Questions about Fair Play

At this time of year I begin to receive questions regarding Fair Play and Girls Hockey's rules regarding Fair Play. GHC is an avid supporter of Fair Play as defined by Hockey Calgary and I thought it would be a good time to review that policy and its application.


Hockey Calgary Fair Play Code Policy

The fair play codes are a set of guidelines for players, coaches, parents, officials, spectators and league organizers set out to promote positive hockey experiences. Fair play is important from a developmental perspective as well as from a risk management perspective. For the most part the fair play codes are clear. However, for coaches there is a provision, which states, “I will ensure that all players get equal instruction, support and playing time.” The use of the term “equal” is generally understood. However, there is a tendency among a small minority to misinterpret the term “equal” with “earned” or “fair” which allows for entirely different interpretations of the intentions of the fair play codes. Some individuals will acknowledge that the fair play codes apply and then claim you can shorten the bench in the last five minutes of a game, in a tight situation or in playoffs. Allowing variances in the interpretation of fair play only increases a broader degree of confusion for the rules of minor hockey. Fair play is intended to allow all players an equal opportunity to develop their skills in Hockey. Development occurs in both practice and game situations. Within the game itself, there are different situations where each player should be afforded the opportunity to develop his or her skills, whether it is power play, penalty kill, playoffs or tournaments. The following policy respecting ice time is intended to ensure a consistent application of the fair play codes throughout the Hockey Calgary network with an emphasis to ensure all players are provided equal opportunity to develop his or her hockey skills in every game situation.
The head coach is responsible for allocating more or less playing time to individual athlete members in any particular game but should ensure that over two to three games the playing time per athlete member is relatively equal. This includes all games and practices, home or away, exhibition, regular season, playoff or tournament.


The following policies should be reviewed and followed by all coaches;

Goalies; A regular rotation for goalies should be strived for throughout the hockey season that will result in an equal number of games played by each team goalie. The rotation is subject to changes in the event of injuries or sickness. A one game rotation of goalies should occur during all playoff, Minor Hockey Week, exhibition and Tournament Play.

Players; A regular rotation of players should be strived for at their playing position throughout a game including power play and penalty killing, noting that the game includes the last five minutes and overtime. Each team should designate playing positions; defense, left wing, right wing, centre and no team should have a disproportionate number of designated forwards for a game (i.e. if there are five left wingers and three right wingers, one of the left wingers should become a right winger). If there are ten forwards and five defensemen, then one of the forwards should play defense. For those coaches wishing to utilize a special teams unit for either power play or penalty killing, those coaches, as a tool for themselves, should establish a listing (Special Teams Log) of their designated units for each five game (or shorter) rotation. The listing will show each player receiving equal participation on those designated units. It is recommended that the listings be kept by the coach for the duration of the season. Coaches choosing not to maintain a Special Teams Log should not utilize a separate power play or penalty killing unit for games. The power plays or penalty killing lines should simply be the next line in the regular rotation.

I suggest parents should have a discussion with the coach to ensure everyone is on the same page before a misinterpretation can result in problems. Questions should be directed to your division coordinator.