Which arm signals do linespersons use for off-side and icing?
Rule- Canada
- Hockey Canada
- Playing Rules 2026-28
- Linespersons
- Officiating
- All ages
- 2026-27
- Officials
From the Referee's Signals section of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028:
- Delayed off-side: non-whistle arm fully extended above the head. To nullify it, the linesperson drops the arm to the side.
- Possible icing: the back referee or linesperson fully extends either arm over the head. The arm stays up until the front referee or linesperson blows the whistle for icing or the icing is washed out. After the icing is complete, the back official points to the face-off spot and skates to it.
- Icing called: the linesperson who stops play blows the whistle, then raises their non-whistle arm.
- Wash out: a sweeping sideways motion of both arms across the front of the body at shoulder level, palms down. Linespersons use it for "no icing" and in certain situations "no off-side".
- Too many players, delayed: there is no signal for linespersons to use in the delayed situation, and they do not raise their arm.
Added 25 Oct 2026