How does a free pass work?

After the whistle (Rule 10.1):

• The ring is placed in the half of the free pass circle closer to the goal area defended by the team awarded the free pass. Only the player taking the pass is allowed in the circle, and only in the half where the ring is placed.
• That player must use the stick to put the ring entirely outside the circle within five seconds, and may not leave that half circle until it is out.
• That player may not touch or control the ring again outside the circle until another player has touched or controlled it.
• Teammates who enter the circle before the ring is entirely outside it cause play to be stopped.
• No other player may touch or control the ring before it is entirely outside the circle. If an opponent enters the circle early and that team then gains control of the ring in that zone within five seconds of it leaving the circle, play is stopped.

A free pass in a team's defending zone is replaced by a goaltender ring, except after things like an injury, a penalty, a timeout or the ring staying out of the playing area.