What is a delayed penalty in inline hockey?
I · Intermediate · Penalties · 3 of 5When the team without the puck commits a foul, the referee raises an arm and lets play run until the offending team touches the puck. If the other team scores first, a minor is not served. A team with a player in the box is short-handed; a power-play goal ends the first minor. No team is reduced below three players.
How it works
- Delayed call: arm raised; whistle when the offending team gains control.
- Goal scored meanwhile: a minor is cancelled; majors still served.
- Attackers past centre: may not take the puck back to their own half.
- Power play: a team with more floor players than its opponent.
- Power-play goal: ends the first minor.
- Minimum: three on the floor, goalkeeper included.
- Third penalty: waits until one of the first two ends.
- Delayed penalties: players whose time ends return at the next stoppage, in order.
The glossary has the delayed penalty, the short-handed and power play, the minor penalty (inline hockey), the major penalty (inline hockey), the match penalty and the referees (inline hockey).
Tricky cases
A team replaces its goalkeeper with a skater. Is that a power play?
No. A power play needs more floor players than the opponent is entitled to.
The fouled team passes the puck back into its own half during the delayed call. What happens?
Play is stopped and faced off in the penalised team's end.
A misconduct is called while the other team has the puck. Delayed?
No. The whistle goes at once for a misconduct.
A shorthanded team concedes. Does a major end?
No. Only a minor or bench minor ends.
Why the rule exists
Delaying the whistle stops a foul robbing the attackers of a chance. A minimum of three keeps the game playable.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Ends on a power-play goal | 6.2.1B |
| Major or match penalty | Served in full | 6.3C |
| Third penalty | Delayed until one ends | 6.2.2A |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rulebook Inline Hockey 2027, rules 6.2 and 6.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Inline Hockey Rulebook 2027.