Why Ringette?
Ringette is a blast! It's easy to learn and has an emphasis on team play. It's a safe game played by girls and women of all ages. Fair play and good sportsmanship are very important in ringette. It's a competitive game but the focus is on making friends and having fun.
About the Sport
ABOUT RINGETTE
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!
AGE DIVISIONS
- Bunnies 7 years & under
- Novice 9 years & under
- Petite 11 years & under
- Tween 13 years & under
- Junior 15 years & under
- Belle 18 years & under
- Open 19 years & over
- Master 30 years & over
“Fun Fact: Elite AAA athletes representing Team Ontario compete in ringette at the Canada Winter Games every four years. The next Winter Games will be held in 2007 in Whitehorse, Yukon.”
SPECIAL ZONES
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.
SKILLS
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.
“Fun Fact: No ring hogs allowed! Ringette rules restrict any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the rink. The ring must be passed over each blue line to another player, which means that more players can be involved in the setup of goals.”
PENALTIES
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.
“Fun Fact: Ontario Ringette has over 13,000 participants playing in over 80 local associations and clubs.”
EQUIPMENT
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
History
RINGETTE
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.
“Fun Fact: Before developing the game of ringette, Sam Jacks created the game of floor hockey in 1936, for which he was recognized by the Youth Branch of the United Nations.”
Contact Info
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RINGETTE
Ontario Ringette Association
1185 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 705
North York, ON
M3C 3C6
416-426-7205
http://www.ontario-ringette.com
