FLOOR HOCKEY

Floor hockey was introduced in the US in 1960 and grew out of the outdoor sport of Ice Hockey. Because the game is simple, safe, and emphasizes alertness and movement rather than strength or height, it can be played with success and enjoyment by almost anyone. There is no standard playing area, so any indoor area can be used. It is recommended for the safety of the goalie that the goal crease (box) be 4 feet from each side of the goal and 5 feet from the front of the goal. (Full Court = FC & Twin Rinks = TR)

SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

DO’s:Play under control, carry your stick at waist level or below, talk and be aware of the walls and other players, slow down as you approach the corners, ties your sneakers before class, play with two hands on the stick, stop playing when the whistle blows, hand your stick to the next player, and put it in the hockey cart at the end of the period.

DON’Ts:Wear a hat while playing, chew gum in class, use loud or vulgar language, hog the puck, play the puck above the waist (high stick or dangerous passes), slash at the player, stick or puck, play a puck that has crossed the sideline, check another player, slide on the floor to block shots or passes, throw your stick, and don’t play the man instead of the puck.

SKILL AND PLAYING AREA INFORMATION

  1. CenterCirclePass – used to start play and cannot be shot at the net
  2. Stick Handling – individual control of the ball/puck while moving
  3. Slap Shot – can only be used with teacher permission
  4. Wrist Shot – most effective way to shot
  5. Penalty Shot – started at mid court and given for major rule infractions
  6. Drop (Trail) Pass – pass to a teammate who is behind you
  7. SquarePass – pass to a teammate to your right or left
  8. PointPass – pass to a teammate in the middle of the floor just over mid-court
  9. Free Position – player can pass, stickhandle, or shoot when the play starts
  10. Crease Area – ball/puck cannot be played in the area

PLAYING TIPS AND INFORMATION

  1. Move without the ball/puck to create open space
  2. Use give and go passes
  3. Keep hustling
  4. Keep your eye on the ball/puck
  5. Follow all shots and shoot in any rebounds
  6. Pass the ball/puck ahead of a moving teammate
  7. Use wrist shots for power and accuracy
  8. Stick handle the ball/puck by using short rapid taps
  9. Use drop and wall passes to relieve defensive pressure
  10. Use square, drop, center, and point passes to set up scoring opportunities

PLAYING RULES (OFFICIAL AND CR CLASSES) (Twin Rinks = TR) or (Full Court = FC)

  1. This is not street hockey; no checking is allowed (Play the ball or Puck!).
  1. Two defensive players and the goalie must stay in the defensive zone (FC).
  1. Two offensive players must stay in the offensive zone (FC).
  1. The player with the striped stick (rover) can move anywhere except the goal crease (FC).
  1. Floor player cannot play the puck if it crosses the sideline or is in the goal crease.
  1. Six players make up a regulation team (FC). Four players make up a regulation team (TR).
  1. Players should not pass (dangerous pass) or play (high sticking) the puck or ball above a player’s knees.
  1. On a free pass or position, the defense should be at least 6 feet away.
  1. For safety, sideline players may not sit down or interfere with the play.
  1. For safety, if there is a problem in any corner, one team will be awarded a free pass from the corner and the other team should back up.
  1. For safety, if the goal tender controls the puck and passes it to the side of the goal, a defensive player will get a free pass from that spot.
  1. For safety, a player may not leave his feet (slide) to block shots or passes.
  1. For safety, sideline players should block the puck back into play after it crosses the sideline.
  1. At the start of a new shift, the team that is behind will get the puck for a center pass.
  1. A penalty shot will be awarded for major rule infractions.
  1. A free position will be awarded for minor rule infractions.
  1. Unsportsmanlike conduct will send a player to the penalty box and his team must finish the shift shorthanded.
  1. A puck that goes under the wall will be awarded to the team that didn’t put it out of play.
  1. The goal tender cannot use his glove to hold or grab the puck outside of the goal crease.
  1. The goal tender can leave his crease to try and score.
  1. Line change every 2 minutes (all players must come off the floor).
  1. Players cannot stand in the crease to play defense (TR).
  1. If the ball leaves the playing area, the other team gets the ball.
  1. No holding another player’s stick for more than one second.
  1. No lifting another player’s stick above their knees.