Back Blocking

B

6.1  BLOCKING TO THE BACK 

Hitting an opponent in the back of the torso, back of the legs, or back of the buttocks is prohibited (see 

Section 5.2.2 for Illegal Target Zones). Hitting an opponent with a legal blocking zone into a legal target 

zone while positioned behind said opponent is not blocking to the back and is not illegal. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.1.1  Any contact to the back of an opponent that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opponent to lose relative position. 

Major Penalty 

6.1.2  Any contact to the back of an opponent that forces the receiving opposing skater out of their established position. This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position.   

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an 

opponent in the back egregiously, whether or not the action was successful.  

6.1.3  Intentional, negligent, or reckless illegal contact to the back of an opponent, back of an opponent’s legs, or back of an opponent’s buttocks.    

High Block

A

6.2  BLOCKING TO THE HEAD OR HIGH BLOCKING 

  Hitting an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited (see Section 5.2.2 for Illegal Target Zones). 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.2.1  Contact to the head that is incidental or done by a teammate. 

Major Penalty 

6.2.2  Any block with forceful contact landing above the shoulders.  

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts making contact with the head of an opponent or above the shoulders will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). 

Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to commit any of the following egregious 

acts, whether or not the attempt was successful. 

6.2.3  Any contact with the head of a skater not wearing a helmet. 

6.2.4  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact above the shoulders. 

6.2.5  Pulling of the head, neck, or helmet. 

6.2.6  Choking by the helmet straps or otherwise. 

Low Block

L

6.3  LOW BLOCKING 

Skaters may not trip or intentionally fall in front of another skater. Any contact which is initiated below 

the legal target zone that causes the skater to stumble or fall is considered tripping and/or low blocking. 

Downed skaters returning to the track are subject to tripping/low blocking penalties even on the first 

instance, even if the downed skater has fallen small.   

No Impact/No Penalty  

6.3.1  Contact between skates and wheels that is part of the normal skating motion.    

6.3.2  A skater who “falls small” in an effort to avoid low blocking. 

6.3.3  Any contact outside of the normal skating motion which lands below the legal target zone that causes an opposing skater to stumble but not fall or lose relative position.  

6.3.4   Any contact outside of the normal skating motion initiated with a part of the body below the legal blocking zone that causes an opposing skater to stumble but not fall or lose relative position. 

6.3.5  A downed skater returning to the track that causes an opposing skater to stumble but not fall or lose relative position. 

Major Penalty  

6.3.6  Any contact outside of the normal skating motion which lands below the legal target zone and 

causes an opposing skater to fall or lose relative position.  

6.3.7  Any contact outside of the normal skating motion initiated with a part of the body below the 

legal blocking zone that causes an opposing skater to fall or lose relative position. 

6.3.8  Flailing and sprawling skaters who low block an opponent causing the recipient to fall or lose relative position.  

6.3.9  Habitual contact between skates and wheels that is part of the normal skating motion that causes an opposing skater to stumble, fall, or lose relative position. The intent is to penalize skaters whose normal skating motion is dangerous to opponents. A single skater whorepeatedly 

low blocks other skaters, even in normal skating motions, is adversely affecting game play and safety. 

6.3.10  A skater who habitually falls in front of opposing skaters, causing them to stumble or fall or lose relative position, even if the skater “falls small.” The intent is to penalize a skater who repeatedly falls as the skater is a danger to opponents. A single skater who repeatedly low blocks other skaters, even when “falling small” is adversely affecting game play and safety. 

6.3.11  A downed skater returning to the track that causes an opposing skater to fall or lose relative 

position. 

6.3.12  Intentionally taking a knee in an attempt to avoid a block. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious attempt to trip an opponent, 

whether or not the action was successful.  

6.3.13  Intentional tripping with feet or hands. 

6.3.14  Slide tackling an opponent. 

6.3.15  Intentionally kicking another skater.

Use of Elbows

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6.4  USE OF ELBOWS  

6.4.1  When engaging another skater, elbows may not be swung with a forward/backward motion. 

6.4.2  When engaging another skater, elbows may not be swung with upward or downward motion. 

6.4.3  The elbow must be bent while blocking with that arm. 

6.4.4  Contact may not be made exclusively with the point of the elbow (i.e., jabbing). 

6.4.5  Elbows may not be used to hook an opposing skater in any way (e.g., by wrapping one’s arm 

around an opponent’s arm). 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.4.6  Any illegal contact with the elbow or swinging motion of the elbow that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, and/or sideways but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

Major Penalty 

6.4.7  Any illegal contact with the elbow or swinging motion of the elbow that lands above the shoulders. 

6.4.8  Any illegal swinging motion of the elbow or illegal elbow contact that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, and/or sideways and causes the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.4.9  Use of an elbow or arm to pin or hook an opponent’s arm in a manner as to impede the opponent’s mobility. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to elbow 

an opponent egregiously, whether or not the action was successful.  

6.4.10  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent by using the elbow in an illegal manner. 

Multi-Player Block

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6.7 MULTI-PLAYER BLOCKS 

6.7.1  Skaters may not grab and hold each other’s uniform or equipment in a multi-player block. 

6.7.2  Skaters may not use their hands, arms, or legs in any grabbing, holding, linking, or joining fashion in a multi-player block. 

6.7.3  Touching and assisting teammates that does not create a wall to impede an opponent or prevent another skater receiving a block from an opponent is not a multi-player block. 

6.7.4.  The multi-player link must be that which is blocking or impeding an opponent for the action to be 

illegal. 

