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Street hockey is essentially ice hockey minus the frozen surface: The rules, gear, and player roles are nearly identical.
Photo courtesy of USA Women's Street HockeyIn the raw realm of street sports, gameplay is dictated by fundamental factors such as weather, available space, and necessity. It’s all about using what’s accessible. A baseball and glove? A soccer ball? Or perhaps a hockey stick, a worn-out tennis ball, and some makeshift goals?
If it’s the last combination, you’re all set for the simplest form of street hockey. Honestly, very little is required — just a stick, a ball that won’t bounce too much, and a way to mark the playing area for shooting accuracy. Imagine it as ice hockey, minus the ice and with less emphasis on protective gear.
The objective remains unchanged: score by getting the ball into your opponent's goal while preventing them from doing the same. Padding is advisable, particularly when inline skates are in use. Even with sneakers, which slow the pace, protective gear is wise — you're playing on unforgiving asphalt.
Interested in playing this outdoor summer hockey game? Start by gathering the necessary gear. While the basics are minimal, participation in one of North America's numerous organized leagues can significantly expand your street hockey equipment needs.
Street Hockey Equipment
Street hockey games can be informal, yet wearing protective gear is always recommended.
Photo courtesy of USA Women's Street HockeyIf you're familiar with ice hockey, you already know the essentials for its street counterpart: nearly everything required, minus the ice skates and the ice itself.
At the very least, you'll need a hockey stick, a ball or puck that doesn't bounce, and something to mark the goals at each end of the playing area. This could be anything from cinder blocks and bricks to a pair of recliners.
However, the ideal setup includes proper goals, particularly those equipped with nets.
Whether you're on a quiet street, a park basketball court, or an indoor arena, having the right gear is crucial. The list of recommended street hockey equipment includes:
- Playing essentials: A hockey stick (untaped to avoid excessive friction), a non-bouncing ball or puck, goal markers (either improvised or official goals with posts and nets), and a method to mark the center line of the court
- Attire: Comfortable clothing paired with sneakers or inline skates
- Safety gear: A helmet with a face mask, chest protector, and gloves for the goalie, along with athletic cups (for males), shin guards, and knee pads for all players. Extra padding and helmets for everyone are even more beneficial.
Protection is essential: Although body checking isn't permitted in street hockey (more details later), and there's no risk of being slammed into boards, a sudden fall onto the asphalt can still hurt. Wearing a helmet is highly recommended whenever possible.
Once your gear is ready, you'll need teammates and a playing area — and we're using the term 'playing area' quite loosely here…
Street Hockey Positions and Court
A smooth, flat, and spacious surface, usually made of concrete or asphalt, is perfect for a makeshift 'rink.'
Photo courtesy of USA Women's Street HockeySimilar to equipment needs, street hockey closely resembles ice hockey in its setup and player roles. Essentially, swap the ice for concrete, reduce the number of positions, and you have a standard street hockey match. To elaborate:
The playing area can be any smooth, flat, and open space, usually concrete or asphalt. Ideally, it should measure around 80 feet wide by 160 feet long (24 by 48 meters), but dimensions can vary depending on available space. Suitable locations include tennis courts, quiet streets, basketball courts, indoor gyms, or any area where a ball can easily glide into a goal.
The player roles: Each team consists of six players (with an additional six for substitutions, especially when playing in sneakers instead of skates — this version involves a lot of running). The positions are:
- Forwards (3): Right, Center, and Left: The forwards focus on offense, typically led by the center (who handles most face-offs), aiming to score. Each forward starts in their designated area but can switch positions as the ball moves to ensure full coverage of the offensive zone.
- Defenders (2): Right and Left: As the name suggests, defenders focus on defense. They stay behind the forwards, tasked with stopping the ball from reaching their goal. Like forwards, they switch sides to cover the entire defensive area.
- Goalie (1): The goalie's primary role is to protect the goal. If the ball gets past the defenders, the goalie must block, catch, kick, or deflect it to prevent a score. Since goalies don’t run or skate much, one typically plays the entire game.
The referee oversees the game to ensure rules are followed. When play stops due to penalties, goals, or the ball going out of bounds, the referee conducts the face-off to restart the game. The referee has the final say on all in-game decisions.
While not strictly necessary in casual games, a referee is highly beneficial and will enforce the rules. Street hockey, especially in its informal 'street' version, may seem less structured than ice hockey, but it still adheres to specific regulations…
Street Hockey Rules
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, takes a quick shot during a street hockey game in Yellowknife, Canada.
Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty ImagesStreet hockey gameplay closely resembles ice hockey. It begins with a face-off, where the two centers compete for control of the ball. Teams aim to score by passing the ball and maneuvering it into the opponent's goal, with each player covering their assigned area on the court.
In the event of a penalty or rule violation, the non-offending team, usually the center, gains control of the ball (and the offending player is benched for one minute in penalty cases). According to NHL Street regulations, penalties and violations in street hockey mirror those in ice hockey and include:
Rule Violations
- Icing — Sending the ball from your side of the court to the opposite end without an opposing player touching it
- Off-sides — Crossing the center line before the ball does
- Off-sides pass — Passing the ball to a teammate who is already off-sides
- Out-of-bounds — Hitting the ball outside the designated play area
Penalties
- Butt-ending, cross-checking, or slashing — Striking an opponent with the end or shaft of your stick or swinging it at them
- Charging or checking — Colliding with an opponent or forcing them into a stationary object
- Elbowing — Striking another player with your elbow
- High-sticking — Raising your stick above waist level
- Holding or hooking — Restricting an opponent's movement using your hands or stick
- Interference — Physically obstructing an opponent who doesn’t have the ball
- Tripping — Using your feet or stick to knock an opponent’s feet out from under them
Fighting is also prohibited. Striking another player results in immediate ejection for the remainder of the game.
To ensure smooth gameplay, appoint a referee. Street hockey isn’t about arguing; it’s about action. Pick up a stick, set up some makeshift goals, and focus on scoring.
