Ringette is a team sport played on an ice surface. Played primarily by females, Ringette requires the use of straight sticks to control a rubber ring; with the objective of the game being to score goals by shooting the ring into the opponent's net. It was introduced by Sam Jacks in North Bay, Ontario in 1963. It is played in countries such as Canada, Finland, Sweden, United States, Czech Republic and Russia, with the largest community in Canada, with over 50,000 participants.

Only six players on each team are permitted on the ice at one time, usually one centre, two forwards, two defenders, and a goaltender. However, a team plays "short-handed" (is "down" one or two players) when a player gets a penalty and must sit for a defined interval in the penalty box.

A team may "pull" the goalie off the ice and substitute an extra attacker. If the goalie is pulled and the play returns to that team's defensive end, one skater may become an acting goalkeeper (AGK). Once she enters the crease, she is bound by the same rules as a regular goalkeeper.