Box hockey facts for kids

Box hockey is a fun and active game played by two people. It uses special sticks, a puck, and a long box with different sections. People usually play it outdoors.

The main goal of the game is to hit a hockey puck through holes in the middle of the box and then out through a hole at one end. This end hole is called the goal. The two players stand on opposite sides of the box. Each player tries to move the puck to their left side to score. When a player gets the puck out through their goal, they score one point. The first player to reach a certain number of points wins the game!

How to Play: Modern Rules

• Starting the game: To begin, or after someone scores, the puck is placed under the center hole. Each player taps the bottom of the box with their hockey stick. Then, they tap their opponent's stick blade. They repeat this three times. After the third tap, both players can go for the puck, and the game starts!
• Playing the game: Each player hits the puck with their stick blade. They try to move the puck through the holes to their left. The goal is to get it out the hole at the end of the box.
• Blocking and stealing: Players can use their stick blade to block their opponent's shots. They can also try to steal the puck from their opponent.
• Blocking the goal: It's okay to use your stick to block the goal. You can do this from inside or outside the box.
• Scoring: When you get the puck to completely exit the box through your goal, you score one point.
• Winning: The first player to score 11 points wins the game!

How to Play: Traditional Rules

Box Hockey being played in Philadelphia in 1930.

• Player position: Each player stands on opposite sides of the box. Your goal is to your right as you face the box. Your opponent's goal is to your left.
• Starting the game: To begin, or after someone scores, the puck is placed flat on top of the middle wall. Each player taps their side of the box with their stick. Then, they tap their opponent's stick directly above the puck. They repeat this three times. After the third tap, both players try to knock the puck off the wall.
• Taking turns: Players take turns hitting the puck twice. The side of the center wall where the puck lands helps decide who goes first. The player who has the furthest distance to score goes first.
• Playing the game: Each player hits the puck with their stick. They move the puck through the holes to their left and through the goal.
• Scoring: To score, the puck must go completely through your opponent's goal.
• What's not allowed: You are not allowed to interfere with your opponent. You also cannot drag or carry the puck with your stick.
• What's allowed: Pinning the puck in the corner is allowed.
• Winning: The first player to score 3 goals wins the game.

What You Need to Play

Box hockey needs a few simple pieces of equipment.

The Box

How a modern box hockey box is built and its measurements.

• Modern Box: A modern box is usually about 8 feet (2.4 meters) long, 3.3 feet (1.0 meter) wide, and 1 foot (0.30 meters) high. It has a bottom made of plywood. There are three plywood dividers inside that create four sections. Each divider has one or more "mouse holes" that are a little wider than the puck.
• Traditional Box: A traditional box is smaller, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, 2 feet (61 cm) wide, and 4 inches (10 cm) high. It's built like a suitcase with a plywood bottom and four wooden sides. It has two small openings (1 inch tall by 2 inches wide) in the middle divider. There's also one small opening (1 inch tall by 2 inches wide) in the center of each end.

The Sticks

• Modern Sticks: Each player uses one floor hockey stick made of plastic. The stick's shaft is shortened to about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm).
• Traditional Sticks: Each player uses one wooden stick. These sticks are about 3/4 inch (19 mm) thick, 1 inch (25 mm) wide, and 24 inches (610 mm) long.

The Puck

This diagram shows how players stand and how the puck moves in box hockey.

• Modern Puck: A plastic, hollow floor hockey puck works best for modern box hockey.
• Traditional Puck: A traditional puck is made of wood. It's about 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) in diameter and 3/4 inch (19 mm) thick.

Images for kids

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  Four-player box hockey being played in Miami, 1935