Rules for Playing Broom Ball

• Broom ball is played on an ice rink. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Thought to originate in Canada, broom ball requires two teams consisting of at least six players per team. Play takes place on an ice rink, either indoors or out. A game lasts a minimum of 36 minutes, as two halves of 18 minutes each are played. Players use a stick known as a broom to smack around the ball in an attempt to score on the opposing team's goal.

Equipment

• All players require proper equipment to compete in a broom ball game. Each player needs broom ball shoes complete with a specially designed rubber sole. Head protection is required, but face coverage by gate or wire attached to the helmet is optional. Male and female players must wear cups for protection. While shoulder and chest pads are optional, knee, elbow and shin guards must be worn. Gloves must be worn as well.

High Broom

• An infraction of the high broom rule results in a minor penalty of two minutes unless an injury occurs as a product of the action. In the event of an injury, a five-minute major penalty takes place. "High brooming" usually entails a player's making contact with the ball with a stick raised above his shoulders. However, the rule may change dependent on the league. Some leagues rule that any stick contact above the waist is high brooming.

Icing

• Similar to ice hockey, broom ball uses the red and blue lines of the rink. An icing call results from a player's intentionally shooting the ball to the opponent's goal line from behind his goal line. In some leagues, this defensive move results in an immediate icing call. In others, the icing is canceled if the opposing goalie touches the ball first or a member of the shooter's team touches the ball past the goal line before the opponent.