Lesson #18: Three types of penalties¶

by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil

Last updated: June 4, 2018

Contact penalties¶

Impact to an illegal target zone
- Initiating a block to an opponent’s back, including the buttocks and back of the legs
- Initiating a block to an opponent above the shoulders
- Initiating a block to an opponent in the side or front of their legs (below mid-thigh)
Impact with an illegal blocking zone
- Initiating a block with one’s hands, forearms, or elbows
  Exception: these are legal when pulled into the torso
- Initiating a block with one’s legs (mid-thigh or below)
- Initiating a physical or positional block with the head
Other illegal contact
- Blocking between jams
- Blocking or assisting to or from a downed skater
- Blocking or assisting to or from out of bounds
- Blocking or assisting to or from out of play
- Blocking or assisting while stopped or skating clockwise
Multiplayer blocks
- Two skaters grasping, linking, or using an impenetrable wall, preventing an opponent from passing between them

Illegal positioning
- Illegally exiting the track or gaining speed outside of the track area
- Assuming a downed position to avoid a block
- Starting a jam completely outside of the legal starting area
- Failing to yield advantage after starting the jam partially outside the legal starting area
- Destruction (ie; destroying the pack)
- Failing to return to the engagement zone
- Failing to reform during a no pack scenario
Gaining position
- Illegally gaining position after re-entering from out of bounds
- Illegally gaining position after returning to gameplay from the penalty box or fixing equipment
Interfering with the flow of the game
- Illegally preventing a jam from beginning
- Calling off a jam while not lead jammer
- A fouled out skater interfering with a jam
- Forcing a jam to be called off due to too many skaters
Other illegal procedures
- Various infractions involving the penalty box
- Various infractions involving star passes and control of helmet covers
- Improper skates, uniforms, or jewelry
- Improper use of safety gear
- Miscellaneous technical infractions
- Preventing a star pass via an illegal action

Misconduct and insubordination
- Misconduct
  Impersonating an official
  
  Physical or positional contact outside the range of what is acceptable for the sport
Blocking while airborne
Reckless entry into the penalty box
Intentional jabbing with the elbow or knee
Certain positional head blocks
Positionally blocking a downed skater preventing them from standing
Removing an opponent’s helmet cover from their head
- Hiding the star
- Faking impact
Intentional falling after being contacted to draw a penalty
- Adopting a downed position before a block to draw a penalty upon an opponent
- Violating policies of the governing body association under whose jurisdiction the game is being played.
Example: too many team staff
Profane, abusive, or obscene language or gestures directed at a non-official
- Insubordination
  Profane, abusive, or obscene language or gestures directed at an official
  
  Willful or neglectful failure to obey the instructions of an official
This is most commonly failing to leave the track after a penalty

Sometimes an action warrants a penalty for multiple reasons
- Example: leg-to-leg contact that forces an opponent down
  Could be a low block or could be a leg block
When an action warrants a penalty for violating multiple rules, the official should issue the penalty for which they feel most confident.
If the official feels equally confident in multiple possible calls, use this hierarchy:
- Misconduct (4.3)
- Illegal Target Zone (4.1.1)
- Illegal Blocking Zone (4.1.2)
- Illegal Contact (4.1.3)
- Multiplayer Block (4.1.4)
- Illegal Position (4.2.1)
- Gaining Position (4.2.2)
- Interference (4.2.3)
- Illegal Procedure (4.2.4)