Floor hockey: a game for those who want to play hockey but do not have rinks nearby

Hockey is a popular game that is known everywhere. It comes as no surprise that there are many variations of this game, one of them is floor hockey. What is so special about this game?

A brief description of the game

Floor hockey is a team sport that is very similar to ordinary hockey. The main difference is concerned with the fact that it is not necessary to go to the ice rink and wear skates to play it. This game is played in the gyms with flat floor. Another type of hockey pucks is used. In floor hockey, the puck is covered with felted cloth and has a hole in the middle. The goal of this game is to win by scoring a goal.

Floor hockey is a relatively young type of sport, which does not have a lasting history. Its rules were established by Samuel Perry Jackson in 1936, and by 1970, it had been included in the list of Special Olympic Games. In terms of this competition, there are various types of championships. Sometimes the skills of each sportsman are evaluated, whereas in some cases the whole team gets its score.

The team consists of six sportsmen, each of them has a specific function. For example, there is one goaltender, who must protect the gates, two defensemen and three forwards. The game comprises three periods, each of them lasts for 9 minutes. Between the periods, there are two break, each of them is one minute long.

Variations

Nowadays, five variations of floor hockey are distinguished. Three of them possess the features of ice hockey, whereas the rest of them have some peculiarities common for bandy. The most popular types of floor hockey are floorball, cosom hockey and power hockey. Floorball is a variation that requires using special sticks made of thick plastic and covered with carbon fiber, as well as using plastic balls that are very light.

Power hockey resembles floorball. This game was invented for those who have to use electric wheelchairs. The same rules are applied in terms of this game. For the goaltenders it is crucial to wear kneepads to prevent any injuries. In cosom hockey, special sticks made of plastic are used, whereas gym ringette requires using sticks that do not have any blades.

Equipment

Floor hockey is one of these sports that are concerned with high risks of fallings and injuries. Thus, all sportsmen have to wear special ammunition. It comprises knee and elbow pads, gloes and some kind of body armor. An inevitable element is a helmet, which must fit perfectly and be made of materials of high quality. To prevent it from falling, it is necessary to use a belt and fasten them underneath one’s chin.

As for the gates, they must be made of a stable metal frame and a net. The length of the gates is not less than 1 meter. While training, it is possible to use bigger gates, but they should be replaces by gates of the standard size as soon as possible.

The puck is made of thick materials and is covered with felt, which makes it easier to play with it on the ground. When it comes to choosing a hockey stick, it is important to opt for a suitable one in accordance with the role of a sportsman in a game. Everyone with the exception of the goaltenders must use straight sticks with rounded edges made of plastic. This peculiarity of the sticks used for floor hockey makes it easier for the stick to slide on the floor. As for the goaltenders, they use ordinary sticks similar to those used by ice hockey players.

Rules

Since there are many variations of floor hockey, the rules may be different in some disciplines. Still, there are some rules that are applicable for any discipline. For example, in the beginning of the game there is usually a so-called face-off, which means that the players of each team have a possibility of gaining possession.

The purpose of any game is to win. A team that has a bigger number of goals becomes the winner. What does the term ‘goal’ mean? This is what happens when a ball or a puck crosses the goal line. In hockey, the game cannot end if it is tied. If this situation happens, one more period (it is often called ‘a golden goal period’) is added. If it does not help to determine the winner, a oenalty shootout can be performed. There are more reasons for giving penalties. They are:

• Deliberate intent is an action aimed at injuring players coming from another team.
• Tripping is basically using a stick or one’s body to make another sportsman fall.
• Interference means using one’s body to make another player to shift to another position or to prevent him from playing the puck and ball.
• Hooking involves using the end of the stick to prevent another player from moving forward.
• Slashing is hitting another player with the help of a stick.
• Checking from behind is another action that causes fallings, but it means that the player is hit from behind.
• Take a look at the freebets offered by the bookmaker.

Players have to wear the limited padding, which is why body checking is not allowed in floor hockey. Still, shoulder-to-shoulder checking is possible.

History

As it was mentioned previously, floor hockey is a very young discipline that officially became a sport in 1936. This is when the first set of rules was released. However, the very first attempts to play hockey off-ice were made in 1975. The first floor hockey game took place in Canada. Nowadays, this sport is incorporated in physical education classes at many schools.

Back in 1970, floor hockey was decided to become a Special Olympics discipline. Several decades later, there was need in providing formal organization regulating this discipline. Thus, in 1991, a special organization was established. It was called the Canadian Ball Hockey Association. Another organization known as the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Hockey Committee created a set of rules for colleges that provide the students with an opportunity to play this game.

All in all, floor hockey is a type of hockey that does not require any ice. It has some strict rules that must be followed, though. Also, special equipment is needed.