Rule 7.9 – Roughing

Roughing is when a player is guilty of unnecessary rough play with an opposing player. Roughing may occur during the play or after the whistle has blown, in which case it should be penalized as Roughing After the Whistle. Roughing penalties should not be utilized in lieu of more serious penalties for Rule 7.6 – Head Contact or Rule 7.10 – Fighting. Therefore, if a player punches an opponent in the head, face or neck, then the appropriate penalty will be assessed under Rule 7.6 – Head Contact.

1. A Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who is guilty of unnecessary rough play.

   A Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who, in the Referee’s judgment, makes deliberate physical contact with an opponent after the whistle. This should be announced as “Roughing after the whistle”

2. At the discretion of the Referee, based on the degree of violence of the impact, a Major Penalty and Game Misconduct penalty may be assessed to any player who is guilty of unnecessary rough play.

   A Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed to any player who injures an opponent by a roughing infraction that would otherwise call for a Minor penalty.

3. A Match penalty will be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent by Roughing.

4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for Roughing.

5. A Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed any time a Major penalty is assessed for Roughing, as detailed under 7.9 (b).