The following Rulebook outlines the gameplay structure, safety expectations, equipment requirements, platform policies, and referee procedures used in all BetterPuck sessions.
Game Format & Structure
Equipment & Uniform Requirements
Gameplay Rules
Player Conduct & Safety Rules
Infractions & Penalties
Referee Responsibilities
Appendices
BetterPuck games take place during one-hour ice bookings, which usually provides around 50 minutes of usable ice time. Referees will help get players organized so games can start on time. Everyone is expected to be ready and contribute to getting the session underway quickly. Play ends when the scheduled ice time is over or when the rink signals that resurfacing must begin.
1.2 Player Check-In
BetterPuck games are played 6-on-6: five skaters and one goalie per team.
BetterPuck assigns one referee and two goalies to every session.
BetterPuck uses one referee per session because pickup hockey doesn’t need the full officiating crew used in leagues. One ref keeps play fair, fun, and safe while helping control costs for players. Our refs are trained to work mainly between the blue lines and move deeper into the zone only when the attacking team has full zone control.
Each player selects their own Pace Level based on their playing experience. Some levels may be locked depending on the player’s history. BetterPuck uses this selection to group players with others of similar experience and skill.
Pace 1: Minimal organized hockey experience
Pace 2: Some organized hockey experience
Pace 3: House/rec league experience
Pace 4: Rep, junior, college, pro experience
Pace 5: Verified junior, college, pro
BetterPuck offers two Game Types; Casual and Competitive:
Casual Sessions: For Pace Levels 1–3. Co-ed, all ages, with no stat tracking
Competitive Sessions: For Pace Levels 3–5. Features stat tracking and organized by sex and age—players must be within 10 years (+/-) of the game’s average age to join
Teams are assigned in the app before each game. BetterPuck works to keep teams balanced using Pace Level and age while keeping Parties (groups of friends) together. Players also get data and in-app tools that make it easy to review and adjust team balance themselves.
1.7 Session Conclusion
When the time slot ends, the game is over. There is no overtime or shootout; the score stands as final. For Competitive sessions, the referee verifies the final score in the app.
1.8 Interrupted Sessions
If a session ends early due to major interruptions or emergencies, referees will notify BetterPuck Game Ops who will review what happened and determine next steps, including whether to issue game credits. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
1.9 Late Arrivals / Early Departures (Players)
Late-arriving players may join the session at any time. Because locker rooms may be locked, players must obtain the room key from the referee, who will then check them in.
No refunds or game credits are issued for late arrivals or early departures.
If a goalie is unexpectedly unavailable, the game will still be played to the best of everyone’s ability. Players will receive their game credits back for goalie no-shows.
Games proceed using one shared goalie and BetterPuck-provided shooting targets (if available at the rink). Teams alternate which side has the goalie and which side uses the targets at approximately the midway point of the session or at another natural stoppage.
All players must wear appropriate protective equipment to participate. Required items include:
CSA-approved helmet with visor or full cage and chin strap fully secured
Gloves
All Standard protective padding/gear
Stick free of cracks, sharp edges, or hazardous tape
Players missing required equipment may not participate until the issue is corrected. If a skater’s visor or cage comes off during play, the player must stop participating and return to the bench immediately.
Mouth guards are recommended.
Unsafe or prohibited equipment (including jewelry, exposed metal, tinted visors, or modified gear) must be removed or corrected to the referee’s satisfaction before a player may continue.
Goalies must wear full protective gear, including a CSA-approved mask and all standard goaltending equipment.
Players are responsible for the condition and safety of their own equipment. Referees may perform visual checks, but BetterPuck and its officials are not liable if gear later proves unsafe.
Players on the Light Team wear white or the closest light jersey. Players on the Dark Team wear blue or the closest dark jersey. If a player doesn’t have the right color jersey, they should work to resolve it before play begins, including borrowing a jersey or swapping teams.
BetterPuck offers a blue and white jersey kit at checkout in app, priced below cost to encourage all players to pick one up.
Games start and reset after goals with a center-ice faceoff.
Offside → nearest neutral-zone dot outside the offending blue line.
Icing → defending-zone dot of the offending team.
Puck out of play → nearest safe faceoff dot.
Deflection off goal frame or official that stays in the zone → faceoff stays in the zone.
Players must line up within ten seconds.
Offside is judged at the blue line. All attacking players must have both skates fully clear of the line before the puck crosses. Close calls favor keeping play moving. Only obvious offsides will be whistled.
Delayed offside is allowed if attackers clear the zone quickly.
Icing occurs when the puck is shot from behind the defending blue line and crosses the far goal line untouched. It is waived if the puck is playable or the team is shorthanded. Unlike standard or professional rules that use the center line, BetterPuck uses a blue-line icing rule to reduce stoppages and keep play moving.
