Teaching Floor Hockey Rules
Good coaches begin teaching floor hockey rules the minute the athletes step into the first training of the season. The head coach should begin the season with a meeting for all athletes, coaches and parents/guardians. The head coach should be prepared to discuss the upcoming season and his/her expectations concerning the athletes' behavior during the season. The coach must establish an expectation of good sportsmanship and good participation by each and every athlete in the program for the entire season. Teaching the rules of floor hockey begins at this meeting. A general discussion of the rules of floor hockey may be included; however, teaching the rules will be a process that happens during each and every training.
The coach should begin training by having athletes put on their "mandatory equipment." This is the first opportunity to begin teaching the rules. Mandatory equipment is just what it says: mandatory under the rules. This includes, at a minimum, a helmet (with a full face mask) and shin guards. Recommended equipment also includes gloves, elbow pads and kneepads. No activity should be undertaken until the athletes have their equipment on. This will send a message that safety is the most important factor for everyone in the program. It will also force the athletes to become comfortable competing while wearing their equipment. This will set the tone for the season. It is up to the coaching staff, however, to be consistent throughout the season and maintain the expectations set during this opening meeting.
Rules for Floor Hockey CompetitionInjuries can occur in floor hockey, and a majority of these injuries are caused by the floor hockey stick. The floor hockey stick is also the cause of the majority of penalties received in competition. There are no statistics to know the percentage of injuries caused by the illegal use of the stick verses inadvertent injuries that happen during normal play. What is known is that if the coaches are diligent with their players during training, many of these injuries and the related penalties can be avoided.
For example, training begins with the athletes warming up and stretching. Athletes should begin jogging (walking is acceptable depending on ability level) around the training facility with their equipment on and carrying a floor hockey stick. This will give each athlete the opportunity to become familiar with carrying / using the stick properly. It will also give you, as the coach, the chance to re-enforce the proper use of the stick, including the grip, using two hands and carrying the stick with the tip as low to the ground as possible when not in the process of shooting. Teaching the athletes to know what they are doing with their sticks at all times will avoid injuries and unnecessary penalties in the future.
The most common penalties called are for the improper use of the stick: high sticking, slashing, charging and tripping. High sticking is the most strictly called rule in floor hockey because of the injuries that can occur. However, each of the stick penalties can and do cause injuries.
A high sticking penalty occurs when the stick is at or above a player's shoulder. The stick must be held below shoulder level at all times. The athletes should be taught to keep the tip of their sticks as low to the ground as possible at all times. The only time the stick should go above waist level is on the follow-through when shooting or in some instances when passing the puck.
The slashing penalty is caused when an athlete slashes down or across with the stick in an attempt to gain possession of the puck from the opposing player. The correct method to take possession of the puck is a technique called a stick check.
Charging penalties occur when an athlete holds the stick in both hands and runs into the opposing player in an attempt to move him/her away from the puck.
The tripping penalty may or may not be caused by use of the stick. Many tripping penalties are called when a player puts the stick between the opposing player's legs and causes the player to trip.
If coaches are diligent about teaching the proper use of the stick at each and every training session, you will notice fewer penalties and greater stick and puck control demonstrated by your athletes. Teaching floor hockey rules should become an integral part of training.
There are many other rules that should be taught during training. Some examples include:
- Proper face-off techniques
- The goal crease
- Proper stick checking techniques
- Proper body checking
- Interference
There are few differences in the general Floor Hockey rules for Special Olympics Unified SportsŪ competition, as stipulated in the official Special Olympics Sports Rules. The differences are highlighted below:
- A roster consists of a proportionate number of athletes and partners. The goal of Unified Sports Floor Hockey is to field a team that consists of an equal number of Special Olympics athletes and partners of equal playing ability who compliment each other to form a team.
- During competition, the line-up can contain no more than three partners on the court at any time. By the end of game, equal playing rules as stated in the rules (Section E, 1) shall apply.
- Team sports must have an adult, non-playing coach. Player-coaches are not allowed in team sports.
Protest procedures are governed by the rules of competition and may change from competition to competition. Only rules violations can be protested. Judgment calls made by officials or divisioning decisions cannot be protested. The protest must site specific violations from the rulebook and a clear definition of why the coach feels the rule was not followed.
The role of the competition management team is to enforce the rules. As a coach, your duty to your athletes and team is to protest any action or events while your athlete is competing that you think violated the Official Floor Hockey Rules. It is extremely important that you do not make protests because you and your athlete did not get your desired outcome of an event. Protests are serious matters that impact a competition's schedule. Check with the competition team prior to competition to learn the protest procedures for that competition.
