Lesson #21: Illegal positioning and illegal procedure penalties¶
by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil
Last updated: June 11, 2018
4.2.1 - Illegal positioning¶
Illegal positioning penalties are for…
Adopting or maintaining a position in which one cannot be blocked (down, out of bounds, or out of play)
Destroying the pack
Starting the jam in an illegal starting position for their role.
It is legal to gain an illegal position for reasons of safety.
It is legal to maintain an illegal position because of the perception that re-entering would constitute an illegal act
Types of illegal positioning penalties and their verbal cues.
“Illegal position” (the basic cue)
Starting the jam in a completely illegal starting position
Exception: being blocked into an illegal position by an early hit
Assuming a downed position to deter an incoming block
“Destruction”
A sudden, marked, or abrupt action that destroys the pack for a reason other than normal gameplay.
Some examples of normal gameplay
Passing the star
Initiating or continuing a block
Returning to the track, engagement zone, and/or an upright position
Receiving a block
Accidentally falling down or out of bounds
At jam start, all of a team’s skaters immediately and rapidly skate (in either direction) until the pack is destroyed
Clockwise movement is held to a higher standard than counterclockwise movement. It does not have to be sudden, marked, or abrupt.
Pack destructions without impact are not penalized (“No pa–pack!”)
(rare) Both teams can destroy the pack at the same time. One penalty should be issued to the most responsible skater on each team.
Jammers can never receive a destruction penalty.
“Skating out of bounds”
Exiting the track without a legal reason or the belief one has a legal reason
Some legal reasons (there are many more than this)
Going out of bounds as a result a missed block or receiving a block
Exiting the track during the jam call-off whistles
Exiting the track to retrieve an out-of-bounds helmet cover
Exiting the track following a failed apex jump
Falling out of bounds by accident
Maintaining or increasing speed while out of bounds
Exception: accelerating to re-enter the track
Exception: accelerating to reach the penalty box
“Failure to reform”
After a warning, failing to act to reform the pack
Penalty goes to the most responsible skater per team.
See lesson 25 (“No pack situations”)
“Failure to return”
After a warning, failing to return to the engagement zone
Penalty goes to all offending skaters
Standing in place is considered returning so long as the pack is approaching the skater.
An out of play (front) blocker must skate clockwise if the pack is stopped or moving clockwise.
This is the only situation in the entire game when a skater must skate clockwise.
“Failure to yield”
After a warning, failing to yield after starting the jam while touching a illegal starting area for one’s role (ex; jammer touching past the jammer line)
(rare) A warning is not necessary to issue a “failure to ____” penalty if the skater cannot reasonably believe they are legally positioned and/or cannot return to a legal position.
Example: a skater returns from the penalty box across the track from the engagement zone. Instead of returning to the engagement zone, the skater then engages a jammer.
4.2.4 - Other illegal procedures¶
Technical infractions with significant impact, if not necessarily conferring an advantage to a specific team or skater
When possible technical infractions should be resolved before they impact the game
Types of illegal procedures and their verbal cues.
“Illegal procedure”
Removing safety gear other than a mouthguard while in the penalty box
Leaving the penalty box before one’s time is expired
Exception: when permitted to leave by an official
Improper use of safety gear, skates, uniform, or jewelry
Illegally controlling a helmet cover
Careless actions (ex; throwing a water bottle to another skater) that threaten the safety of an official, but do not forcibly contact them.
A captain or alternate successfully requesting a timeout or official review while not wearing the C or A
“Star pass violation”
Illegally passing the star
“Pass interference”
Preventing a star pass via an illegal action
Verbal cues
“Illegal procedure”, or
“Star pass violation”
“Pass interference”