Hockey is a game beloved by millions of people all over the world. While many people think that hockey is only played on ice, that is not the case. There are many different types of hockey out there, and one of the most accessible, easy, and fun options is street hockey.
As you could likely guess, street hockey is often played on the street or another concrete surface, and the players wear shoes or roller blades instead of skates. They also play with a ball instead of a puck.
I have fond memories of playing street hockey with friends as a child and teenager, and it can be a great way to not only have fun, but also stay in good shape.
If you want to get involved with street hockey, whether casually with your friends or in a league if your city offers one, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules.
Contents
The Purpose of the Game
Like ice hockey or field hockey, the ultimate goal of street hockey is to score more goals than the team you are playing against. All other aspects of the game, from the passing, to the movement, to the defense, all revolve around scoring or stopping goals.
Because there is no contact allowed in most street hockey games, players must rely on their positioning, running speed, and skill in order to beat their opponents. Players attempt to move the ball to the right position to get a good shot on goal.
The Playing Surface
In street hockey, there is no single playing surface that reigns supreme. You can technically play on any surface that is big and wide-open enough to accommodate the game. This is often some kind of concrete or asphalt patch or street, or even other sports courts.
It’s not uncommon to see games take place in open parking lots or other spaces, too. The size of the actual playing surface depends on what is available, and what the players feel is best. Normally 160ft long and 80ft wide is a good size, but it ultimately depends on available space.
Also, the playing surface has no blue lines and no neutral zone. Some games will play with a center line that separates the offensive and defensive zones, but oftentimes, these games are played without these dedicated zones or lines, and are much more casual in nature.
The Players and Their Equipment
Street hockey is often played with six players on each side. This includes a goalie, two defenseman, and three forwards. The forwards try to score the puck, while the defenders and goalie have the duties of stopping the other team from scoring.
However, street hockey can also be played with fewer players if need be, depending on how many players show up to the game, and how large the space is. Teams are often created by drafting from the group, picking sticks, or even just assigning based on skill to ensure it is fair.
Of course, if you play in a formal league of some kind, the teams will be predetermined. Teams will often wear jerseys to signify who is on which team, but if not, players will simply need to remember who is playing on their team for that particular game.
While there is equipment being worn by players, it is far less than what ice hockey players will wear. Players will often wear gloves, a helmet, a cup, shin pads, knee pads, and elbow pads. The last thing you want to do is trip and fall on hard concrete without any gear.
Wearing less equipment is generally fine as the game is not as fast-paced as ice hockey, and there is no contact and thus a lower chance of injuries occurring. Also, it is important to note that sticks with a plastic blade are generally preferred among street hockey players.
Penalties and Violations
While there is no contact in street hockey, there are still some penalties and violations that can occur. The penalties that are usually called include things like hooking, tripping, interference, charging, and many of the other ones that are commonly called in ice hockey games.
Some violations that can be called often include icing, offsides, and if the ball is passed or played out of the playing area. Of course, these rely on the playing surface actually having the right lines and markings to make these calls.
If the game is organized, a ref might be present to make the right penalty and violation calls. But if the game is quite casual, it might rely on the honor system when it comes to penalties.
I hope that this guide has been able to help you learn some of the most important street hockey rules. If there are some rules you feel I should have included or have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.
About Kale