leaguerules.gif (3964 bytes)

NCAA Rules

The National Field Hockey League is now adopting the NCAA Rules as our foundation rules in hopes of providing consistency during regulation and tournament league games. An entire list can be found on the United States Field Hockey Association Official Website. However, the following are rules specific to the NFHL and must be maintained by all members of the league. Please recognize these rules and note them to officials as per each regulation league game:

NFHL Rules

Eligibility for Playoffs and Final Four Tournament:

        a. Ranking within each division is based on the following:

 

                                   I.     First place goes to the team with the highest winning percentage.  Winning Percentage is derived by taking the total number of points and dividing that by the total number of games played.  Points are assigned as follows.

                                                                                            2 Points for a Win

                                                                                            1 Point for a Tie

                                                                                            0 Points for a Loss


        b. The first two teams in each division will advance to Playoff Tournament weekend.

 

        c. The remaining two spots are given to the two highest ranked teams (regardless of division), after the number one and number two teams have been selected.

 

        d. If there is a tie between teams in regards to their game percentage, then the following is applied until the tie is broken:

 

I.      Average Goals Scored for the season – total number of goals scored divided by number of games played

II.     Average Goals Allowed for the season – total number of goal allowed divided by number of games played

III.   Head to Head – the two teams who are in a tie will have their games viewed for the season. Whichever team has the highest number of points in that outcome wins. For example, if Team A beats Team B during the season, in the event of a tie between Team A and Team B, Team A would advance.

IV.   If there is still a tie after the first three tests, then who advances will be determined by a play-off game. 

All-Star Game:

     The All-Star Game is held on the 1st day of Final Four Competition and is used to honor those players who have excelled throughout the season.  To be eligible to send players to an All-Star Game, teams must have:

  • Paid their Annual Dues
  • Keep track of the number of votes players on their teams have received (each team is supposed to nominate the two best players from the other team after the end of each game)
  • Reported their top two players (the positions that they played) to the league at the end of regular season play
  • Notified the top two players of their nomination to the All-Star Team
  • Verify that the players can participate in the All-Star game.

       All participants in the All  Star Game receive a free t-shirt and can participate in the league reception held directly after the All-Star game.  Players receiving the top votes throughout the league will also receive a plaque for league MVP by position (offense, mid-field and defense). 

Players and Uniforms:

  • Start each game with immediate players (there must be a minimum amount of nine players, including the goalie, to be considered a regulation game). If there are men on the team, only two men on each team will be permitted on the field at any given time (with exception to the goalie). Thus, there can potentially be three men on the field during a regulation game providing the third male is the goalie.
  • If a team is missing players (due to late attendance, etc.) begin play with immediate players. However, the team with a full roster is allowed a one player advantage against the other team.
  • CONDUCT RULE: Players must treat all other players on the field with the utmost respect and dignity. Players are also expected to compose themselves maturely and have sportsman-like conduct on the field at all times. Anyone who fails to abide by the conduct rule will face the consequences stipulated under NCAA Rules.
  • TEAM CONDUCT RULE: At least one representative from each team MUST attend the mandatory league meetings. Failure to comply with the rules of the league will result in the following:
  1. Probation until notified by league coordinators
  2. Suspension for one full season (occurs during the season, suspended for remainder of the season)
  3. Team will be reinstated only by majority votes by co-coordinators and other team representatives

Game Structure:

  • Fall Season - 30 minute halves with 10 minute half times
  • Spring Season - 25 minute halves with 5 minute half times (SPRING TOURNAMENTS)
  • Substitutions - unlimited and rolling substitutions (except during overtime)

Scoring:                

  • Scoring rules are determined by NCAA rules.  It is highly recommended that a copy of these rules by kept on you at all times.

Seven A Side:

  • There should only be at most 2 males players at all times (1 goalie, 1 field  player)

League Dues:

  • Registration Fee
  1. Annually
  2. Total amount: $130.00 (includes fields and officials for FINAL FOUR weekend, the T-shirts for All-star)
  3. Dues for the Spring Tournament are dependant upon the hosting club team and varies per season

Cancellation/Rain Dates:

  • Cancellations must be made 72 hours before the date of the game
  • Failure to cancel within 72 hours results in the a forfeit/loss and full reimbursement for the opposing teams: field time, official fees, and travel time (if applicable)
  • In the event of rain or bad weather, games must be cancelled no less than three hours prior to game time