Street Hockey, often called dek hockey, ball hockey, or gym hockey, is an exciting and accessible variation of ice hockey. Played on foot using a ball and hockey sticks, it eliminates the need for skates and ice, making it a fantastic sport for a wider range of people and locations. Whether you’re looking for a new way to stay active, a fun team sport, or a stepping stone to ice hockey, street hockey offers a dynamic and engaging experience. Let’s dive into what makes street hockey unique, exploring its origins, how it’s played, the necessary equipment, and more.
What Exactly is Street Hockey?
Street hockey, in its essence, is a form of hockey played on a dry surface, most commonly asphalt, concrete, or a specialized surface known as “dek.” These different surfaces and playing environments contribute to the various names you might hear, such as dek hockey, ball hockey, or gym hockey. Regardless of the name, the core concept remains the same: hockey on foot using a ball instead of a puck.
The term “dek hockey” specifically arises from the specialized tiled surfaces often used for organized play. These tiles, known as “deks,” are designed for both indoor and outdoor rinks, offering a consistent and durable playing surface. As the sport evolved from informal street games to organized leagues on these surfaces, the term “dek hockey” gained prominence, highlighting the playing surface itself.
The Origins of Dek Hockey: A Look Back
The roots of dek hockey can be traced back to the 1970s and Raymond W. Leclerc in Leominster, Massachusetts. Recognized as the “father of dek hockey,” Leclerc built the first three outdoor dek hockey rinks, establishing the Leominster DekHockey Center. His innovations extended beyond rink construction; he also invented the “No-Bounce Orange Ball,” specifically designed for ball and dek hockey leagues. Leclerc’s contributions were pivotal in structuring and popularizing street hockey, particularly in its dek hockey form, across North America.
Rink Dimensions in Street Hockey: Adapting to the Game
Street hockey rinks come in various sizes to accommodate different player counts and game styles. Historically, when dek hockey started with Raymond Leclerc in the 1970s, leagues often featured 5-on-5 gameplay on rinks measuring around 160×80 feet.
However, modern street hockey often utilizes smaller rinks, particularly for faster-paced 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 games, excluding goalies. Here’s a breakdown of typical rink dimensions:
- 3 vs 3 Play: 100 x 50 ft
- 4 vs 4 Play: 120 x 60 ft
- 5 vs 5 Play: 155 x 80 ft (though hybrid sizes like 105 x 55 ft and 140 x 60 ft also exist)
These adaptable rink sizes make street hockey versatile and playable in various community spaces, from dedicated sports complexes to repurposed areas.
Dek Hockey vs. Ball Hockey: Understanding the Nuances
While “dek hockey” and “ball hockey” are often used interchangeably to describe hockey played on foot with a ball, subtle distinctions exist. Both are indeed variations of street hockey, but the terms sometimes reflect differences in playing surface and typical rink setups.
Ball hockey is frequently played on concrete or asphalt surfaces. In contrast, dek hockey is specifically associated with boarded rinks featuring the “dek” tiled surface. Ball hockey rinks tend to be larger and often incorporate blue lines for offsides rules, mirroring ice hockey more closely in this aspect. Dek hockey rinks, especially smaller ones for 3v3 or 4v4, might only feature a center line. Larger dek hockey rinks, however, can include both center and blue lines.
Despite these minor differences, both dek hockey and ball hockey emphasize fast-paced, skillful play on foot, using a ball and hockey sticks.
Essential Equipment for Street Hockey: Gear Up to Play
One of the appeals of street hockey is the minimal equipment required compared to ice hockey. To get started, you’ll need:
- Running Shoes: Comfortable athletic shoes are crucial for agility and movement on the playing surface.
- Gloves: Hockey gloves protect your hands and improve grip on the stick.
- Shin Guards: Shin guards are essential for protecting your shins from errant balls and sticks.
- Helmet: A helmet is highly recommended for safety, especially in more competitive play.
- Hockey Stick: Plastic hockey sticks are ideal for street hockey surfaces. While ice hockey sticks can be used, taping the blade is advisable to prevent catching on the surface.
- Jerseys: Teams need different colored jerseys for easy player identification during games.
- Ball: The official ball for dek hockey is often a Mylec or D-gel brand ball. These balls are designed with a hard outer shell for better stickhandling and a liquid-filled core to reduce bouncing.
- Net: A standard street hockey net measures 6×4 feet, with a depth of 27 inches at the base and 18 inches at the crossbar.
Image: Action shot of a street hockey game in progress, showcasing players with sticks and protective gear on a dek surface.
No Checking in Street Hockey: A Focus on Skill and Safety
Street hockey and dek hockey are strictly non-contact sports. Unlike ice hockey, checking or any form of forceful physical contact is prohibited. This rule is crucial for safety, as players typically wear less protective gear than in ice hockey. Checking, including cross-checking, is penalized, ranging from minor to major penalties at the referee’s discretion. The emphasis in street hockey is on skill, agility, and teamwork, rather than physical aggression.
Game Structure: Periods and Timeouts in Street Hockey
A standard street hockey game is divided into three periods, each lasting 15 minutes, with a 3-minute intermission between periods. If the game is tied after three periods, a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period is played. In overtime, the first team to score wins. Additionally, each team is granted one timeout per game, which can be used only during a stoppage of play.
The Dek Hockey Hall of Fame: Honoring the Pioneers
For those deeply involved in the sport, the Dek Hockey Hall of Fame at the Leominster DekHockey Center recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of dek hockey. As of January 2022, the Hall of Fame comprised twenty members, each playing a vital role in popularizing the sport. The U.S. Dek Hockey Federation website offers more information about these honored members.
Get Involved in Street Hockey
Street hockey is a fantastic sport for people of all ages and skill levels. Its accessibility, minimal equipment needs, and fast-paced action make it a great way to stay active, socialize, and enjoy the thrill of hockey without ice. Whether you are looking for a casual game with friends or want to join a league, street hockey offers a welcoming and exciting sporting community.
Image: A group of street hockey players in jerseys standing on a dek hockey rink, showcasing team aspect of the sport.
