The Official TPWHL League Rule Book
Rules as of June 2026
These rules are subject to revisions/change when deemed necessary.
Section I [Game Rules]
| A. | A minimum of six players is recommended on each team's roster. A total of four players (including goaltender) are required on the floor to play a game. No new players / substitutions can be added to a team during the play-offs. Points accumulated (goals and/or assists) by the substituted player will not be recorded on their individual statistics, but will count in the score of the game in which they are playing. | |
| B. | Player transactions must be approved by League Executives. | |
| C. | A team may only play one level 1 ranked player on the floor at a time. A level 1 or 2 ranked player can be considered a level 3, only if they tape their stick (or use a bracket or stick mount) to their chair A level 3 ranked player must be on the floor at all times, playing a forward or defensive position. Goaltenders cannot be a level 1. A goaltender can be played by a level 2 or level 3 player. | |
| D. | A team may make line changes (change players) at any time during the game. The player(s) coming into the game cannot come on the court until the player he/she is replacing is next to the team bench. | |
| E. | The game will begin with a face-off at the center face-off circle. | |
| F. | A face-off will be called by the referee if the ball becomes unplayable by rolling under a player's wheelchair, into a team's bench area, scorekeepers/timekeepers area, or into an unplayable area such as a hallway or bleachers. Players (except goaltenders) must attempt to move off the ball or play the ball, or risk getting a delay of game penalty (See minor penalties in Section VI of the Rulebook). The face-off will take place in the face-off circle closest to where the play was stopped. This includes resuming play after a penalty or a time-out has been called. If the ball was shot from beyond the center line [half court] and becomes unplayable, the face-off will take place in the zone from where the ball was shot. | |
| G. | A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line. A goal will not be allowed if the ball was kicked by an offensive player and entered the goal either directly or after deflecting off any player including the goaltender. At any time if a team is slow in returning to the face-off circle, the referee will issue a warning. If it happens again, a delay of game penalty will be called. | |
| H. | The whistle will be blown immediately and a face-off will be called by the referee if there is a saved/frozen ball by the goaltender or at any time the ball stops moving within the crease area. | |
| I. | Players are not allowed to use their feet or hands to carry or hold the ball while it's in play, but they may use their feet to stop the ball. For example, if the ball rolls into the front of a player, he/she may stop the ball with their feet and direct it to their stick. But they are not allowed to kick the ball ahead of them, out of the goal crease, out of the zone, to a teammate, or away from an opposing player. All players (including goaltenders) will not be allowed to reach, kick, stretch or raise their legs in an effort to play or defend the ball. | |
| J. | An offensive player is OFF-SIDE if their entire chair crosses the center line prior to the ball. If the ball leaves the offensive zone, that team's players must clear the zone before the ball can be carried or shot back into the offensive zone. If the off-side is whistled the face-off will take place in the offending team's zone at the face-off spot nearest the center line. If an offensive player crosses the line before the ball that is shot, passed or deflected into the offensive zone, but a defending player is able to play the ball, the referee shall signal a DELAYED OFF-SIDE. The off-side violation will be nullified if all offensive players in the offensive zone clear the offensive zone by making chair contact with the center line. The offensive zone must be completely clear of offensive players before a delayed off-side can be nullified with the ball still in the offensive zone. During the delayed off-side, the referee shall stop play for the off-side violation if ANY offensive player touches the ball or attempts to gain possession of a loose ball while the ball is still in the offensive zone or forces the defending ball carrier further back in the offensive zone. *No goal can be scored on a delayed off-side. |
Section II [Playing Area]
| A. | The playing area for electric wheelchair hockey games will be the surface of a gymnasium, approximately the size of a basketball court. If there is any question as to the playing area, it must be brought to the attention of the officials before the start of the game. | |
| B. | The nets used for goals will be provided by your local league officials. Generally the nets should measure approximately 6 feet [183cm] wide by 3 feet [91cm] high by 1 ½ feet [46cm] deep. In situations where nets are not available, cones can be substituted. The goal crease should measure approximately 8 feet wide [along goal line] and extend 5 feet outward from goal line. | |
