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Ringette Intro

Ringette is a fast-paced, ice-based team sport that emphasizes speed, strategy, and teamwork. It was developed in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, by Sam Jacks as a winter sport alternative for girls, offering a game with its own unique set of rules and style. Played on ice with skates, teams use straight sticks to pass and shoot a rubber ring in an effort to score goals. Unlike hockey, physical contact is minimized, and the rules are designed to promote inclusivity and collaboration, making it a highly strategic and skill-oriented sport.

The Game​

One of the defining features of ringette is the emphasis on passing and team play. Players cannot carry the ring across the blue lines, requiring them to pass it to a teammate, which encourages constant communication and quick decision-making. The game is played with six players per team on the ice, including the goalie. Known for its high tempo and fluid gameplay, ringette has gained popularity in Canada and other countries like Finland and Sweden, fostering a strong community of athletes and fans. Over the years, the sport has developed into a vibrant and competitive activity, with leagues ranging from grassroots programs to elite international competitions.

Terminology​

Here’s a list of common ringette terminology to help players, coaches, and fans better understand the game:

General Terms​

  • Ring: The hollow rubber disc used in ringette instead of a puck.
  • Stick: A straight stick with a tapered tip used to pass, shoot, and control the ring.
  • Free Pass: A play that starts or restarts the game, similar to a faceoff in hockey. The ring is placed in a free pass circle, and the player has five seconds to pass the ring to a teammate.
  • Free Pass Circle: A circle marked on the ice where free passes occur.
  • Crease: The semi-circular area around the goalie’s net that only the goalie can enter.
  • Goalie Ring: The play the goalie uses to pass to a teammate after making a save. It must leave the crease within five seconds.
  • Shot Clock: A 30-second timer requiring the offensive team to take a shot on goal or lose possession of the ring. U12 and up.
  • Blue Line Rule: Players must pass the ring to a teammate when crossing either blue line.

Positions and Players​

  • Forward: Offensive players responsible for scoring goals.
  • Defense: Defensive players who prevent the opposing team from scoring.
  • Center: A forward who plays across the entire ice and often leads offensive plays.
  • Goalie: The player who defends the net and prevents goals.

Play Terms​

  • Breakout: A strategy used to move the ring from the defensive zone into the offensive zone.
  • Triangle: A defensive formation where three players form a triangle to block offensive attacks.
  • Pick: A maneuver where a player uses their body to block an opponent, creating space for a teammate.
  • Passing Lane: The open space where a player can safely pass the ring to a teammate.
  • Cut: A quick change in direction by an offensive player to get open for a pass.
  • Screening: Standing in front of the goalie to block their view of the ring.

Game Situations​

  • Power Play: A situation where one team has more players on the ice due to a penalty against the opposing team.
  • Penalty Kill: The defensive strategy used by a team playing short-handed due to a penalty.
  • Breakaway: When a player has control of the ring and is heading toward the net with no defenders between them and the goalie.

These terms form the foundation of ringette's vocabulary and are essential for understanding the rules, strategies, and gameplay of this dynamic sport.