TL;DR
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Street hockey is a fast-paced version of hockey played on pavement using a ball instead of a puck, making it accessible and affordable for all ages.
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Street hockey improves puck control, creativity, conditioning, and decision-making, making it a valuable off-ice training tool for ice and roller hockey players.
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Games can be played almost anywhere, including streets, sports courts, gyms, or backyards, with minimal equipment and flexible rules.
Street hockey is growing far beyond the streets.
In 2023, the NHL partnered with RCX Sports, a leader in organized youth sports, to create NHL Street, a North America-wide youth street hockey league.
Since then, more than 3,000 players have joined the program, working with over 150 league operators.
Let’s take a step back, though. If you’ve landed here, you must be wondering:
“What is street hockey?”
At YardRink, we manufacture Street Hockey Rink Kits and will use our expertise to discuss the basics of street hockey, including how it’s played, who can participate, and the benefits of playing.
What Is Street Hockey?
Street hockey (also known as ball hockey or floor hockey) is a fast-paced version of hockey played on pavement or other hard surfaces using a ball instead of a puck.
The objective is the same as ice hockey: score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s net while preventing the other team from scoring.
However, street hockey requires less equipment and space than ice hockey, making it a more casual and accessible offshoot of the sport.
There are rules and structure, but the fun of it is that you can tailor the experience based on how you want to play.
As we’ll cover later, there are numerous benefits of street hockey that go beyond increasing your hockey skills.
How Is Street Hockey Played?
Street hockey is typically played with two teams using hockey sticks, a goal at each end, and a ball designed for street play.
Games can be played with a goalie or without one, depending on space and skill level.
Just like ice hockey, players pass, shoot, defend, and move strategically, with an emphasis on ball control, teamwork, and quick decision-making.
Rules are often simplified (more on this in the next section), making the game easy for beginners to pick up while still providing a good challenge for experienced players.
Basic Rules of Street Hockey
Street hockey rules vary by location and league, but most games share a few common principles:
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Games typically remove offsides and icing to keep play moving.
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Stoppages are limited in favor of continuous, free-flowing action.
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Physical checks are heavily restricted or prohibited.
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Shifts are short to maintain pace and player rotation.
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Slap shots are often restricted, especially in youth play.
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Games often rely on fair play and agreed-upon rules rather than formal officiating.
What Equipment Do You Need for Street Hockey?
One of the major appeals of street hockey is that it requires far less equipment than ice hockey.
Most games use:
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A street hockey stick designed for pavement.
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A ball instead of a puck, with different ball hardness depending on temperature.
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Nets or designated scoring areas.
Protective gear is optional for casual play but is more common in organized leagues, especially for goalies.
Players tend to wear sneakers (not skates) since street hockey is played on dry surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or sports courts.
Here’s an example of a street hockey stick and puck set, courtesy of Giantmart.com:
Who Is Street Hockey For?
You now know the answer to “What is street hockey?”
Who is it for, though?
Whether for fun or hockey skill development, many can benefit from the fast-paced, fluid nature of street hockey.
Here is a breakdown of the common street hockey participants:
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Beginners benefit from simplified rules, smaller playing areas, and a lower barrier to entry when learning basic hockey skills.
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Youth players who benefit from constant puck touches, creativity, and skill-focused play.
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Experienced players looking to sharpen puck control, decision-making, and conditioning in tight spaces (important since 80% of puck time happens within three feet of the wall).
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Adult and recreational players who want a low-cost, flexible, and competitive way to stay active.
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Ice and roller hockey players who use street hockey as an effective off-ice training tool.
YardRink Street at the NHL 4 Nations Fan Village in Boston on a windy day!
For all participants, there is a notable social and creativity component to street hockey that can be key to long-term development, not only in your athletic career, but in all aspects of your life.
Where Can You Play Street Hockey?
Beyond the hard pavement of the street, there are multiple places you can find structured, competitive street hockey leagues.
Local YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs and parks and recreation departments are good places to start looking in your area.
You can also find leagues, tournaments, pickup games and competitions at community centers, outdoor basketball or tennis courts, school playgrounds, roller rinks, and dedicated ball hockey facilities.
In some areas, church gyms, sports complexes, and inline hockey rinks also host organized street or ball hockey programs.