6.7.4.1  The multi-player link need not be physically touching the opposing skater. The link must be in front of the direction/pathway of the opposing skater. Even if the linked skaters have body parts (shoulders, hips, etc.) that are between the link and the opposing skater, the link is still impeding the opposing skater and must be called as a multi-player block. 

6.7.4.2  A multi-player block must be physically challenged before a multi-player block penalty can be assessed. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.7.5  Temporarily grabbing a teammate’s clothing, equipment, or body part to push or pull, thereby 

adjusting the skater’s speed or the teammate’s speed. 

6.7.6  Touching, but not grabbing and/or holding, a teammate while blocking.   

6.7.7  Holding a teammate in a front-back direction while blocking or to stabilize from a block, as long as the point of contact is not impeding opposing skaters. Major Penalty 

6.7.8  Maintaining a multi-player block where an opponent makes contact with the block and is impeded, including where it prevents another skater receiving a block from an opponent for any amount of time. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an 

opponent in an egregious manner while executing a multi-player block. 

6.7.9  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent while executing a multi-player block in an illegal manner. 

Use of Forearms or Hands

F

6.5  USE OF FOREARMS AND HANDS 

6.5.1  Forearms or hands may never be used to grab, hold, or push an opponent.   

6.5.2  Incidental forearm contact between skaters is acceptable.   

6.5.3  During forearm contact between skaters, the following are indications that a push has occurred:  

6.5.3.1  The initiating skater extends their arm during contact. 

6.5.3.2  The receiving skater is propelled forward or sideways. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.5.4  Contact made with the forearms when forearms are pulled into the body. 

6.5.5  Illegal forearm or hand contact to an opponent that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, and/or sideways but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. This includes: 

6.5.5.1  A slight but observable push with the hands or forearms. 

6.5.5.2  A block initiated with the shoulder in which there is either a simultaneous or subsequent push with the forearm. A push is indicated by the initiating skater extending their arms while making contact with the forearms, resulting in the receiving skater being propelled forward or sideways. 

Major Penalty 

6.5.6  Extended touching (lasting three seconds or more) with the forearms or hands to an opponent’s legal and/or illegal target zone. 

6.5.7  Any illegal contact with hands or forearms above the shoulders. 

6.5.8  Any illegal forearm or hand contact to an opponent that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, and/or sideways and causes the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.5.9  Use of hands or forearms to grab or hold an opposing skater impeding that skater’s mobility. 

6.5.10  Grabbing an opponent in order to assist oneself in blocking another skater. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts using the forearms or hands will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to commit any of the following egregious acts, whether or not the attempt was successful. 

6.5.11  Punching another skater. 

6.5.12  Holding or pinning another skater to the ground. 

6.5.13  Shoving an opponent. 

Blocking with the Head

H

6.6  BLOCKING WITH THE HEAD   

The head may not be used to block an opponent. Blocking with the head is dangerous for the initiator and 

the receiver.  

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.6.1  Incidental contact by the initiator’s head that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, 

forward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. Major Penalty 

6.6.2  Incidental contact by the initiator’s head that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, 

forward, and/or sideways and causes the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.6.3 Initiating a block with the head that includes physical contact, regardless of impact or advantage. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an 

opponent with the head, whether or not the action was successful.  

6.6.4  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent by blocking with the head in an 

illegal manner. 

Cutting the Track

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6.11  CUTTING THE TRACK 

When out of bounds, skaters must return to the track without bettering their position in relation to other 

skaters. Violations are considered Cutting the Track. A skater that is in bounds need not yield the right of 

way to an out-of-bounds skater. Skaters that are out of bounds must find an entrance back in bounds that 

does not require in-bounds skaters to move. Out-of-bounds skaters are subject to skating out of bounds 

penalties even if they do not cut the track (See Section 6.12 Skating Out of Bounds).   

This section addresses penalties for cutting the track. Skaters must be upright and skating or standing to 

receive cutting the track penalties. (See Section 6.8 Out of Bounds Engagement for downed skaters 

returning to the track and illegally blocking and Section 6.3 Low Blocking).   

Downed skaters that have returned to the track are subject to applicable cutting the track penalties when 

they return to an in-bounds, upright, and skating or standing position. Downed skaters are not to be 

penalized with cutting the track penalties, but are still subject to low blocking and blocking from out of 

bounds penalties. Skaters cannot drop back while in play in efforts to undo or avoid cutting the track 

penalties. 

6.11.1  Returning behind the initiator of the block. When sent out of bounds by a block, an opponent 

must return to the track without bettering their position in relation to other skaters. Returning to 

the track from out of bounds in front of the initiator of the block is improving your relative 

position, regardless of who is in front when the block is executed. An in-bounds skater who 

forces an opponent out of bounds earns and establishes superior position. A skater may not 

return in bounds in front of another skater who blocked that skater out of bounds, except under 

the following circumstances where no penalty is to be issued: 

6.11.1.1  When the initiating skater is considered “in the box,” having been sent off the track 

for a penalty (see Section 7.2.3.2.2). 

6.11.1.2  When the initiating skater goes out of bounds at any time after the initiating block. 

6.11.1.3  When the initiating skater goes down or falls at any time after the initiating block. 

6.11.1.4  When the initiating skater exits out of the Engagement Zone at any time after the 

initiating block. 

The outcome and aftermath of a block are complete when the receiving skater has re-established 

control of their own self on the track. If the receiving skater exits the track after the outcome and 

aftermath of a block, that skater is not required to return behind the initiator of the previous 

block. The skater is, however, still subject to skating out of bounds penalties.  