To maintain game flow while prioritizing safety, the referee may choose not to stop play for non-impactful technical actions—such as a player slightly crossing offside—when they do not affect possession or create any safety concern. These are not penalties. All penalties and any action that affects gameplay or safety will always be called.
When the puck leaves the rink or hits the netting, play stops and resumes at the nearest faceoff dot.
Deflects off defender out of the zone→ faceoff stays in attacking zone.
Deflects off attacker out of the zone→ faceoff moves to neutral zone.
A goal counts only when the puck fully crosses the goal line.
Goals off a skate or body are allowed unless there is a deliberate kick or a hand redirect.
A puck that hits the goal frame and stays in play remains live.
If the puck hits the netting behind the goal and drops back into play, play continues. If it becomes lodged in the netting, the referee will whistle the play dead for a faceoff.
3.7 Goal Crease Interference / Goalie Contact
Players cannot interfere with the goalie or prevent them from playing their position. Incidental contact or brief entry into the crease is allowed only if it does not affect the goalie, and goals may be disallowed if the goalie is impeded.
If a shot strikes the goalie’s mask or helmet, the Referee will stop play as soon as practical; the ensuing face-off occurs at the nearest end-zone dot to where the shot was taken. If the puck deflects off the goalie’s mask/helmet and enters the net before play is stopped, the goal stands.
The referee stops play for any injury or safety concern. Play resumes once the situation is deemed safe.
If a player is cut and blood is drawn, the player must leave the ice immediately to clean and properly bandage the wound before returning.
If the referee must leave the ice, play continues under the Redline Rule (Section 7.5).
3.9 Line Changes/Substitutions
Players should keep bench doors closed during play and enter or exit the ice safely. Substitutions occur on the fly, and players must avoid interfering with active play or creating unsafe situations on the bench.
3.10 Post Game Conduct
Player conduct after a session remains subject to BetterPuck’s standards. Misconduct occurring off the ice may result in account penalties, suspension, or removal from the BetterPuck platform.
All BetterPuck sessions are non-contact, but standards for allowable physical play differ slightly across Game Types.
Casual: Zero tolerance for any physical contact.
Competitive: Incidental contact is expected during natural hockey play, including battles along the boards, in front of the net, and similar situations.
BetterPuck enforces zero tolerance for verbal abuse, discrimination, or intimidation.
Officials may take action, including removing a player when their conduct disrupts the game or compromises safety. Additional action may follow under the Terms of Service.
Use or possession of alcohol, cannabis, or drugs before or during play is prohibited. Violations are handled in accordance with the Terms of Service.
Fighting is strictly prohibited. Violations are subject to penalties outlined in the Terms of Service.
Players must control their skating speed. Excessive or reckless skating that creates danger may lead to a warning, minor penalty, or ejection at the referee’s discretion.
4.6 Locker Room Conduct
Players must respect shared spaces in the facility. Any harassment, vandalism, or unsafe behavior in the locker room may result in ejection from the game and further disciplinary action as outlined in the Terms of Service.
Players must follow all facility rules. Any damage to facility property is the player’s responsibility and is handled according to the Terms of Service.
Players can report others for conduct that negatively affects the game. These reports are used by BetterPuck to track behavior and take action when needed. Access to certain sessions or the app may be limited at BetterPuck’s discretion based on repeated or serious issues.
Reports cannot be used to dispute stats. See Section 8.4; stat entries are final.
Severity Definitions:
Minor (3 min running time): Unsafe actions without intent to injure.
Major (5 min running time): Reckless behavior causing or risking injury.
Ejection: Intentional violence, fighting, or repeated offenses.
The referee starts the penalty timer in the app. The player stays in the box until the referee signals the penalty has ended.
Minor penalties end early if the opposing team scores.
Major penalties run their full duration.
BetterPuck uses a simplified penalty system to keep gameplay balanced and flowing.
Manpower:
Teams may play at reduced strength when serving penalties (e.g., 5-on-4 or 5-on-3).
A maximum of two players per team may serve penalties at the same time.
If a team already playing 5-on-3 takes another penalty, the new offender serves their time but the on-ice strength stays 5-on-3 with a substitution from the bench. When any penalty expires in this situation, the player must remain in the box until the next whistle before returning.
Coincidental Penalties:
Coincidental minors do not change on-ice strength; teams remain 5-on-5.
Players with coincidental minors exit the box at the same stoppage.
A penalty shot is awarded when:
A player is fouled from behind on a clear breakaway with no defender between them and the goal; or
A defender or goalie intentionally displaces the net during an imminent scoring chance.
Referee selects the shooter (fouled player).
