Cutting The Track And Re-entering in Front of an Opponent

A:

Although it is always legal for a Skater to enter in front of the initiator who knocked them out of bounds if the initiator went down, out of bounds, or out of play after knocking the Skater out of bounds, a new “No Pass/No Penalty” item was introduced in the March 2014 ruleset.

5.11.8 A Skater, having gone out of bounds or straddling, who briefly and unintentionally completely returns to the track on one skate in their efforts to remain or return out of bounds.

5.11.8.1 This only includes efforts to remain out of bounds. Failed attempts to re-enter the track legally, resulting in illegal game play, should be penalized as normal.

There are four key parts to this rule that should be noted when trying to determine whether a brief return to an in-bounds state should be penalized:

1. Was the in-bounds contact brief? If the Skater lifts their out-of-bounds foot only briefly (for example, due to a twitch or to maintain balance) and then puts it back down right away, there is no penalty. A stride is not considered brief. If the Skater does not return to an out-of-bounds or straddling state at their first safe opportunity, a penalty should be called.
2. Was the in-bounds contact unintentional? Normal skating motion frequently involves placing weight on one foot or the other. In an attempt to remain out of bounds, the Skater should be trying to keep their out-of-bounds foot firmly planted outside the track boundary. If the Skater lifts one foot a bit off the ground due entirely to muscle memory, and the Skater is not attempting to gain in-bounds status, this is not a penalty. If an out-of-bounds foot is raised intentionally (for example, in order to actively propel oneself), a penalty should be called.
3. Did only one skate make in-bounds contact? If the Skater even accidentally and briefly returns in bounds with both skates touching the track at the same time, a penalty should be called.
4. Was the Skater attempting to remain out of bounds? When hit into a straddling position, Skaters often attempt to remain out of bounds or straddling in order to avoid cutting the track. An attempt to remain upright or to avoid making contact with an opponent or teammate is not an attempt to remain out of bounds or to regain stability. The primary goal, at the time that a sole out-of-bounds skate is lifted, should be to remain out of bounds.

In the following examples, let’s say that the Skater has been knocked into a straddling position by an opponent.

Example 1

The Skater wobbles a bit and regains their position while straddling. The Skater then begins skating clockwise to come in behind the initiator, and lifts their "wrong foot" (the out-of-bounds skate) about half an inch (or a centimeter) for about half a second before fully leaving bounds. Verdict: No penalty. Reasoning: The skate lift was accidental and brief, only one skate was touching in bounds, and the Skater was attempting to remain out of bounds.

Example 2

Due to the block, the Skater spins around in a circle while remaining upright. The Skater is clearly trying to remain out of bounds, but is unable to do so due to the force of the block. While spinning, the Skater is fully in bounds for about half a second because the Skater touched in bounds with both skates. Verdict: Penalty. Reasoning: Both skates touched in bounds.

Example 3

The Skater spins around in a circle on only one foot while remaining upright. While spinning, the Skater is fully in bounds for about half a second. Verdict: Penalty. Reasoning: While spinning around out of control, the Skater was not attempting to remain out of bounds. The Skater’s goal may have been to remain out of bounds, but the Skater was not actively attempting to do so while spinning around in response to the hit.

Example 4a

The Skater regains control while in a straddling position, and then begins skating clockwise to come in behind the initiator. The Skater lifts their "wrong foot" (the out-of-bounds skate) about half an inch (or a centimeter) for about half a second, then puts it back down. Verdict: No penalty. Reasoning: Same as Example 1.

Example 4b

It takes the Skater about half a lap to get to a legal re-entry point. While skating clockwise in a straddling position, the Skater lifts their out-of-bounds foot a few more times. Verdict: Penalty the second time the Skaters lifts their out-of-bounds foot. Reasoning: The Skater had ample opportunity to attain and maintain a completely out-of-bounds position; as such, they are not attempting to maintain an out-of-bounds position. In other words, the No Pass/No Penalty caveat provided by Section 5.11.8 can only be applied once per time that a Skater goes out of bounds.

Example 5

Once out of bounds, the Skater runs across the track from the outfield to the infield such that neither of their skates touch the track at the same time, and each foot only touches the track briefly. Verdict: Penalty. Reasoning: Although this is clearly a penalty because the action is intentional, it is also a penalty because the Skater has touched inside the track with both feet (albeit, not simultaneously).

Example 6

The Skater wobbles, but regains balance. The Skater then briefly lifts their out-of-bounds foot while looking at the opponent who knocked the Skater out. Upon seeing that the opponent has dropped back, the Skater replaces their out-of-bounds foot and regains out-of-bounds status. It takes less than half a second for this all to happen. Verdict: Penalty. Reasoning: The Skater lifted their out-of-bounds foot intentionally, and was not doing so in an attempt to regain out-of-bounds status (until the Skater realized that they were at risk).