and Ball hockey is a great way to get outside and have fun with friends. It’s perfect for the winter months because it doesn’t require any equipment, just some free space.
The game can be played on many different surfaces, including basketball courts, tennis courts, bike paths, parks, parking lots, or driveways. All you need are a few co-workers or classmates who are up for the challenge! It’s a type of Sports that start with B.
History of Ball Hockey
The history of ball hockey is very interesting. It was first played in the U.S. in the late 1970s. In the early days of sports, people played with various sizes and brands of real tennis balls and wooden or plastic pucks. The game was played in indoor or outdoor locations.
How to Play
You can play ball hockey in many ways. The most common ways players play are:
Indoor
Indoor ball hockey is played in a gym or recreational center.
Some short information about Ball Hockey
A short history of the off-ice variant is given below.
Highest Governing Body: International Street and BHF Federation (International) USA Ball Hockey (United States) Canadian Ball Hockey Association (Canada).
Nicknames: Street Hockey, U.S. = dek hockey, some places in Canada call it “road” hockey.
Type of sports: Indoor and Outdoor.
Equipment: Required = A ball, a hockey stick, a net. Elective in a pickup but mandatory in leagues shin pads, and gloves. Optional everywhere for adults, obligatory for kids in leagues = helmet.
Rules of Ball Hockey
The rules of ball hockey are:
You can play with just one puck or two. And, you can play with a goalie, and a goalie’s support can play with 1-4 players.
You can play with a shorter or longer regulation-size puck.
Here are the short rules of ball hockey:
- Players: Each team consists of six players, including a goaltender and five outfield players. Substitutions can be made on the fly during play.
- Objective: The objective of ball hockey is to score more goals than the opposing team. Teams try to shoot the ball into the opponent’s net while defending their net.
- Duration: A standard ball hockey game is typically divided into three periods, each lasting a designated time. The exact duration may vary depending on the league or competition.
- Start of Play: The game begins with a faceoff at the center of the playing surface. The referee drops the ball, and players from each team try to gain possession.
- Ball in Play: The ball is played by using the stick to pass, carry, or shoot it. Players cannot use their hands to touch the ball, except for the goaltender within their designated area.
- Offside: Offside occurs when an attacking player precedes the ball into the offensive zone. Players must maintain an onside position to play the ball legally.
- Icing: Icing is typically not a violation in ball hockey. Players are allowed to shoot or pass the ball from anywhere on the playing surface without restriction.
- Penalties: Penalties can be given for various infractions, such as tripping, slashing, or high-sticking. Penalized players must serve time in the penalty box, resulting in a temporary power play for the opposing team.
- Goaltender: The goaltender’s role is to protect the net and prevent the opposing team from scoring. They can use any part of their body or equipment to stop the ball.
- Faceoffs: Faceoffs occur at various points during the game, such as after a goal is scored, to resume play after a stoppage, or to determine possession in disputed situations. The referee drops the ball, and players compete to gain control.
- Overtime and Shootouts: In case of a tie at the end of regulation play, some leagues may have overtime periods or shootouts to determine a winner.
Equipment
Here’s a short list of equipment commonly used in Ball Hockey:
- Ball Hockey Stick: Players use a ball hockey stick to handle and shoot the ball. Ball hockey sticks are shorter in length compared to ice hockey sticks and have a blade designed for ball control.
- Ball: Ball hockey is played with a small, hard ball made of rubber or plastic. The ball is specifically designed for ball hockey and is durable for play on various surfaces.
- Shin Guards: Shin guards are worn to protect the lower legs from impacts and stray sticks or balls. They typically cover the shin area from the ankle to just below the knee.
- Gloves: Players wear gloves to protect their hands and provide better grip and control of the stick. Ball hockey gloves offer padding and flexibility for comfort and hand movement.
- Helmet: A helmet is essential to protect the head during ball hockey. It should be properly fitted and include a face cage or visor for facial protection.
- Mouthguard: A mouthguard is recommended to protect the teeth and jaw from potential impacts during play.
- Elbow and Knee Pads: Elbow and knee pads provide cushioning and protection for these joints during falls or collisions.
- Athletic Cup: Male players often wear an athletic cup for added protection to the groin area.
- Team Jersey: Players wear team jerseys to distinguish themselves and represent their team on the playing surface.
- Sneakers or Inline Skates: Depending on the playing surface, players may wear sneakers or inline skates. Sneakers are typically used for playing on non-ice surfaces, while inline skates are used for ball hockey on smooth, indoor surfaces.
The equipment used is:
A puck
A hockey stick (can be a long stick or a short stick)
Shoes or skate-like shoes (can be a pair of tennis shoes or any other kind of shoes)
The other equipment is optional but recommended to improve your skills.
Proper Playing Position
To play ball hockey, you need to have a proper playing position.
Left Handed Position
To play ball hockey with your left hand, you need to have your left hand on your left side to move your body to your left side.
FAQ’s
What are the rules of ball hockey?
The main rules of the sport are Hockey all sticks blades must be covered with a socket. Besides, there are more rules which are included in the post.
How long does it take to play?
These are played with either two or three time periods of equal time, like 10 or 15 minutes.
How much does it cost to play?
It receives none of the profits from the individual registration but, NHL is $1000-10,000 depending on where you stay and play level.
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