All players must wear a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved helmet, ice hockey gloves and running shoes. Women and players under the age of 18 are required to wear full facial protection as well. 

Although not mandatory, it is recommended that players wear elbow pads, athletic cup, soft knee pads and shin guards. As well, adult men should consider wearing facial protection to protect their eyes. Standard ice hockey sticks are used to play the game. 

There are two types of balls are officially recognized for play by the NBHAC. It is usually orange in appearance and not much larger than a tennis ball. A hard (Pro) Version is recommended for adult warm climate play. The soft (recreation) version is recommended for younger youth age groups and all winter play. NBHAC member leagues must use either version manufactured by the official suppliers. 

A new line of ball hockey equipment is being designed in cooperation with the NBHAC and is expected to be launched, including a more flexible glove, padded shorts and shin pads.

The programs available begin with the youngest age groups commencing at five years old. Youth leagues typically run in groupings of two to three years depending on the size of the community and number of participants. A sample program may offer the following age groups as of December 31: 

* Junior (under 18) 

* Girls U18 

* Bantam (under 16) 

* Girls U16 

* Pee Wee (under 14) 

* Girls U14 

* Atom (under 12) 

* Girls U12 

* Novice (under 10) 

* Tyke (under 8) 

* Squirt (under 6) 

Mens programs usually commence at 18 years of age with some exceptions allowing under 18's to play with parental consent. In Canada, there are five divisions of play Men’s A, B, C, D, Recreational based on competitiveness of the player/team. Masters Open (over 31) and Master’s (over 40) are also available for any individual interested in participating in the old-timers leagues. 

The National Ball Hockey Association of Canada offers five levels of play at the Women’s level of play which are determined by skill and age (Master’s) level of play: 

* Women’s ‘A’ 

* Women’s ‘B’ 

* Women’s ‘C’ 

* Master’s Open 

* Master’s 

As players/teams succeed at each league level, they are normally expected to graduate to higher competitive levels of play if offered in their communities, in order to keep programs fair and fun for all participants.

The object of the game quite simply is to strike the ball with the hockey stick and knock it into the opponent's hockey net (6 feet wide x 4 feet high, 1.83 m x 1.22 m). Typically, a low-bounce type of ball is used. For added safety, hockey gloves and helmets are recommended, and in fact are mandatory for play in member leagues. 

Any size or type of non-slip flooring can be used as a playing field. Most of the leagues operate in hockey arenas or gymnasiums. All events are held in full sized hockey arenas (generally around 200 feet long x 85 feet wide, 60.96 m x 25.91 m). However, smaller facilities for the Outdoor (Little) Rinks/Arena’s may be used for the sports outdoor version. When played on the surface of a hockey rink, six players, including the goalie, compete against the opposing team's six players. Extra players are usually kept on each bench, outside the playing surface, and interchanged with the six on the floor either during play or at a stoppage of play. 

When played on smaller surfaces, fewer players can be used during play. In its simplest form, the game can be played without floor markings and few rules. However, in organized competition regular ice hockey floor markings are used, including goal lines, goal creases, blue lines, center line, face-off circles and neutral zone face-off dots. The following are additional rules: 

* Face-offs(players are lined up facing each other in a designated area on the floor), are used at the start of each period of play and after goals, penalties, icing, offside, or when the ball leaves the playing area. 

* Penalties are called when a player commits a foul. The offending player is then removed from playing for a period of time, depending on the severity of the infraction and the team continues play one player short until the penalty has elapsed. 

* When an offside occurs Play is stopped. Before entering an opponent team's zone (the area from behind their net to their blue line) the ball must cross the blue line first before the player or any of his teammates. 

* Icing (or flooring) occurs when a team shoots the ball before the player physically crosses the center line and the ball passes the opponent's goal before any player, of either team, can touch it. A stoppage of play shall occur with the ensuing faceoff taking place in the end zone of the team that shot the ball. If the goalie touches the ball, or the shot creates a goal, there is no icing on the play. 

* "Floating Blue Line": expansion of the offensive zones occurs once a team crosses the opponent's blue line with the ball. The attacking team will then have half of the entire playing surface within which to control the ball, from behind the opponent's goal to the center line of the area. If the defending team sends the ball past center, the zone is reset to the blue line and their opponent must regain it as explained above. 

* To score a legal goal, it cannot be kicked in; struck with a stick above the shoulders; pushed in using the hand, or while offside. 

Games may vary in length, for example two 15 minute periods, but are generally played with either two or three periods of equal time. Where a time clock is available, there is a stoppage in play, after a goal, penalty, offside, icing, ball out of play, or goaltender holding the ball for more than a few seconds. If a clock is not available, or the time available to play is limited, running time periods may be used, for example three 15 minute periods.

The National Ball Hockey Association of Canada (NBHAC) has brought Canada’s beloved game to now offer the most comprehensive program in Canada. The NBHAC is a registered non-profit organization. 

The NBHAC provides the following administrative services: 

* Office Services 

* Annual General Meeting and Awards Reception 

* Organize Mens, Womens & Minor National Championships 

* Organize Eastern Regional Championships for Men and Women at the B & C level 

* Junior Nationals for players under 15, 17 & 19 years of age 

* Assist new leagues with start up kits 

* Print and distribute rulebooks for members 

* Promote the sport of ball hockey across the country 

* Set bylaws and regulations for members as a guideline 

* Arrange insurance program at cost which includes general liability and medical/dental accident insurance 

* Provide a National certification program for officials 

* Provide a National registration program for its members 

* Distribute coaching materials