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RULE 73: PLAY INVOLVING AND ATTACKING PLAYERS

REVISED FOR 2014-15 BY NCAA RULES COMMITTEE

73.1 Interference on the - This rule is based on the premise that an attacking player’s position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed.

Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of the goal crease that prevents the goalkeeper from defending the goal.

For purposes of this rule, contact (whether incidental or otherwise) shall mean any contact that is made between or among a goalkeeper and attacking player(s), whether by means of a stick or any part of the body.

The overriding rationale of this rule is that a goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within the goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player. If an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by these actions, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to defend the goal either visually or physically, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. If an attacking player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending player and causes contact with the goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

If a defending player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking player so as to cause the defending player to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule, and if necessary a penalty assessed to the attacking player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.

73.2 Penalty – If, in the opinion of the , an attacking player initiates contact that physically prevents the goalkeeper from defending the goal, the attacking player may receive a penalty. This penalty may be enforced whether or not the goalkeeper is inside or outside the goal crease and whether or not a goal is scored. The referee should give significant consideration to the degree and nature of the contact with the goalkeeper rather than to the exact location of the goalkeeper at the time of the contact.

73.3 Contact Inside the Goal Crease - If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in the goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed. If a goalkeeper, in the act of establishing the position within his goal crease, initiates contact with an attacking player who is in the goal crease, and this causes the impairment of the goalkeeper’s ability to defend the goal, and a goal is scored, the goal shall be disallowed.

If, after any contact by a goalkeeper who is attempting to establish position in the goal crease, the attacking player does not immediately vacate the goal crease (i.e. give ground to the goalkeeper), and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If an attacking player establishes position in the goal crease, and is physically or visually screening the goalkeeper and impairing the ability to defend the goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

73.4 Contact Outside the Goal Crease - If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, other than incidental contact, while the goalkeeper is outside the goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

A goalkeeper is not fair game just because he is outside the goal crease. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an attacking player makes unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper. However, incidental contact will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside the goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

When a goalkeeper has played the puck outside of the crease and is then prevented from returning to his crease area due to the actions of an attacking player, this may be penalized for goalkeeper interference. Similarly, the goalkeeper may be penalized outside of the crease if the goalkeeper interferes with an attacking player that is attempting to play the puck or an opponent.

73.5 Face-off Location – Whenever the Referee stops play to disallow a goal as a result of contact with the goalkeeper (incidental or otherwise), the resulting face-off shall take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot outside the attacking zone of the offending team.

73.6 Rebounds and Loose Pucks - In a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact with the goalkeeper will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result will be allowed.

In the event that a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck by an attacking player, the goal will be disallowed. If applicable, appropriate penalties will be assessed.

In the event that the puck is under a player in or around the crease area (deliberately or otherwise), a goal cannot be scored by pushing this player together with the puck into the goal. If applicable, the appropriate penalties will be assessed, including a penalty if deemed to be covered in the crease deliberately (see Rule 67 – Delaying the Game).

Officiating Guidance: Plays governing goalkeepers and attacking players

The rules committee believes some guidance is needed when attacking players and goalkeepers come together.

I. Key elements. In conjunction with the conference coordinators of officials, the committee has identified several key education points to assist all in the game:

1. Goalkeeper status. This is a key element to these plays. Protections are slightly different for the goalkeeper when in the crease vs. outside of the crease. Regardless, the goalkeeper must be able to play the position.

2. Nature of the contact. Quite simply, this is the most critical factor when managing this area of play. The key question here is: Which player initiated the contact?

3. Intent is irrelevant. Player intent is nearly impossible to determine, and is impossible to officiate. Focusing on what the players are doing physically is the key here.

II. Position of the Goalkeeper. This is a critical element of managing these plays.

1. If the goalkeeper is clearly inside the crease, full protection must be given.

2. The goalkeeper is considered to be in the crease if one skate is in contact with the crease. If an attacking player initiates contact in this situation, the goalkeeper’s ability to play the position must be protected.

3. If the goalkeeper’s feet are in the crease and the goalkeeper initiates contact with an attacking player outside of the crease, the attacking player is meeting his obligation and therefore legal.

4. When the goalkeeper is outside of the crease, protections must be provided to both players. The goalkeeper must be allowed to defend the goal, but the attacking player also has the right to battle for position and make a play on the puck.

III. Attacking Player Pushed Into Goalkeeper. Attacking players have a responsibility to avoid contact with the goalkeeper in the goal crease. This responsibility does not, however, allow defenders to drive attacking players into the crease. Attacking players that make contact with the goalkeeper that is clearly caused by contact from defending player should not be penalized for this contact. This contact does not eliminate the requirement for an attacking player to make a reasonable effort to leave the crease. IV. Officiating Options. Officials have three options when administering play involving an attacking player and the goalkeeper:

1. Contact with Goalkeeper – Penalty: If, in the opinion of the referee, there is contact that violates the any portion of Rule 73, a penalty may be enforced. 2. Incidental Contact or Visual Screening. Whistle, faceoff outside the zone. 3. Goal Scored, Video Review. Officials may use video to determine if there was a violation of Rule 73 that impaired the goalkeeper from defending the goal. In these cases, the goal may be disallowed, but no penalty may be assessed through the use of video review.