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Red Deer Roller Hockey Association is a community recreation / sport program

with proud membership in Hockey Alberta Inline (HAIL)

and the National Inline Hockey Association (NIHA)

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Red Deer Roller Hockey

Membership & Coaches Manual

www.reddeerinline.ca reddeerinline@shaw.ca

Box 30068 Red Deer, Alberta

T4N 1H7

2011 J 22

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Red Deer ROLLER Hockey Association EXECUTIVE 2010—2011

President—DOUG Swanson Vice-President—VACANT Secretary—KIM Bargery Treasurer—SHELLEY Knash Registrar– NAN Shybunka Elite (Snipers) Coordinator—BRAD Shybunka League Scheduler—JOANNE Mahura Referee Coordinator– VACANT Director—DAVE Prescott Director—KORY McCool Equipment Manager—COREY Lightbown Sponsorship Coordinator—KEN Frame Battle on Wheels Chairperson—JEN Frame COORDINATORS U6 Coordinator U8 Coordinator U10 Coordinator U12 Coordinator U14 Coordinator U16 Coordinator Roller Sledge Coordinator

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RDRHA Coaches’ CREDO

1. I will teach my athletes to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and opponents.

2. I will ensure all players receive equal instruc-tion, support and playing time.

3. I will NOT ridicule or yell at my players. I will instill FUN in their commitment to competi-tion and challenge. I will activate my players.

4. I will ensure the equipment and facility are safe for the athletes.

5. I will remember that participants need a coach they respect.

6. I will be an encourager and I will support through positive correction, showing the ath-lete how doing something differently will help him play better and support the team’s efforts.

7. I will work in cooperation with officials for the benefit of the game and the athletes.

8. I will be a teacher who teaches life skills through Roller Hockey and helps all athletes develop social, emotional and psychological skills.

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Table of Contents Red Deer Roller Hockey Association (RDRHA)

RDRHA Executive and Contact Information RDRHA — Vision and Mission 4 Executive Message 5 Canada’s Sport 4 Life Model (CS4L) 6 Gunners (Recreational) League Guidelines 9 U6 U8 U10 U12 U14 U16 Inline Sledge Adult League / Drop In Snipers (Elite) League Guidelines 12 U10 U12 U14 U16 Inline Sledge Adult League** Important Rules 13 Equipment 14 Coaching Guidelines 15 Coaching 16 Roles / Skills 17 Warm –up, Dressing Room, Time Keepers, Referees 18 Inline Strategy 19 Power Play and Penalty Kill 20 Coaching Certification / Coaching Resources 22 Coaches’ Credo 23

RDRHA greatly appreciates the immense support and generosity of Derek Martin through his assurance we could borrow heavily

from his Medicine Hat Inline Manual.

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Values FIT

FAST FOCUSED

FUN for the whole FAMILY

VISION

FUN through competition. Athletes will enjoy and celebrate their inline experience.

MISSION

Through CS4L principles (long term athlete development)

support athletes through educational coaching in recreational and competitive programs.

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4-on-2 Penalty Kill When playing a 4-2 penalty kill the most effective strategy is to have each player play a side of the slot. You do not want aggressive play on this penalty kills but you do want sticks / bodies in lanes as much as possible with steering and pressure keeping the puck to the outside. Coaching Certification Coaching level one—NIHA RDRHA is committed to providing a FUN and competitive program in a safe environment. For that reason we are ask-ing coaches to complete the on-line coaching program through NIHA. If you have been coaching in RDRHA we encourage you to complete the online course but it is NOT required. If you are coaching in RDRHA for the first time, you are required to complete the course before your tenure as a coach begins. Respect in Sport All coaches are required to complete the Respect in Sport program. This program is on the Hockey Alberta Website (HAIL). Coaching Resources Hockey Alberta Inline—www.hockey-alberta.ca National Inline Hockey Association—www.niha.ca USA Hockey Inline—www.usahockeyinline.com North American Roller Hockey Championships (NarcH) - www.narch.com Inline Hockey Central—www.inlinehockeycentral.com Inline Hockey Network—www.inlinehockey.net Coaching Association of Canada– www.coach.ca Hockey Coach.com—www.hockeycoach.com Winning Without Winning—www.winningwithoutwinning.com

