the field.** diagram of playing field markings **
-
TEAMS
7.1 NUMBER OF PLAYERS: A team consists of 5 players (plus substitutes).
Substituting one player for another is possible at every interruption of the
game if indicated to the referee. Each player can be the goal keeper at any
time. The goal keeper has no special rights. To take part in a game, a team
must have at least 3 players. A player and his (or her) unicycle form a unit.
The stick of a player does not belong to this unit.
8.2 CLOTHING: All players of a team must wear tricots of the same color. The
color must be clearly different from the opponent’s color. At tournaments and
other large events each team should have two different colored sets of
tricots. Clothing suggestions for comfort and safety: Cycling shorts and
kneepads, or long pants Gloves Short shoe laces, or laces tucked in Helmet
and dental protection Definitely no jewelry (watches, necklaces, earrings) -
EQUIPMENT
10.1 UNICYCLES: For international competitions, the maximum wheel size is 24".
The unicycles must not have sharp or protruding parts anywhere which might
cause injuries. This refers especially to quick-release levers and bolts. The
pedals must be plastic or rubber.
11.2 STICKS: All sticks legal for playing ice-hockey (apart from those for the
goalkeeper) can be used. Cracked or splintered sticks must be taped or
repaired before play. An upper end made of rubber is recommended.
12.3 BALL: The type of ball used depends on the region. In some areas a “dead”
tennis ball that reaches 30 to 50 percent of its original height after
bouncing onto concrete is used. In other areas street hockey balls are used.
For international competitions, the choice is made by the hosting
organization if the opposing teams do not agree on which ball to use. The
chosen type of ball must be announced well in advance of the competition, and
must be obtainable in all participating countries. -
PENALTIES In every instance of a violation of the rules the referee must
penalize the offending team, unless the referee decides not to interrupt
the game (advantage). The referee must start the game after any
interruption.
14.1 FREE SHOT: The free shot is executed from the point where the violation was
done. Exception: If a team gets a free shot within the opponents’ goal area,
the free shot is done from the closest corner mark (corner shot). The free
shot is indirect. The player executing the free shot may only touch the ball
once. Then another player has to touch the ball. Opposing players must keep a
distance with their unicycles and their sticks of at least 2 m from the ball.
15.2 6.50 M: If legal playing would have led to a direct chance to score a goal,
a “6.50 m” is given. This includes fouls outside the goal area. The ball is
placed at the 6.50 m mark. A player of the defending team goes to the goal.
The other team chooses a player to shoot the 6.50 m. All other players must
leave the goal area. After the referee’s whistle the goal keeper must ride
the unicycle freely and not rest on the goal. The attacking player has 3
seconds to make one shot. If no goal is scored, play continues as soon as the
ball touches the post, the keeper touches the ball or the ball crosses the
extended goal line.
16.3 PENALTY BOX: The referee can send a player off the field for 2 minutes, 5
minutes or for the remainder of the game. This is done in the case of
unsportsmanlike behavior or intentional, dangerous disregard of the rules. -
COURSE OF THE GAME
18.1 DURATION OF THE GAME: It is recommended to play three 20 minute periods
with 10 minute breaks. Game times can be adapted to the type of event. The
teams change goals at each break. These times are absolute (i.e. they include
interruptions of the game), but the referee can extend the time in the event
of long interruptions.
19.2 SUDDEN DEATH: If the game ends in a draw and a decision is necessary, the
sudden death rule is applied. After a short interruption of the game, the
next goal determines the winner.
20.3 RIDING THE UNICYCLE: The player has to be riding the unicycle freely. He or
she may use the stick as support but must not rest on the goal or the wall or
something similar. A short support on the wall to avoid a dismount should be
tolerated by the referee. A player who is falling off the unicycle may take
part in the game until touching the ground. He or she must mount at the same
spot. A player who is off the unicycle must not be an obstacle for opponents.
The player is considered an obstacle if the player, the unicycle or stick is
hit by the ball and also if an opponent cannot move around freely.
21.4 CONTACT WITH THE BALL: The stick, the unicycle and the whole body can be
used to play the ball. It all counts as a contact. Players are not allowed to
play the ball with the body twice in a row. The ball may only be guided with
the stick but not with the body. For arms and hands see also section
21.1.
22.5 ALLOTMENT OF THE BALL: Each game period starts with a bully (face off) in
which the referee throws the ball onto the center mark. The game starts when
the ball touches the ground. For the bully, one player of each team must be
inside the central circle (central circle of a standard basketball court).
