Box Hockey Game: How to Play, Rules, Rink Plans, and More
The modern times brought us video games. And somehow, they’ve pushed away the good old real-life games that we could play with our friends, laugh, and have a good time without staring at the screen the whole time. So if you, for example, wanted to drive your kids away from the computer but you don’t own a foosball table, you should definitely check out the Box Hockey game.
If you haven’t heard of it before, box hockey is a really fun and active game. You’ll need good reflexes and some logic.
Though the game is of unknown origin, it is mentioned a lot in the 19th century, so it’s believed that it’s been around for much longer. It’s quite impressive for a game to be present here for so long. It actually has more history than some popular sports. Though its popularity may have diminished in the last decades, there’s no reason not to try it out. It can be a lot of fun.
Among the following lines, we’ll discuss in detail how it looks like, how it’s played, and the rules. You will also be able to find out how to make one by yourself, or if you are too lazy for that, where to buy one. Yes, you can actually buy it, and it is pretty affordable. So stick around and learn everything that you need to know if you’re planning to have fun and play it with some friends or family during the weekend.
Box Hockey 101
How to Play Box Hockey Game
While box hockey is usually played outdoors, backyard box hockey isn’t the only box hockey there is, as we shall see later. So if you’re worried about the weather, don’t be. There’s a solution for that.
Box Hockey Dimensions
There are two sets of dimensions for the so-called rink. One is traditional, and it is used for the traditional rules, while the other is modern and is used for a more recent set of rules.
The traditional one is 5ft long and 2ft wide, and it goes up to 4ft in height. In centimeters that would be 150cm long, 61cm wide, and 10cm high. It is shaped like a case and is divided into 4 fields by dividers. The bottom is usually made out of plywood while the sides are made out of wood. The holes in the dividers are 1 inch tall and 2 inches wide, or 2.5cm tall and 5.1cm wide. On the middle divider, there are two holes, while on the other two dividers, there is one centered hole in each. The holes are of the same dimensions as the ones on the middle divider.
The modern one is 8ft long and 3.3ft wide and goes up to 1ft in height. In the metric system that would be 240cm long, 100cm wide, and 30cm high. The rink is usually constructed from plywood, including the dividers. The box has exit holes on each side, two holes in the dividers near the exits, and one hole in the middle divider.
Box Hockey Rules
We can classify box hockey as a hand game. It is very active and requires good reflexes, so be ready to get sweaty after a couple of rounds. It is played between two players with sticks and a hockey puck. As the name says, there is also a box involved. That would be your playing field or a rink. The box is divided with dividers so that it creates four fields inside of it. Each divider has a hole in it, slightly larger than a puck so that it can come through when hit. The sticks are usually shortened hockey sticks, as they are the best instruments to manipulate a puck.
The traditional rules are somewhat more complicated and thorough, while the modern ones are more concise. We will leave you with both sets of rules, and it’s up to you to decide which ones you will apply. So let us get on with it and see what the traditional rules are.
Traditional Box Hockey Rules
The traditional box hockey is played with two players that stand on the longer opposite sides of the box. Your goal would be the one to the right, and your opponent’s the one to the left.
At the start of the game, you should place the puck on the center wall/divider. You and your opponent will have to fight for it. Basically, you and your opponent will have to stand near the puck and tap your side of the box three times with your hockey sticks. After that, you should place your hockey sticks right above the puck and then tap each other’s stick three times. You should do this in rhythm so that neither of you starts after or before the other one. Seconds and even milliseconds matter at this part of the game.
After the third tap, you start to try to knock off the puck from the wall. This is very important as the first one who does it has a good chance to score a point. Each player has two hits. The player who scores the furthest distance plays first.
Playing the game is rather simple. Your objective is to hit the puck with a hockey stick. You should navigate it through the mouse holes to your left and to your opponent’s goal. It is important to note that, in order for your point to be legit, you have to move the puck all the way through the goal. You must not drag the puck along the field or navigate it in any other way aside from hitting it. Though you can pin it in the corner.
One of the most prohibited things to do is to interfere in any way with your opponent. So no trying to cut him off or to, in any way, jeopardize his shot. It may slow down the tempo of the game itself, but if you are just starting out, that may be a good thing.
Traditional Box Hockey Score
As we’ve mentioned before, you’ll get a point by leading the puck into your opponent’s goal which is always to your right. So who wins the game in the end? Well, the first one who scores three goals is the winner. If you think that’s not a lot, think again. It really isn’t that easy. The holes are not very large and it requires some practice to actually be able to navigate a puck through them.
Traditional Rules Summary
Let’s summarize the traditional rules of box hockey so that you can have a clear look at them:
- The game is played with hockey sticks, a puck, and a rink (box-like playing field)
- Traditional box hockey is played between two players that stand at the opposite sides of each other.
- At the beginning and after every goal, a puck should be placed on the middle divider.
- The game starts with both players tapping their sides of the box with their sticks 3 times. After the third time, they tap each other’s sticks 3 times.
- Players then hit the puck. Each of them has 2 hits per turn. Whoever hits it farther away plays first.
- You must not interfere with other players hits.
- You must not drag the puck around.
- But you can pin the puck in the corner for a short time.
- The winner is the first player who scores 3 goals by completely inserting the puck in the goal field of the opponent.
Modern Box Hockey Rules
As with the traditional box hockey, you will also play the modern one in pairs. Both of you should stand on opposite sides of the rink. This version of the game is also played with shortened hockey sticks.
Now, here’s the first difference. At the start of the game, the players place the puck under the middle mouse hole. Players tap the bottom of the rink and then each other’s sticks. You should repeat this three times. Immediately after the third tap, the game begins.
