How do line changes work in inline hockey?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 5Play starts and restarts with a face-off, the puck dropped between two players with the rest 3 m away. Players may change on the fly once the player coming off is within 3 m of the bench. A team with the puck in its own half must keep moving it forward, and may carry it behind its own goal only once.
How it works
- Face-off: puck dropped between two players, others 3 m away.
- Spots: one at centre and two in each end.
- Attackers cause the stoppage: the face-off moves to centre.
- Changes on the fly: the player coming off within 3 m of the bench first.
- Changes at stoppages: visitors first, then home, five seconds each.
- Own half: keep moving the puck forward; once behind the goal.
- First breach: a face-off and a warning; the second in a half a minor penalty.
- Timeouts: called by the captain at a stoppage.
The glossary has the face-off (inline hockey), the change of players, the keeping the puck in motion, the minor penalty (inline hockey), the game time (inline hockey) and the goalkeeper (inline hockey).
Tricky cases
A player holds the puck against the boards without being checked. Penalty?
Yes, a minor; in the last two minutes or overtime, a penalty shot.
A team calls a second timeout in the same period. What happens?
A bench minor penalty for delay of game.
The puck sits on top of the goal net for five seconds. Restart?
Play is stopped after three seconds and faced off in the end zone, or at centre if the attackers caused it.
Can a player kick the puck?
Yes, anywhere, but a goal cannot be kicked in.
Why the rule exists
Keeping the puck moving stops a leading team sitting on it. Ordered changes at stoppages let both teams match lines fairly.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Short-handed team | Need not keep advancing | 5.5.7B |
| Last two minutes | Holding the puck to the boards is a penalty shot | 5.5.7D |
| Visitors | Change first at stoppages | 5.5.4G |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rulebook Inline Hockey 2027, rules 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.4, 5.5.7 to 5.5.9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Inline Hockey Rulebook 2027.