Sledge Hockey - Rules and Equipment
Rules
The rules for Sledge Hockey are the same as able bodied hockey with some adjustments due to the nature of the sport and participants.
Similarities to Ice Hockey:
- Each team consists of 6 players, including the goaltender.
- Protective gear must be worn at all times. This includes helmet with cage or shield, shin guards, shoulder pads, gloves, elbow pads, neck guard and hockey pants.
- Line changes are made during stoppages of play and/or on-the-fly during play.
- The ice surface, goal net and pucks are all equal to regular able bodied hockey.
Differences to Ice Hockey:
- Instead of skates, players sit in specially designed sleds. These sleds sit on top of 2 hockey skate blades.
- Players carry 2 sticks instead of one. Sledge hockey sticks are approximately 1/3 the length of a regular hockey stick, depending on the size of the player. Furthermore, sledge hockey sticks have a metal pick on the butt end for propelling purposes.
- In most rinks, the bench is inaccessible. Therefore, the players sit on the ice along the boards in front of the benches between the blue and red line. The same procedure applies for penalties.
Click Here for a Full Version of Sledge Hockey Rules (word doc)
Equipment
Sledge
Is made of aluminum or steel, set on two ice hockey skate blades, which are usually made of tempered steel and are each 3mm / 0.1 in thick.
The height of the main frame must allow for the puck to pass underneath the sledge. The length of the blade may not exceed more than one-third of the total length of the sledge. Straps secure a players feet, ankles, knees, and hips to the sledge.
Sticks
In sledge hockey, players use two sticks with a hooked wooden blade at one end (for puck handling and ambidextrous shooting) and a pick at the other end. Each stick is made of either wood, plastic or aluminum/titanium.
Pick
The pick is similar to a toe pick used in figure skating. The pick end of the stick may not damage the ice surface or inadvertently puncture of slash other players.
Canada is the recognized international leader in the development and equipment of the sport of Sledge Hockey. Two main suppliers in Canada are
Unique Inventions and CanWin Sports
Other
The rest of the equipment worn by players is the same as able-bodied hockey where players wear full shield and helmet, BNQ certified neck guard, hockey pants, shin pads and closed toe shoes on their feet.
News Archives
