Rules & Equipment

Rules

🏒 VWBHL Game Format & Rules


All VWBHL games will be played in accordance with the official rules and guidelines set forth by the Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA).

For full rules and interpretations, please refer to the official CBHA Rulebook: 2026 CBHA Rule-Casebook


As outlined by the CBHA, these are the governing rules for all sanctioned play in Canada and are to be applied consistently across all leagues and competitions.


Game Format

  • Warm-Up: 5 minutes
  • Periods: Three (3) periods
  • Period Length: 12 minutes (stop time)
  • Intermissions: 1-minute break between periods

Game Play Adjustments

  • Games may end in a tie (no overtime will be played)
  • If a 7-goal differential is reached at any point, the game will switch to running time

Rosters

  1. Each team may carry a maximum of 30 players on its roster, with a maximum of 25 players permitted by the roster deadline.
  2. All BC Ball Hockey rosters will close for online registration on May 24. Any player who is not registered by that date will be ineligible to participate for the remainder of the season. Teams that fail to submit their roster by the deadline will be subject to a $50 fine. A team will also be ineligible to play games until its roster is complete.
  3. A player may only be registered to one team, regardless of division.


🏒 VWBHL Equipment Requirements


All equipment used in VWBHL play must comply with the standards set by the Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA). For full equipment regulations, please refer to the official CBHA Rulebook: 2026 CBHA Rule-Casebook


Mandatory Equipment

  • All players must wear a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved helmet
  • CBHA-approved hockey gloves are required
  • Players must wear running shoes (no skates permitted)
  • Players under 18 years of age are required to wear full facial protection


Recommended Equipment


While not mandatory, the following protective equipment is strongly recommended:

  • Elbow pads
  • Athletic cup / pelvic protection
  • Soft knee pads
  • Shin guards
  • Facial protection for adult players (recommended for eye safety)


Sticks & Balls

  • Standard ice hockey sticks are used for ball hockey
  • The CBHA recognizes seven types of balls, varying by colour and temperature rating
  • Balls may be liquid-filled or non-liquid-filled, and are selected based on playing conditions:
    • Harder balls for warmer temperatures
    • Softer balls for colder conditions and youth play


All CBHA member leagues must use official Knapper-manufactured balls bearing the CBHA logo.

The BCBHA standard ball for sanctioned play is the Knapper K231 Pro Fluid (Orange)