6.11.2  Skaters straddling the track boundary line. Skaters are straddling the track boundary line when 

they are simultaneously touching both inside and outside the track boundary line. Straddling 

skaters are subject to cutting the track penalties when they are in bounds, upright, and skating or 

standing.  The boundary line is considered in bounds. Airborne skaters are not considered 

straddling skaters. (See Section 6.8.9 for the in bounds/out of bounds status of airborne skaters.)  

6.11.3  Examples of Cutting the Track: 6.11.3.1  An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in-bounds (having 

previously been either out-of-bounds or straddling), who does so in front of one or 

more in-play skaters, which results in the offending skater having bettered their 

position. 

6.11.3.2  An in-bounds, upright, and skating skater who returns completely in-bounds (having 

previously been either out-of-bounds or straddling), who does so in front of one or 

more in-bounds skaters during a no-pack scenario, which results in the offending 

skater having bettered their position relative to that/those in-bounds skater(s). 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.11.4  A skater who has returned to the track in front of a downed, out of bounds, or out of play skater 

is not bettering their position. However, such skaters are subject to cutting the track penalties for 

other in-play skaters and are still subject to skating out of bounds penalties.   

6.11.5  A skater who has returned to the track in front of a skater who is “in the box,” having been sent 

off the track for a penalty.   

6.11.6  A skater straddling the track boundary line who then completely exits the track, regardless of 

which, or how many, skaters were passed while straddling. 

6.11.7  An out of bounds skater that steps one skate inside the track boundary to become a straddling 

skater and then steps back completely out of bounds, never removing out of bounds contact with the floor.    

6.11.8  Any of the scenarios in Sections 6.11.1.1- 6.11.1.4. 

No Pass/No Penalty  

While no penalty should be given for instances of “No Pass/No Penalty” infractions, neither should credit 

be given for a legal pass of the person being passed. This may result in, for instance, a Jammer failing to 

earn Lead Jammer status, despite being the first Jammer to clear the pack and having incurred no 

penalties. 

6.11.9  A skater cutting only one teammate. 

6.11.10  A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater is considered “in the box,” 

having been sent off the track for a penalty (see Section 7.2.3.2.2). 

6.11.11  A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater goes out of bounds at any 

time after the initiating block. 

6.11.12  A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater goes down or falls at any 

time after the initiating block. 

6.11.13  A skater cutting only the initiating skater, when the initiating skater exits out of the Engagement 

Zone at any time after the initiating block. 

Major Penalty 

6.11.14  A skater cutting any opposing skater. 

6.11.15  A skater cutting more than one teammate. 

Expulsion 

6.11.16  Not applicable. 

Skating Out of Bounds

S

6.12   SKATING OUT OF BOUNDS 

Skaters must remain in bounds. No part of the skater's skate(s) may touch the ground outside the track 

boundary. Skaters may not pick up momentum for a block until in bounds (see Section 6.8.2).  

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.12.1  Being forced out of bounds by an opponent's block. 

6.12.2  Skating out of bounds as the result of a missed or successful block (Blocking out of bounds criteria still apply; see Section 6.8.) 

6.12.3  Maintaining or increasing speed for the purposes of skating to and from the penalty box. 

6.12.4  Exiting the track as a result of injury, equipment failure, or to avoid unsafe track conditions 

including but not limited to fallen skaters, debris, and spills. 

6.12.5  Skating out of bounds in order to retrieve a helmet cover that has been dropped out of bounds (see Sections 3.2.3.1 and 3.5.8.2). 

6.12.6  Intentionally taking a straddling position on the track. The skater is still subject to Cutting Penalties (see Section 6.11 Cutting the Track) and other Skating Out of Bounds Penalties (see Sections 6.12.8 – 6.12.9). 

Major Penalty 

6.12.7  Skating out of bounds in an attempt to avoid a block. 

6.12.8  Skating out of bounds to maintain or increase speed. 

6.12.8.1  Striding or performing a cross-over while touching out of bounds. 

6.12.9  Skating across the track infield in a manner which substantially cuts short the lap distance. It is 

not necessary to pass an in-bounds skater to commit a skating out of bounds penalty. 

6.12.9.1  Skating repeatedly across the infield in a manner that results in a noticeable (though not immediately penalizable) shortening of a lap, which in the course of a game ends up cutting short the cumulative lap length by a “substantial” amount. 

6.12.10 Having put oneself in a straddling position, stepping out of bounds entirely of one’s own accord. 

Expulsion 

6.12.11  Not applicable. 

Insubordination

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6.14  INSUBORDINATION 

Insubordination penalties will be given for actions which demonstrate a disregard for the authority of the 

referees and officials, whether intentional or not. Examples of insubordination include, but are not limited 

to, failure to leave the track for a penalty, failure to leave the floor after fouling out, and the use of 

contemptuous speech directed at an official.  

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.14.1  Intentionally committing an Illegal Procedure is not insubordination and must not be penalized as such.   

Major Penalty 

6.14.2  Willfully failing to leave the track for a penalty. 

6.14.3  The use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at an official. 

Expulsion 

6.14.4  Willfully failing to leave the floor after fouling out. 

6.14.5  The repeated use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at an official. 

6.14.6  Deliberate and excessive insubordination to a referee. 

Delay of Game

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6.15   DELAY OF GAME 

Delay of Game penalties will be given for actions which interfere with the standard progression of the game. If a Delay of Game penalty is warranted, the officials should take a timeout at the end of the 30-second line-up time, instead of starting a new jam. The penalty should be enforced, and a new line-up period begun as soon as possible. 

