How does a free pass work and what are the free pass violations?

Rule 10.1 sets the free pass procedure. The ring is placed in the centre of the half of the free pass circle closer to the goal area defended by the team awarded the free pass. After the whistle:

• The player taking the free pass may enter only the half circle where the ring is placed and is the only player allowed in the circle. If nobody from that team is in the circle at the whistle, the first player from that team to enter takes the pass.
• That player must use the stick to put the ring entirely outside the free pass circle within five seconds.
• The player may move anywhere within that half circle but may not leave it until the ring is entirely outside the circle.
• That player may not contact or control the ring again once it is outside the circle until another player has contacted or controlled it.
• No other player may contact or control the ring before it is entirely outside the circle.
• If a teammate enters the circle before the ring is out, play is stopped immediately.
• If an opponent enters the circle early and that team gains control in that zone within five seconds of the ring leaving the circle (and before it exits the zone), play is stopped.

A defending zone free pass is replaced by a goaltender ring unless the stoppage is caused by the ring staying out of the playing area, an injury, a penalty assessment, a timeout, or a long delay in restarting play (Rule 10.2).