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Team Coaching
Ice Hockey Pitch
Ice Hockey Player
Skater
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Ice Hockey is a very fast game which is physically demanding and characterised by frequent substitutions from a pool comprising around twenty team members. The variety of attacking and defensive strategies adopted, and the high skill levels and physical requirements make Ice Hockey a specialised sport.
The object is for two competing teams of six players to shoot the most goals, which are scored using sticks to exchange passes of the puck, and creating an opening to finally strike the puck into the opponent’s net. The puck can be struck along the surface of the ice or lifted from it, but must travel lower than waist height - otherwise possession is conceded to the opposing team. The game is played in three 20 minute periods, with teams changing ends every period. The duration of periods can vary significantly, due to high incidences of intermissions, offsides, penalties and injuries.
Equipment
The small oblong-shaped puck made from hard rubber means that it can be struck very quickly, skidding instead of rolling across the surface.
Protective clothing is essential and consists of helmets with visors and shoulder, elbow, knee and shin pads.
The sticks used for striking the pucks comprise shafts of aluminium, wood or composite material with a curved blade for increased control when travelling in possession of the puck.
History
The first recorded game took place in Kingston, Canada in 1855. The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1917 and, although continuing to expand to now over 30 members, is still composed entirely from Canadian and American teams. Men’s Ice Hockey became an Olympic event in 1920, with the Women’s game following in 1998. Although played in many countries around the world, it is most popular in North America, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia. |
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