Rule 103 | Division of Ice Surface
(a) A “GOAL LINE,” shall be placed eleven feet (11’) from the inside facing of the end boards. The goal lines shall be parallel to the end boards and extend across the width of the ice and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards. The goal lines shall be red in color, and two inches
(2”) wide.
Optional cross-ice goal lines may be placed in each of the three zones for cross-ice hockey play. These goal lines shall be placed at the center point of each zone, parallel to the side boards, and shall not interfere with other ice hockey markings.
(b) A “GOAL CREASE” area shall be marked out at the center point of each goal line. The goal crease areas shall be outlined by a two inch (2”) wide, red in color, semi-circle line. The radius of the semi-circle shall be six feet (6’), and measured from the back of the goal line.
Additionally, two (2) lines, two inches (2”) wide and red in color shall be marked four feet (4’) on both sides of the center of the goal line, extending from the goal line to the edge of the semi-circle line. These lines shall be
perpendicular to the goal line and the area inside these lines shall be marked light blue in color. The area outside of these lines and the space enclosed by the goal line and the base of the goal frame, shall be white in color.
Optional cross-ice goal crease areas may be marked in front of each cross-ice goal line for cross-ice hockey. These creases shall not interfere with other ice hockey markings.
(c) The ice surface between the two (2) goal lines shall be divided into three (3) areas by lines, known as the “BLUE LINES.” The blue lines shall be twelve inches (12”) wide and dark blue in color. The neutral zone side of the blue lines shall be sixty-four feet (64’) from the back of the goal lines. The blue lines shall extend across the width of the rink, parallel with the goal lines and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards.
These three areas shall be identified as the “DEFENDING ZONE” (the area in which the goal each team defends is placed), the “NEUTRAL ZONE” (the center area between the blue lines) and the “ATTACKING ZONE” (the area farthest from the defending goal). The blue line shall be
considered part of the zone that the puck is in.
(d) The ice surface shall be divided exactly in half by a line, known as the “CENTER LINE.” The center line shall be twelve inches (12”) wide and red in color. The center line shall extend across the width of the rink, parallel with the blue lines and goal lines, and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards. The center line shall not be interrupted by the face-off circle, or in-ice logos.
