Merrimack College CoRec Broomball Rules
TEAM
 A team will consist of five (5) players: two females, two males, and a goalie of either
gender
 There must be an equal number of Men and Women playing forward when the initial
faceoff happens.
 A game may begin if a team has four (4) players, as long as there is at least one male or
one female on the ice as a non goalie
o 3 males and 1 female (male must be goalie)
o 2 males and 2 females (either gender can be goalie)
o 1 male and 3 females (female must be goalie)
 Rosters will be frozen after the second week of games
 All players must present a valid Merrimack College ID to the scorekeeper prior to the
start of the game. The scorekeeper will hold all ID’s until the captain signs the score
sheet following the game
o NO ID, NO PLAY
 In order to participate in intramural activities, players must be current Merrimack College
students enrolled in one or more credit hours, or be full time faculty/staff members
 All players must sign up on IM Leagues by 3:00pm the day of their games.
 Team rosters will be locked following the second week of games except for extenuating
circumstances determined by the Intramural Director
 Forfeit time is five minutes from the scheduled starting time of the contest
o If the game starts after the start time, but under five minutes after the scheduled
start, we will cut that time off the first half.
o In order to claim a forfeit, a team must have the minimum number of players
present and ready to play
o If neither team is able to field the correct number of players, a double forfeit will
be declared
o If a team forfeits 2 contests, they will be dropped from further league competition
 A player is only allowed to play on one team. If a player plays for a second team, that
game will be forfeited as well as any other future games that they play with the 2nd team
EQUIPMENT
 All players must wear the proper attire
o Players must play in sneakers or athletic shoes (no spikes, cleats, or boots)
o Players are not permitted to put any substance on their shoes for extra traction.
o Players must wear athletic pants or shorts
 A player will not be permitted to play in jeans, or cargo pants
o Players must either bring their own helmet or wear the one provided by the
intramural program
o We will also provide the broom sticks, goalie sticks, and baseball gloves (for
goalies)
o It is also strongly recommended participants wear elbow and knee pads
o Participants can wear all hockey equipment except shoulder pads
Revised October 2013
Merrimack College CoRec Broomball Rules

Participants must remove ALL loose jewelry (any big earrings, necklaces, or bracelets)
prior to competing
o If students are unable to take jewelry off, they must band-aid it or tape it
 A game ball will be provided for each scheduled contest
CAPTAIN
 The captain is designated as the team’s spokesperson to the official
 They are the only player who should be speaking to the officials; all other players may
receive a yellow card for verbal abuse towards an official
 The captain may ask for an interpretation of a ruling, however prolonged
questioning/arguing/ can result in their ejection
PLAY
 The rinks exterior will be from the blue line around the perimeter of the ice with the goals
being placed on the outside of the faceoff circles (diagram below)
o The ball will only be considered out of play if it goes over the boards or
completely over the blue line
 The game will begin with a faceoff at the center of the ice.
 A game will consist of two 13 minute halves
o The clock will be running at all times (except for the last minute of the second
half only if the goal differential is three or less)
 Team will be given one timeout per game
 The mercy rule is in effect when a team is up by ten or more goals in the second half
 Goalies
o Goalies are allowed to pick up the ball in the penalty area, which is defined as
anywhere behind the nearest faceoff dot straight across to the ends of the circle.
(picture below)
 When redistributing the ball by rolling it out, it must hit the ice or another
player before crossing the center ice (this rule does not apply when the
goalie uses their stick)
 When redistributing the ball with the stick, it can be passed anywhere on
the ice
o Goalies must stay on the defensive half of the ice (going up further will result in
drawback for the other team)
o If the goalie picks up the ball outside of the goalie area, it will result in a penalty
shot
 Penalty Area
o Every player is allowed in the penalty area, however nobody can interfere with
the goalie if he/she is making the save with their glove
 Any interference will result in a drawback restart.
 Substitutions:
o Subs can be on the fly (during play)as long as it doesn’t interfere with game play,
but must be a male for a male or female for a female
o Players must reach the sideline before their replacement may enter the game
 Failure to do so will result in an illegal substitution infraction and a
drawback for the opposing team and a possible yellow card if purposely
done to stop the play
Revised October 2013
Merrimack College CoRec Broomball Rules
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
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o Goalie Substitutions:
 Goalies may only be switched between halves, or after a goal, unless they
have a legitimate injury
 In the last two minutes of play, if there is a three goal differential or less,
teams may pull their goalies
 This person loses all rights as a goalie (no glove)
If there is a tie at the end of the game in the regular season, the game will end as a tie
Playoffs:
o If a game is tied after regulation, a five person shootout will take place with teams
alternating shots
 If a winner is still not determined, teams will send one shooter each until
one makes a goal and one misses (players must be alternated male and
female until they run out of one gender of players)
Drawbacks: A restart of possession at the infraction point
o The ball must either be hit backwards or parallel to the restart point
o Guidelines for drawbacks are:
 Upon the official’s whistle, the awarded team may pass the ball backwards
or parallel
 If the drawback is passed forward on first contact, the opposing team will
be awarded a drawback from that spot
o Infractions that result in drawback:
 Knocking ball down with hand to another team member (hand pass)
 Goalie holding the ball for more than five seconds (drawback will be
awarded to the other team at center ice Goalie rolling the ball past center
ice without it being touch by anyone from either team (drawback is behind
opposite teams goal)
 Kicking the ball (feet may be used to stop ball and control only)
 Interference
 Illegal use of equipment
 Delay of game
 Too many players on the ice (ball taken at center ice)
 Unsportsmanlike conduct
o Delayed Calls and advantages
o The following major infractions will result in a direct free hit (and could result in
a yellow or red card)
 Tripping
 Slashing
 Checking
 Roughing
 Elbowing
 High sticking
 Contact to the head
 Misconduct (arguing with an official)
 Any drawback except for the goalie holding the ball for too long or
major infractions committed in the penalty area will result in a
penalty shot
Revised October 2013
Merrimack College CoRec Broomball Rules
o Following the penalty shot, the game will be live

Broomball is a non-contact sport
o Shoulder to shoulder contact is allowed when going for the ball
o Players must play the ball, not the body
 Failure to do so will result in a direct free hit and possibly a yellow or red
card
 For all free hits, the opposing team must give five yards of free
space in every direction until the ball is played
 If a player receives two yellow cards or one red card, they will be ejected
and the team will play one person down.
PLAYOFFS

All teams will be eligible for playoffs as long as they:
o Are represented at the captain’s meeting.
o Do not forfeit more than 1 game during the season.
o Are not removed from the league play due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
o Have a sportsmanship rating of 2.75 or higher.
MISCELLANEOUS
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Players arriving late must be checked in prior to entering the game.
The Office of Campus Recreation does not provide insurance coverage and assumes no
responsibility for injuries occurring during intramural sports.
Revised October 2013