23.6 RESTART AFTER A GOAL: After a goal, the non-scoring team gets the ball. All
players must go to their own half. The game resumes as soon as the ball or a
player of the team in possession crosses the center line.
24.7 BALL OUT OF BOUNDS: If the ball leaves the field, the team opposite to
that of the player who last touched it gets a free shot or a corner shot,
depending where the ball went out. A free shot is done 1 m in from the
side line.
25.8 MOVING THE GOAL: If a player moves the goal, the game is interrupted and
the opposing team gets a free shot.
26.9 BALL IN SPOKES: If the ball gets stuck between the spokes of someone’s
unicycle, the opposing team gets a free shot. -
FOULS
28.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS: All players must take care not to endanger others.
The game is contactless, i.e. the opponents and their unicycles may not be
touched. You may touch an opponent’s stick to block him. However, this
contact may not be hard.
29.2 RIGHT OF WAY: To keep the game going, rule violations that do not influence
the course of the game should not be penalized. The following rules apply
when riders come into contact with each other: No player may endanger another
player by forcing him to give way (e. g. to push him toward the wall). A
player who is idling must be evaded. The leading of two players riding next
to each other may choose the direction of turns. If both are evenly side by
side, the one having the ball may choose the direction. If two players are
approaching each other directly or at an obtuse angle, the one with the ball
has the right of way. In all cases not mentioned above, it is up to the
referee to make a decision.
30.3 SUB (STICK UNDER BIKE): A player who holds his or her stick in a way that
someone else rides over or against it is committing a foul, regardless of
intention. According to the situation the player who was “subbed” is given
either a free shot or a 6.50 m.
31.4 SIB (STICK IN BIKE): If a stick gets into the spokes of an opponent, the
holder of the stick is committing a foul regardless of intention.
According to the situation the player who was “sibbed” is given a free
shot or a 6.50 m.
32.6 INTENTIONAL FOULS: Intentional fouls are considered to be unsportsmanlike
behavior. The respective player is sent off the field for at least 2 minutes. -
GOAL SHOTS Restrictions 7.1 and 7.2 are not valid if the ball is shot into
one’s own goal. After a disallowed goal the defending team gets the ball.
34.1 GOAL SHOT WITH ARMS OR HANDS: A goal is disallowed if scored with
arms or hands.
35.2 LONG SHOT: A goal is disallowed if the ball was shot from one’s own half
and wasn’t touched by anyone afterwards.
36.3 GOAL SHOT THROUGH THE NET: If the ball entered the goal through the net
from the side or the back, i.e. through a hole in the net, the goal is
disallowed and the opposing team gets a free shot. -
SAFETY RULES
38.1 THROWING STICKS: A player who intentionally drops or throws his or her
stick is sent off the field for at least 2 minutes. Also, the opposing team
gets a 6.50 m.
39.2 TOP OF THE STICK: The upper end of the stick must always be covered with
one hand to avoid injury to other players.
40.3 THE LOWER END OF THE STICK: The lower end of the stick must always be below
the players’ hips. Each player must take care not to hit an opponent with his
or her stick, especially after a shot.
41.4 INJURIES: The referee must suspend the game if an injury occurs.
Afterwards, a free shot is given to the team that was in possession of the
ball at the time of the interruption. -
NON-TOURNAMENT PLAY: The IUF Unicycle Hockey rules can be used for
non-tournament and informal play. When playing outside of tournament
conditions, it is not necessary to follow all rules to the letter.
43.1 GAME WITHOUT CLOCK: Other than in rule 5.2 the teams can play until one
scores its tenth goal. In the case of a 10:9 score, the game continues until
one team leads by two goals. Sides are changed when the leading team scores
its fifth goal. At the beginning of the second half the lower scoring team
gets the ball. Instead of a time penalty (rule 4.3) a penalized player has
to leave the field until 2 or 5 goals (including those scored by a 6.50 m)
are scored.
44.2 SUB WITHOUT REFEREE: A player, who was “subbed” (rule 6.3) or fouled in
another way, shouts immediately “SUB” or “foul”. If he/she does not say
anything or shouts immediately “advantage”, the game continues. Only the
fouled player may shout anything.
45.3 LARGER WHEELS: International play is limited to 24" wheels for safety. For
non-tournament games, wheel sizes can be set to mach the available unicycles.