| C. | On the playing surface there will be five face-off areas. One in the center of the court and one on each side of both nets positioned approximately halfway between the nets and center line. | |
| D. | If possible, the team benches shall be on one side of the court. | |
| E. | All coaches and players must stay in their team areas throughout the game. |
Section III [Equipment]
| A. | All sticks handle, shaft, and blade, must be made of plastic or an approved composite material. Dowel Sticks: A dowel may be inserted through the blade of the stick for players with a limited ability to stick-handle. The dowel should be made of plastic or similar material (the dowel cannot be made of metal) and cannot T-Stick: Similar to the “dowel stick” function, this is a larger piece of material (plastic) affixed to each side (or put through the blade) of the stick blade, to create at “T”. A “T” stick can only be made out of a standard | |
| B. | A player may tape the stick to their wheelchair (the blade must be placed in the front of the wheelchair's front wheel/foot pedal), or to their hand/arm/leg if they are unable to hold/grip the stick. Players are permitted to use brackets or stick mounts, as long as it places the blade in the front of the wheelchair's front wheel/foot pedal. No stick blade may be placed between the front and rear tires, obstructing passage of the ball through that area. *All objects/attachments considered dangerous must be covered (taped/padded). | |
| C. | If a goaltender chooses to use a standard goaltender stick (larger/thicker blade), the stick must be taped/mounted/bracketed to the wheelchair as defined in Section III (B). Only goaltenders are allowed to use these types of large-bladed sticks. If a goaltender is moved to another position he/she must switch to a non-goaltender stick. | |
| D. | All players must require the use of an electric (power) wheelchair in their daily life. Players who use only manual wheelchairs in their daily life will not be allowed to transfer from a manual wheelchair to an electric (power) wheelchair simply for the purpose of playing hockey. ( Any exception must be approved by the League Executive.) | |
| E. |
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| F. | A hollow plastic ball (2" in diameter/baseball-sized) with holes in it will be used as the official game ball. | |
| G. | All players must wear protective eye wear. Participants are free to wear other protective gear such as, a helmet, knee or arm pads, etc. For safety reasons, limbs must be generally kept within the proximity of the chair. The League Executive may disallow any protective gear at any time if they find the size of such gear to be excessive and unfair. | |
| H. | Team members must wear the same jersey. The jersey should have a number that can be seen by the referee if necessary. If jerseys are not available a team should wear the same color shirts. |
Section IV [Timekeepers, Scorekeepers, and Referees]
| A. | It is the League Executive’s responsibility to ensure that a timekeeper, scorekeeper, and referees are available and ready for each game. | |
| B. | Each game will consist of three fifteen-minute periods. The game will be played on a non-stop [running-time] basis. The final two minutes of the third period will be played on a stop-time basis, if the score of the game is within four goals. Between each period there will be a two minute break. After the break teams will switch ends. Each team will be allowed one "regulation time" time-out per game consisting of two minutes in length. A team may only call a time-out during a stoppage in play (i.e. when the ball becomes unplayable [out-of-play], after a goal is scored, or after a penalty has been called. If the game goes to overtime, each team will have one "overtime" time-out. As above, the team may only call time-out during a stoppage in play. | |
| C. | If possible, the official game clock should be large enough and placed high enough so that the referees can see the clock from anywhere on the playing area. | |
| D. | The timekeeper is responsible for keeping track of the time for each period, any time-outs, and the time for any penalties. The timekeeper must also instruct the penalized player when he/she may return to the game. | |
| E. | The scorekeeper will record the time of each goal, the name and number of the player who scored the goal, and the name and number of the one (or two) player(s) who assisted on the goal. The scorekeeper is also responsible for recording any information regarding penalties. | |
| F. | It is the referees' responsibility to inform the timekeeper and scorekeeper of all penalties called. This includes the name and number of the penalized player, the time of the penalty, the type of penalty, and the duration of the penalty. |
Section V [Penalty Stipulations]
| A. | If a goaltender receives a penalty, a teammate on the floor at the time of the penalty must serve it. The player serving the penalty will be chosen by the penalized team. | |
