Is there offside in para ice hockey?
B · Beginner · The game · 3 of 3At a face-off the two players face the sideboards, sledges outside the spot and blades on its white part. A player is offside when both sledge blades are fully over the blue line before the puck. Icing is hybrid: the linesman judges whether a defender or attacker would reach the puck first. Batting the puck above head height stops play.
How it works
- Face-off: facing the sideboards.
- Sledges: outside the spot.
- Offside: both blades over the line first.
- Backward carry: not offside if in control.
- Icing: hybrid.
- High stick: above head height.
- Goal crease: up to the crossbar.
- Goalkeeper contact: unnecessary contact penalised.
The glossary has the face-off, the offside, the hybrid icing, the high-sticking the puck, the contact with the goalkeeper and the positions.
Tricky cases
A team is shorthanded. Is icing called?
No. Only at equal or greater strength.
When must the linesman decide icing?
By the time the first skater reaches the end-zone face-off spots.
A high-sticked puck goes to an opponent. Stop?
No. Play goes on.
Why face the sideboards?
Sledges cannot face each other square on.
Why the rule exists
Judging offside by the blades fits a sledge the way skates fit ice hockey.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Offside | By blades | R 903 |
| Icing | Hybrid | R 905, 906 |
| Face-off | Facing boards | R 902 |
From the rule book
World Para Ice Hockey, Rules 2018-2022 (V2, effective 1 October 2018), rules 902 to 908 and 916. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: WPIH Rules, Regulations and Classification Rules.