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Isolate Power Play This is a more complex strategy. It is most useful with a ma-ture and skilled team. Two players, usually forwards, set up with puck possession in one of the offensive zone corners. The third player sets up at the point, the same side as the of-fensive players in the corner. The fourth player sets up in the slot area. It is called isolate because the goal is to move the puck past the isolated defending player in the corner to the front of the net. By using ―give-and-gos‖ or ―walkouts‖ from the corner , the power play unit is designed to create a pass from the strong side to the offensive player in the slot for a shot on net. Patience, communication and effective passes are key to the success of this power play format. Penalty Kill There are three basic penalty kill formations. Triangle Penalty Kill The is the most basic penalty kill formation. Usually there is one forward and two defensemen. The forward covers the high slot and the two defensemen cover each side of the net. There are two options: the aggressive triangle and the tight triangle. In the aggressive triangle the penalty killer aggres-sively try to gain possession of the puck while in the tight triangle the penalty killers allow shots around the perimeter of the triangle but NOTHING from inside the triangle. Inverted Triangle Penalty Kill This penalty kill is played with two forwards and one defenseman. The players will set up with each forward cov-ering a side of the high slot and one defensemen playing on the same side of the net as the puck. This power play is pri-marily set up when the power play of the opponent is de-signed to create lots of shots from the point.

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Executive Message Red Deer Roller Hockey Association (RDRHA) has success-fully brought a fun, energetic, exciting program to Red Deer for ten (10) years. Fun through competition, has enabled Central Alberta male and female athletes to successfully compete in our recreational GUNNERS program and our competitive SNIPERS program. With the advent of long term athlete development across Canada and the National movement to Roller Hockey from Inline Hockey the Program / Coaches Manual has been de-veloped to provide parents, families, members and coaches with an overview of the vision / mission of RDRHA; to ori-ent members to Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model (now called Canada’s Sport 4 Life Program (CS4L); and to inform members of the design of our leagues: league format, basic rules of inline hockey, coaching expectations in each age group, along with coaching guidelines. RDRHA has been invited to pilot the development of a CS4L program model for inline hockey in 2011 and to continue to promote and grow the Roller Sledge Program which is the first of its kind in Canada. Red Deer Roller Hockey Association is volunteer driven. Coaches, managers, coordinators, executive members and family members work together to bring a high quality pro-gram that develops love of the sport, the development of athleticism in our players and camaraderie in a friendly com-petitive environment. 2011 Red Deer Roller Hockey Executive

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CS4L—Canada’s Sport For Life Model (Long Term Athlete Development)

Overview Canada’s sport for life model was designed to promote the ―lifelong‖ development of Canadians. Canadian Sport 4 Life is the template for Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) in Canada. CS4L is a seven- tiered model (listed below). Canadian Sport 4 Life

Levels 1-3 The first three levels emphasize activities to develop balance, reac-tion time, agility, coordination, explosive power and speed. There is also a clear indication that up to the age of twelve athlete should be engaged in multi-sport experiences...four different sports over 3 month durations or three different sports over four month durations. RDRHA is proud to support multi-sport ex-periences for its athletes. Support is not offered to year round training for younger athletes in one sport.

CS4L Level Title M F

Level 1 Active Start 0-6 0-6

Level 2 FUNdamentals 6-9 6-8

Level 3 Learning to Train

9-12 8-11

Level4 Training to Train

12-16 12-15

Level 5 Training to Compete

16-23 15-21

Level 6 Training to WIN

Level 7 Active for Life

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Defensive Strategy There are two basic strategies: man-on-man and zone. In man-on-man each defending player ―identifies‖ an oppo-nent who he/ she will ―cover‖. In zone each defensive player is responsible for ―covering‖ a zone (space) or quad-rant. It is a defensive coverage which requires ―patience‖. Power Play and Penalty Kill Power Play Inline Hockey is fast and furious, being played 4-on-4. This leads to plenty of scoring. Power plays are 4-on-3, 4-on-2 and 3-on-2. While not a power play, the court opens considerably on the occasions we have 2-on-2. There are three basic power play strategies. Box Power Play This is a very basic power play format. The offensive team sets up with one player in each corner and two players at the point. When facing an aggressive penalty kill it is best to set up the power play from deep in the offensive corners. For a passive penalty kill it is best to set up the power play from the point. Diamond Power Play This is a more challenging power play. One player is set up at the point. Two players on opposite sides are set up along the boards. The fourth player is set up either in front of the net or below the goal line. The set up is dependent to some extent on how the opposition has set up its penalty kill. This power play is FLEXIBLE. The power play can set up deep in the offensive zone, high at the point or in a zone along the boards. When the team on the penalty kill is set up in a triangle defense the diamond formation al-lows for more passing to create clear shots on net.

