What is the difference between a penalty and a yellow card in short track?
I · Intermediate · Infringements, relays and results · 2 of 4A penalty puts the skater last in that race and ends their run in the distance, but keeps earlier results. A yellow card, for reckless or unsafe skating, loses all results in the distance. A red card, for dangerous skating, ends the skater's whole event. Two yellow cards in one event make a red, and decisions cannot be protested.
How it works
- Penalty: last in the race; out of the distance; earlier rounds kept.
- Yellow card: for reckless skating, for a lapped skater not giving way and for two impeding or kicking-out penalties in one race.
- Yellow card effect: all results in that distance lost.
- Red card: for dangerous or grossly negligent skating, or two yellows.
- Red card effect: out of all races in the event.
- Two reds in 12 months: suspended for at least two months.
- World Tour: 3, 5 and 7 sanctions bar skaters from their best distances at the next event.
- No protest: sanction decisions are final.
The glossary has the sanctions, the penalty, the yellow card, the red card, the World Tour cumulative penalty and the disqualification.
Tricky cases
A skater gets a red card in a relay. Can they race individually later that event?
No. A red card bars the skater from every race in the event.
Does a relay red card bar the whole team from other races?
No. The team loses that race, but only the skater who fouled is barred.
Do relay sanctions count towards the World Tour total?
No. Relay infringements do not count.
Can coaches be carded?
Yes. A yellow card suspends them for the day; a red removes their accreditation.
Why the rule exists
Graded sanctions match the punishment to the danger. The cumulative system stops a skater fouling repeatedly across a season.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty | Out of the distance | ISU 296 (1)(d) |
| Yellow card | Results in the distance lost | ISU 296 (1)(f) |
| Red card | Out of the event | ISU 296 (1)(h) |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Short Track (as of 12 June 2026), rule 296, with ISU, Short Track Guidance to the Racing Rules (2026/27), section 1.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the ISU Sports Rules and the season's Guidance.