How is play restarted in rink hockey?
I · Intermediate · Restarts and results · 6 of 7Most fouls are restarted with an indirect free hit: the ball still, one touch, the opponents at least 3 m away. It may be taken quickly without a whistle. When the referees stop play with no one at fault, or for equal fouls by both sides, a faceoff restarts it: one player from each team, sticks 20 cm from the ball.
How it works
- Indirect free hit: ball still, one touch, no whistle needed.
- Distance: opponents at least 3 m away.
- Whistle needed: if the taker asks for the distance, delays or the ball left the rink.
- Taker: may not touch it again until another player or the goal frame does.
- No direct goal: a goal straight from it does not count.
- Near the barrier: may be taken 70 cm from it.
- Faceoff: one player each, sticks 20 cm from the ball, others 3 m away.
- Ball off the rink: indirect free hit against the side that sent it off, or a faceoff if unknown.
The glossary has the indirect free hit, the faceoff, the team foul, the technical foul, the centre pass and the playing the ball.
Tricky cases
Can a defending team take a free hit straight away in its own half?
Yes, once the ball is stopped, without moving it to the exact spot.
The taker hits the ball, it bounces off the post and they shoot again. Allowed?
Yes. A touch on the outside of the goal frame lets them play it again.
An opponent stands 2 m away. What happens?
The taker may ask the referees to move them, and it then becomes a team foul if they do not respect the distance.
The ball gets stuck in the goalkeeper's pads. Restart?
A faceoff at the nearest lower corner of the penalty area.
Why the rule exists
Quick restarts keep the game flowing. The faceoff settles stoppages fairly when neither side deserves the ball.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Attacking zone foul | Taken anywhere in that zone | Art 27.3b |
| Ball behind the goal | Lower corner of the area | Art 27.3d |
| Faceoff after a roof hit | Centre circle | Art 13.3b |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 6.6, 13, 17.3 and 27. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.