Major Penalty 

6.15.2  Failure to be on the track for the next jam at jam start when currently in the penalty box queue. 

One penalty will be assessed to each offending skater. 

6.15.3  Failure to field any Blockers for a jam, preventing a jam from beginning. Penalty will be assessed to the Captain (see Section 9.2.7.1.2 for refusal to field skaters). 

6.15.4  Failure to field any Blockers between the Pivot and Jammer lines, preventing a pack from forming 

between the Pivot and Jammer lines at the first legal opportunity. Penalty will be assessed to the Captain. 

6.15.5  With one Jammer serving a penalty in the penalty box, a failure to field a jammer for the next jam by the opposing team, preventing a jam from beginning. Penalty will be assessed to the Captain. 

6.15.6  A team successfully requesting a team timeout when they have none remaining. Penalty will be 

assessed to the Captain. 

6.15.7  A skater, having previously had the jam called off for injury, being on the track at the jam start before the allotted three jams required for the skater to sit out have elapsed. The penalty should be issued to the Captain. If the referee believes the injury presents a serious and immediate threat to the skater or others, the Official should immediately send the skater back to their bench, rather than waiting until the end of the line-up time. 

Misconduct

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6.16  MISCONDUCT/GROSS MISCONDUCT 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.16.1  Entry to the penalty box that causes contact only to persons intruding on either the safety lane 

and/or the penalty box. 

6.16.2  Contact, either actual or potential, by the skater’s penalty seat to another person that is caused 

by a structural failure of the seat, not by the entry of the skater to the penalty box. 

6.16.3  Entry to the penalty box causes a teammate to either move or be forcibly contacted. 

6.16.4  Initiating contact with both skates off of the ground that forces the receiving opposing skater off 

balance, forward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose their relative position. 

6.16.5  Initiating contact with both skates off of the ground to a teammate is legal, regardless of the 

impact on that teammate. The impacted skater is, however, responsible for the legality of their own actions. 

Major Penalty (Misconduct) 

6.16.6  Initiating contact with both skates off of the ground that forces the receiving opposing skater out 

of established position. This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position. 

6.16.7  Executing a block on an opponent who is down. 

6.16.8  The use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at a mascot, announcer, 

audience member, or other bout production individuals. 

6.16.9  The excessive use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at an opposing skater, teammate, manager, coach, or other team support staff. 

6.16.10  Entry to the penalty box that causes another person to vacate their position to reasonably avoid 

being forcibly contacted. This includes people correctly positioned in their team bench area and is not limited to people in the penalty box. 

6.16.11  Habitual entry to the penalty box where contact, either actual or potential, by the skater’s seat to 

another person is caused by a structural failure of the seat and not the entry of the skater. Penalty is to be issued where proper precaution is not being shown by the offending skater, causing the habitual failure of a seat or seats. 

Gross Misconduct

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6.16  MISCONDUCT/GROSS MISCONDUCT 

Expulsion or Suspension (Gross Misconduct) 

Gross Misconduct is defined as an indiscretion so serious that it justifies the instant expulsion of a skater, 

even on the first occurrence. The following egregious acts will be an automatic game expulsion, even if 

not during a fight, and can be punished as multi-game suspensions (see Section 7.4.2.2). 

6.16.12  Illegal interference in game-play by skaters or support staff not involved in the jam. 

6.16.13  The repeated use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at a mascot, announcer, audience member, or other bout production individuals. 

6.16.14  The repetitive and excessive use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures directed at 

an opposing skater, teammate, manager, coach, or other support staff. 

6.16.15  Fighting, defined as a physical struggle that is not part of regular game play. A skater that only 

defends blows and does not engage in the fight will not be penalized. (see Section 7.4.2) 

6.16.16  Biting. 

6.16.17  Jumping onto or into a pile of fighting skaters (i.e., "dog pile"). 

6.16.18  Serious physical violence or any action deemed by the officials to cause an extraordinary physical 

threat. 

6.16.19  Entry to the penalty box that causes the skater, the skater’s seat, or another seat to forcibly contact another person. This includes people correctly positioned in their team bench area and is not limited to people in the penalty box.  

Out of Bounds Penalties

Out of Bounds Assist

Out of Bounds Block

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6.8  OUT OF BOUNDS ENGAGEMENT  

6.8.1  Skaters must be in bounds when initiating a block. 

6.8.2  Skaters may not pick up momentum for a block until in bounds.   

6.8.3  If a skater forces an opponent out of bounds while blocking, the initiating Blocker must cease blocking before their own skates touch outside the track boundary. No part of the initiating Blocker’s skate may touch the ground outside the track boundary.   

6.8.4  A skater who is in bounds need not yield right of way to the out of bounds skater.  

6.8.5  A skater may not initiate contact with an opponent who is completely outside the track boundary.   

6.8.6  An in-bounds skater may actively block or hit a returning skater when any part of the returning skater's skate is touching any in bounds track territory. The returning skater has crossed the track boundary but remains out of bounds by definition as long as any part of their skates are still touching any out of bounds territory. However, by entering the track, the returning skater becomes a target and can be hit.   

6.8.7  A skater who is straddling the line may not engage, block, or assist because the skater has one 

skate down outside the track boundary and is out of bounds by definition.   

6.8.8  A skater who is straddling the line may be hit by a skater who is on the track since the straddling skater has one skate down inside the track boundary.   

