Floor hockey is a
hockey game played indoors but usually follows the ice hockey style. As a non-contact sport, it is played on any flat surface like a
basketball court, and on rules that vary according to age of the players, their ability, and the facility readily available. The game is played by two opposing teams with a player trying to shoot a puck into a goal with the use of a stick that is curved at the end. The puck is a black disk usually made of vulcanized rubber. It is also played with rules basically similar to those of ice hockey. The ice hockey is a high-intensity game that has a player trying to get the puck or ball into a net in order to score. Variations of the game include the use of floor ball, especially in Europe, the cosom hockey and power hockey. In the first variation, the floor ball is a lightweight plastic ball, and the sticks used are made of plastic materials and carbon fiber. Plastic sticks with no blades and pucks are used in the cosom hockey. The power hockey is designed for players using electric wheelchairs.
Floor hockey is played between two teams, each consisting of six persons including a center, two wing men, two defensive players, and a goalie. The playing field is normally the size of a basketball court consisting of two goals or goal cages at the opposite ends and a line across the court center. To begin the game, a puck is dropped by the referee at the center of the floor and the players battle for its control with their sticks to hit down toward the opponent team’s goal cage. A player scores a point if he hits the puck with his stick into the goal; otherwise, he makes a foul if he uses his hand to hit the puck. In most cases, rules apply to
floor hockey games. These include (a) that only one player from each team lines up at the center of the court for the face-off, which is the dropping of the puck between them, (b) that the players should be on their own side during face-off, (c) that players can be substituted during face-off or while on the move, and (d) that play can be resumed by a face-off if the game is stopped for certain valid reasons.
Certain skills and techniques are taught for
floor hockey players and which they also practice before actual play. These include passing, receiving and shooting the puck effectively; keeping the goal; defending individually, or with a partner or the team; protecting the puck; and how to handle the stick. There are also playing tips that each player should bear in mind. One of these tips says that a player should never clear the puck into the midcourt in front of his own goal. Another important tip says that a player should center the puck in front of the offensive zone goal, which means that the puck should, of necessity, be in a player’s offensive zone which is the half of the court he is attacking, before it can be shot into the goal cage. The most important tip of all is how to play safely or without any physical harm done to the players. Remember these safety tips: (a) keep your stick blade below your knees, (b) both of your hand should be kept on the stick, (c) be aware always of what are around you like the wall and the people, (d) avoid hitting another player’s stick with your own stick, and (e) be a control master of your own body and stick.
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