Here’s an example of a YardRink Street Rink on Backyard Sport Court:
Are There Organized or Professional Street Hockey Leagues?
While street hockey does not have a professional league comparable to the NHL, it does feature competitive amateur and semi-professional leagues.
National organizations and international federations (like the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation) oversee structured play, including world championships for men’s, women’s, and youth divisions.
These leagues provide high-level competition and standardized rules, offering a pathway for serious players beyond recreational play.
Why Is Street Hockey Growing in Popularity?
We mentioned at the beginning of this article that street hockey is expanding. What is contributing to its growth in North America?
Accessibility and affordability are two major factors.
Families, schools, and communities can play street hockey without having to worry about maintaining an ice rink or buying extensive (and expensive) equipment.
It is also widely used as an off-ice training tool for ice hockey players.
Street hockey can develop hand-eye coordination, creativity, conditioning, and decision-making in tight spaces, all of which can translate to play on the ice.
This more casual form of hockey is a fun, flexible way to stay connected to the game year-round. You’re not at the whims of the weather with a street hockey kit.
We’ve found that relying on freezing temperatures can sometimes be a source of frustration for ice hockey rink owners.
Some regions only get a few days of ice skating weather a year (although you can use our “Extra Skating Days” Method to potentially extend your season).
With street hockey, you can play 24/7, 365.
Most ice hockey rinks (such as YardRink) can actually be converted into street hockey rinks during the off-season. They can also be used for soccer leagues.
Even if you’re not an ice hockey player, street hockey is a fun way to stay active and competitive without breaking the bank.
It’s also a great way to get out and meet others in your community.
Where Can You Get a Street Hockey Kit?
If you’re an individual or organization interested in a street hockey rink kit, equipment, or accessories, there are several reputable manufacturers and distributors to choose from, including:
What to Know About YardRink’s Street Rinks
YardRink designs street hockey rinks with many of the same principles used in its NHL-licensed backyard ice rinks.
Our goal was to create a professional-grade design that plays like a real hockey rink, with features including:
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Authentic board play, with standard 18’ boards.
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Easy set up/takedown - No tools required, and you can typically assemble and disassemble a YardRink street kit in 30 minutes or less. We once had two teenagers who had never assembled a rink before put together a YardRink street rink in just 20 minutes.
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Durable and sturdy plastic panels that won’t crush, warp or crack.
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Customization options – you can add all current and classic NHL Team decals and/or sponsor decals and event logos to the panels.
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Appropriate for all hard surfaces, including asphalt, Sport Courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, and gym floors.
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7.5’ ball retention nets for each end are included with purchase.
Nearly 300 sizes are offered, giving organizations the ability to tailor a street kit to their facilities.
YardRink’s most common street rink sizes (with prices) include:
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32’ x 62’ (NHL Street Minimum): $2,699
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35’ x 77’ (Tennis Court Size): $3,329
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50’ x 95’ (Basketball Court Size): $4,499
YardRink’s Street Rinks at the Utah Mammoth’s Street Hockey Tournament last year (video of the tournament in the next section).
YardRink ventured into street hockey just over a year ago, and several organizations have already championed the benefits of YardRink Street, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island:
“I wanted to offer athletes a place where they could play authentic street hockey. A fast and stress-free set-up, breakdown, and storage is vital to the success of a street hockey program – and that’s why I believe YardRink is the best fit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island.”
– Brian Andrade, Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island's Athletic Director
Interested in Exploring Street Hockey Further?
Street hockey has evolved from its grassroots origins into a legitimate sport locally, nationally and internationally.
It serves as a training ground for skill development and an accessible way for people of all ages to enjoy the sport they love year-round.
We’re looking to accelerate the growth of this engaging sport with partners and organizations that share a common goal to inspire an active lifestyle, enhance hockey skill development and foster joyful moments that both kids and adults will cherish for a lifetime.
We’ve recently partnered with four NHL teams to bring street hockey to a wider audience, including the Utah Mammoth, where our rinks were used for the Mammoth’s first-ever 3v3 Street Hockey Tournament this past July:
If you’re an organization or run a facility that could benefit from an on-site street hockey rink, we’d love to connect.
Reach out, and we will get your organization set up within a week.
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