Question:

Should actions that result in a no-pack situation be penalized as intentionally destroying the pack?

Answer:

A skater or group of skaters is always responsible for the consequences of their actions. If their actions create a no-pack situation (excepting those covered in rule 6.5.7.2), they should be penalized as directed in rules 6.5.10-6.5.13. When determining responsibility of a no-pack situation, per rule 4.1.2, both teams are responsible for maintaining a legally defined pack.

4.1.2 When two or more groups of Blockers equal in number are on the track; are more than 10 feet from one another; and no single group meets the pack definition, no pack can be defined. Skaters will be issued a penalty for intentionally creating a no pack situation i.e. destroying the pack (see Section 6.5.7). Both teams are responsible for maintaining a legally defined pack.

6.5.7.2 Forcing an opponent down or out of bounds is NOT to be considered illegal destruction of the pack; however, players still must reform a pack immediately or be subject to out of play penalties per 6.5.4.

Question:

Does touching an opposing skater’s back for an extended period of time result in a penalty?

Answer:

Yes. Extended touching* with an ILLEGAL blocking zone of an opponent’s legal and/or illegal target zone gives an illegal advantage of tracking this opponent, and an ability to sense which direction that opponent may or may not move. This should be penalized as an Illegal Blocking minor penalty.

*Extended touching is considered three seconds or more.

Question:

Does a Jammer jumping or stepping from a standstill over the Jammer line, but not touching the floor beyond this line, qualify as “accelerating” for the purposes of determining false start?

Answer:

No. To be accelerating, a skater needs to be running or skating. Stepping or jumping from a standstill is not accelerating, and is not to be penalized.

Question:

What is the definition of “Relative Position”?

Answer:

Relative Position: The position a skater holds in relation to other skaters on the track.
Loss of Relative Position: When a skater’s position in relation to other skaters on the track is lost for a sustained period of time due to the actions of an opponent, such as a legal block or an illegal block.  Being forced out of bounds is always to be considered a loss of relative position.

Question:

Who receives penalties when multiple players are involved in an illegal block outside the engagement zone?

Answer:

Penalties are assigned to all out of play Blockers involved in an illegal action.

Question:
If a Blocker can line up behind the Jammer line can said Blocker hit the opposing Jammer before the Jammer starting whistle?

Answer:
No.  The Blocker is out of play and any blocking is therefore illegal.  In addition, Blockers will receive a minor penalty for lining up anywhere on the track not between the Jammer and Pivot lines.

Question:

Is overtime considered an extension of the final period or a whole new period?

Answer:

Overtime is an extension of the final period. Players ejected from that period are not eligible to return to play for overtime. Major and minor penalty inventories towards ejection are not reset, neither are trips to the penalty box inventories.

Question:
Is there any limit to how far behind the Jammer line a Jammer may line up?

Answer:
There is no limit–the Jammer may line up anywhere on the track, excluding between the Jammer and Pivot lines, without accruing penalties.  If the Jammer is lined up right in front of the Pivot line she still has to skate all the way around and catch up to the rear of the Pack before her “initial pass” will start.

Question:

Does one player’s illegal action give an opposing player free reign to commit an illegal action in order to negate the first illegal action?

Answer:

A player committing one penalty does not give the fouled-on player carte blanche to commit a second penalty. Referees must issue penalties for all illegal actions.

Question:
What is the penalty for standing in the wrong place on the track when a jam starts?

Answer:
Jammers will receive a minor penalty for lining up on the track between the Jammer and Pivot lines. Blockers will receive a minor penalty for lining up anywhere on the track not between the Jammer and Pivot lines.