History and Benefits of Indoor Hockey

Indoor Hockey is a version of Outdoor or Field Hockey.  It developed in Europe in the 1950s mainly to allow keen hockey players to continue enjoying their sport during the Outdoor off-season, but as it is an exciting and enjoyable version of the game it is now played in many locations around the world.

Indoor Hockey is a six-a-side game played with a goalkeeper and five field players and is considered as one of the big corner stones for the development and practice of Hockey.  It is skillful, fast exciting and extremely enjoyable game to play and watch because it provides numerous ball touches in a short period of time and it presents many of tactical patterns of the outdoor game and is great for players of all ages and ability.

Goalkeepers must be more than an obstacle standing in front of the goal, they must also support the attack.  Because of the the speed of the game, communication and anticipation are necessary and are usually rewarded with ball possession and finishing opportunities.  Finishing opportunities generate enthusiasm and reinforce quality decisions and execution.

The skills involved in indoor hockey help the skill acquisition process for the outdoor game.  Indoor hockey is extremely important in coaching and developing young hockey players because the speed of the game challenges them to make quick decisions and time their actions and reinforces many of the field hockey skills such as, elimination, passing, receiving, goal scoring, tackling, zoning and most of all the ability to display discipline and patience.

In indoor hockey, supporting movements and management of space are keys to success.  The game is fast and numerous finishing opportunities are offered when played well, with technical and tactical speeds emphasised as the area is much smaller and the ball changes direction all the time, all players are integrated in the game.

Indoor Hockey is perfect for young hockey players.  It provides numerous ball touches in a short period of time and it presents may of the tactical patterns of the outdoor game.

Rules

The Game of Indoor Hockey

• A team consists of 6 players on the court - 5 Field players and 1 Goalkeeper
• Indoor Hockey Positions are 1 Goalkeeper, 2 Defenders, 1 Link and 2 Strikers
• The game is divided into 2 periods of 20 minutes or 18 Minutes
• Players can play with field hockey sticks

The three (3) basic rules of Indoor Hockey are:

• Players may NOT HIT THE BALL, but only Push or Deflect it
• Players may NOT RAISE THE BALL except when shooting to score a goal
• Players may NOT TACKLE FROM BEHIND

BIHA Goalkeeping Rules for Indoor Hockey 

• Each team MUST field a fully equipped goalkeeper - NO KICKING FULLBACKS.  Teams will be given 7 minutes to provide a Goalkeeper in their team, if after 7 minutes teams do not provide a fully equipped goalkeeper they will forfeit the game.