STICKS:

All sticks must be made of a plastic (or composite material) handle, shaft, and blade. Wood or metal shafts are not allowed, nor are composite shafts with wood or metal in their composition. Goaltenders may use a goaltender style stick if they choose, but this stick must also follow the plastic or composite guidelines.

*Although we do not state specific dimensions (height, length, width) for stick shafts and blades please use the following measurements as a general rule of thumb on what is acceptable—1.) A stick shaft length of 42 inches (105 cm) from the end of the shaft to the heel of the blade. 2.) The blade shall be approx. 10 inches (25 cm) from the heel to the end of the blade. The blade shall have a maximum height of 3 inches (7.5 cm) along its entire length. 3.) Goaltenders sticks blades shall be approx.16 inches (40 cm) from the heel to the end of the blade. The blade shall have a maximum height of 4 inches (10 cm) along its entire length.

1.) Dowel stick: A dowel may be inserted through the blade of the stick for players with a limited ability to stickhandle. The dowel should be made of plastic or similar material (the dowel can not be made of metal) and can not exceed more than 3 inches in length on either side of the blade and it cannot be more than ½ inch in diameter. Wood dowels will be allowed (as long as they meet the required measurements listed above), but that is the only part of the stick allowed to be made of wood, and it must be covered with tape for safety reasons. Dowel sticks are mainly used by players who fix (tape) the stick to their wheelchair (level 3 players). Other players can use this adaptation.

2.) T-Stick: Similar to the “dowel stick” function, this is when a larger piece of material (plastic) is affixed to each side (or put through the blade) of the stick blade to create a “T”. Currently we do not accept the European version of a “T-stick” which is quite large, but we will accept a North American version of a “T-Stick” following these standards; A “T-Stick” can only be made out of a standard acceptable hockey stick blade discussed above. The “T” or “Wings” can only extend 3 inches off of each side and cannot be higher than the blade of the stick. It must be of similar width. ONLY players who fix or tape sticks to their wheelchair may use a “T-Stick”.

3.) Curving: Curving of the stick is allowed, but the blade of the stick cannot wrap around/enclose more than 3/4 of the ball. *This allows a much greater curve than common ice hockey rules, but is allowed to give players more ball control, as it is much harder to stick handle with just one hand. Essentially, excessively curving the stick serves a similar function of a “dowel” stick.

*A team may challenge the legality of an opposition player's equipment (See minor penalties in Section VI of the Rulebook).

4.) A player may tape, the stick to their wheelchair (the blade must be placed in the front of the wheelchair's front wheel), or to their hand/arm/leg if they are unable to hold/grip the stick. Players are permitted to use brackets or stick mounts, as long as it places the blade in the front of the wheelchair's front wheel and does not prohibit the ball from rolling under wheelchair. Material other then plastic or composite may be used to make a bracket or stick mount. No stick blade may be placed between the front and rear tires, obstructing passage of the ball through that area.

*All objects/attachments considered dangerous must be covered (taped/padded).

1. No modifications shall be made to a wheelchair that will prohibit the ball
   from traveling underneath or around the chair. No stick blade may be placed between the front and rear tires, obstructing passage of the ball through that area.
   
   
2. Although there is no "official limit" on the speed of wheelchairs, alterations/modifications to increase the manufacturer's speed of a wheelchair, which clearly shows that chair to be excessively faster than all other chairs is not allowed. Industry standard wheelchairs with industry standard speeds are acceptable.
   
   
3. For safety reasons, electric scooters/carts will not be allowed.

*As a general reference for acceptable leg, chest and arm padding, players should try to find equipment that could fit underneath their clothing (jersey, pants etc.). It is not a requirement to wear padding under clothing, but gives players an idea of what size of padding is acceptable. For example, goaltenders may NOT use ice hockey goalie pads such as large leg pads, arm blocker, goalie mitt etc.

**The Player/tournament committee as defined in section X may disallow any protective gear at any time if they find the size of such gear to be excessive and unfair.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Player Classification and Tournament Committee (See Section X of the Rulebook) may disallow ANY equipment from being used during tournament play at any time. If you have questions about possible equipment issues please bring them to tournament organizers attention as soon as possible.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be a five minute overtime period. (There will be no overtime in round robin/pool play. Games will end in a tie.) The overtime period will be played on a non stop-time basis [as stated in Section IV/B.], with the first team to score winning. If the overtime period ends in a tie there will be a shoot-out. Each team is allowed three players [only two level 1's may be used, just as during the game] who will each shoot once. Teams will alternate [switch] after each shot. If at the end of the first rotation there is still a tie there will be a second shoot-out [in same order as the first] with the first team to score a goal winning. The goaltender that was in the net for the majority of the game must continue in net for the shoot-out. A goaltender may be substituted for, only if he/she has a mechanical problem with their wheelchair and was substituted for during the game. The goaltender may not be one of the players chosen to be one of the shooters in the shoot-out. The home team [higher seeded of the two teams] will have the option of being the first or second team to shoot. If both teams are seeded the same, a coin flip at the beginning of the game will determine which team is the home team.

Level 2 players lack the ability to easily or effectively reach with their stick to more than one side of their chair/body. These players are able to carry and control the ball, but their limited ability to reach restricts their capability to maneuver with the ball through and around other players. A level 2 player will commonly not have the strength to easily or effectively use their backhand to shoot, control the ball, or pass the ball with force.

*Important note: Many level 2 players will have the ability to shoot/pass the ball with their own strength and may be able to take the ball from another player. Unlike a level 1 player, these players are unable to easily reach out in front, behind, or across his/her wheelchair with their stick.

Level 3 Players:
A player who tapes/mounts/brackets the stick to the wheelchair, or may hold the stick between their legs. These players rely almost entirely on the strength/momentum of the wheelchair to shoot, pass, and control the ball. They are very limited in physical ability/strength to maneuver with ball through/around other players, and are unable to reach with their stick.

This classification system is based solely on physical strength. It does not take into account a player's knowledge in playing the game of PowerHockey. It may be common for a level 2 or level 3 player to be more beneficial to a team due to their knowledge of the game.