Scooter Hockey: The Idea Behind Para Ice Hockey

Hockey games seated on gym scooter boards, pushing with one hand and handling a short stick with the other, inspired by para ice hockey, a Winter Paralympic sport played on a sled. It develops coordination and decision-making with everyone in the same conditions.

How to play

1. Explain: in para ice hockey players sit on a sled with two short sticks used for both shooting and pushing; it has been Paralympic since Lillehammer 1994 (3 min).
2. Move seated on the scooter wearing gloves: forward, turns, and braking with hands (5 min).
3. Stick-handling the ball and passing in pairs on the move (6 min).
4. 3v3 games on two courts, swapping in waiting teams every 3 minutes (13 min).
5. Debrief: what was hardest to coordinate? (3 min).

Rules

• Always sit on the scooter, fingers away from the wheels.
• The stick never goes above the knee.
• No ramming other scooters on purpose.
• Waiting players stay off the court behind a line.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students who use wheelchairs: play from their chair on a wider court, with a long stick and a speed limit for everyone.
• Students with less arm strength: a teammate pulls them with a rope tied to the scooter while moving.
• Low vision: brighter, bigger ball.

Learning goals

• Coordinate movement and striking with an implement.
• Make passing and shooting decisions in tight spaces.
• Learn about a Winter Paralympic sport.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym scooter boards: 12
• short hockey sticks: 12
• foam balls: 2
• small goals: 4
• pinnies: 12
• gardening gloves: 12

Teacher tip

If you're short on scooters, play in two waves and have the rest play kneeling goalie. Check the wheels first: sticky wheels cause falls.

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