6.8.9  If a skater jumps and ceases all contact with the ground, the skater’s prior in bounds/out of bounds status is maintained until contact with the ground re-establishes in bounds/out of bounds status.   

6.8.10  Downed skaters returning to the track are subject to blocking out of bounds penalties, even if the downed skater has fallen small.   

6.8.11  There is no penalty for blocking a skater who has jumped off both skates and left contact with the track from in bounds. 

6.8.12 A skater initiating or continuing a block while hanging a skate or other body part over the track 

boundary, but not touching outside the track boundary, is not blocking from out of bounds. 

6.8.13  A skater returning to the track from out of bounds while down, without making contact to any 

opponents or forcing them to fall or lose relative position, is not blocking from out of bounds. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.8.14  Any contact from out of bounds that does not cause the receiving opposing skater to fall or lose 

relative position. 

6.8.15  Continuing a block after any part of the initiating Blocker is touching the ground outside the track boundary. 

6.8.16  Any contact with an opponent who is touching the track exclusively outside the track boundary that does not affect the opposing skater’s ability to return to play.  

6.8.17  Any contact to opponents initiated by a downed skater returning to the track from out of bounds that does not force opposing in-play skaters to fall or lose relative position. 

6.8.18  Any assist from out of bounds that does not cause the receiving skater to improve their relative position. 

Major Penalty 

6.8.19  Any contact or blocking from out of bounds that causes the receiving opposing skater to fall or lose relative position. 

6.8.20  Continuing a block which causes the receiving skater to fall where there is continued blocking 

contact past the point where any part of the initiating Blocker is touching out of bounds. 

6.8.21  A downed skater returning to the track from out of bounds who forces any opposing in-play skaters to fall or lose relative position. 

6.8.22  Any contact with an opponent who is touching the track exclusively outside the track boundary that causes the opponent to fall or affects the opposing skater’s ability to return to play.  

6.8.23  Any assist from out of bounds that causes the receiving skater to improve their relative position. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsion and can be punished as a multi-game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an 

out of bounds opponent in an egregious manner while executing an illegal block. 

6.8.24 Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an out of bounds opponent while executing a 

block in an illegal manner. 

Direction of Gameplay Penalties

Clockwise Block

Stopped Block

Clockwise Assist

Stopped Assist

C

6.9  DIRECTION OF GAMEPLAY  

6.9.1  Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when executing a 

block. Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction while executing a block. Skaters may not block while stopped on the track. These illegal blocking techniques include positional blocking.  Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries. 

6.9.2  Skaters must be skating and/or stepping in the counter-clockwise direction when giving an assist. 

Skaters may not skate in the clockwise direction when giving or receiving an assist. Skaters may 

not give assists to skating teammates while stopped on the track. The initiator of the assist is 

responsible for the legality of the assist. Clockwise movement is measured by the skates moving 

past a line perpendicular to the track boundaries. 

6.9.2.1  A stopped or counter-clockwise stepping/skating skater may legally assist a stopped or downed teammate. 

6.9.3  Skaters are permitted to skate clockwise on the track provided they do not block, assist, or otherwise engage teammates or opponents. 

6.9.4  Skaters are permitted to stop on the track provided they do not block, assist, or otherwise 

engage teammates or opponents. 

6.9.4.1  A skater who is engaged in a block who then comes to a stop for any reason must 

cease all engagement until there is another legal opportunity to engage. 

6.9.5  Skaters may skate clockwise out of bounds when exiting the penalty box, but must return to play 

from the back of the pack (see Section 6.13 Illegal Procedures). 

6.9.6  Skaters may block and/or assist while their body is facing any direction as long as they are 

moving in the counter-clockwise direction.  

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.9.7  Incidental contact from a skater getting spun around as a result of another block. 

6.9.8  A skater, while stopped on the track, assisting a downed teammate to an upright position or 

assisting another stopped teammate. 

6.9.9  A skater coming to a stop as a result of giving an assist. 

6.9.10  A stopped skater giving an assist that affects the recipient but does not improve the recipient’s 

relative position.  

6.9.11  A clockwise positional block that forces the receiving opposing skater off-balance, forward, 

backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.9.12  A positional block by a stopped skater that forces the receiving opposing skater off-balance, 

forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.9.13  A skater who, while blocking an opposing skater, momentarily comes to a stop, but resumes counter-clockwise skating and/or stepping at the first legal opportunity. 

6.9.14  If there is no legal opportunity to skate and/or step in the counter-clockwise direction no penalty 

will be assessed as long as the stopped skater does not continue to engage. 

Major Penalty 

If the illegal block causes a skater to fall or has a measurable consequence for the game it is a major 

penalty. 

6.9.15  A block by a stopped skater that includes physical contact which forces the receiving opposing 

skater off balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater 

to lose relative position. 

6.9.16  A clockwise skating and/or stepping skater giving an assist that affects the recipient, regardless of 

whether or not it improves the recipient’s relative position. The penalty is given to the initiator of 

the assist. 

6.9.17  A clockwise block that includes physical contact which forces the receiving opposing skater off-

balance, forward, backward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.9.18  A skater who comes to a stop while blocking an opposing skater but does not begin counter-clockwise skating and/or stepping again at the first legal opportunity. 

6.9.19  A clockwise block that forces the receiving opposing skater to lose established position. This 

includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position. 

6.9.20  A block by a stopped skater that forces the receiving opposing skater to lose established position. 

This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position. 

