If there are four lines in hockey, why do five skaters play at the same time?

Question

I do not get that when I see the lineups on television at the beginning of a hockey game, there are lines of three then lines of two, or whatever they are called.

Answer 1

There are 4 forward lines consisting of 3 players, the center, the right wing and the left wing.



There are 3 sets of 2 defensemen.



Therefore, 3 forwards and 2 defensemen are on the ice at any given time, equaling 5. There are exceptions, such as during power plays when some teams will use 4 forwards and only 1 defenseman.



This is the typical set-up. Sometimes teams will dress 11 forwards and 7 on defense depending on need.

Answer 2

There are four lines of forwards (three players per line)

And three defensive pairings (two players per pairing)



In North American hockey, the forwards and defense change independent of each other - each defensive pairing will end up playing at the same time as each of the forward lines during the game and vice versa.



The only time a set group of five players is on the ice is for power plays, and you'll hear the announcer refer to them as a "power play unit"

Answer 3

Teams can dress up to 20 players for a game. This usually includes 4 lines of forwards (left wing, right wing, center), 3 defensive pairings (left defense and right defense), and two goaltenders (including the backup). Out of these, there are six players on the ice at one time when the team is at even strength (three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender). Having several lines is necessary because players need to rest in between shifts. This happens on the fly or after a stoppage in play.

Answer 4

One line has three players: right wing, left wing, and center



One line is on the ice at a time, but teams usually have about four which they rotate throughout the game



defensemen are grouped together in pairs.



one pair of defense is out on the ice at one time.



Therefore, there is one line of forwards (3 players), and a defensive pair (2 players) on the ice at a given time...which equals five skaters

Answer 5

There are four forward lines that rotate, each one with 3 players.



On a separate rotation, there is three defensive lines each with 2 players.



On the ice at one time is one forward line and one defense line, therefore 5 players.

Answer 6

there are offensive and defensive lines. if you switched everyone at the same time you wouldn't have a team on the ice playing against the other team since substitutions are made on the fly. so pull the two offensive players when the puck is in your defensive zone and the three defensive players when you're on the attack.

Answer 7

In ice hockey, when there are no penalties and in regulation, a forward line consists of 3 forwards (left wing, centre, right wing) and defencive pair (left and right) plus a goalie. That is your most common formation. (I specified as roller hockey is 4 on 4 + goalie)

Answer 8

hmmm?



do you mean 3 offensive players and 2 defensemen?



im not sure i understand your question, they rotate lines cus its tiring trying to go for long periods of time and the 3/2 thing is how they divvy up the O from the D

Answer 9

Three forwards... two defencemen. Not that hard to figure out.