Both players then start to hit the puck. In the modern version of the game, your objective is to lead the puck into your own goal which is to your left. What comes as a big difference is that the opposite player must stop you from getting to the goal. You can cut your opponent’s shots, steal away the puck, and even block the goal with your stick. You can block it either on the outside or on the inside.
Modern Box Hockey Score
The player who gets the puck through their own goal, which is located to the player’s left, will get one point. The winner is the first one who manages to accumulate 11 points during the game.
Modern Rules Summary
So basically, modern rules are pretty different from traditional ones. They are almost two different games, and they require different strategies and different play styles. You can try them both and see which one you like the most. Now let’s go through the rules once more:
- Players stand on opposite sides of the rink and place a puck under the middle mouse hole.
- Players then tap the bottom of the box and then each other’s sticks three times.
- After the aforementioned, the game begins. Players hit the puck towards their own goals to the left of them.
- You can stop each other’s shots and block the goal with your sticks either on the inside or on the outside.
- The player who gets the puck through the goal gets one point.
- The winner is the player who first manages to get 11 points.
How to Make a Box Hockey Game
Did you ever think about building a box hockey set? You should know that it is both easy and cheap. It will only take you a few hours to finish it, and as a plus, we’ve provided you with box hockey building instructions.
You’ll need plywood or wood for the frame and the bottom. The pieces should be at least 8ft long, or 240cm. As for the tools, you will need a circular saw or a jigsaw and a drill.
The frame should be rectangular. It should be 8ft long and 3.3ft wide, and it should go up to 1ft in height. In the metric system that would be 240cm long, 100cm wide, and 30cm high. Just cut out the sides and put them together with a drill. At this point, it’s also good to cut out the exit holes at each width of the frame. The holes should be 1 inch tall and 2 inches wide, or 2.5cm tall and 5.1cm wide, or just take a puck and measure the holes to be slightly larger than it.
Next, cut out the dividers. Those pieces should be 3.3ft long and 1ft wide, or 100cm long and 30cm wide. You will need 3 dividers in total. Cut out the holes for the puck. On two dividers you will cut out two equally distanced holes on each. On the third divider, that will be your center divider, you will cut out one hole in the middle. The dimensions for the holes should be the same as the ones for the sides of the frame. 1 inch tall and 2 inches wide, or 2.5cm tall and 5.1cm wide. Mark the long sides of the frame and divide it into 4 equal fields. Each marked line represents where the dividers go. Put the dividers, and make sure to put the divider that has one mouse hole in the center. Screw them with your drill.
Now, from another piece of plywood cut out the bottom that should be the same dimensions as the frame. Fasten the frame to it, and voila! You’ve just made your first box hockey rink.
Wooden Box Hockey Plans
We’ve also provided some box hockey game plans for you to see. That way, it will be much easier to follow the box hockey blueprint.
How to Make Box Hockey Sticks
To make box hockey sticks you’ll have to find some old floor hockey sticks and shorten them. You can shorten them with a jigsaw or anything else that you may find to be convenient, just make sure to work around the edges afterward, as they can be sharp and they may injure you or someone else easily. You will need to shorten the shaft of each hockey stick from 12 to 18 inches or 30cm to 46cm.
Where to Buy Box Hockey
If making a box hockey rink is too much of a hassle for you or you simply lack the tools or time, you can always buy one. We definitely recommend buying it on Amazon, since you’ll be able to get a much better deal for better quality products. We’ll show you two of the products that we consider to be the best when it comes to the quality, materials, durability, and the price.
Box Hockey Game for Sale
Box hockey from the Box Hockey Intl. Inc is virtually indestructible. You will absolutely love its overall design and characteristics. It is also lightweight, portable, and will last you forever.
Now, this box hockey game set looks really sleek. With the H-Box, Pro box model, you also get a real puck and fiberglass sticks with it! How awesome is that? Visit boxhockey.co to buy your or learn more. The phone number is (805) 501-6478.
Table Top Box Hockey Game
And what if you don’t have enough space and live in a small apartment? The fun shouldn’t end because of that. You can always go with the tabletop option.
How to Make a Small Box Hockey Game?
You can make a small box hockey game by diminishing the original dimensions to your convenience. You can also make changes in materials and choose hard cardboard instead. Also, it is good to consider making only one divider with one mouse hole in it, since it would be unplayable to drive a puck through 3 dividers with such small dimensions.
So the basic idea stays the same. You take a piece of cardboard and mark the sides. You cut it out, flip the sides up, and glue them together. Make sure to leave little pieces on each side sticking out so that you’ll have a portion left to glue the conjoining side on. Cut out the divider and cut a hole in the center of it. Finally, put the divider in the middle of the rink.
Now, there are two options as to how you may play tabletop box hockey. But before you learn about them, it’s good to mention that various types of bottle caps can serve as a tabletop puck. Plastic chips will be ideal. If you have a Poker set, you’re ready to go. Just make sure that the hole in the divider is the right size.
To play the first version of tabletop box hockey you will need to glue two rubber bands on each goal from side to side so that it is tight. You’ll need multiple pucks for this one. Each player uses the rubber band as a slingshot to send a puck through the mouse hole in the divider. The winner is the first player that transfers all of their pucks to the other player’s field.
The second version goes the same as the real box hockey game. Only with one divider. And that brings us to the last subject. For that version, you’ll need small sticks to play with.
Box Hockey Popsicle Sticks
Exactly. Jumbo popsicle sticks will work perfectly for the tabletop version without any additions. Though you can always be more creative and create something that looks more like a hockey stick from plastic straws and some cardboard. Or maybe you can use regular popsicle sticks and cut out a square piece and glue it at the one end so that it looks like a real mini hockey stick. The possibilities are endless here, and if you have a limited imagination, just go ask some kids. They’ll know what to do about it.