6.9.21  A stopped skater giving an assist that improves the recipient’s relative position.  

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multigame 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious and forceful attempt to block an 

opponent in an egregious manner while executing a clockwise block, whether or not the action was 

successful. 

6.9.22  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent while executing a clockwise block in 

an illegal manner. 

6.9.23  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent while stopped on the track in an illegal manner. 

Out of Play Penalties

P

Falure to Return

Failure to Reform

Out of Play Block

Illegal Return

Out of Play Assist

Destroying the Pack

6.10   OUT OF PLAY  

Out of play penalties are applied for actions occurring in front of and/or behind the legal Engagement 

Zone and for actions that illegally destroy the pack. All actions are to be penalized equally regardless of 

position (Blocker vs. Jammer). Out of play actions include but are not limited to blocking, assisting, 

destroying the pack, failure to reform a pack, and failure to return to the Engagement Zone. A penalty will 

be applied to each offending Blocker for each action.  

6.10.1  A skater who is in front of or behind the Engagement Zone may receive an out of play warning 

from a referee.  

6.10.2  Illegally destroying the pack is the illegal creation of a “no-pack” situation. When two or more 

groups of Blockers equal in number are on the track, are more than 10 feet (3 m) from one 

another, and no single group meets the pack definition, no pack can be defined. If the actions of 

a skater, team, or group of skaters create a no-pack situation, one penalty for destroying the 

pack will be applied to a single skater who is most responsible or the Pivot (see Section 7.1.4).  

Both teams are responsible for maintaining a legally defined pack. 

6.10.2.1  Examples of illegally destroying the pack, or creating a no-pack situation, may include 

but are not limited to a skater, skaters, or team running away, braking or coasting to drop back more than 10 feet (3 m) behind the opposing team, taking a knee, 

intentionally falling, or intentionally skating out of bounds in such a manner that the legally defined pack is destroyed.   

6.10.2.1.1  The rules do not define pack speed. Illegally destroying the pack penalties shall not be given for gradually deviating from the speed of the 

pack as established through game play, unless said deviation is sudden, rapid, and marked, leaving the opposing team no opportunity to adjust and maintain a pack. 

6.10.2.2  A skater or group of skaters is always responsible for the consequences of their actions. If their actions create a no-pack situation (excepting those covered in Sections 6.10.2.3 and 6.10.2.1.1) they must be penalized as directed in 6.10.9 and 6.10.18. When determining responsibility of a no-pack situation, per Sections 4.1.2 and 6.10.2, both teams are responsible for maintaining a legally defined pack. 

6.10.2.3  Pack destructions as a result of normal gameplay are not to be considered illegal pack 

destructions and should not be penalized. Skaters still must reform a pack immediately or be subject to out of play penalties (see Sections 6.10.6 and 6.10.7). 

Examples of normal gameplay which should not be considered illegal pack destructions include: 

  6.10.2.3.1  Forcing an opponent down or out of bounds. 

  6.10.2.3.2  A pack being destroyed as the result of a missed block. This is not the 

same as intentionally skating out of bounds to destroy a pack, which should be penalized according to rule 6.10.2.1. 

6.10.2.4  When no single skater or team can be clearly found responsible for illegally destroying 

the pack, no penalty for illegally destroying the pack shall be enforced, however 

skaters and teams are still responsible for immediately reforming a pack (see Sections 

6.10.7, 6.10.12, and 6.10.20).    

6.10.3  Jammers may initiate engagement with Jammers outside the Engagement Zone.   

6.10.4  Jammers may not initiate engagement with Blockers outside the Engagement Zone. If a Blocker initiates engagement with a Jammer outside the Engagement Zone, the illegally engaged Jammer may counter-block and go unpenalized. Likewise, if a Jammer illegally engages a Blocker outside the Engagement Zone, that Blocker may counter-block and go unpenalized. 

6.10.5  Blockers may not initiate engagement outside the Engagement Zone. If a Blocker initiates engagement with an opponent outside the Engagement Zone, the illegally engaged opponent may counter-block and go unpenalized. Likewise, if a Jammer illegally engages an opponent outside the Engagement Zone, that opponent may counter-block and go unpenalized. 

6.10.6  Out of play skaters will be warned to return to the Engagement Zone and will be penalized if they 

do not immediately attempt to return to the Engagement Zone.   

6.10.6.1  A skater ahead of the Engagement Zone is compelled to skate clockwise to return to the Engagement Zone if the pack is stopped or moving clockwise. 

6.10.7  During a no-pack situation skaters will be warned that there is no pack and will be penalized if they do not immediately attempt to reform the pack. During a no-pack situation out of bounds skaters must return to the track and reform a pack. 

6.10.8  Skaters may not assist teammates outside the Engagement Zone. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.10.9  No-pack situations without a measurable impact on game play. 

6.10.10  Any illegal blocking while out of play that forces the receiving opposing skater off balance, 

forward, and/or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose relative position. 

6.10.11  An out of play assist that affects the recipient but does not improve relative position.  

Major Penalty 

If the out-of-play action has a measurable consequence for the game it is a major penalty. 

6.10.12 A skater who, after being warned, does not immediately attempt to return to the Engagement Zone. A major penalty must be applied to each offending Blocker who does not attempt to return to the Engagement Zone. 

6.10.13 After a warning, a failure to immediately attempt to reform a pack will result in a major penalty. 

This penalty includes failure to reform a pack by returning to in bounds from out of bounds. One penalty will be applied to a single skater per team, if applicable, who seems most responsible, or the Pivot (see Section 7.1.4). 

