One thing I find interesting about ice hockey is that they sub while the game is still going. In most other team sports, substitutions can occur only during a pause in the game. Hockey players are subbed on during live play. These substitutions are referred to as line changes. A line is typically three forwards or two defensemen who play on the ice at the same time.
Why such a sub exists is because of the sport type of hockey. Shifts are brief because the game is a great deal of physical labor. Most players remain on the ice for only about 45 seconds to 1 minute, before substitutions. Once they go beyond that, their performance begins to decline. By changing lines while a puck is still in play, the squad delivers fresh legs to the ice without running the risk of a penalty.
There are regulations about how guys can go off and on the ice. A player who has sat out must be near the bench before the new player can enter play. If players aren’t careful, they’ll get called for too many skaters on the ice. Timing and coordination are important. The coaches decide beforehand which players will skate out with each other and players often practice exchanging lines immediately.
A well-executed line change can help the team stay organized and keep the pressure on. A poor one can create openings that the other team can exploit. Line changes are a normal part of hockey.

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