| B. | A player serving a penalty must return to the playing area after completion of a penalty before he/she can be substituted | |
| C. | After three game misconduct's in one season a player may be subject to further penalty or removal at the discretion of the League Executive. | |
| D. | Any player given a game misconduct must exit the playing area. | |
| E. | If a level 1 ranked player is serving a penalty, his/her team may have only one level 1 ranked player on the court until the penalty has expired. The level 1 ranked player serving the penalty is still considered to be on that line even though they are in the penalty box. If a level 3 ranked player is serving a penalty, the player is still considered to be on that line, and his/her team does not have to put another level 3 on the floor to replace the penalized player. | |
| F. | If coincidental penalties are called (meaning one player from each team is called for a penalty at the same time), teams will play shorthanded [four-on-four] for the entirety of the two minute penalty regardless if a goal is scored. |
Section VI [Minor Penalties]
| A. | SAFETY EQUIPMENT: All players must wear Safety glasses and a Seatbelt during play for safety reasons. If the referee notices a player on the playing floor, not wearing the appropriate equipment, this will result in a Delay of Game Penalty [Two-minutes] on that player. | |
| B. | HOOKING: When a player places his/her stick around another player, player's stick, or wheelchair in attempts to stop or hold the player. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| C. | BOARDING: Recklessly "riding" a player into the boards with excess. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| D. | HOLDING: When a player, with his/her hands or wheelchair, impedes another player's progress by holding the player, player's stick, or the player's wheelchair. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| E. | INTERFERENCE: Making contact with another player who does not have possession of the ball. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| F. | UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Swearing, arguing or abusing other players, officials, or equipment. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| G. | IN THE CREASE: No player other than the goaltender is allowed in the crease. When the ball stops moving in the crease, the ball is considered dead, the | |
| H. | BENCH MINORS: Can be called against players or coaches for abuse against officials or other players or for too many level 1 players, or players in general, on the floor. [Two-minute penalty.] See Section I (B/1). | |
| I. | RAMMING: A player may not deliberately run into another player with his/her wheelchair. A player may only "ride-off another player" (side-to-side contact only). Backing into another player as they pass by, using the front of a player's chair to make contact, or trying to push a player's chair out of the way is not permitted. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| J. | DANGEROUS DRIVING: Referee may call this penalty if he/she deems that a player is driving dangerously or recklessly. This includes driving in reverse at a high rate of speed for more than two chair-lengths, or in a crowd (referees' discretion). A player is permitted to drive in reverse for more than two chair-lengths only if the player is attempting to get back on defense and is the lone defensive player in his/her zone. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| K. | CHARGING: Deliberately hitting another player with a run of more than one wheelchair lengths. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| L. | HIGH STICKING: No player shall purposely raise their stick above their shoulders to make contact with the ball or another player. A player may only raise their stick shoulder height while in the act of shooting/hitting the ball (including wind-up and follow-through). [Two minute penalty] If the player's raised stick, makes contact, or is in close proximity with any player a penalty will be called. [Four-minute penalty.] | |
| M. | DELAY OF GAME: A penalty will be called if the ball is under a player's chair and he/she makes no attempt to move off the ball or play the ball (this does not include goaltenders). Goaltenders will be given a penalty if they repeatedly, or intentionally knock the goal net off the goal crease/goal line. A penalty will also be called for taking too much time to return to the face-off circle after a goal, or other stoppage of play. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| N. | ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT: During a stoppage of play a team may ask the referee to examine a player's equipment to see if it is in violation of rules. If the player's equipment is illegal, the player will receive a penalty. If the equipment is found to be legal, the challenging team will receive a delay of game penalty. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| O. | THROWING/DROPPING STICK: A penalty will be called if a player deliberately throws, drops, or shoots a stick (or any other object) at the ball to prevent a goal, or a player from advancing with the ball. [Two-minute penalty.] If the player with the ball is advancing towards the goaltender with no defender between him/her and the goaltender, and a stick is thrown or shot at the ball, thus preventing a goal, a penalty shot will be awarded to the advancing player. If the player with the ball is advancing towards an empty net, and a stick is thrown, dropped, or shot at the ball, thus preventing a goal, the referee will award the advancing player a goal. | |
