Stoppage
Any interruption to active play, such as for an injury, foul, or the ball leaving the field, that pauses the running of the game.
Definition
A stoppage is any break in the continuous action of a match. Common causes include the ball going out of play, fouls and free kicks, injuries, substitutions, and goal celebrations. In sports that run a continuous clock, time lost to stoppages matters because it reduces the amount of actual playing time within a fixed period.
In association football, time lost to stoppages is estimated by the referee and added on at the end of each half as 'stoppage time', also called added or injury time, during which play continues beyond the scheduled 45 or 90 minutes. Stoppage time is not the same as extra time, which is a separate additional period played to break a tie. Managing and accounting for stoppages is part of the official's timekeeping role.
Where you’ll hear “stoppage”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Rugby
A physical team sport of carrying, passing and kicking an oval ball toward the opposing line.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Stoppage in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Commonly confused with
Close enough to be mixed up — the distinction is worth knowing.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Stoppage to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Officiating
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
Goals
- Sports for womenInclusive sports and activities that suit women at any age or fitness level.
- Return to sportEasing back into activity after time away, a long break or a period off through injury.
- Outdoor activitiesSpend more time being active outdoors, from walking and cycling to trails, water and hills.
- Reduce stressFind calmer, healthier ways to unwind through regular movement, gentle mind-body activity and time outdoors.
- Build muscleChallenge your muscles with regular resistance training and steady recovery to build strength over time.
Equipment
- Hockey stickA curved-headed stick used to control, pass and shoot the ball or puck in hockey.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
Lifestyle
Rules
- Out of boundsThe rule that a ball or player leaving the marked playing area is out of play and possession is decided at the boundary.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
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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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