Ball Hockey & Street Hockey

Ball Hockey & Street Hockey: frequently asked questions

Which colour ball hockey ball should I use for the temperature outside?

Canada Ball Hockey's official Knapper balls are temperature-rated: red for 25°C and warmer, orange for 15 to 25°C, pink for 0 to 15°C, and an orange cold ball for 0°C and below. Retail brands follow a similar idea: Bauer and Mylec make orange balls for warm weather and pink balls for cool weather. For Canadian spring and fall, a mixed pack such as the Mylec fall pack lets you switch as the temperature drops through the evening.

What equipment do I need to play organised ball hockey in Canada?

Canada Ball Hockey requires every player to wear a CSA-approved helmet, approved hockey gloves and running shoes. Players under 18 must also wear CSA-approved full facial protection and shin guards. Elbow pads, soft knee pads and an athletic cup are recommended rather than required. Local leagues can add their own rules, so check with yours. Street hockey goalie masks and helmets are not all CSA certified, so look for the CSA mark on the product itself before using it in league play.

Should I buy a street hockey ball or a roller puck?

It depends on the surface. Balls are the standard for ball hockey and cope best with rough asphalt and cold driveways. Roller pucks, such as Franklin's Pro Commander on steel ball bearings, Mylec training pucks on nylon glides or the Wraparound Puckaround with its rotating saucer, feel closer to an ice puck but need smooth concrete, sport court tile or a gym floor. Soft foam pucks and 2-inch foam balls are made for knee hockey indoors, where a hard ball could mark walls or furniture.

Sources: canadaballhockey.ca