|
This is an illustration of one type of sled used to play "sled hockey". The frames are made of aluminum or steel. The buckets are made of plastic, with some of them being custom molded. The runner on the front of the frame keeps the sled level and helps it glide. Some sleds have backs to help players sit up straight while those who can't propel themselves have push bars on their sleds. All players wear seat belts and strap their legs in for safety and to give better control of the sled.
The Sticks
Whereas standard hockey uses one stick per player, sled hockey uses two per player. These sticks are shorter, the blade is angled less and the butt end has pics attached which dig into the ice to enable the players to prople themselves.
|
THE SIMILARITES
- Protective gear must be worn at all times. This includes helmet with cage or shield, shin guards, shoulder pads, gloves, elbow pads and neck guard. Most players also wear hockey pants.
- There are 6 players on the ice for each team at a time. The same positions are also used: 1 goalie, 3 forwards and 2 defensemen.
- Lines are changed either during stoppages or whenever needed/possible
- The ice surface, goal net, lines, and puck are all the same.
- Most of the USA Hockey rules apply with necessary changes.
THE DIFFERENCES
- Instead of skates, players sit in specially designed sleds. These sleds sit on top of two hockey skate blades.
- There are two sticks for each player instead of one. These sticks are about 1/3 the length of a regulation stick depending on the size of the player. Some players cut their sticks down if they are two large for them to handle. They also have two metal pics on the butt end which enables the players to propel themselves.
- Periods are 12 minutes long as opposed to 20.
- At rinks where the bench is inaccessible, the players sit on the ice in front of the bench and pentaly boxes depending on which they should be in.
- Some added rules apply in reference to T-boning, no-touch players and others.
 |
