A unique winter team sport for girls, ringette combines the intensity of hockey with the team play of soccer and the quick transitions of basketball. Ringette is played on any standard ice rink. An on-ice lineup consists of five skaters and a goalie. A straight stick (made of wood, fibreglass or aluminum) with no blade is used to pass, control and shoot an 8" hollow rubber ring between teammates. The object is to score goals by shooting the ring into your opponent's net. Play is started by a free pass similar to the start of a soccer game. The player who receives the free pass has five seconds to pass the ring to a teammate.and the game is on!

Free Pass Circle
There are five free pass circles on the ice. After a stoppage in play, a free pass to re-start the game begins from the nearest free pass circle. The team with possession starts play in their half of the circle, with the ring positioned on the 'placement dot'.

Goal Crease
No player from either team (except the goaltender) is allowed to enter the crease or play a ring that lies anywhere in the crease.

Free Play Zone
The area from the free play line to the boards. Teams are allowed no more than three players at a time in these areas. This prevents overcrowding and encourages a free-flowing game.

On-Ice Officials' Crease
An area where referees communicate with each other and off-ice officials.

Skating
Just like hockey, skating is the fundamental skill of ringette. Speed is important but so is good balance. Reaching the ring first or getting in the clear just by inches can give you the positional advantage you need to succeed.

Receiving A Pass
This skill takes a bit of practice. It involves trapping the ring with the stick when the ring can be moving pretty fast towards you. This skill requires good judgement and coordination.

Checking
Swing them backwards and forwards, but keep them relaxed and controlled with your hands open.

It's 'safety first' in ringette, which is why no intentional contact is allowed. The most common penalties are body contact, tripping and interference. The standard minor penalty is two minutes, but occasionally a four-minute major is assessed for actions judged intentional or particularly rough.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

. CSA-approved helmet and facemask
. BNQ-approved neck protector
. Elbow pads
. Protective gloves
. Hip/tailbone/genital protection
. Knee pads
. Skates (no picks)
. Ringette stick
. Goalie equipment - goal pads, chest protector, goal stick

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

Skaters: Shoulder pads, mouth guard
Goalies: Goal skates, blocker, trapper, arm pads

The sport of ringette was invented in 1963 by a Canadian named Sam Jacks. He wanted to develop an on-ice skating game for females that focused on movement and encouraged participation. From the first game that was played in Espanola, the game has evolved into a fast-paced exciting game that is played throughout Canada and the world.

Ontario Ringette Association

1185 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 705
North York, ON
M3C 3C6
416-426-7205
http://www.ontario-ringette.com