How to Substitute Players in Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is considered the fastest game in the world. It is extremely physical and during the game many players may not be up to the challenge of playing a full period. Coaches substitute players during the game to keep the players fresh. In various forms of ice hockey such as amateur, professional and children's hockey the rules may vary but the basic information is still the same.

Instructions

1. Find the official rules about exactly how many substitutions are permitted during a game. In most little league or children's hockey unlimited substitutions are allowed.

2. Learn the rules. Find out if it is possible to make a substitution on a penalized player. In most ice hockey rules substitutions can be made for players who receive a game penalty, which means they must return to the locker room and cannot complete the game. In a case where a player is placed in a penalty box no substitutions are made. The team must play without the player until he is able to leave the penalty box.

3. Wait for the player on the ice to get off the ice completely before the substitute player enters the game. If the substitute player hits the ice before the player they are substituting for leaves the ice, they receive a penalty and the team has to play with one less player on the ice.

4. Substitute players at the appropriate times. Make substitutions while the puck is live, on the fly and when the game has stopped temporarily.

Tips & Warnings

• Read all of the information provided in the rules about substitutions when the game begins so you do not receive penalties.

Resources

• Read the official NHL substitution rules.