What is the free pass, and when is it used?

Ringette has no face-offs. Ringette Canada says any stoppage results in a free pass to restart play.

In the Official Rules and Case Book (2025-2027, Rule 10.1): the ring is placed in the centre of the half of the free pass circle closer to the goal that the team is defending (the circles have a radius of 4.57 m). Only the player taking the pass may be in the circle. After the whistle that player must, with the stick, put the ring entirely outside the circle within five seconds. They may not touch the ring again until another player has, and no other player may touch it until it is entirely outside the circle. Opponents entering the circle early can lead to play being stopped if their team then gains control.

In Children's Ringette (guidelines 2020-21): coaches and organizers pick from options. A free pass with a 1 m clearance to make a stationary pass to a teammate is one option for starting a game, restarting after a goal, restarting when the ring leaves the playing area, and responding to an infraction. Other options are a coach tossing the ring into play, or giving a goalie ring with a verbal five count.

Sources: https://www.ringette.ca/our-sport/what-is-ringette/ , https://www.ringette.ca/about-us/rule-book/ and https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Childrens-Ringette-Guidelines-2020-21.pdf