Linespersons
IIHF Rule Book
32.1ATTIRE AND EQUIPMENT All Linespersons shall be dressed in black pants, IIHF Officials’ jerseys, an IIHF-approved black helmet with visor, neck laceration protector, protective equipment and approved whistles.
32.2FACE-OFFS The Linesperson shall “face-off” the puck at all times except at the start of each period during regular time.
32.3GENERAL DUTIES The Linesperson are generally responsible for calling violations of “Off-side” and “Icing”. ➔ Rule 81 – Icing and ➔ Rule 83 – Off-side. They may stop play for a variety of other situations as noted in Rules 32.4 and 33.5 below. » For more information refer to the IIHF Game Official Procedures Manual – IIHF OPM.
32.4REPORTING TO REFEREE The Linesperson shall give the Referees their interpretation of any incident that may have taken place during the game. The Lines- person may stop play and report what was witnessed to the Referees when:
(I) There are “too many Players on the ice” ➔ Rule 74 – Too many Players on the ice.
(II) Articles are thrown on the ice from the Players’ bench or penalty box ➔ Rule 75 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
(III) When team personnel interfere with a Game Official ➔ Rule 39 – Abuse of Officials.
(IV) When a Player who has lost or broken their stick receives one illegally ➔ Rule 10 – Sticks.
(V) When any identifiable Player on the Player’s bench or penalty box, by means of their stick or their body, interferes with
the movements of the puck or an opponent ➔ Rule 56 – Interference.
(VI) When a goalkeeper plays the puck outside of the designated area behind the net. ➔ Rule 63 – Delaying the game.OFFICIALS The Linesperson shall report upon completion of play, any circumstances pertaining to:
(I) Major Penalties ➔ Rule 20 – Major Penalties. (II) Misconduct Penalties ➔ Rule 22 – Misconduct Penalties. (III) Game Misconduct Penalties ➔ Rule 23 – Game Misconduct Penalties. (IV) Abuse of Officials ➔ Rule 39 – Abuse of Officials. (V) Physical Abuse of Officials ➔ Rule 40 – Physical Abuse of Officials. (VI) Unsportsmanlike Conduct ➔ Rule 75 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct. (VII) Dangerous Actions ➔ Rule 21 – Dangerous Actions.
Should a Linesperson witness an infraction (above) committed by an attacking Player (undetected by the Referees) prior to the atta- cking team scoring a goal, the Linesperson shall report what they witnessed to the Referees, the goal shall be disallowed, and the appropriate penalty assessed. The Linesperson shall stop play immediately and report to the Referees when:
(I) When it is apparent that an injury has resulted from a “high-stick” that has gone undetected by the Referees and requires
the assessment of a double-minor penalty.
05➔ Rule 60 – High-sticking.
32.5STOPPING PLAY The Linesperson shall stop play:
(I) When premature substitution of the goalkeeper has occurred ➔ Rule 71 – Premature Substitution.
(II) When they deem that a Player has sustained a serious injury, and this has gone undetected by either of the Referees
➔ Rule 8 – Injured Players.
(III) For encroachment into the “face-off” area ➔ Rule 76 – Face-offs.
(IV) When the puck has been directed with a hand to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone and this has gone
undetected by either of the Referees ➔ Rule 79 – Hand Pass.
(V) When the puck has been batted with the hand by either center in an attempt to win the “face-off” in any zone
➔ Rule 76 – Face-offs.
(VI) When the puck is struck by a stick above the normal height of the shoulders, and this has gone undetected by either of
the Referees ➔ Rule 80 – High-sticking the Puck .
(VII) When either team “ices” the puck ➔ Rule 81 – Icing.
(VIII) When there have been interference by/with spectators ➔ Rule 24 – Penalty Shot .
(IX) For any infraction of the rules concerning “Off-side” play at the blue line ➔ Rule 83 – Off-side .
(X) When the puck is “out of bounds” or unplayable ➔ Rule 85 – Puck Out of Bounds.
(XI) When a goal has been scored that has not been observed by the Referees ➔ Rule 78 – Goals.
(XII) When the puck is interfered with by an ineligible Player/person ➔ Rule 5 – Team, ➔ Rule 74 – Too many Players on
the Ice , ➔ Rule 78 – Goals , ➔ Rule 84 – Overtime Operations.
(XIII) The calling of a “Penalty Shot” under ➔ Rule 53 – Throwing Equipment.32.6UNABLE TO CONTINUE Should a Linesperson accidentally leave the ice or receive an injury which incapacitates them from fulfilling their duties while play is OFFICIALS in progress, the game shall be automatically stopped. In IIHF Championships, “standby” Game Officials are assigned for the individual games. In the event of an injury to a Game Official, the designated “standby” Game Official will be used. » For more information refer to IIHF Game Official Handbook and Guidelines, and Operation Procedure Manual (OPM)