Intramural Sports - Broomball Rules

Intramural Sports 

BROOMBALL RULES Updated: October 18, 2025 

 

OVERVIEW: 

Three weeks of pool play on the day and time that a team signed up for, followed by two weeks of single elimination playoffs at varying days and times in the evenings. All games will be played on the ice at the Whittemore Center. Helmets and broomball equipment will be provided. It is expected that players will wear athletic shoes and activewear. It is recommended that you bring two different colored shirts, one light and one dark. No additional hockey equipment, spiked shoes, or slip-on traction. Please arrive 15 minutes before scheduled game time to check in with the supervisor using UNH ID. You MUST bring your UNH ID. 

PLAYER AND ROSTER REQUIREMENTS: 

This is a 5 v 5 league. Teams should be 4 players and a goalie, 5 total on the ice. You may start a game with only 4 players if you do not have enough of your team in attendance. This is an open league meaning there are no gender requirements. 

You may add players to your roster on site and on Fusion Play all season until playoffs. They just need to bring their UNH student ID to be added at check in. If your team does not have enough players, you may temporarily borrow players from another team or bring temporary players for that night. This is ONLY during regular season. Rosters become locked at the start of playoffs. 

RULES: 

  • Games will be two 15-minute halves. 
  • Helmets with facemasks are mandatory for all players. 
  • Play begins with a face-off at center ice. This also occurs after a goal is scored. 
  • Ball must be passed from player to player by the broom. NO KICKING. 
  • Players are allowed to kick the ball to their stick 
  • To score: Ball must be hit with the broom into the goal. Entire ball must cross the goal line. 
  • Players may not catch the ball. They may knock it down using their hand but must be the first to touch it before it touches another team member. 
  • Broom may never be swung above knee height. NO HIGH BROOMING OR SLAP SHOTS. 
  • Ball knocked out-of-play will be put back in play by a free shot from the team who did not touch the ball last before leaving the surface. 
  • Substitutions can occur when prompted by referee. 
  • This is a non-contact league. NO CHECKING. 

 

GOALIES 

  • Can use their hands and broom. Must always have one hand on the broom. 
  • Once a goalie has control of the ball, they have to get rid of it in 5 seconds. 
  • The goalie may slap the ball away from the net but cannot roll the ball past center ice. Should the goalie roll the ball past center ice without it being touched by anyone from either team, the opposing team will get possession of the ball behind the net. 
  • If the goalie comes out of the crease, they lose all goalie privileges. They now act as defensive players. 

 

CREASE ACTION 

  • No offensive player may physically interfere with the goalie while he or she is within a stick length of the net, not including the goal line. 
  • Goalies can only be changed during stoppages. No other player on the ice can take on the role of goaltender. 
  • No player, defensive or offensive, is allowed in the crease (stick length of the goal) EXCEPTION: a defending player may pass through the crease for the sole purpose of getting to an attacking player but in no way interfere with a possible shot while in the crease. 
  • Goals scored while offensive player is in the crease are disallowed, unless a defensive player pushed offensive player into the crease. If in the crease by accident, the player must try to get out immediately. 
  • If a defensive player stops the ball within a stick’s length of the net (not behind the net), it will be a penalty shot. 
  • You cannot shoot or block in the crease. Only the goalie can defend within the crease. 

 

PENALTIES: 

MINOR: Turnover Of Possession At Spot Of Infraction 

  • Slashing 
  • Tripping 
  • Contact with goalie in crease 
  • Deliberate delay of game 
  • Cursing or obscene language 
  • Too many people on the ice 
  • Holding 
  • Improper wearing of helmet after warning 
  • Any sliding at all to attack the ball 

MAJOR: Two Minute Penalties 

  • Heavy checking 
  • Boarding 
  • Elbowing 
  • Sliding 
  • Cross Checking 
  • Checking goalie in crease 
  • Throwing a broom or headgear 

PENALTY SHOTS 

  • The penalty shot shall be taken by the player fouled. If no player has been fouled, then the shot may be taken by any player from the non-offending side who is not serving a penalty when play is stopped for the penalty shot (Captain’s choice). 

Updated: October 18, 2025 

A team that forfeits twice will be automatically removed from the league. 

If your team is unable to play and must forfeit, please email 

unh.intramurals@unh.edu by noon on game day so we can try to find another team to fill your spot. 

 

Teams with any number of forfeits ARE NOT ELLIGIBLE FOR PLAYOFFS. 

Don’t have enough players? There are options! You can play down players, bring new players on the night of your game, and/or borrow players from another team when you get to your game. New players should check in like any other player would with intramural staff. 

If a team fails to have the required number of participants at the scheduled game time, the opposing team who is present will have the following options: 

  1. Choose to wait 10 minutes until the opponent arrives to compete with the official game running as scheduled. The game will start once the opponents arrive with whatever time is remaining on the clock. The waiting team has the option to lead by 2-0. 
  2. If the opposing team is still not ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled game time, the intramural staff will declare a forfeit win for the waiting team. No game will be played. 
  3. If both teams do not have the minimum number of players at game time and/or arrive late but get enough players within ten minutes of the scheduled game-time, the game shall commence with whatever game time is left and a starting score of 0-0. 

 

SPORTSMANSHIP: 

Following each game, the intramural staff will rate each team on their sportsmanship with a 0-5 score. The default score for all teams successfully completing a game is 4. Teams receiving a 0, 1, or 2 rating twice in the same season, will be removed from the league or playoffs. Depending on the severity of the incident, a team may be removed from the league and/or face additional sanctions for only one unacceptable rating (0-2). 

  • Teams will receive a 0 rating for a game that is forfeited. This includes for reasons of no-show, disqualification, or misconduct. 
  • Teams are required to have an average sportsmanship of 3 or higher to be considered for playoffs. 
  • Scores are given based on the discretion of intramural staff and cannot be contested. 

Good sportsmanship is required of all participants. Players and spectators are always to conduct themselves respectfully. UNH Campus Recreation reserves the right to suspend or disqualify groups or individuals for unsportsmanlike conduct at any time. Unsportsmanlike conduct before, during, and/or after a game will not be tolerated. 

By participating in intramural sports, players agree to follow all Campus Recreation policies and those outlined in the UNH Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities. Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to: consuming or being in possession of alcohol, nicotine, and other prohibited substances, physical or verbal altercations, vandalism, theft, or unauthorized participation. 

The decision of an official or intramural staff member to eject a player or spectator for any unsportsmanlike conduct (be it verbal or physical) will be firmly upheld by UNH Campus Recreation. All ejected players must leave the playing area/facility. Individual players’ conduct may impact team eligibility to remain in the league. Updated: October 18, 2025 

If you have any questions regarding intramural policies or rules, please contact unh.intramurals@unh.edu or Gabby Merrill (Intramural Sports Coordinator) Phone: (603) 862-2038 or email: gabby.merrill@unh.edu