It’s almost here!

Official 2025 Anthony Ford Memorial Pond Hockey Tournament Rules

Pre-game 

1. The winner of the coin toss will choose which goal to defend. JK. No coin toss.  Figure it out. Teams will switch at half.
2. No goalie gear allowed (sticks, pads, etc.).
3. All players must wear helmets and skates. Protective equipment is optional and highly recommended.
4. Adult Games will be composed of two 15 minute periods with a 2-minute half-time. Youth Games will be composed of two 10 minute periods with a 2 minute half-time.
5. Players can only play on one team.
6. Substitutions must be made before you play your first game on the date of the tournament at registration. The players on your roster for your first game must be the same players throughout the tournament (no substitutions during the tournament).
7. All games are running time and players will change on the fly or during stoppage of play. 
8. All teams must have light and dark jerseys or uniforms.
9. In the event of a tie, a 5 minute overtime period will be played. If a tie still exists, play will continue and the first team to score wins.

Officials

1. There will be one off-ice official to monitor play (scoring, time, puck reset, infractions, etc.).
2. Minor penalties may be called for rule infractions and possession will be awarded to the other team. Officials have the discretion of awarding a point to the opposing team if the penalty is flagrant and/or the team is consistently playing in a reckless manner.
3. All calls by the officials are final.
4. Any major penalty, which includes any action that could injure another player, may result in the player or team ejected from the tournament! The team that has a player ejected will play the remainder of the tournament short-handed (2 on 3) or (3 on 4). Off-ice officials will determine a major penalty.
5. Abuse of officials or tournament staff will not be tolerated and will result in a major penalty and ejection from the tournament. This includes yelling, swearing, and prolonged arguing about calls. 
6. Players ejected from the tournament must leave the tournament site

* The Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament is a family event, which promotes good sportsmanship, competition and fair play.  Although we want you to have a safe and fun time, we do remind you that children maybe present and this is a charitable event.

On-ice Rules

1. No checking is allowed. Checking will be considered a minor penalty unless deemed seriously enough to be a major penalty.
2. No slap shots allowed and will be called for a minor penalty.
3. High sticking above the waist will be a minor penalty.
4. Saucer passes are acceptable. However, lifted pucks above the knees are not acceptable and may result in a minor penalty.
5. No goaltending. A player may not “camp out” or remain stationary in front of the goal and act as a goaltender. A defender may deflect the puck in the crease area, but they must do so while continuing to move through the crease area. The “crease” area is an imaginary box extending out four feet in front of the corners of the goals. Infractions will result in the other team gaining possession of the puck.
6. A minor penalty will be given to players lying down in front of the goal to protect it.
7. Goals must be scored from the attacking side of the ice. 
8. There are no off-side or icing calls.
9. Setting picks is not allowed. A minor penalty for interference will be called and puck possession will be given to the other team.
10. Teams must give their opponents half-ice after a goal or when puck possession is given to the other team.
11. If the puck goes out of bounds, the last team to touch the puck losses possession.