What is the 45-second rule in rink hockey?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 7A team winning the ball in its own half has 10 seconds to cross halfway, then 45 seconds to finish the attack. A referee raises both arms with five seconds left. Running out the time, or passing up a clear chance to score, is passive play and gives the other team an indirect free hit.
How it works
- Own half: 10 seconds to cross halfway.
- Back into own half: 5 seconds to return.
- Attack: 45 seconds to finish.
- Reset: a direct free hit or penalty to the attackers, a touch on the goal or goalkeeper, a change of possession, a faceoff.
- Warning: a referee raises both arms at 5 seconds left.
- Passive play: an indirect free hit to the other team.
- Anti-play: both teams refusing to play; warning, then blue cards, then the match ends.
- No exception: even when a team is short-handed.
The glossary has the possession time limits, the passive play, the anti-play, the indirect free hit, the blue card and the main referees.
Tricky cases
A shot hits the post at 40 seconds. Does the clock reset?
Yes. A touch on the goal frame resets the 45 seconds.
Can a team playing short-handed hold the ball longer?
No. The referees may make no exception.
Where is the free hit taken after passive play?
It depends where the ball is, for example from an upper corner of the area if it is inside the offenders' penalty area.
What if the referees ignore anti-play?
The International Committee member at the table must step in at the next stoppage.
Why the rule exists
Shot clocks force teams to attack instead of sitting on a lead. The anti-play rule protects the contest when both sides stop trying.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive half | 10 seconds | Art 4.2 |
| Attacking half | 45 seconds | Art 4.3 |
| No electronic clock | Referees count | Art 4.3a; 10.4 |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 4 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.