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Inline Strategy Inline Hockey has three basic positions: forwards, defense-men and rovers. Forwards are primarily offensive players; defensemen are primarily defensive players; rovers are tasked with jumping into the offense and rushing back to join the defense. 2-2 formation Most common strategy—2 defensemen and 2 forwards. Generally used with younger players as an introduction to the game. 3-1 formation This is a more aggressive strategy comprised of three for-wards and one defenseman. This is an effective formation for ―pushing to score‖. Teams that primarily use the 3-1 for-mation must be strong skating, hard on the back check and good scoring forwards. This is complimented well when there are 2 or 3 good passing defensemen. In the 3-1 for-mation there are two crucial keys: forwards must always back check hard and defensemen must protect the middle lane/slot in odd numbered rushes which inevitably occur with this formation. 1-2-1 formation This is a less aggressive formation than 3-1. With one for-ward, 1 defenseman and two rovers there is lots of flow in rovers joining the offense and scrambling back to support on defense. One rover is always ready to join the attack and one rover ready to transition to defense quickly. 1-3 formation This is the most passive (defensive) formation. There is one forward and three defensemen. This formation can be ef-fective in protecting a lead. Positional play is key to keep the opponent on the perimeter. This formation can also be effective in ―breaking‖ the forward free on a breakaway pass.

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Levels 4 and 5 Training to train and training to compete are levels 4 and 5 and the first levels in which specialization of athletes to any degree should occur. Level Six Training to win the level at which athletes are engaged in his / her sport as a profession in which they are making a living. Level 7 Level seven completes the spectrum of active living Canadi-ans. Interestingly 99.99% of Canadians arrive at level seven without ever attaining level six. About .01% of all athletes achieve Level 6.

CS4L—Canada’s Sport For Life Model (Long Term Athlete Development)

The basic premise is that the Canadian Sport 4 Life model should meet the needs of two groups: the vast majority of us who become Level 7 athletes (Active for Life) and those few who become Level 6 athletes (professional athletes). They are not two mutually exclusive groups; they are both groups of citizens who choose to embrace sport / athletic experi-ence AND require the same foundations of growth and de-velopment before diverging onto their respective paths.

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Roller Hockey is first of all, already CS4L friendly. Fun Fundamentals of movement The sport INVITES creativity Competitive activity No records, no standings, no stats It is all about movement It is one QUADRANT of the sport year ( 3months/year) It is friendly Rationale for building LONG TERM ATHLETE Development in our Roller hockey Program Every Kid Needs B.R.A.C.E.S. In RDRHA the U6 / U8 members can be challenged through a focus on FUNdamentals. These groups are to have fun, be excited, be enthused, and be energized in acquiring the FUNDAMENTAL skills of movement, NOT THE FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS of SPORTS. Through ACTIVITIES, not practices, the children will acquire better balance, more agility, greater speed, more strength and power and increasingly better responses to changing ―event / environment‖ conditions (reaction time) in their sporting activities. The objective of FUNdamental programming is to design and develop B.R.A.C.E.S. – Balance, Reaction Time, Agility, Explosive Power and SPEED!

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Integration Ensuring that the coach’s philosophy, the organizational philosophy and the team culture are compatible is important to a successful team, program, league and organization. ALL coaches leave a lasting impression. It is RDRHA’s desire that our coaches through their commitment and actions es-tablish a legacy of fond memories through Roller Hockey! Pre-Game Warm-up A good warm-up readies the athlete to play. An effective warm-up can also continue to develop skill. A typical 5 minute warm-up is as follows: Two laps of your end of the rink. Stretching Horseshoe drill with no slap shots and no deking to warm-up the goaltender—alternating sides Referees Most referees are one age division (or more) older than the league they are officiating. They have completed their course and they are committed to letting the players decide the game. They will officiate far more effectively when sup-ported by players, coaches and fans. Timekeepers / Scorekeepers It is required that each team provide one person to either run the clock or fill out the score sheet. Many parents enjoy watching the action from the timekeepers box. Support is available for parents / guardians to quickly become profi-cient.

