I love watching hockey and the Winter Olympics are definitely one of my favourite events. The speed, the violence, the strategies – it’s all so exciting! But sometimes, the commercials break up the action, making you miss out on some of the most exciting games. Now, imagine getting to relive those games through a hockey mask… That’s what Underwater Hockey is all about!
Underwater hockey is a sports competition that was first introduced to the Olympics in 2016. The sport is played entirely underwater, with no floating devices allowed. There are three teams of two players, who use hand-held hockey pucks to shoot at a puck placed at the centre of the opposing team’s zone. The sport combines elements of hockey, baseball, and touch football. If you’re unfamiliar, check out the rules below.
Table of Contents
What Is Underwater Hockey?
Underwater hockey is a combination of hockey and baseball. The object of the game is to score points by hitting a puck, similar to a baseball, with a hockey stick, similar to a football. The puck scores when it goes into the opposing team’s goal. There are three main phases in an underwater hockey game:
- Attacking: Players on your team rush the puck carrier and try to block shots by the defending team. This is done by staying nearby and hitting the attacker with your weapon when the opportunity presents itself.
- Defending: The defending team defends the puck carrier and tries to prevent opponents from scoring. This is done by staying close to the puck and using your hands to block attempts to pass or shoot the puck.
- Offensive Reversal: After a goal is announced, both teams switch roles and start defending in the other’s half of the field. This is a short-hand way of saying that if you score a goal, your team will become the defenders and vice versa.
Why Is It Different From Traditional Hockey?
Even within the hockey world, there is a lot of variety in the rules and gameplay. One of the biggest differences between traditional hockey and underwater hockey is that there is no pulling or lifting of weights. The competitors must keep their bodies completely immersed in icy water during the entire match. The only way out is if someone leaves their mask during play or takes a break to breathe. This is what the IOC (International Olympic Committee) had to say about the new sport:
“We’re thrilled to see an entirely new and different form of hockey emerge as a sport during the Olympics, which gives us great hope for the future. With no lifting or pulling weights, and no limits on what equipment you can use, this is a new frontier for athletes who want to test their strength and compete in a more modern way.”
Can Traditional Hockey Players Transition To Underwater Hockey?
Traditional hockey is obviously not going anywhere, but the game is adjusting to fit the new rules and formats that the Olympics has mandated. Many top tier organizations have already made the switch and have embraced the future of the sport. Below, we list a few teams and their equipment manufacturers who have committed to bringing all their gear to comply with the new standards:
- Nashville Predators – Headset, Gloves, Tights – adidas
- St. Louis Blues – Headset, Pants, Socks – CCM
- San Jose Sharks – Pant, Beret, Masks – Bauer
- New York Islanders – Headset, Pants, Socks – CCM
- Chicago Blackhawks – Headset, Pants, Socks – CCM
- Boston Bruins – Helmet, Pants, Socks – New Era
Even if you’re not a traditional hockey fan, you have to admit that bringing your gear to the pool, lake or ocean sounds like a lot of fun!
The Equipment
Just like with most sports, the equipment required for underwater hockey is quite unique. The most important piece of equipment is the helmet, which you’ll see in every photo below (even the first one!). The helmet must be equipped with a face mask, which is a protective device that goes over your nose and mouth. The rule is that the mask must cover the nose and mouth, but it doesn’t have to be airtight. If you’re serious about competing in this sport, then head over to your local hockey equipment store and try out a few different models before choosing one. Most importantly, make sure that the fit is snug and that the straps are comfortable and secure.
The main body of the helmet is made of hard plastic, which helps the material withstand extensive water pressure. This type of plastic is also used in scuba gear and other types of underwater equipment. The exterior of the helmet is also made of hard plastic for maximum impact resistance. The inside of the helmet is made of a soft synthetic material, which is designed to cushion the impact of each blow to the head. The weight of the helmet is also shifted to the front, creating a more even distribution of the pressure when the head is hit against a hard surface. Typically, the harder the surface, the stiffer the head protection becomes. That’s why surfaces like marble and granite are usually banned in underwater hockey.
The Gloves
If you play any team sport professionally or recreationally, you’ll know that the hands are the most important part of the body. Luckily for us, the gloves for underwater hockey were designed with this in mind. The main body of the glove is made of thick leather with synthetic strings attached to the knuckle area. This combination of materials allows for better movement and flexibility of the thumbs as well as enough strength to prevent the flesh from being torn when checking hard-hitting opponents. Like with most handwear in hockey, the faster you can get the gloves on and Off the better. This will prevent unnecessary swelling caused by constantly wet hands and keep your hands at the right temperature, especially in the case of extreme sports like scuba diving, where the water can cause your hands to go numb.
The Pants
With the rest of the outfit, the pants are quite literally a matter of personal choice. The main purpose of the pants is to prevent the inner thighs from being wet, which could lead to serious infection. The most common choice for the inner thigh dryness is wicking fabric due to its ability to quickly remove moisture from the skin. While most people wear full length pants when they play hockey, it’s better to choose shorter, tighter-fitting alternatives for underwater hockey. This will help reduce the overall drag of the body, making it faster to travel through the water. When choosing the trousers for your outfit, make sure that the material is strong enough to withstand frequent dipping in and out of the water without any signs of wear or tear.
The Socks
Like with the gloves and the pants, the socks are quite literally a matter of personal choice. However, this time it’s the type of sock you choose that determines what you’ll wear in the water. To prevent the freezing of the feet, several layers are preferable. The first layer should be thin but absorbent material with wicking properties. This will keep your feet at the desired temperature and prevent any calluses or blisters. The second layer should be thicker and made of a water-repellent (DWR) coating, which is a specific type of oil that prevents any water from becoming trapped between your toes. This will keep your feet dry and avoid any irritation or inflammation. Naturally, if you do get wet between the toes, it’s quite literally a pain as the oil prevents the water from being absorbed, which could lead to serious infection. If you have long hair, you might want to consider using one of those hair netties or tying your hair up in a high bun, which you might leave on during play.
The Puck
We’ve saved the best for last! As the name implies, the puck is what most people are talking about when they mention underwater hockey. The ball is almost entirely made of foam, with a layer of synthetic material on the outside. This is to prevent any possible water penetration, while also keeping the ball lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. If you’re going to be playing with a ball at all, the foam is the best option as it allows for greater air flow and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to pull and accelerate.
Like with the rest of the equipment, the ball must be cleaned and dried after each use, in order to prevent any potential health problems. The drying time is quite significant and the ball should be completely dry before packing and transporting it to the next event.