How do line changes, timeouts and goalie changes work?
Rule- USA
- USA Hockey
- 14U
- 14 and under
- Born 2012-2013
- Youth hockey
- 2025-29 USA Hockey rules
- 2026-27 season
- Coaches
Line changes at a stoppage: after the referee's signal, the visiting team has 5 seconds to change, then the home team has 5 seconds. Undue delay draws a warning, then a minor for delay of game. Once the change procedure is done, no more changes until the face-off, unless a penalty changes on-ice strength.
Changes on the fly: the player leaving must be at the bench and out of play before the replacement enters. If either player plays the puck, makes contact with an opponent or gains an advantage while the other is still on, it's a bench minor for too many players.
Timeouts:
- Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game, regulation or overtime. None are allowed in time-curfew games.
- Request it during a stoppage, before the line change procedure is finished.
- A timeout can be used to warm up a goalie, with no more than four pucks.
Goalies:
- You can pull or change a goalie during play once they're at the bench, or during a stoppage within the line-change procedure.
- A goalie may not go to the bench during a stoppage without the referee's permission (except during timeouts), unless replaced. Violation: bench minor.
- An injured goalie gets no extra time. They must resume immediately or be replaced, and a substitute goalie gets no warm-up unless a timeout is used.
Added 21 Oct 2026