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Coaches are directly involved with the players, parents and referees. Coaches have numerous roles which demand numerous skills. Coaches know all to well that success comes from commit-ment to the growth of each player and will require invest-ment (time) in being effective. Roles Mentoring of athletes dreams Guiding the athletes development Leading athletes in making effective life choices Teaching sport skills Life skills coach—teaching life skills such as managing adver-sity, dealing with distractions and coping with setbacks and successes Skills Communication Communication is vital, yet the most difficult task we face on a daily basis. It requires knowing what to say, having a reason to say it and saying it in a way that is respectful of everyone. Organization Ensuring that the team is well prepared, that the phone calls get done, that the rosters are available, that changes in schedules are clarified for everyone, getting transportation booked, booking hotels are only some of the huge organ-izational needs. While they are not all done by the coach, the coach is the hub which spins the organizational team.

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CS4L—Canada’s Sport For Life Model (Long Term Athlete Development)

The values of CS4L 1. 99.99 % of all athletes become lifelong sport enthusiasts and

active for life citizens who ―move‖ well, and not professional athletes. The focus of sport in the early years (0 to 12-14) is on developing movement and fitness proficiencies that are participant friendly while challenging.

2. Children and adolescents develop ―better‖ and more ―fully‖ through multi-sport years—four sports of three months duration or three sports of four month duration (Talent Code , Outliers, Talent is Overrated).

3. Movement proficiencies are: B.R.A.C.E.S.—Balance, Reac-tion Time, Agility, Coordination, Explosive Power and Speed.

4. Fitness proficiencies are F.E.S.C.—Flexibility, muscular en-durance, muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness.

5. Development (Jean Piaget, 1952) is best when it is active, experiential and exploratory.

6. The end point of all programming (what adults do) is NOT the target programming for youth. The target for develop-ing athletes (0-14 years) is DEVELOPMENTAL Goals in F.E.S.C. and B.R.A.C.E.S.

7. Programming when effective is designed to ensure a partici-pant / environment match. CS4L is designed to ensure the match takes place. Very deliberate adaptations and accom-modations are made to ensure the participant’s develop-ment is optimized. Programs are terraced and scaffolded while remaining challenging.

8. Development can and does occur through competitive ac-tivities...just not through children playing adult games, with adult rules on adult sized surfaces.

9. Development through competitive, engaging and fun ac-tivities is the guiding principle.

10. CS4L more fully develops all citizens / participants.

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Leagues RDRHA provides inline opportunities for recreational ath-letes in our Gunners’ Program and elite athletes through our Snipers’ Program.

2011 Age Groups

GUNNERS Team rosters for the Gunners Program are created at the conclusion of the pre-season evaluations. Every effort is made to create balanced teams that can be competitive throughout the season. The process also provides our or-ganization with the opportunity to make player adjustments to ensure imbalances, should they arise, are corrected to en-hance the experience for all involved. Gunners compete in regularly scheduled games twice weekly throughout the sea-son. All players in Gunners and Snipers programs MUST be regis-tered with RDRHA to ensure our insurance program remains valid.

GUNNERS (Recreational) Guidelines RDRHA does NOT keep standings or individual player re-cords. Game sheets are retained for reference regarding in-fractions, referee reports and insurance validations. Through the game sheets, attendance is kept to ensure Sniper players participate in 70% of house league games in their respective age divisions.

U6 2004 Dynamite

U8 2002-2003 Novice

U10 2000-2001 Atom

U12 1998-1999 Pee Wee

U14 1996-1997 Bantam

U16 1994-1995 MIdget

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Coaching Start of the Season Player Evaluations Division Team Drafts Start of League Play Inline hockey is first and foremost fun. Fit, fast and focused athletes enjoy the many challenges (FUN) of Roller Hockey. We ask that all RDRHA members and member families strive to create FUN through competition: the philosophy of Red Deer Inline Hockey. Volunteer coaches are required for all teams in every division each year. RECORD CHECKS must be completed by all coaches. We will accept other criminal record checks if given permission from the coach to contact another sport association. Individuals wishing to coach in the Gunners Program are asked to contact the age division coordinator at reddeer-inline@shaw.ca. Individuals wishing to coach in the Snipers Program are asked to contact the Elite Coordinator at reddeer-inline@shaw.ca. Distributing a team roster including coaches with parent / guardian names and contact information enhances commu-nication. TA Team Meeting prior to the first league game will help players, parents and coaches to meet and establish the basic team ―culture‖. This is also a great time to introduce equipment expecta-tions, rules, schedule of games and the recruitment of par-ents to support the management of the team. FUN is emphasized. It does not mean we do not correct or develop players. It means we commit to effective and posi-tive communication when interacting with the players, col-lectively and individually.

