2026 Great Upstate Winter Classic

Tournament Format

  • 4-game guarantee
  • Games are 15 minutes (running time)
  • Championship format with a festival-style atmosphere
  • Tournament will play in rain, wind, or snow

 

Rosters & Players

  • Maximum roster: 8 players per team
  • On-field: 4 players at a time

 

Equipment

  • No equipment required
  • Short sticks only
  • No long poles
  • No goalie sticks

 

Game Play Rules

  • No shots allowed until the ball crosses midfield
  • Teams on Defense must have a player establish themselves as a goaltender within 10 seconds of a change of possession 
  • Offenses cannot shoot until the 10 second count is off or the goalie is established; whichever happens first/
  • Teams must have parent representative/coach on the sideline

 

Ground Balls (Safety First)

  • Must go for the ball – no checking
  • Play along the fence line is at the referee’s discretion
  • Ground ball scrums will be awarded to the closest team to prevent unsafe play

 

Shooting Rules

  • No dangerous shots, including:
    • Crank shots
    • Shots with excessive speed
  • Any dangerous shot results in:
    • Immediate change of possession
  • “Kill Shot” Rule
    • Any shot that hits the goalie neck and above:
      • Point awarded to the opposing team
      • Change of possession

 

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