London Minor Ball Hockey League
Rules and Regulations
Ball hockey-specific rules
All games in the London Minor Ball Hockey League (LMBHL) will be sanctioned under the current rules of the Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA) and the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation (OBHF).
2025 Canadian Ball Hockey Association Rulebook
Game Play
LEARN TO PLAY
At the Learn to Play level (Age 3 - 6), the league divides the floor in half and plays 4 v 4 or 5 v 5. The players play 2:00 shifts which is sounded by the arena horn. This play is less formal - there are no offsides, and face-offs only take place at centre-ice after the shift is over. On a goal or a whistle, we ask the teams to separate and allow the play to continue by giving the ball to one team, usually in the corner.
At this level, we have a coach on the floor to assist the referee with the players and guide them in their play.
UNDER 8
At this level, the game takes place on the entire playing surface. Shifts are set at 2:00, sounded by the arena horn, with three(3) 10 minute periods constituting a game. Many of the kids at U8 level are still learning to play with offsides, but they are enforced. Faceoffs are taken for stoppages at the appropriate face-off dot. Coaches are not allowed on the playing surface during play.
UNDER 10 , UNDER 12, UNDER 14, UNDER 16 and UNDER 18
At U10 and older, the players change "on the fly" with three (3) 10 minute periods. All penalties are served as normal.
If there is a score differential of 5 goals or more in the Third period, the clock will remain in "run-time" unless/until the score differential is brought back within 3 goals.
SLAP SHOTS
The LMBHL does not allow "slap-shots" for players in the Learn to Play and Under 8 levels.
Slap Shots are defined as having a "back-swing" of higher than the normal height of the waist of the player taking the shot.
LMBHL Penalties
NO BODY CHECKING
At all levels, the LMBHL is a no body checking league. In fact, all ball hockey is a no body checking sport.
SERVING PENALTIES
LEARN TO PLAY AND UNDER 8
In the LMBHL, as a house league, we generally end up having to call very few penalties on kids for infractions. In some cases, we will not send a child to the penalty box for a simple infraction (like for example an accidental tripping call in a neutral-zone scrum) but if the penalty is considered either intentional or it results in the loss of a certain scoring opportunity, the offended team will be awarded a penalty shot to be taken by the offended player, or a player on the floor on that team in the case where the offended player is unable to take the shot. (We strongly encourage the offended player to take the shot)
UNDER 10, UNDER 12, UNDER 14, UNDER 16 AND UNDER 18
All penalties are served as normal.