Bench minors are issued only for actions clearly attributable to a specific player on the bench (e.g., direct verbal abuse, interference with the game, or too many players on the ice).
Shooting puck over glass from defensive zone without deflection = minor.
Goalie covering puck outside crease = minor (5-on-4 man power with nobody in the box)
Team delaying line change after warning = bench minor.
Intentionally wasting time by repeatedly cycling or holding the puck without attempting to advance play = minor.
Dangerous or high-risk actions that create a chance of injury may result in a major or ejection
Boarding
Charging
Hitting from behind
Reckless stick use (including high-sticking or contact above the shoulders)
Hooking
Slashing
Cross-checking
Tripping
Holding
Interference on a non-puck carrier
Any action that endangers another player
Intentional or clearly reckless contact will likely result in an ejection with a possible ban under the Terms of Service.
Contact with a goalie is treated with extra scrutiny. Any intentional or unsafe contact with a goalie will likely result in a ejection with further review under the Terms of Service.
The following actions are prohibited and may result in a penalty at the referee’s discretion:
Spearing or butt-ending
Elbowing or kneeing
Slew-footing
Diving or embellishment to draw a call
Leaving the bench to join an altercation
Players entering circle early receive warning; repeat = minor penalty.
If either center commits too early, they may be replaced; repeat violations = delay of game penalty.
Verbal abuse → major or ejection.
Purposeful contact with an official → automatic ejection and suspension review.
Refusal to leave after ejection → administrative suspension under Section 5.5 (Suspensions & Appeals) and the Terms of Service.
5.11 Suspensions & Appeals
Suspensions or bans are handled under BetterPuck’s Terms of Service. Decisions take into account the nature and frequency of incidents and any relevant conduct history.
Players may submit appeals or refund requests through the app within 48 hours of an incident. All reviews follow the Terms of Service.
All referees complete the BetterPuck Referee Certification Course before working games. The course provides guidance on safety, rule enforcement, and professional conduct.
To apply to be a referee, click here.
6.2 Referee Authority
The referee has full on-ice authority to manage gameplay, safety, and conduct. Decisions made during the game are final. Referees may:
Call penalties based on their judgment
Stop play for safety concern
Eject players when necessary
Escalate incidents or request assistance from BetterPuck Game Ops and facility staff when necessary.
Some situations may be reviewed for further disciplinary action after the game under the Terms of Service.
6.3 Stat Tracking
Stats are recorded only in Competitive sessions. Once entered in the app, goals and assists are final. Stats will not be changed after the game.
Should the referee leave the ice, they will verify the score and stats on return.
Primary assists are awarded to the last meaningful puck touch; incidental or unclear touches are decided at the referee’s discretion.
The BetterPuck Ref app features an SOS system for situations where on-ice safety cannot be maintained. When activated by the referee, play is paused until the issue is resolved and the ice is safe to continue.
If the referee must leave the ice temporarily, play continues under the Redline Rule:
After a goal, the team that was scored on takes possession starting behind its own goal-line red line.
After the puck goes out of play or other resets, the non-offending team takes possession behind its own goal-line red line.
The team in possession begins play by skating the puck out from behind its red line, similar to a controlled breakout.
The opposing team must remain outside the offensive team’s red line until the puck is carried forward.
Once the puck is advanced, normal play resumes.
Players are expected to maintain fairness and safe play until the referee returns.
When the referee returns, they confirm the score with both benches and goalies in competitive sessions to update the official game stats
6.6 Late or No-Show Referees
Referees are expected to be present at the start of the session. If a referee is not on-site at the scheduled start time, players will receive game credits. Players should always check the app to confirm the game is active.
If the referee does not arrive and the rink permits it, players may use the ice, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the facility’s policies.
When cancellations occur, BetterPuck sends notice as early as possible.
6.7 Referee Accountability/Ratings
At the end of each session, players may give their referee a “Thumbs-up” approval in the BetterPuck app. Players may also “Favorite” a referee, which increases the chances of being matched together in future games. Positive feedback helps determine future referee assignments.
Situation | Action |
Injury | Stop play as long as necessary; resume when safe |
Ejection | Escort player to locker |
Referee leaves ice | Play continues under the Redline Rule (See Section 7.5) |
Restart after goal | Center face-off |
Puck out of play | Nearest safe location |
Icing | Blue-line rule, waived if playable |
Offside | Blue-line rule, delayed if cleared |
Signal | Meaning |
Raised Arm | Delayed penalty |
Five-Finger Extension | Major penalty |
Two-Hand Wave | Ejection |
Open Palm | Safety warning or stoppage |
BetterPuck may update this Rulebook at any time. The most current version will always apply to sessions. Where there is any conflict between this Rulebook and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service control.