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General Guidelines for Coaching in RDRHA As RDRHA continues to support the growth of Roller Hockey it is es-sential that we keep FUN through competition as a focal point. The following set of guidelines are included here to help coaches, parents, athletes and members understand what is expected of an organization that believes FUN through competition is a viable VISION. At the same time the guidelines helps all members of RDRHA ―know‖ what is ex-pected. GUNNERS (Recreational house league) 1. All players will receive equal playing time. 2. Shifts are to be short, sometimes dictated by the program rules, in

an effort to create a pattern of energetic execution, then rest. 3. As coaches we are there to teach skill development, NOT to win

games. Coaches who spend time on process (teaching) will win regardless of the outcome (win or lose).

4. Communicating with your opponent coach will help everyone. You can agree to match lines, based on ability. You can be CREATIVE in your commitment to player development. SHORTENING BENCHES is not creative and NOT FUN!

5. Motivate your players to respond to challenges. 6. Activate your players through preparation and planning 7. Celebrate players efforts, tenacity, commitment, dogged-

determination...reinforce effort, not outcome. 8. For younger groups, there are no position designations. Exit the

surface through one door and enter the surface through the other door.

9. Only designated coaches are allowed on the bench and will have completed the coaching course online through NIHA! Non-designated coaches will ―nullify‖ our insurance.

10. Pre and post-game situations are great times to celebrate effort, fun and commitment. We expect that coaches will create a CUL-TURE in their teams, of appreciation and support! Help players understand what a team is, what a team does, what a team can be. Help players learn to support each other and be selfless. Player and coach celebrations are to be held with doors open. No closed door meetings.

11. We want all of our athletes to grow emotionally, psychologically and physically. Please support whole person development.

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GUNNERS (Recreational) Overview There are 6 Gunner Divisions: U6, U8, U10, U12, U14 & U16. Gunners and Snipers play in the recreational program. Upon completion of the elite (Snipers) evaluations the Gun-ner teams are ―drafted‖ to be equally balanced. Two games per week .

Festival (Jamboree) the end of the season. Battle on Wheels—RDRHA tournament.

GUNNERS (Recreational) Guidelines Game Format U6 1. 30 minute skills program— Provided to Coaches 2. 1—25 minute—1/3 surface games - 3-on 3 3. 1 minute whistle shifts 4. Pond hockey nets—no goalies 5. No face-offs 6. No score clock 7. Maximum 3 goal rule per player Game Format U8 1. 25 minute skills program— Provided to Coaches 2. Half surface games 3-3 3. Two fifteen minute running-time sessions 4. Pond hockey nets-no goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. 1 minute whistle shifts—no shortening of the bench 7. No face-offs 8. No Score clock 9. Maximum 3 goal rule per player

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GUNNERS (Recreational) Continued Game Format U10 1. 5 minute warm-up 2. Full court games 4-4 3. Two twenty-five minute running-time sessions 4. Goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. 1 minute whistle shifts—no shortening of the bench 7. Face-offs 8. Score Clock—4 goal differential 9. Penalties— Penalty shot chased by ―violator‖ Game Format U12 1. 5 minute warm-up 2. Full court games 4-4 3. Two twenty-five minute running-time sessions 4. Goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. Coach / player rotation—no shortening of the bench 7. Face-offs 8. Score clock—4 goal differential 9. Penalties served in penalty box—short-handed teams MUST change on the fly. Game Format U14 / U16 1. 5 minute warm-up 2. Full court games 4-4 3. Two twenty-five minute running-time sessions 4. Goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. Coach player rotation - no shortening of the bench 7. Face-offs—all changes on the fly 8. Score clock—4 goal differential 9. Penalties served in penalty box—short-handed teams MUST change on the fly.

