We use a ring and a straight stick
The ring is empty and made of rubber. The sticks are not recycled field hockey sticks. Many companies produce ringette sticks with tapered ends and steel, aluminum or plastic tips. They come in a variety of weights and flexibilities. The plastic-tipped stick is recommended for beginners.
5 vs 5, plus goalies
Teams generally consist of 11 to 17 players, six of whom are on the ice at any one time: a goalkeeper, two defensemen, a center and two forwards.
The goalie's zone is protected
Si l’anneau s’immobilise sur le périmètre de cette zone ou à l’intérieur de celle-ci, la seule joueuse qui a le droit de le toucher est la gardienne de but. En général, la gardienne de but ramasse l’anneau et le lance à une coéquipière. La gardienne de but dispose de cinq secondes pour faire sortir l’anneau de sa zone.
Compulsory pass at every blue line (no offside)
Players may not carry the ring across a blue line in either direction. To carry the ring across the blue line, the player must make a pass to a teammate. The latter is entitled to skate in front of the ring bearer, and to be beyond the blue line before the ring crosses it.
3 vs 3 in offensive zones *from Novice level
Vous remarquerez que des lignes de jeu libre en haut des cercles (« Free Play Line ») sont tracées sur la patinoire. Entre cette ligne et l’extrémité de la patinoire, le jeu se joue à 3 contre 3. Les joueuses peuvent permuter en entrant et sortant des zones de jeu libre, ce qui produit beaucoup de mouvement et engendre de la créativité.
Please note: The Lac St-Louis Ringette Association is the only league in Quebec to apply this rule at the Novice level. Ringuette Québec applies this rule only at the Atom level. In tournament play, Ringuette Québec rules apply.
30 seconds to shoot *from Atom level
Once a team has taken possession of the ring, it has 30 seconds to make a shot. If this time expires, a siren sounds and the other team gets posession of the ring.
We wear protective gear
Players must wear neck protectors, elbow and knee pads, shin guards, as well as hip and tailbone protection. Helmets with full face protectors must be worn. These face protectors must be fitted with triangular and horizontal bars to prevent the stick from penetrating them.
Intentional checking prohibited
When it comes to physical contact, ringette advocates no body contact. Players who cause excessive body contact with another player, hit too high on the opponent's stick, trip, hit or cause obstruction are penalized.