What is the advantage rule in rink hockey?
A · Advanced · Fouls and cards · 1 of 3Referees let play go on when the fouled team keeps the ball and attacks. A serious foul by the last defender on a player alone with the ball heading for goal brings a blue or red card and a direct free hit, or a penalty in the area. If a goal is scored anyway, it stands and the card follows.
How it works
- Advantage: play continues if the fouled team keeps control and attacks.
- Team foul: signalled while play goes on.
- Imminent goal: attacker with the ball, alone, heading for goal.
- Last defender's serious foul: blue or red card and a direct free hit.
- Inside the area: a penalty.
- Goal scored anyway: it stands; the card follows, restart at the centre.
- No advantage: for serious fouls or a 10th team foul outside an imminent goal.
- Light touch on a stick: no foul.
The glossary has the advantage law, the imminent goal situation, the direct free hit, the blue card, the red card (rink hockey) and the team foul.
Tricky cases
A defender fouls a player who is alone on goal, but the shot goes in. What happens?
The goal stands; the defender is carded and their team plays short.
A light tap on an opponent's stick. Foul?
No. The referees should let play go on.
Does every foul on a breakaway give a direct free hit?
It must be a serious or very serious foul by the last defender on a player alone with the ball.
Is advantage played for a 10th team foul?
No, unless there is an imminent goal.
Why the rule exists
Advantage keeps a foul from rewarding the side that commits it. The imminent goal rule stops defenders fouling to prevent a certain goal.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal foul | Advantage may be played | Art 26.2 |
| Serious foul, no imminent goal | Play stopped at once | Art 26.4 |
| Imminent goal | Advantage, then the card | Art 26.3 |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 24.2b, 25.2b and 26 with Clarifications 7 and 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.