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ATHLETES ARE ADVISED, IF YOU ARE NOT EQUIPPED, YOU CANNOT PLAY! Equipment Protective equipment: The following equipment is mandatory and must be worn by the players. Safety in a fun / competitive envi-ronment is vital. CSA approved helmet with full face mask. Hockey shin pads covered with inline pants or hockey socks Elbow pads covered with sleeves of the jersey Protective cup or Jill Strap Hockey gloves Protective thigh/hip padding (girdle and pants) Inline skates (No Brakes) Hockey stick (No black tape) Shoulder pads are optional, but are highly recommended for younger players. Note: All wheel spaces must contain a wheel. Players can com-plete games in which numbers 2 and or 3 wheels become dysfunc-tional. No player may play without a front (1) wheel or back (4) wheel. Goaltender Equipment Goaltenders for divisions may use equipment from RDRHA. Equipment is to be returned after the game to the room provided and hung-up to dry. Goalies MUST wear a GOALTENDERS neck guard. For goalies without neck guards, RDRHA will provide goalies with an easy attachable neck guard. CSA approved helmet and full face mask (No street hockey masks) Goalie pads Blocker and catcher Full chest protector Protective hockey pants Protective cup or Jill strap Throat and neck protector*** Goalie Stick

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Rule book RDRHA is governed by the rules of the National Roller Hockey Association (NRHA) Canada. Rules can be found online at www.niha.ca. Fighting is unacceptable. First violation will result in a five game suspension (no appeal). Second time offenders will be suspended indefinitely (possibly permanently). Bullying through verbal insults, physical intimidation or elec-tronic media will result in a five game suspension for the first violation. Second time offenders will be suspended indefinitely (possibly permanently). Dressing Room Rules Leave as you found it...is the guide. Arena staff do a great job of ensuring we have clean, well-furbished dressing rooms. We should respect their efforts. There is ABSOLUTELY no shooting of pucks / tape balls / balls in the room or hallways. Coaches / managers / parents will work with the players to ensure the rooms are left tidy. Full compensation for damages must be received by RDRHA before an athlete or athletes can resume league play. Locking of dressing room doors is the only way to guard against theft and vandalism. Please ensure you do not leave your valuables at risk.

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Roller Sledge

Roller Sledge is a new initiative brought to RED DEER in 2010. Through the very generous support of The Primary Care Network we were able to obtain 20 sleds, sticks and equipment for our sledge program. In 2010 we operated a drop in program. This year we are offering a recreational program and a competitive program. Please see SNIPERS for the competitive program. Roller Sledge Recreational 1. 15 minute skills program 2. 1/3 surface games—with rotating players in centre 1/3 3. Two fifteen minute running-time sessions 4. Pond hockey nets-no goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. 1 minute whistle shifts

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SNIPERS (Elite) Guidelines Through attention to a fun-filled competitive program Central Alberta has been very successful provincially. Cen-tral Alberta (Zone 4) athletes, the vast majority being SNIPERS, have recently defended their gold medal championship performance at the Alberta Summer Games to complete the very difficult ―three-peat‖ 2002, 2006 and 2010!!!!! As well, the U10 SNIPERS in 2009 won GOLD at NARCh and were named the City of Red Deer Team of the Year.

ALL RDRHA players play in the GUNNERS, recreational program. Players may also choose to try-out for the elite SNIPERS program. There are elite SNIPER teams in the U10, U12, U14, U16 age groups. ALL PLAYERS SELECTED TO A SNIPER TEAM are only eligible to play in SNIPERS games if they play in 70% OF THE RDRHA HOUSE LEAGUE (GUNNERS) GAMES . This is a program designed to augment early developing players with a fun and competitive environment for devel-opment. Additional practices are scheduled by the coaches. Teams in the Snipers program travel to tournaments. Costs for the Snipers program are shared equally by the players / families who comprise the team.

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SNIPERS

Evaluations for the Snipers Program are conducted to select the most competitive team(s) possible. In addition to the regular Gunner schedule Snipers compete in tournaments throughout the season as well as the NARCh qualifier. All players in Gunners and Snipers programs MUST be regis-tered with RDRHA to ensure our insurance program remains valid. Game Format U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 This is a typical format...but can be subject to tournament organizer preferences and scheduling needs. 1. 5minute warm-up 2. Full court games 4-4 (5-5 for Sledge) 3. Two twenty-five minute running-time sessions 4. Goalies 5. 2 minute half-time intermission 6. Face-offs 7. Penalties served in penalty box—player changes by pe-

nalized team must be made on the fly. 8. Important Rules / Guidelines 4-0n-4 unless otherwise noted No icing. No off-sides. No body contact—Intentional body checking is a five (5) minute ma-jor. There is no expectation that ties be broken. A minimum of six players (five players and a goaltender) are needed for a team to play and avoid forfeiture. A player receiving three penalties of ANY kind is suspended from play for the balance of the game.