Foot hockey

Foot hockey is a sport related to hockey, but there is no equipment (except for the goaltenders) or stick, using feet to kick the ball (most commonly a tennis ball), kicking it through a predetermined goal, consisting of marks/vents on portable/school walls or two coats lying of the ground. The usual age group who plays foot hockey can range from 6 to 13 years old. The nets' dimensions usually vary but are generally 4 to 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and approximately 2 to 3 feet (0.91 m) high. It is mostly used in grade schools, and is popular in Canada.

The game is listed amongst those to keep children interested in playground activities in the 1915 issue of The Playground published by the Playground Association of America. In his book Brian Mcfarlane's NHL Hockey 1984, Brian McFarlane mentions how brothers Joe and Brian Mullen played the game as kids in arena stairwells while waiting for ice time at the rink. For Christmas 2001, Danièle Sauvageau, head coach of the Canada women's national ice hockey team from 2000 to 2002, and video editor Ryan Jankowski prepared a video named Just Smile given as part of a Christmas package to each of the players. Among other events, it documented a game of foot hockey between the players, which was described by Sally Manning in her book A golden tear: Danièle Sauvageau's journey to Olympic gold as a favourite warm-up for the team.

A variant of the game, called "Sockey", is commonly played among elementary school children in Southwestern Quebec. Unlike the Ontario version, Sockey is most commonly played on outdoor hockey rinks in Fall and Spring using a soccer ball, designating specific board panels as "nets" and full body contact is permitted.

Another variant of the game still called Foot Hockey, is played by children ranging from age 6 to 13. The version is played Southern and Eastern Ontario. The nets are either coats or the patterns among the walls, in this version players are allowed to move the ball with their feet and hands (by throwing it to each other) but must be kicked with their foot. Semi-Body contact is commonly allowed and the goliaes commonly use baseball caps as gloves.

Overview

There is one net at each end with one goaltender. The common goaltending equipment are jackets that are wore on backwards and untied so the ball does not hurt as it normally would, and in addition it is advantage as it covers up more of the net. After their goalie has possession of the ball he or she, can throw the ball, or kick down the court to one of their players. This sport is often played on asphalt or grass .

Considered dangers

This sport is only as dangerous as any other game played at school. Injuries only occur when insensitive people attempt to play without knowing any of the rules. This and the fact of tripping or accidental injuries. The aggression during gameplay can hinder the entertainment value and especially to goaltenders, as that position is more likely to get hurt by being hacked at by feet, pushed over, or hit by the ball in certain areas.

In the Quebec version, occasional injuries resulting from contact or slippage on ice patches results in temporary bans at the request of parents.

Rules

The rules are mixed in between hockey and soccer. One of the important rules is interference. If the goalie is kicked or pushed it is an interference and the team which was interfered is granted the ball and is no goal if it enters the net. There are also interferences during out of net play. The common playground interference is when people that aren't playing run into the way of the ball. The consequences differ for this sort of affair from a penalty shot to the interfered teams position. Arguing can be a big matter too. The majority of goaltenders tend to argue about disallowing goals, if it is interference, or them just claiming the ball never hit the net. In this case some will argue so much that the players will use an alternate method and give them a penalty shot. During a penalty shot players can call rebounds or no rebounds. Without rebounds it is an advantage for the defending team. They may also call slides or no slides. A slide is when the goalie charges towards the player taking the penalty shot and blocking the ball with their body.

References

• The Playground: The World at Play. 9. New York City: Playground Association of America. April 1915. LCCN 99104272. OCLC 1762485. OL7168031M. 
• McFarlane, Brian (1984). Brian Mcfarlane's NHL Hockey 1984. McClelland and Stewart. ISBN 9780771054310. 
• Manning, Sally (2002). A golden tear: Danièle Sauvageau's journey to Olympic gold. General Store Publishing House. ISBN 9781894263696.