6.10.13.1  Examples of an immediate attempt to reform the pack by the front-most group of skaters include actively braking or coasting. This should continue until either they have come to a stop, at which point they may not start skating counter-clockwise again, or a pack has been reformed. During a no-pack scenario the front-most group is never required to skate clockwise to reform a pack. 

6.10.13.2  During a no-pack scenario, the rear-most group must accelerate forward until either they are sprinting and then maintain that speed, or a pack has been reformed. If a pack reformation is imminent, they may make motions to slow in order to enter the pack in a controlled fashion. 

6.10.13.3  During a no-pack scenario, if there are more than two groups, skaters who are in neither the front-most or rear-most groups may choose for themselves whether they would prefer to speed up or slow down in an attempt to reform the pack. 

6.10.13.4  During a no-pack scenario, if all of one team is out of bounds, the team on the track must skate forward, accelerating until they are sprinting, a pack has reformed, or a member of the opposing team may legally return to the track behind them. 

6.10.14  A Blocker returning to the pack from behind, having lapped the pack. A penalty must be applied 

to each offending Blocker (see Section 4.3.3.3). 

6.10.15  A Blocker returning to the pack from the front, having fallen behind the pack. A penalty must be 

applied to each offending Blocker (see Section 4.3.3.3). 

6.10.16 No Pack: After a warning, a sustained failure to reform a pack will result in a major penalty. This 

penalty includes a sustained failure to reform a pack by returning to in bounds from out of 

bounds. One penalty will be applied to a single skater per team, if applicable, who seems most 

responsible, or the Pivot (see Section 7.1.4). 

6.10.17  Any illegal blocking while out of play that forces the receiving opposing skater out of their 

established position. This includes forcing a skater down, out of bounds, or out of relative position. 

6.10.18  Illegally Destroying the Pack: The act of illegally destroying the pack causes all Blockers to lose relative position. The skater responsible for destroying the pack receives a major penalty. 

6.10.19  An out of play assist that improves the recipient’s relative position. The penalty is given to the initiator of the assist. 

Expulsion 

The following egregious acts will be automatic game expulsions and can be punished as a multi game 

suspension (see Section 7.4.2.2). Expulsions will be issued for a conscious attempt to block an opponent in

an egregious manner while out of play, whether or not the action was successful. 

6.10.20  Intentional, negligent, or reckless contact with an opponent while out of play. 

Illegal Procedure Penalties

I

False Start

Too Many Skaters

Illegal Call-Off

Illegal Re-Entry

Illegal Engaging

Penalty Box Violation

Uniform Violation

Star Pass Violation

Bench Staff Violation

Equipment Violation

Stalling

Illegal Positioning

6.13   ILLEGAL PROCEDURES  

Technical infractions that give the offending team an advantage but do not necessarily impact a specific 

opponent.  

6.13.1  False Start: A Jammer or Blocker who false starts must yield advantage. If a false-starting Blocke

or Jammer yields advantage but the opposing Jammer or Blocker does not take advantage of that attempt to yield position, neither Jammer nor Blocker will be assessed a penalty. 

6.13.1.1  A Jammer false starts for being out of position at the jam-starting whistle when that Jammer is touching beyond the Jammer Line. 

6.13.1.1.1   A false starting Jammer must yield to the opposing Jammer by giving them the opportunity to pass them 

6.13.1.1.2  If there is no opposing Jammer for a false starting Jammer to yield their advantage to, the false starting Jammer must still come to a complete stop and yield their advantage to the pack. 

6.13.1.2  A non-Pivot Blocker false starts for being out of position at the jam-starting whistle when the Blocker: 

  6.13.1.2.1  Is touching on or beyond the Pivot Line. 

  6.13.1.2.2  Is touching on or behind the Jammer Line. 

  6.13.1.2.3  Lines up in front of a Pivot Blocker who is upright and on the Pivot Line.

6.13.1.3  A Pivot Blocker false starts for being out of position at the jam-starting whistle when 

the Pivot Blocker: 

  6.13.1.3.1  Is touching beyond the Pivot Line. 

  6.13.1.3.2  Is touching on or behind the Jammer Line. 

No Impact/No Penalty 

6.13.2  A false start by a Jammer or Blocker who yields advantage. 

6.13.3  A Blocker who is on the track, between the Jammer and Pivot lines, skating into position when 

the jam-starting whistle blows. 

6.13.4  Assisting a downed teammate within the Engagement Zone.   

6.13.5  A skater exiting the penalty box before their penalty time finishes after being incorrectly 

instructed to do so by the penalty box official. The skater must return to the box and finish the 

penalty. 

6.13.6  A skater who establishes starting position on the track before the jam-starting whistle, but is 

blocked out of bounds prior to or as the whistle blows will be allowed to remain in the jam. 

6.13.7  Too many skaters on the track. The extra skater is instructed to return to the bench without 

stopping the jam.  

6.13.8  More than one designated Pivot for a team on the track after the jam-starting whistle. The skater 

at fault is the Pivot who was the last Pivot to enter the track in that jam. If the referee is unable 

to determine the last Pivot to enter the track, the referee handling the Illegal Procedure must 

single out the closest Pivot on the track . After the whistle, the referee must instruct that skater 

to return to the bench if that skater is an extra skater on the track (see Section 6.13.7) or remove 

the helmet cover if that skater is an extra Pivot, but the team otherwise has the correct number 

of Blockers. Any Pivot starting in the penalty box is the designated Pivot for that jam. 

