Broomball

Ice hockey without blades

At first glance, broomball looks like ice hockey: two teams, two goals, a rink with boards. But nobody wears skates. Players run in shoes with soft rubber soles that offer some grip on the ice. They play a ball with a stick whose head resembles a small broom – hence the name.

Rules in brief

• Usually five outfield players and a goalkeeper per team.
• It is played on an ice hockey rink; rules such as offside and penalties are similar to ice hockey.
• Body checks are restricted or banned depending on the league.
• The goalkeeper also wears no skates and may catch the ball with their hands.

Because nobody can really glide, broomball is slower and very accessible for beginners – but falls are part of the game.

History and spread

Broomball comes from Canada, where it has been played on outdoor rinks since the early 20th century, at first actually with brooms. Special sticks and shoes came later. Today there are organised leagues mainly in Canada and the USA. The International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) organises world championships.

In Europe, broomball is played in Switzerland and Italy, among others. In Germany it is known mainly as a recreational and event sport: many ice rinks offer broomball for company parties, school classes or birthdays.

Equipment in detail

• Stick ("broom"): a wooden or aluminium shaft with a triangular rubberised head. In the past, the head of a real broom was wrapped in tape – hence the shape.
• Ball: about the size of a small football, usually bright orange so it is easy to see on the ice.
• Shoes: special broomball shoes with soft, treaded rubber soles. The colder and drier the ice, the better they grip.
• Protection: helmet (usually with a cage in competition), knee and elbow pads, gloves. Goalkeepers also wear pads and a larger catching glove.

Tactics without blades

Because nobody can really glide, the style of play differs markedly from ice hockey. Short passes, quick starts from standstill and good balance matter more than speed. Stopping is difficult: anyone running too fast slides past the ball. Experienced players run with short, flat steps and deeply bent knees.

That is exactly what makes broomball interesting for mixed groups: without skates, ice hockey players have no big advantage over beginners.

Getting started

You need hardly any equipment for a game of broomball: rinks often provide sticks and balls. A helmet and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended. You can find an ice rink near you in our rink directory.

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