Ball hockey is a derivative game from ice hockey. It is also known as street hockey, floor hockey or iceless hockey. It can be played recreationally in a school yard, street or blacktop driveway, or it can be played on a wooden floor in a school gymnasium or a bigger arena. In a competitive situation, players will try to outwork each other for the ball and the game can be quite intensive.
Step 1
Play with four or five players on each team in addition to a goalie. The goal is often the same 4-foot-by-6-foot size used in ice hockey but it can be smaller. Start play with a face off. If you get possession of the puck and can move it into the offensive zone, the idea is to create scoring opportunities by getting time and space. This can be done by stickhandling, passing or screening your opponent.
Step 2
Pass the ball to an open teammate. The idea in ball hockey is to keep moving forward. In ice hockey, you can often retreat to gain speed when approaching the offensive zone. In ball hockey, you are running and don't have the opportunity to glide. Keep everything moving forward in an effort to save energy. You will need it later in the game.
Step 3
Take quick wrist shots and backhand shots. Slap shots are usually not a good idea in ball hockey because they take too long to set up and the size of the playing area is smaller than it is on the ice. After you receive the puck, take a quick look at the goal, find the open spot and fire a quick wrist shot toward one of the four corners of the net.
Step 4
Prepare for deflections and rebounds in order to score goals. When your teammate takes a shot, the goaltender will have a good chance to stop the ball if he has a clear look at it. However, if you can get in the shooter's path, you have a chance to screen the goaltender, deflect the shot to make it change directions or take a quick shot at rebounds. This is how a great scoring opportunity is created.
Step 5
Pass the puck after you make a stop as goaltender. In ice hockey, many goaltenders will hold on to the puck after making a save. In ball hockey, the smaller confines give the goaltender an opportunity to start an offensive play for his own teammate. After you make the save, look for an open teammate to pass the ball to and start the attack.
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