All the Different Types of Hockey You Need to Know
If you’re new to hockey or just curious, the sport can feel like a maze of terms – blue pitches, indoor vs. outdoor, stick grips, night games, and more. Let’s break it down so you can walk onto the field or ice with confidence.
Playing Surfaces: Why Some Pitches Are Blue
Most people notice the bright blue turf in big tournaments and wonder why it isn’t green like a football field. The blue color boosts visibility. The yellow ball (or in field hockey, the white ball) pops against the blue, making it easier for players, referees, and fans to track fast moves. It also reduces glare from the sun, especially in outdoor venues. The trend started after the 2012 London Olympics and stuck because it improves both performance and TV viewing.
Sticks and Grips: Holding the Right Way
The right stick grip can mean the difference between a clean pass and a missed shot. Place your top hand near the top of the shaft with the thumb and index finger wrapped around it. Your bottom hand should sit lower on the shaft, close to the blade, allowing you to control flex. A relaxed grip gives you better wrist action for flicks like puck lifts, while a firm grip helps with powerful slapshots. Experiment during practice – you’ll feel which pressure works best for your style.
Beyond the grip, sticks come in different materials: wood, composite, and hybrid. Wood offers a classic feel but can be heavier. Composite sticks are lighter, more consistent, and let you generate high speeds. Hybrid sticks blend both for a balanced feel. Choose based on your budget and how you like the stick to respond.
Game Formats: Night Matches, Overtime and Shoot‑outs
Ever notice why most professional games happen after dark? Night slots line up with prime‑time TV, meaning more viewers and higher ad revenue. For fans, it’s also the time most people are free from work, creating a better atmosphere in the arena.
If a game is tied after regulation, you’ll see a short overtime period – usually three minutes with fewer players on the ice. Still tied? The shoot‑out decides the winner. Knowing these rules helps you follow the excitement and understand why teams play differently in overtime – they often pull out high‑risk moves to avoid a shoot‑out.
Other Types to Keep in Mind
There are also variations in the type of hockey you might play. Ice hockey uses a rubber puck and requires skates; field hockey uses a small hard ball and is played on grass or artificial turf. Street or roller hockey lets you use skateboards or rollerblades, and indoor hockey can be a faster version with smaller rinks.
Each version has its own equipment needs – different shoes, protective gear, and even stick curvature. Trying a few styles will show you which one feels most natural.
Bottom line: hockey isn’t just one thing. From blue pitches that improve sightlines to night games that boost excitement, the sport offers many types that suit different preferences. Pick the surface, stick, and format that match your goals, and you’ll get the most out of every session on the rink or field.