6.13.9  A Jammer attempting to call off a jam without establishing Lead Jammer status and the jam is not called off. 

6.13.10  A skater exiting the penalty box and returning to the track in front of one pack skater of the same 

team.   

6.13.11  A skater, after being waved off of a full penalty box, returning to the track in front of one pack 

skater of the same team.   

6.13.12  A skater, after addressing mid jam equipment malfunction, returning to the track in front of one 

pack skater of the same team. 

6.13.13  A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent before the jam-starting whistle that forces 

the receiving opposing skater off balance, forward, or sideways, but does not cause the opposing skater to lose the established starting position. 

6.13.14  A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent after the fourth whistle ending the jam that 

forces the opposing skater slightly off balance, forward, or sideways but does not cause the opposing skater to fall. 

6.13.15  A Blocker starting the jam with more than one knee down. 

Major Penalty 

6.13.16  A skater exiting the penalty box and returning to the track in front of one opposing pack skater. 

6.13.17  A skater, after being waved off of a full penalty box, returning to the track in front of one 

opposing pack skater. 

6.13.18  A skater, after addressing mid jam equipment malfunction, returning to the track in front of one 

opposing pack skater. 

6.13.19  A penalized skater who leaves the penalty box during either a team or Official Timeout. 

6.13.20  A penalized skater's teammates or other support staff who enter the designated penalty box 

area to communicate with a penalized skater. If the person entering is not a skater in the bout 

the penalty will go to the Captain. Medical personnel are allowed in for medical purposes. 

6.13.21  A penalized skater who removes safety equipment while in the penalty box. A penalized skater 

may remove their mouth guard only after being seated in the penalty box. Merely adjusting 

safety equipment while in the penalty box is not to be penalized. 

6.13.22  A false start by a Jammer or Blocker who does not yield advantage. The Jammer or Blocker who 

committed the false start must stop all forward motion until the opposing Jammer or Blocker(s) 

takes the lead by passing the false-starting Blocker or Jammer. If a false-starting Blocker or 

Jammer yields advantage but the opposing Jammer or Blocker(s) does not take advantage of this 

attempt to yield position, a penalty must not be assessed and the yielding skater may proceed. 

6.13.23  Forcing a jam to be called off due to too many skaters on the track. The penalty is issued to the 

Pivot in that jam. If there is no Pivot in that jam, the penalty is issued to the last non-Pivot Blocker to enter the track to the extent that the referee is able to determine who that skater was. If there is no Pivot in the jam and the referee is unable to determine the last skater to enter the track, the referee issuing the Illegal Procedure must penalize the Blocker on the track closest to the referee who calls the penalty. 

6.13.24  Improper uniform, jewelry, or skates. 

6.13.25  A Jammer successfully calling off a jam without establishing Lead Jammer status. 

6.13.26  Violations of the passing the star procedures outlined in Section 3.5 Passing the Star. The initiator 

of the star pass receives the penalty for the illegal star pass. 

6.13.27  Illegally blocking a star pass. 

6.13.28  A skater exiting the penalty box and returning to the track in front of more than one pack skater. 

6.13.29  A skater, after being waved off of a full penalty box, returning to the track in front of more than one pack skater. 

6.13.30  A skater, after addressing mid jam equipment malfunction, returning to the track in front of 

more than one pack skater. 

6.13.31  A skater exiting the penalty box before they are released by an official. (Note: If the penalty box 

official instructs the skater to leave early, this penalty does not apply.) 

6.13.32  Too many skaters and/or team support staff in the designated team area. The penalty is issued to 

the Pivot at the time the penalty is determined. If there is no Pivot in that jam, the penalty is 

issued to the Captain in all circumstances. 

6.13.33  Removing required safety equipment (see Sections 7.2.7 and 10.1.1). 

6.13.34 A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent before the jam-starting whistle that forces 

the receiving opposing skater out of their established starting position. This includes forcing a 

skater down or out of bounds. 

6.13.35  A skater initiating contact or engaging an opponent after the fourth whistle of the jam that forces 

the receiving skater down or severely off balance, forward, or sideways. 

6.13.36  A skater who has fouled out of a bout but been allowed to return to the track area interfering 

with play or the bout. This includes returning to the designated bench area during the remainder 

of the bout. Penalty is to be assessed to that skater’s team Captain. 

6.13.37  Skaters who begin in an intentionally taken starting position which purposefully prolongs that 

skater's ability to return to an in-play position or a team's ability to reform a pack (e.g., 

intentionally starting on one's back, intentionally starting in a dog-pile), as this represents an 

intentional and immediate prolonged failure to rejoin/failure to reform. One penalty will be 

applied to a single skater per team, if applicable, who seems most responsible or the Pivot 

(further penalties should be assessed as laid out by rules 6.10.12 and 6.10.16). 

6.13.38  At the jam-starting whistle, less than half of a team’s on-the-track Blockers are in position 

between the Pivot and Jammer lines. The penalty should be given to the Pivot of the offending team(s), and if no Pivot exists, to the last non-Pivot Blocker to enter. If the referees cannot determine the last Blocker to enter, the Blocker closest to the penalizing referee will be charged with the penalty. This is not to apply to a situation where a Blocker false starts by lining up in 

front of a Pivot’s hips or accidentally jumps the jam-starting whistle. In the event that a pack will not form between the Pivot and Jammer lines at the first legal opportunity, the Jam should not be started, with a Delay of Game penalty being issued (see Section 6.15.4). 

Expulsion 

6.13.39  Not applicable.