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Floor hockey is the only team sport in Special Olympics Official Winter Sports. Floor hockey is adapted from the games of ice hockey and ringette. It is a sport that has ability-appropriate levels ranging from beginning- to high-level athletes. Unlike Alpine or cross-country skiing, floor hockey gives athletes who live in warm climates the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics Winter Sports. Floor hockey is very popular among athletes in the Caribbean, and a team from Jamaica competed during the 1993 World Winter Games in Austria and from Trinidad-Tobago at the 2001 World Winter Games in Alaska, USA. Special Olympics floor hockey is played in a rink, but the surface is made of wood or concrete, not ice. The teams are comprised of six players, including a goalie. The athletes use wooden poles (without blades) as the sticks and the pucks are large felt discs with an open center. Today, more than 17,466 athletes from 71 Programs around the world enjoy the sport.
 

WORLD GAMES HISTORY
At the 1997 World Winter Games in Toronto, Canada, approximately 81 teams from 65 countries competed in floor hockey competitions. Some 860 athletes from 46 countries vied in floor hockey events at the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, the largest sporting event ever staged in Alaska, USA.

HIGHLIGHTS
Special Olympics Floor Hockey is played in a rink, but the surface is made a wood or concrete, not ice. The teams are comprised of six players, including a goalie. The athletes use wooden poles (without blades) as the sticks and the pucks are large felt discs with an open center.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND HIGHLIGHTS
Poly Hockey, the predecessor to Floor Hockey, has been around in Maryland since 1970. Though the equipment has changed the basic concepts of the game still exist. Incorporating the same rules and rink sizes. Modern Floor Hockey was first started in Maryland in 1999. The first year only three teams competed at Northern High School in Garrett County near the site of Winter Games. Since that time competition has grown to 7 teams in 2003. The new site for the Floor Hockey Invitational is the Frederick SportsPlex. Located in Frederick, Maryland.  

Coaches Resources

International Governing Body:   www.specialolympics.org

US Governing Body:          www.specialolympics.org

ICE HOCKEY
Special Olympics Maryland is pleased to be partners with Special Hockey Washington. If you are interested in playing Ice Hockey please visit their website at www.specialhockey.org for more information on times and the location of practices.

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