Floor hockey is a stick and ball game played indoors, on a flat floor surface. Players typically wear indoor sports shoes. There are several different variations of floor hockey.
Floor Hockey History
Floor hockey evolved from ice hockey. British soldiers invented modern ice hockey in the 1950's, while stationed in Canada. The first organized indoor hockey games took place in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1962. Tim Harter is responsible for refining the rules of the game. The sport is popular among both boys and girls, and there are many teams, leagues and events centered around the sport.
Each goal is worth one point.
Floor Hockey Rules
Floor hockey is played between two teams of six players to a side, on a flat surface the size of a basketball court, 94 ft by 50 ft.
The object of the game is to score points by hitting the puck or ball into the opponent's goal. A floor hockey game consists of three 20 minute periods. Time of the game may vary. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. If there is a tie at the end of regulation, extra time is added, and the first team to score wins.
Positions
Each player on the team has a position. One player serves as the center, and can play offense and defense.
Two players serve as forwards, and play offense. They are not allowed to cross the center line into their defensive end.
Two players serve as defensemen, and work to protect the goal. They are not allowed to cross the center line into their offensive end.
One player serves as the goalkeeper and can stop the puck using their hands, feet, body, and stick. Goalkeepers are not allowed to leave the crease or hold on to the puck for more than three seconds.
These violations result in the opposing team gaining possession of the puck at the center line. The game is started with a faceoff between the centers taken at the center circle. Faceoffs restart the game after a goal or at the beginning of a period. The center cannot score on a face off unless it first touches an offensive player.
Roughing violations result in two minutes in the penalty box. Roughing violations include: Hitting the opponent with a stick when there is not chance of hitting the puck; Contacting an opponent with the stick above the waist; Contact with the goalkeeper while in the crease; Pushing, tripping, hooking, or blocking, an opponent, with the body. The opposing team gains possession of the puck at the half court line for the following misconduct violations: A player deliberately kicks the puck; A player deliberately stops play by holding, laying, or stepping on the puck; A player contacts the puck while laying on the floor; Any player other than the goalkeeper enters the crease, or plays a puck in the crease.
FLOOR HOCKEY VOCABULARY High-stick: strike an opponent on or above the shoulders with one's stick, for which a penalty may be assessed. A player cannot raise the hockey stick above waist level.
Goal keeping: keeping score of the game.
Dribbling: to hit the puck with your stick repeatedly.
Defensive strategy: to block the puck from reaching their goal.
Clear out: getting the puck out of your zone to prevent your opponents from scoring.
Backhand Pass: Passing puck by moving stick across the body with palm of bottom hand going in the backward direction (pull with bottom hand).
Backhand shot: Shot made with the stick from the left side by a right-handed player or from the right side by a left-handed player.
Body check: Placing yourself between your opponent and the puck to gain advantage while both players have their sticks in the puck. Usually done by the defensive player to the offensive player. Body check does not involve hard physical contact between the players.
Face off: The method of starting play; the dropping of the puck by the official between the sticks of two opposing players standing one stick length apart; used to begin each period or to resume play when it has stopped for other reasons.
Floor Hockey Tips
Players can hone their stick handling skills by keeping the puck close to their sticks, and weaving in and out of objects. Players should practice running, with the puck staying close to their sticks.
Floor Hockey Equipment Floor hockey requires each player to have a hockey stick. The game is played with a plastic ball or puck, and two hockey goals. Players should wear indoor sports shoes.