The Southern Professional Hockey League has announced updates to its rulebook for the 2025-26 season. One of those changes will be particularly interesting for fans of overtime.
The biggest change is that the SPHL will not allow teams to circle back into the defensive zone in overtime. From Rule 84.2:
OVERTIME OVER-AND-BACK RULE (REGULAR SEASON)
The SPHL will implement an innovative “Over-and-Back” rule that eliminates defensive movement of the puck during regular-season, 3-on-3 overtime, leading to increased scoring opportunities and fan excitement.
Definition
Once a team gains full possession of the puck in their defensive zone and carries or passes it across their blue line into the neutral zone, they may not subsequently carry or pass the puck back across that same blue line into their defensive zone.
Violation Consequences
A face-off will be conducted in the violating team’s defensive zone, with all standard face-off rules in place.
The offending team is not permitted to make a line change or call a timeout before the ensuing face-off.
Exceptions
This rule does not apply when a face-off is located at the center ice dot or the defensive side neutral zone face-off dots.
If the face-off is at the offensive blue line face-off dots and the offensive team gains possession, the rule applies, and they may not take the puck back into their zone.
Additional Clarifications
Passing the puck back to the goaltender in the defensive zone after having gained the neutral zone also constitutes a violation.
At the referee’s discretion, exceptions may be made if the puck unintentionally re-enters the defensive zone due to a deflection, bad bounce, or loss of control where no clear possession was established.
Summary
The key outcomes of an ‘Over-and-Back’ infraction are a defensive zone face-off for the offending team and a restriction on changing lines or calling a timeout.
The SPHL, like the NHL, will also penalize players sitting on the boards with their skates exposed. From Rule 75.3:
(iv) When a player on the bench is sitting on the boards, the referee shall warn the offending team and a bench minor penalty shall be assessed to the offending for any future violations in that game following the warning.
Another change that mirrors the NHL rulebook comes on the faceoff after an icing. Instead of tossing the defensive center for a violation, he’ll first receive a warning followed by a minor penalty for a faceoff infraction, per Rule 76.4:
When a team commits a icing infraction, any face-off violation by either team will not result in the center being removed. The center of the offending team will be warned by the Linesman that they have committed their first face-off violation and any subsequent violation will result in a bench minor penalty for delay of game – face-off violation being assessed.
The league has also made some changes to headcount for both teams and officials.
Beginning this season, 25% of games will be officiated by a four-official crew of two referees and two linesmen. The league currently uses a four-man crew for all playoff games, while regular-season games are primarily handled by one ref with two linesmen.
Teams will also be permitted to dress 19 players for all regular season and playoff games.
For a full list of rules, download the SPHL Rulebook.
