What is Ringette?

What is Ringette?

Ringette is not hockey for girls!

·        different rules…

·        different equipment…

·        different skills…

·        different game!

 

Ringette is an exciting and unique ice sport played primarily by females, but open to all. It is a fast-paced sport that combines speed and strategy, and encourages teamwork through competition and cooperation.  It is often referred to as the "fastest game on ice!" Ringette is played across Canada, and internationally in Finland, Sweden and the United States.

History

In 1963 the late Sam Jacks of North Bay, Ontario, created the game of ringette so that girls in his community would have a team sport to play during the winter months.  His widow, the late Agnes Jacks, served for many years as the sport's official ambassador at the Canadian Ringette Championships and many international events. Ringette Canada offers an athlete scholarship that bears her name. 


Age Divisions

·   Under 9 (formerly Bunnies/Introductory)

·   Under 10

·   Under 12

·   Under 14

·   Under 16

·   Under 19

·   Open

Protective Equipment

·   CSA approved helmet & facemask

·   BNQ approved neck protector

·   Elbow pads

·   Protective gloves

·   Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection

·   Knee Pads

·   Skates (no picks)

·   Ringette Stick

·   Goalie Equipment - Goal Pads, Chest Protector, Goal Stick

·   Optional Equipment - Shoulder Pads, Mouth Guard

·   Optional Goalie Equipment - Goal Skates, Blocker, Trapper, Arm Pads

Understanding Ringette

 Ringette has some very distinct differences to other ice sports. In fact, while it looks a bit like hockey, it more closely resembles lacrosse or basketball in terms of its offensive and defensive play. 

•Ringette uses a rubber ring and sticks with specially designed tips. The objective is to score on the opponent by shooting the ring into their net.

 

•There are two periods of 15 - 20 minutes depending on the age of the players. Most games last approximately 1 hour. The pace is very fast therefore players get lots of ice time in this hour.

 

•Teams consist of between 7-18 players. 6 players from each team are allowed on the ice at one time; 1 goalie (regular hockey goalie stick); 2 defence; 2 forwards; and 1 centre.

 

•The players wear full protective equipment like hockey players but ringette uses a unique stick and face mask. Ringette players wear jerseys but wear long pants instead of short pants and socks like hockey players do. The goalie uses regular goalie equipment but in ringette some goalies use a unique catching glove.

 

•Ringette uses the 2 blue lines but not the centre line. It also uses 2 additional free play lines which create zones unique to ringette.

 

•Unlike hockey, the ring must be passed across the blue lines. This encourages passing and team play, enhancing the flow of the game and making it very fast.

 

•The game is kept fast moving and wide open as only three players from each team may enter the offensive or defensive zone at a time. There is lots of room to move which creates many scoring chances.

 

•Like basketball and lacrosse, in most divisions of Ringette, there is a shot clock that forces the teams to shoot quickly which also keeps the game moving quickly.

A Few Rules...

·   Ringette is played on a standard rink

·   Games are officiated by one or more trained referees

·   The object is to score goals in the net of your opponent

·   Play is started by a free pass similar to the start of a soccer game

·   The player "taking the free pass" has 5 seconds to pass the ring to a teammate...and the game is on!

·   Any stoppage in play will result in a free pass to restart the game, usually in the nearest free pass circle

·   Some defensive free passes are replaced by a "goaltender ring"

·   Rules restrict any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the ice (no ring hogs)

·   The ring must be passed over each blue line to another player, which means more players can be involved in setting up goals

·   Free play lines (see Diagram) define restricted ares in the deep offensive and defensive zones, and teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so overcrowding is minimal

·   Skaters are not permitted in the goalie crease

·   If the ring lands in or on the goal crease, the only person who can touch it is the goalie

·   There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all rules geared towards safety

Most penalties are 2 minutes but a 4 minute Major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough