The invention relates to an inverse time lag current protection method. The method comprises steps that (1), the motion delay time of a sending and a receiving end of a high resistance distance relay is respectively calculated when protection mounting portions A, B and C are in three-phase faults; (2), the zero sequence current inverse time lag protection motion time of the sending end and the receiving end of the three-phase high resistance distance relay is respectively calculated; and (3), time relationships between high resistance distance protection and zero sequence current inverse time lag motion protection of the sending end and the receiving end of the three-phase high resistance distance relay are determined. The method is for zero sequence current inverse time lag protection and distance protection matching, a general fault scope can be determined through distance protection, a zero sequence current inverse time lag protection motion speed is accelerated, the inverse time lag protection motion time can be effectively shortened, skip-level motion can be prevented, and motion performance of zero sequence current inverse time lag protection under high resistance fault conditions is improved.