FLOOR HOCKEY

Floor Hockey History Floor hockey evolved from ice hockey. British soldiers invented modern ice hockey in the 1950's, while stationed in Canada. The first organized indoor hockey games took place in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1962. Tim Harter is responsible for refining the rules of the game. The sport is popular among both boys and girls

Floor Hockey Rules Floor hockey is played between two teams of six players to a side. The object of the game is to score points by hitting the puck or ball into the opponent's goal. A floor hockey game consists of three 20 minute periods. Time of the game may vary. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.

PLAYERS/POSITONS Each player on the team has a position: Center (1), Forward (2), Defensemen (2), Goalie (1). One player serves as the center, and can play offense and defense. Plays both sides of the court. Two players serve as forwards, and play offense. They are not allowed to cross the center line into their defensive end. Two players serve as defensemen, and work to protect the goal. They are not allowed to cross the center line into their offensive end. . One player serves as the goalkeeper and can stop the puck using their hands, feet, body, and stick. Goalkeepers are not allowed to leave the crease or hold on to the puck for more than three seconds. These violations result in the opposing team gaining possession of the puck at the center line.

Roughing violations result in two minutes in the penalty box. PENALTIES Roughing violations include: Hitting the opponent with a stick when there is not chance of hitting the puck; Contacting an opponent with the stick above the waist; Contact with the goalkeeper while in the crease; Pushing, tripping, hooking, or blocking, an opponent, with the body. Roughing violations result in two minutes in the penalty box.

RULE VIOLATIONS The opposing team gains possession of the puck at the half court line for the following misconduct violations. A player deliberately kicks the puck; A player deliberately stops play by holding, laying, or stepping on the puck; A player contacts the puck while laying on the floor; Any player other than the goalkeeper enters the crease, or plays a puck in the crease.

RULE VIOLATIONS All PLAYERS MUST KEEP THEIR STICK BELOW THE WAIST OR THEY WILL HAVE A 2 MINUTE PENALTY. (EVEN IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING)

Floor Hockey Equipment Floor hockey requires each player to have a hockey stick. The game is played with a plastic ball or puck, and two hockey goals.

START OF THE GAME The game is started with a faceoff between the centers taken at the center circle. Face-offs restart the game after a goal or at the beginning of a period. The center cannot score on a face off unless it first touches an offensive player.

Techniques for Play: Keep your eye on the puck. Pass to a teammate if they are in better position. Passing is faster than dribbling or handling the puck. When passing to a teammate, be sure to pass just ahead of them. Follow all shots on goal and use a deflected puck to shoot again. Wrist action is very important in floor hockey. Always play in a safe manner & use good stick and body control. Defense players should never attempt to "clear" a puck in front of their goal. Defensive players should "clear" the puck out to the side. Offensive players should position themselves in front of the goal to receive a pass. Offensive players should "center" the puck (pass to a teammate in front of the goal).

Key Terms Centering: Passing to a teammate who is in front of your opponent's goal  Forehand: When a player shoots or passes with the bottom hand pushing the stick forward Backhand: When a player shoots or passes with the bottom hand pulling the stick forward Clear: Getting the puck out of your zone to prevent your opponents from scoring Cutting Down the Angle: When the goalie comes out to force a player to shoot farther away from the goal (If the goalie comes too early or too far the offensive player may go around them to score an easy goal.) Dribble: (also known as stick handling or puck handling) Using both sides of the blade to control & move the puck Face-off: Games begin with a face-off between centers where the puck is dropped between them. All other players must begin outside the center circle. The object of a face-off is to pull the puck back to your side. Both players' sticks must start on their side and remain in contact with the floor until the puck is dropped. Face-offs may also occur in a team's zone.

KEY TERMS Goal: Each score is worth one point. A goal counts when a puck crosses the goal line. A puck kicked or hit by the hand into the goal is not a score. High sticking: Penalty called when a player lifts the blade above the waist, winds up, or follows through when attempting an illegal shot (slap-shot) Hooking: Illegal use of the hockey stick to "hook" another player (This is a penalty.) Icing: When a player on the defensive side of the floor sends the puck down the length of the floor and it crosses the designated line without being touched by a teammate Offside: When players move or cross out of the designated areas assigned to their position

KEY TERMS Penalty: Consequence given for roughing, high sticking, hooking, or other misconduct fouls that are illegal (The player charged with the penalty will sit out of the game for a designated period of time - usually two minutes in official hockey. Any player who accumulates five penalties during a game will be disqualified from playing.) Power play: When the team with all their players (full strength) has an advantage over the team charged with a penalty that now must play with less players (short-handed) Roughing: Play that endangers resulting in a penalty ( Examples of roughing may be slashing, contact with the goalie, pushing, blocking with the body, or tripping.) Shorthanded: When a team must continue playing with fewer players because of a player serving a penalty Slap shot: An illegal shot in floor hockey (A slap shot involves the swinging of the stick behind, slapping the puck, and the follow through which brings the stick high.)

KEY TERMS Stick handling: Using alternating taps of both sides of the blade to move the puck, also known as dribbling or puck handling Sudden death: When two teams are tied at the end of a game and the next team to score wins and ends the game. Wrist shot: When a player uses a flicking motion to move the puck (The stick remains in contact with the floor. There should be no back swing or high follow through. This is the best shot for speed and accuracy in floor hockey.)