Floor Hockey Handout

 

Techniques

 

- Stick Handling - Keep hands separated 8 to 12 inches on the stick. Right-handed players keep the right hand in lower position; left-handed players, the left hand. Carry the stick low at all times. Do not make wide swings at the puck, get in close, control the puck. Strive for speed, control and accuracy. Wrist action is most important, a "flicking" motion is best for speed and accuracy. The stick must not be swung above waist high, for accuracy as well as safety. Shots can be made with forehand or backhand.

 

- Dribbling - To dribble the puck, tap it with either side of the stick blade to keep it in control and to move it in a straight line. Short, rapid taps keep the puck moving and prevent opponents from taking it away.

Passing - When passing the puck to a teammate, be sure to flick your wrist so the puck has some speed. Make sure you lead your teammates with a pass so they can take it on the run to pass or shoot. Short, rapid passes from one player to another are the most effective means of moving the puck down the floor. Passes can be made with forehand or backhand.

 

- Wrist Shot - With the puck touching the blade of the stick you use a sharp snap of your wrists to shoot at the goal. This "flicking" action will cause the puck to move with speed. The stick will stay close to the ground.

 

Playing Area

Any gymnasium that is laid out for basketball may be used. The center line is the half court line of the basketball floor. The center line divides the floor into offensive and defensive ends. Play always starts from the center circle with a face-off. The goals are put at the end lines of the floor underneath the baskets, leaving some room for play behind the goal. The crease area is an area in front of the goal that only the goalie is allowed in. There is no out-of-bounds in floor hockey.

 

 

 

 

Players

Each team consists of six players. (subject to change with number of players)

- Center - Each team has one center. The only player that is allowed to move the full length of the floor. This player needs speed, alertness and adeptness in passing, dribbling and stick handling.

 

- Wings - Each team has two wings that only play on the offensive end of the floor. These players are not allowed to cross into the defensive end of the floor. The wings should be goal scorers, and be able to play offense.

 

- Defensemen - Each team has two defensemen that only play on the defensive end of the floor. Their job is to protect the goal, doing everything they can to cause problems for the offense. They want to clear the zone, get the puck out of their end of the floor.

 

- Goalie - Each team has one goal keeper, whose job it is to keep the puck out of the goal. The goalie should stay between the puck and the net, move as the puck moves. Puck should be cleared to the side, keep the puck away from the front of the net. Goalie should play in a crouched position, holding the stick with one hand so the other hand is free to knock down a flying puck. They must learn to use the blade of the stick to block the puck.

 

Scoring

The entire puck has to be over the goal line for a goal to be scored. A goal can be scored by deflecting off a player or equipment as long as the deflection was unintentional. Intentional deflections can only be done with the stick.  A goal cannot be scored if an offensive player is in the crease. Kicking or throwing the puck into the net does not count.

 

Rules

Play is initiated by a face-off between the two opposing centers who must have their sticks on the floor.

- Center-Line-Rule - Only the center can play the entire floor, the wings must stay on their side of the center line, the defensemen and goalie on their side of the center line. A player may not step across the center line and gain possession of the puck. Penalty for this infraction is a two minute penalty.

- Checking/Roughing/Unnecessary actions - There is no checking allowed. Penalty for this infraction is a two minute or removal from game roughing penalty.

- High Sticking – The hockey stick may not be brought above the waist in the back swing or follow through at any time. Penalty for this infraction is a two minute high-sticking penalty. If an opponent is hit by the high stick the penalty will be a major penalty and will last five minutes.

- Crease Rule - No offensive player may be in the goal crease. Penalty for this infraction is two minute interference penalty. A goal scored while a team member is in the crease will be disallowed. A goalie is not restricted to the crease.

- Holding - Using your hands to intentionally hold someone from going after the puck. Penalty for this infraction is a two minute holding penalty.

- Hooking - Using your stick to intentionally hold someone from going after the puck. Penalty for this infraction is a two minute hooking penalty.

- Holding the Puck - Only the goalie may grasp the puck for purpose of possession. The goalie may catch the puck but may not hold it for more than 2 seconds. The goalie may not throw the puck forward. The goalie may place the puck on the floor and hit it forward with the goalie stick. Penalty for this infraction is a face-off at the spot that the infraction occurs. A player besides the goalie may catch a puck in the air but must immediately drop the puck, they cannot run with the puck in there hand.

 

Playing Short-Handed

When a rules infraction occurs and the referee calls a penalty on Team A, Team A will play a man short in the defensive end. Team B will have a 3 on 2 in the offensive end for the length of the penalty. If during the advantage Team B scores, than the player is allowed out of the penalty box. Exception - If the player is in the penalty box for a major penalty they stay in the penalty box for the entire five minutes whether Team B scores or not.

 

Variations

 

-          After certain amount time, players will switch positions

-          Players can go anywhere on the floor

-          A number of passes must be made before one team can score