Game Countdown and Warm-up Procedures

The following countdown procedure shall be followed prior to all IIHF competitions (Subject can be changed for different IIHF Championships):

Time

90:00	Team Composition Forms delivered to the competing teams.
60:00	20 minute count-down to the pre-game warm-up begins on the Game Clock. Teams submit their completed Team Composition Forms to the Scorekeeper. Media centre receives a copy of the preliminary team line-ups. Game officials warm-up.
40:00	20 minute pre-game warm-up count-down on the clock begins. Game officials depart the ice surface. Both teams are on the ice for their pre-game warm-up. Warm-up music played in the arena for 20 minutes.
20:00	Siren announces the end of warm-up. Teams depart the ice surface. Ice is re-surfaced. Count-down to actual game time begins on the Game Clock. Teams indicate their starting line-ups for the start of the game plus Captains and Assistant Captains on the Official Game Sheet.
10:00	Teams receive a photocopy of the Official Game Sheet. Referee and Linesmen receive a photocopy of the Official Game Sheet. Doping Control receive a copy of the Official Game Sheet. Announcer announces the entire roster for both teams.
07:00	Referee and Linesmen are notified that one minute remains until they need to proceed to the ice surface.
06:00	Teams are advised that they have one minute remaining until they need to proceed to the ice surface. Referee and Linesmen leave their dressing room and go immediately to the ice surface.
05:00	Teams leave their dressing rooms and go directly to the ice surface. Referee and Linesmen enter the ice surface. International TV signal starts (Opening animation)
04:00	Teams enter the ice surface.
03:15	The Referee and Linesmen are standing in the Referee’s Crease.
02:50	Official Announcer introduces the Referee and Linesmen.
02:30	Both teams line-up on their respective blue lines.
02:00	Team Captains greet the Referee and Linesmen in the Referee’s Crease.
01:00	Teams leave the ice to the players' benches. Starting players remain on the ice.
00:15	Referee calls the teams to center ice for the opening face-off.
00:00	Opening face-off.

Commentary

1. The game clock in the arena is the timing device which is critical for these procedures.

2. During the warm-up:

a. Each team shall confine their activities to their own half of the rink, so as to leave clear an area nine metres wide across the center of the Neutral Zone,

b. It is recommended that all players wear their complete equipment.

c. Music may be played during the warm-up.

d. In IIHF championships, the stand-by Referee shall take care of the warm-up procedures.