Seated Hockey: Everyone at Floor Level

An adapted hockey game where the whole class plays sitting on the floor, moving with hands and glutes and holding a short stick at mid-shaft. It puts everyone on equal footing and opens a discussion about adapted sport.

How to play

1. Explain: in floorball, playing while sitting is illegal, but here it's the rule for everyone. Play in a gym with a clean floor, holding the stick halfway down (3 min).
2. Seated movement: forward, backward and sideways pushing with your hands, first with no ball, then dribbling (5 min).
3. Seated passing in pairs three meters apart and shots at a bench on its side (5 min).
4. 5v5 games on small courts with benches on their side as goals (9 min).
5. Discussion: what changed when playing seated? How do you adapt a sport so everyone can play? (3 min).

Rules

• Always seated: if you stand up or kneel, the ball goes to the other team.
• The stick never rises above the shoulder of whoever is sitting next to you.
• Never cross over anyone's legs: go around.
• Foam balls to avoid hits on hands and legs.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: may play in the chair if others in their area keep a set distance, or sit on the floor if they prefer and can do so safely.
• Back or wrist injury: referee or play goalie seated on a bench.
• Students with prosthetics or limited leg mobility: play on equal terms, since nobody uses their legs to move.

Learning goals

• Experience a form of adapted sport.
• Move while seated and control the ball.
• Value inclusion and rule changes that let everyone play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• floorball sticks: 30
• foam balls: 4
• gym benches: 4
• pinnies: 15
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Check that the floor is clean and splinter-free; it doesn't work outdoors. If you lack short sticks, holding a floorball stick halfway down works; trimmed brooms are another option.

More main activities for Middle School