What do the cards mean in rink hockey?
B · Beginner · Fouls and cards · 3 of 4A yellow card is a warning, for faults like diving, jumping the barrier or arguing. A blue card is a two-minute suspension for serious misconduct, such as a dangerous charge, tripping or hooking a skate. A red card expels the offender for very serious offences like violence. Blue and red cards to players on the rink also leave the team short-handed.
How it works
- Yellow: warning; a second turns into blue (on the rink) or red (on the bench).
- Blue: two minutes on the bench, for serious misconduct.
- Blue examples: insults, a dangerous push into the barrier, tripping, hooking a skate.
- Third blue card: a red card.
- Red: expulsion to the dressing room, for very serious offences.
- Red examples: violence, threats, skating into an opponent with force, a deliberate own goal.
- Team effect: two minutes short for blue, four for red, for players on the rink.
- Bench members: a red card does not leave the team short.
The glossary has the yellow card (rink hockey), the blue card, the red card (rink hockey), the playing in inferiority, the team (rink hockey) and the main referees.
Tricky cases
A coach argues with the referee. What card?
A yellow card; a second warning to the bench brings a red.
A player throws their stick but misses everyone. What card?
A blue card; if it hits the ball or a person, a red card.
Two yellow cards to a player on the rink. Result?
A blue card and two minutes short-handed.
Who is punished if the thrower of an object cannot be found?
The coach gets a red card, or the delegate or captain if the coach is already out.
Why the rule exists
Timed suspensions punish the team on the rink at once. A clear ladder of cards matches the punishment to the danger.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Player on the rink | Blue or red leaves the team short | Art 24.2; 25.2 |
| Member of the bench | Red only, no team penalty | CL 5, 6 |
| Two yellows on the bench | Red, for that match only | Art 22.1b |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027, Rules of the Game, Articles 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24 and 25 with Clarifications 3 to 6 and 10. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Rink Hockey Rulebook 2027.