Floor Hockey
History:
Floor hockey was derived from ice hockey. The original floor hockey rules were adapted from National Hockey League rules. The National Hockey League was founded in 1917 in Montreal, Canada.
Game Objective:
The object of the game is to hit the puck into the opponents’ goal. At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins.
Positions:
- Goalie: One per team, stands in or near the goal. Goalies should always remain between the goal and the puck and be ready to defend against a shot. The goalie clears the puck away from the front of the goal (i.e., passes it to the side) so that the guards or the center can move the puck back into offensive play.
- Center: The center moves the entire length of the court, playing offense and defense depending on which team has possession of the puck. Each team typically has only one center.
- Forwards: Typically two per team. Each play offence from the centerline forward. When the opponent has the puck, forwards can assist guards in defensive play and in getting possession of the puck.
- Guards: Typically two per team. Each play defense from the centerline backward. Guards should always face the puck, never their own goal, and never their back towards the action. Guards try to pass to the center, who gets the puck back into offensive play.
Game Play:
The game begins with a face-off at the middle of the centerline; a faceoff also begins play after a goal is scored. In a face-off, two opposing centers face each other, holding their sticks on the floor where the ball is held in between each blade of their hockey sticks. To start, each player tries to gain control of the puck and advance it toward the opponent’s goal (by passing it to an offensive player to take down the court. After this point, play is continuous; players will be moving almost constantly. The offense and defense battle for the puck, trying to advance it to the opponent’s goal to score.
Game Rules:
The basic rules of floor hockey are as follows:
- When a puck goes out-of-bounds, the last team that contacted it losses possession.
- The goalie is the only player permitted to use their feet.
- Players must keep their sticks below their waist at all times (blades to the ground).
- Players must avoid all body contact with opponents.
Penalties:
The following penalties result in removing the offending player from the game. An unintentional violation results in a 4 minute removal from the game. An intentional violation will result in removal of the game in conjunction to a conduct mark.
- Interference and charging
- Elbowing
- Cross-checking and slashing
- Butt ending (jabbing a player with the shaft of the stick)
- High sticking
- Tripping and hooking