What is offside in ice hockey?
B · Beginner · Game flow · 7 of 10Attacking players must not enter the attacking zone ahead of the puck. A player is offside when both skates are completely over the blue line before the whole puck crosses it. A puck carrier controlling it with the stick is on-side. If the defenders have the puck, play continues as a delayed offside until the attackers clear the zone.
How it works
- The test: skates, not the stick; offside when both skates are fully past the leading edge of the blue line.
- On-side: one skate on the line, or on the player's own side, when the puck completely crosses.
- Carrying the puck: on-side if the player controls it with the stick before both skates cross (2026/27 wording).
- Delayed offside: the linesperson raises an arm; the defenders may bring the puck out.
- Clearing the zone: all attackers touch or cross the blue line at the same instant; then they may re-enter.
- Called: if an attacker touches the puck or pressures the defender during a delayed offside.
- Goals: a puck shot in on a delayed offside that goes in is no goal.
- Intentional offside: to force a stoppage; the face-off goes to the offending team's end.
- Face-off: outside the blue line if the puck was carried in; where the pass or shot began otherwise.
The glossary has the offside, the delayed off-side, the intentional off-side, the blue line, the linesperson and the possession and control of the puck.
Tricky cases
The skater's front foot is in the zone but the back skate is on the blue line. Offside?
No. One skate in contact with the line keeps the player on-side.
A player kicks the puck ahead into the zone and skates in after it. Offside?
They must control the puck with the stick before both skates cross, so a skated-in puck without stick control can be offside under the 2026/27 wording.
A goal is scored after an earlier offside that was missed. Can it be taken back?
Only through a coach's challenge, where used, and only if the puck stayed in the zone.
The defenders carry the puck out during a delayed offside. What happens?
The offside is cancelled and play goes on.
Why the rule exists
Without offside, attackers could wait by the goal for long passes. The rule forces teams to carry or pass the puck into the zone together.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Offside | Skates decide | IIHF 83.1 |
| Controlling the puck in | Stick control required (2026/27) | IIHF 83.1 |
| Coach's challenge | Offside before a goal | IIHF 38.2, 38.8 |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 38.8 and 83. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.