What is a technical foul in rink hockey?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and cards · 3 of 7Technical fouls break the playing rules without being about contact: lifting the ball too high, handling it, playing it with the stick's edge, trapping it against the barrier or standing in the goalkeeper's zone without it. They give an indirect free hit, or a penalty if a defender commits one inside their own area.
How it works
- High ball: above 1.50 m, except a goalkeeper in their area.
- Hand or arm: a rink player may not play the ball with the upper body.
- Stick edge: not allowed, except shooting in the opponents' area.
- Trapping: holding the ball against the barrier.
- Goalkeeper's zone: an attacker may not stand in it without the ball.
- On the floor: a rink player may not play the ball with hands or body on the ground.
- Sanction: an indirect free hit.
- By a defender in their area: a penalty.
The glossary has the technical foul, the indirect free hit, the penalty (rink hockey), the goal line and goalkeeper protection zone, the playing the ball and the penalty area.
Tricky cases
A rink player stops a shot with their chest inside the goalkeeper's zone. Foul?
Yes. Stopping a goal with the body inside the zone is a technical foul, and inside the area a penalty.
A defender's stick lifts the ball above 1.50 m inside their own area. Penalty?
No. It is an indirect free hit from an upper corner of the area.
Can a player shout to fool an opponent?
No. Shouting or whistling to deceive is a technical foul.
May the goalkeeper lie on the ball?
No. Deliberately lying on it or holding it between the legs is a technical foul.
Why the rule exists
Technical fouls keep the ball moving and protect the goalkeeper. Their sanction depends only on where they happen, so they carry no card.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the penalty area | Indirect free hit | Art 21.3 |
| Defender inside the area | Penalty | Art 21.2 |
| Ball lifted from the area | Indirect free hit from the corner | Art 21.2 |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 15 and 21. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.