The central aspect of this part of our web guide is floor hockey, a form of hockey played inside a hall or room, where players use a curved stick to hit a small, hard ball or disk into the other team's goal.

Actually, floor hockey is a broad term for several indoor games that involve two teams using a stick and type of ball or disk. Disks are either open or closed, but both designs are usually called pucks. These games are played either on foot or with wheeled skates.

Most of these variants will be covered under separate categories; for example, Floorball has its own category, and we're covering indoor hockey in the Field Hockey category. Street Hockey has its category, and Cosom hockey is a form of street hockey that uses a puck, so it wouldn't be listed under Ball Games.

The roots of floor hockey are in the mid-20th century when it was developed as an indoor adaptation of ice hockey, designed to be played in gymnasiums and other indoor facilities. The sport gained popularity in North America, particularly in schools and recreational centers, as it provided a safer and more inclusive alternative to ice hockey. The simplicity of the equipment (plastic sticks, a lightweight ball or puck, and minimal protective gear) made it an appealing option.

While floorball, indoor hockey, street hockey, and cosom hockey are well-known variants, there are other forms of floor hockey. One such variant is gym hockey, which is often played in physical education classes. Gym hockey typically uses a softer ball, emphasizing skill development and teamwork over competitive play. Another is unihockey, which is similar to floorball but has differences in stick design and gameplay rules.

Ringette, while sharing some similarities with floor hockey, is not considered a variant of the sport. Ringette was invented in Canada in 1963 as a winter team sport designed specifically for female athletes. It is played on an ice rink with a straight stick and a rubber ring rather than a puck or a ball. There are several differences in gameplay, as well. We are covering Ringette in a separate category.

The primary objective of floor hockey is to score more goals than the opposing team by hitting a puck or ball into the opponent's net using a hockey stick. The game is played on a flat, hard surface, usually a gymnasium floor, with boundaries marked by lines or walls. Teams typically consist of six players, including a goalkeeper, although variations in team size can occur based on the available playing area and specific rules of a variant.

Floor hockey rules can vary slightly depending on the organization or league, but the core principles remain relatively consistent. A standard floor hockey game is divided into two or three periods, each lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, with a short intermission between periods. The game begins with a face-off at the center of the playing area. Face-offs also occur after each goal and at the start of each period. A goal is scored when the puck or ball completely crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar. Players can receive penalties for infractions such as high-sticking, tripping, or rough play. Penalties result in the offending player serving time in a penalty box, giving the opposing team a temporary numerical advantage. Some variations of the game include offside and icing rules, similar to ice hockey, to maintain fair play and game flow.

Topics and organizations related to floor hockey are appropriate resources for this category.

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