Common hockey rotations worked out
These are the splits for some of the squad sizes that come up most often. Your own numbers go in the calculator above.
| Squad | On at once | Game length | Time on | Time on bench |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 players | 11 | 60 min | 47m 09s | 12m 51s |
| 12 players | 9 | 50 min | 37m 30s | 12m 30s |
| 11 players | 7 | 40 min | 25m 27s | 14m 33s |
| 16 players | 11 | 60 min | 41m 15s | 18m 45s |
Hockey formats and squad sizes
| Format | Typical game length | Typical squad |
|---|---|---|
| Minkey / juniors | 4 x 10 min quarters | 8-10 |
| 7v7 juniors | 2 x 20-25 min halves | 9-12 |
| 9v9 | 2 x 25 min halves | 12-14 |
| 11v11 | 4 x 15 min quarters | 14-18 |
Game lengths vary between associations and age groups, so treat these as a starting point and use your own competition's numbers.
How rolling subs work in hockey
Hockey allows unlimited rolling substitutions at any point in play, which is great for managing fatigue and terrible for tracking fairness. Players can come on and off within seconds, and nobody is writing it down.
The fix is to work in fixed shift blocks rather than subbing on feel. Decide the shift length before the game, rotate on the clock, and the equal time takes care of itself.
With 14 players and 11 on the field over 60 minutes, each player gets about 47 minutes on and 13 off. Split that into three or four shifts and each bench stint is only three or four minutes, which is short enough that nobody feels hard done by.
Questions coaches ask
How do I manage rolling subs fairly in hockey?
Set a fixed shift length before the game and rotate on the clock rather than by feel. The calculator works out the shift length that gives everyone equal time for your squad size.
How long should a hockey shift be?
Three to six minutes is typical for junior hockey. Shorter shifts keep everyone fresh but mean more changes to manage. Set the number of rotations in the calculator and see how the shift length falls out.
Does this work for 7v7 and 9v9 junior hockey?
Yes. Set the number on the field to match your format and it handles any squad size from there.
Can I print a hockey rotation sheet?
Yes. Enter your player names, calculate and print. Free, no signup, nothing to install.
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