If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a sports fan or someone who knows one; if not, then maybe it’s time to become aware of a game that is currently sweeping the nation (and world).
For those who do follow the sports, you’ll know that hockey is back – and this time it’s brought along a whole new generation of fans.
The game itself is referred to as “drop in hockey” due to the fact that you can tune in (or drop in) whenever you want, wherever you are. You don’t have to be at home to play (like other forms of ice hockey), and because of this, it’s become extremely popular throughout the world.
You might be wondering what drop in hockey is, how it works, and whether or not it’s for you. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the exciting new sport – and I do mean sport – that is sweeping the nation.
Table of Contents
What Is Drop In Hockey?
As mentioned above, “drop in hockey” is a game that you can play wherever you are. You don’t need an ice rink or an outdoor hockey tournament to participate – all you need is a surface that can be frozen over, and some sticks (or hockey pucks).
You might be familiar with ice hockey, as the game has been around for more than a century and is considered to be the “sport of the winter” due to its long and cold winter season. However, over the years, some changes have been made to the game, and with the rise of social media, fans can now access games wherever they want, whenever they want.
Because of this, and considering that some people may not have the time or opportunity to spend hours on their hands and knees on a frozen lake, drop in hockey was born. Instead of playing on an ice rink with teams of six, players can now participate in smaller groups of four or even two (just two players when using a backyard rink).
This not only reduces the amount of space needed to host the game, but it also makes it easier for everyone involved to have fun. The fact that you don’t need ice skates to play makes it accessible to people of all ages; kids can use their hands to pull the puck around, while adults can use their feet to shoot it (as in traditional hockey).
How Do I Play Drop In Hockey?
To play drop in hockey, you first need to determine how many players you’ll use. The general rule of thumb is that you should have about four to six players per side, depending on how “open” or “closed” the ice is. For example, if you’re playing on a concrete or asphalt surface, you may want to use four or five players per side, as there’s less space for everyone to skate around in.
Once you have your sides, you’ll need to decide how you’ll divide the teams. You have two options here: either each player takes a turn or the two teams combine to take turns.
If you decide to take turns, the order in which you do so is generally important. The reason for this is that you want to ensure that your teammates take turns when they are on the ice (so that they don’t end up against a passive defender), but you don’t want to be the one who gets the puck first (because then it’s your turn to shoot).
In general, you’ll want to start by having the younger members of your group shoot first, with the aim of having fun and creating memorable moments for yourselves. This is why most people that play drop in hockey are either children or young adults; it’s less likely that injuries will occur, as there are fewer moving parts (for adults, at least).
What Is The Objective Of Drop In Hockey?
The main purpose of drop in hockey is to have fun. This may seem like an odd thing to state, considering that we’re talking about a game that relies on physical exertion and a whole lot of skating, but it’s a crucial point to make.
It’s easy to get absorbed in the action on the ice and completely forget about your surroundings, but you must stay focused on what you’re doing and have fun. Any time spent doing anything other than having fun is considered “unproductive”, and that’s not something you want to be doing if you’re trying to improve your game.
Because of this, you must make it a point to have fun whenever you play – this means listening to music, shouting, and having fun with your teammates. You shouldn’t feel bad about laughing or smiling during gameplay, as these are definitely necessary for having fun. Additionally, any time that you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it wrong.
Are There Any Differences Between Traditional And Drop In Hockey?
Besides the obvious fact that you don’t need ice to play, traditional hockey and drop in hockey are pretty much the same. However, one important area where they differ is in the way players register their names with the officiating officials.
In traditional hockey, each player would have a “names register”, and as soon as he or she had the puck, they would enter the registered names of the players on the opposing team into their device – this is how they determined who was on which team and how the game would proceed.
In drop in hockey, the two teams are generally not assigned names – usually. This is generally done so that everyone can have fun with the game, as there are no restrictions on who plays (you can even play with your dog!). In traditional hockey, a dog would not be permitted on the ice; in drop in hockey, dogs are welcome as they provide some extra entertainment for the players and spectators.
Additionally, in traditional hockey, when a team scores, they would proceed to the goal line and “shoot the puck” – this involved tapping the stick on the ice in front of the net, often after a faceoff win – to signify that they had successfully scored and were ready to continue playing.
However, in drop in hockey, this is not the case. Instead, when a team scores, they would simply shout “score” and keep playing.
What Are The Rivalries In Drop In Hockey?
As mentioned above, one of the primary draws of drop in hockey is that it provides a fun environment for everyone involved. This makes it a great opportunity to bring friends and family together, as well as provide a setting for social gatherings.
Because of this, and considering the fact that it’s generally a game that can be played on any surface, it’s become popular enough that people are now arguing over who is the best team in the country (as seen on Netflix’s The Ice Awakens).
This is mostly because people that play the game are competitive by nature and love to prove that their team is superior to another – regardless of whether or not this is true.
In addition to this, because it’s a relatively new sport, there are no established rules or regulations regarding which teams are the best in the world. This means that anyone can claim any kind of superiority over another, and this can lead to some pretty heated rivalries – especially when comparing teams that are located far apart from each other.
Is It An Original Idea Or Idea From Another Sport?
Like many other sports, ice hockey has been around for a very long time and was originally played in Europe. Interestingly, it was first played in New York City, and it wasn’t until the late 1880s that it began spreading around the world.
It was first played in the United States during the Civil War, and after that, it never really went out of style. There were several professional hockey leagues in the United States back in the day, but it wasn’t until the 1917-18 season that the National Hockey League (the major league) was founded (the same year World War I ended).
Since then, the NHL has evolved into the premiere league in hockey, and it has continued to grow, setting a record for the most popular sports league in the world. (Currently, the NBA and the NFL are the two sports leagues that come close to surpassing the NHL.)