Powerchair hockey

Type of sport

Powerchair Hockey is a team sport for people with a physical disability. The aim of the game? To score more goals than the opposing team!

Two teams of five players battle against each other and use their own strategies to win. There are two kinds of players. Players who have enough strength to hold a stick in their hand, play with a floorball stick. Others play with a stick that is attached to the wheelchair, a T-stick. The ball is a synthetic, hollow, round, air-filled ball with holes. It’s easier to handle because it’s so light. This is the same ball that is used in floorball.

Each team needs to have at least two T-stick players: one goaltender in front of the goal and one player on the field. Not every handstick player has the same strength. That’s what makes this sport so strategic. Every team develops the best way to get the most out of every player’s physical and strategical strength. By combining all this together, they create the perfect team strategy.

Swiss national power chair hockey team player
swiss national powerchair hockey team players and coaches

Players drive with a maximum speed of 15km/h on an indoor playing field of 26m long and 16m wide, that is enclosed by plastic boundaries with a height of 20cm. The shape of the playing field resembles an ice hockey field. The corners are rounded and the goal is in the field, so you can also play around it. The goal is 2,5m wide, 20cm high and 40cm deep. The goaltender protects his goal with his chair and T-stick. In front of the goal, there is a goal area. Only the goaltender of that specific goal may enter this area. Not even his teammates can enter it. he goaltender is allowed to drive around the field, but choses to stay in the goal area to protect the goal.

Swiss Powerchair Hockey is the Swiss association and responsible for national league operations.

 

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