| P. | SLASHING: Non-shooting motion contact with the hockey stick on another player's body, including their stick. [Two-minute penalty.] | |
| Q. | DROPPED STICKS: Dropped sticks are a common part of the game. If a player drops his/her stick they are encouraged to keep playing until a stoppage in play occurs, |
Section VII [Major Penalties]
| A. | DRAWING BLOOD: If a player bleeds after a minor penalty, a major penalty is then assessed. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game. | |
| B. | SLASHING: Deliberate contact with the hockey stick on another player's body. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game. | |
| C. | SPEARING: Using the blade of the hockey stick to spear another player. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game. | |
| D. | BUTT ENDING: Using the end of the hockey shaft to hit another player. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game. | |
| E. | ATTEMPT TO INJURE: At the officials' discretion, any conscious attempt to hurt another player. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game | |
| F. | FIGHTING: Using body or wheelchair to fight with or injure another player. [Five-minute player penalty.] At referees' discretion, penalized player may receive a game misconduct and be ejected from the game. | |
| G. | CHAIR TIPPING: Although rare, a player's power chair tipping over is very serious and results in an immediate stoppage in play. The referee will automatically assess a 5 minute major penalty (Dangerous Driving) to the aggressor in the incident. If the aggressor cannot be clearly identified then both players will be assessed coincidental 5 minute major penalties. Players will be warned that a future tip involving them will result in a 5 minute major penalty and a 1 Game suspension. |
Section VIII [Playoff Schedule]
| A. | Each playoff game will be played like a normal regular season game. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be a fifteen minute overtime period. The overtime period will be played on a non stop-time basis, except the last two minutes, which will be stop time. The first team to score wins. If a goal is not scored, subsequent overtime periods will be played, time permitting. If at the discretion of the league official present, time is within 10 minutes of expiring, there will be a shoot-out. Each team is allowed three players who will each shoot once. If at the end of the first rotation there is still a tie there will be a second shoot-out with the first team [with even shots] to score a goal winning. The goalie that was in the net for the majority of the game must continue in net for the shoot-out. The goalie may not be one of the players chosen to be one of the shooters in the shoot-out. | |
| B. | No new players / substitutions can be added to a team during the play-offs. | |
| C. | A player must have played in at least 50% of the regular season in order to qualify for post-season play. | |
| D. | The team finishing with the best record will play the team with the worst [second best record playing second worst etc.]. If there are an odd number of teams in the league, the bottom two teams will play each other to see who advances to play the top team. |
Section IX [Legacy Player Classifications – League Play]
| A. | Level 1 Players: A player who has the upper body strength to lift the stick and hit the ball a good distance and with speed. These players have the ability to shoot and pass the ball quickly and with velocity. These players can usually switch the ball easily from forehand to backhand (or vice-versa) allowing good ability to carry, control, and maneuver with the ball through/around other players. These are players who can reach in front, across, or possibly even behind their wheelchair with their stick relative easily to bring the ball into their control or take it away from another player. | |
| B. | Level 2 Players: This level ranges from players who may be able to lift the stick and hit the ball with fair distance and speed, but lack the power and another player. Unlike a level 1 player, these players are unable to easily reach out in front, behind, or across their wheelchair with their stick. | |
| C. | Level 3 Players: Players who tapes/mounts/brackets their stick to the wheelchair, or may hold the stick between their legs. These players rely It may be common for a level 2 or level 3 player to be more beneficial to a team due to their knowledge of the game. | |
| D. | League Executives will oversee assessments / player classifications. The League Executives will set ratings and, when necessary, vote on changing a player's level. |