Ringette

Ringette was developed in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario and was originally designed to be a unique winter team sport for girls and an alternative to hockey. Ringette’s popularity has continued to grow and develop and today Ringette is a fast paced, technical sport that combines the skill of skating, the ring handling of traditional floor hockey and the strategies of basketball and lacrosse.  Ringette is played on an ice surface with similar rink markings to those used in hockey, with the addition of eight-foot goal creases and free play-lines.  Free-play lines extend across the ice surface in both end zones, are parallel to the blue lines and overlap each free pass circle at the point closest to the blue line.  Each team consists of 6 players (5 skaters and 1 goalkeeper).  Players use a stick (similar to a hockey stick but without the blade) and a rubber ring that is 6.5” wide.  The ring must be passed over each blue line; a playing rule which restricts any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the ice.  Players, other than the defending goalkeeper, may not enter the goal crease.  The team awarded possession of the ring during a stoppage in play initiates play with a free pass or a goalie’s ring.  A shot clock ensures that the attacking team takes a shot on goal within 30 seconds of taking possession of the ring.  Only three skaters from each team may play in the area bounded by the free-play line and the defensive end boards.  The winning team is the one with the most goals after two twenty minute stop time periods.