Delay of Game
A rules infringement in which a team or player unfairly slows down or delays the resumption of play.
Definition
Delay of game penalises actions that deliberately or needlessly hold up the game — failing to restart within the allotted time, kicking or throwing the ball away after a stoppage, or a goalkeeper holding the ball too long. It exists to keep matches flowing and to stop teams from wasting time to protect a lead.
The penalty depends on the sport. In ice hockey certain delays, such as shooting the puck out of play from the defensive zone, bring a minor penalty; in American football it costs yardage and re-sets the down; and in football (soccer) time-wasting is cautioned with a yellow card. Related concepts include stalling and the various clocks designed to prevent it.
Meaning by sport
This term is used differently across sports:
- Ice Hockey
- A minor penalty for specific delays, such as shooting the puck out of play from the defensive zone.
- American football
- A yardage penalty for failing to snap the ball before the play clock expires.
- Football
- A cautionable (yellow-card) offence for time-wasting.
Where you’ll hear “delay of game”
Sports that use this term:
Ice Hockey
A fast team sport on ice that combines skating skill with quick passing and goal-scoring.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Delay of Game to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Rules
- Volleyball rotationThe rule that players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
- Yellow and red cardsThe disciplinary cards a football referee shows to caution or send off a player for misconduct.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- Personal fouls and free throwsThe basketball rules covering illegal contact and the uncontested shots awarded when a player is fouled.
Player roles
- Set-Piece SpecialistA player a team relies on to take or defend dead-ball restarts — free-kicks, corners, penalties, and serves — with practiced accuracy and composure.
- CaptainThe captain is a team's on-field leader who communicates, makes in-game decisions and sets standards — a role any player can hold, not a fixed position.
- Ball-winnerA ball-winner is the player tasked with regaining possession through pressing, tackling and interceptions — a team's tireless defensive workhorse.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
Sports science
Exercises
- Step-upA movement where you step up onto a raised platform one leg at a time and step back down.
- SupermanA back-focused exercise where you lie face down and lift your arms and legs off the floor.
- Mountain climberA dynamic exercise where you drive your knees toward your chest one at a time from a plank.
Tactics
- Net playControlling the point from close to the net with volleys, smashes and touch shots to cut down an opponent’s time.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- Serve-receive formationHow a volleyball team arranges its passers to receive the serve and set up a clean first attack.
Disciplines
- KumiteKumite is the sparring discipline of karate, in which two athletes exchange controlled strikes and kicks under judged rules.
- FoilFoil is a fencing weapon in which touches are scored only with the point on the opponent's torso, governed by right-of-way rules.
- Synchronized skatingSynchronized skating is a team discipline in which a group of skaters moves as one unit through formations, emphasizing precision, timing, and unison.
- Parallel (Alpine)Parallel is an alpine snowboarding discipline in which two riders race side by side down gated courses, carving turns on stiffer alpine boards.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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