If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you know what street hockey is or have played on it at some point in your life. Street hockey is a fast-paced, competitive sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
But what exactly is street hockey?
Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the world of street hockey, including the history of the sport, the equipment you need, and how to play the game.
Table of Contents
History Of Street Hockey
While the exact origin of street hockey is unknown, it is believed to have evolved from pickup games in the streets of major cities in the early 20th century. New York City in particular is often credited with changing the way people play sports. The city’s parks department began holding “football” and “soccer” tournaments in the early 20th century, which is where hockey may have gotten its start. In fact, at the time, most people didn’t even know how to play hockey, so the tournaments were sort of a learning experience for everyone involved.
In Europe, especially in the UK and Canada, hockey has long been considered a sport for boys. It wasn’t until the 1920s that girls began playing the game on a regular basis. But as sportswoman Anna Ashley pointed out in an interview with The Athletic, “hockey used to be a male-dominated sport, where women were seen as objects rather than participants. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the game started to become popular internationally, and even then, only among the upper classes.”
The middle class and the working classes in Europe and North America didn’t really start playing hockey until the 1970s and ’80s. That being said, the streets of major cities in those regions still host informal games today, attracting lots of spectators and participants.
The Game
If you’ve ever played hockey, you know what an incredibly fast-paced game it is. And that’s exactly what makes it so appealing to kids. One of the biggest draws is the fact that it’s easy for kids to learn, and it doesn’t require an athletic or sports specialization. That means there’s no minimum age requirement to play.
You might be wondering, though, if it is really considered a sport. While it is true that hockey is a team sport, and you need at least two people to play (a goalie and a forward, or a goalie and two additional players), it is still very much a one-on-one sport. That means that even if there’s a team of 10 playing, only two of them will be on the ice at one time. The rest will be serving as spectators. That’s not a bad thing, though. The fact that it’s a team sport means that everyone can play and take part, even those who aren’t as athletically gifted as others.
Skate
Although almost all hockey players use skates when on the ice, it is not actually mandatory to play the game this way. The rules specifically state that any hockey equipment must be used, including boots, gloves, and wristbands. The only part of the body that cannot be protected by a helmet is the face, as this is where the ball is coming in contact with the player.
These days, almost everyone plays hockey on ice, but if you really want to get technical, you can still play the game on a street or in a park. Just have a look at the history books to see how hockey has adapted and changed over the years.
The difference between playing on the street and playing on the ice is that on the ice, you need to be faster and more athletic than your opponent to score a goal. On the street, it is all about hockey tactics, positioning, and luck. Since the puck can be moved faster on the street, it lets more people play, which is a great thing.
No Keeper Or Defenders
One of the major rules changes that began in the 1980s was the implementation of a point system. Instead of keeping score manually, like they did in the past, hockey organizations started using statistical analysis to keep track of everyone’s performance. As a result, keepers were deemed unnecessary and replaced by software programs that do the same job for the players.
Another rule change that began in the 1980s is the lack of restrictions on where the game can be played. While in the past, the playing field had to be at least 100 yards long and open, these days, hockey can and does pop up everywhere. There are no restrictions on where the game can be played, as long as there’s ice available and no major weather concerns.
The Equipment
When playing on the ice, whether professional or amateur, you need a helmet, elbow pads, a face mask, a skate blade, and a pair of gloves. The equipment for playing on the street is quite similar, with the addition of a snowsuit for protection from the cold in winter and reflective safety equipment such as head lamps and shoulder pads for visibility and safety in the dark. It is also crucial to have a reliable source of ice, which most cities provide in the winter. For that matter, many towns and cities host hockey tournaments and leagues during the winter months, attracting players from all over the world.
It is important to note here that the street hockey version of the sport does not use the same equipment as the professional game. In fact, the only piece of equipment that is common to both is the hockey shirt. The rest of the gear is geared toward the speed of the game and the protection of the players’ bodies. This is particularly important for kids, who, as we mentioned before, are often not as physically developed as adults and so are more vulnerable to injury.
Rules
While the rules of hockey have remained relatively unchanged over the years (apart from being sped up a bit to make the game more exciting), there are still some key differences between the rules of street hockey and those of the traditional ice hockey. First, there is no offside rule. This means that players can move around and get into position without fear of being scored on. Second, in order to prevent injuries, hits to the head are penalized heavily. Third, if the puck goes out of play for more than 10 minutes, then play is considered to be ended, and a whistle will signal the end of the game.
As exciting and fast-paced as the game of street hockey is, it is still just a game. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and being smart about safety.