How Long Are Hockey Games?

People frequently ask the question, how long are hockey games? You can attend the game or watch it on TV, but various factors can affect the length of a hockey game. Understanding the actual game length, you can make your program accordingly. Stay with me for a few minutes to enhance your knowledge.

Most people believe that one of the exciting and fast-paced sports to watch is hockey. This game is played by both men and women and is popular in a lot of parts of the world. The time to complete the game depends on the actual game period, intermission, commercial breaks, penalties, and more.

11 players try to score goals from each team by using long curve sticks. The stick hits a small hard ball ( around 73 mm or 2.9 inches in dia.) that dances in an outdoor playground. Out of 11 players, there is one goalkeeper and 10 outfield players including defender, midfielder, and attackmen. 

Let’s go through an exciting game journey to delve into the deep discussion for actual time to hear the last whistle from the referee for the most interesting hockey game.

Rules & Regulations:

Some unavoidable principles have to be followed strictly for playing hockey. These are formulated by the custodians of the game.

• The flat side stick of not more than 737 gm weight and a hard ball of 73 mm diameter are to be used.
• Mouth guard and shin protection are needed and no jewellery is allowed.
• Ten field players and one goalkeeper for each team will be on the pitch at a time.
• Five substitutes are available on the bench. A player can be allowed to be substituted limitlessly.
• The game period is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each with two two-minute breaks after the first and third quarters and a 15-minute interval for halftime.
• In case of substitution, the field player must leave the field at the 50-yard line after entering the new player.
• Flying the ball is not allowed, particularly on free hits.
• The penalty corner happens when the ball touches a player’s feet in the circle.
• Positioning the ball on the back line, 10 meters away from the goal post. The player pushes the ball along the carpet towards the top of the striking circle.
• No attacking player will be allowed inside the Dee during the penalty corner.
• It may be the free hit or long hit, but before hitting the ball into the circle, it is to be carried for 15 feet.
• The corner hit will be called whenever a foul happens.
• It is not permissible to raise a stick above the waist.
• Third-party involvement will not be allowed.

Types of Hockey Game:

Different types of hockey games are popular around the world. We can get the answer to “How long are hockey games” after clearing the concept of each type of game in detail. Some types of hockey games include:

1. Bandy:
2. Field Hockey
3. Ice Hockey
4. Roller Hockey
5. Sledge Hockey
6. Floorball Hockey
7. Underwater Hockey
8. Beach Hockey
9. Ball Hockey
10. Broomball
11. Mini Hockey
12. Skater Hockey

Factors Affecting The Hockey Game Period:

The different factors affecting hearing the last whistle from the referee include:

• The actual game period.
• Intermission.
• Commercial breaks.
• Penalties.
• Category of Hockey game.
• Over time.

How Long Are Hockey Games? The Answer 

So many factors define the actual game period for a particular type of Hockey game. Here some break ups may define the same.

• As per the International Hockey Federation Rule, the actual game period of a regular hockey game is 60 minutes. It consists of three 20-minute periods.
• There is an intermission period of 15 minutes after the first and second periods.
• The actual game period also depends on various categories of hockey games.
• The time will be counted due to stoppages like injuries, lost balls, or anything that is not in the flow of a hockey game.
• Moreover, the addition of more time with the actual game period depends on commercial breaks, penalties, and overtime too.

Hence, if you want to enjoy a hockey game on TV or on the hockey game field, you have to make a program for 2.5 hours to 3 hours.

How to Play the Hockey Game?

There are 11 players in each team – one goaltender and 10 field players. Another 5 players will be on the bench for substitutions. All players are allowed to use a wood or fibrous hockey stick that has a long handle with a curved head and a small hard ball. The head of the stick is flat on one side which is allowed to touch the ball.

The field players are categorized as defenders, midfielders, and strikers. The defensive unit of a team consists of fullbacks, centrebacks, wingbacks, and sweepers. They are responsible to stop the rival team from scoring a goal. Between defenders and forwards, midfielders serve as a bridge. The primary responsibility of the striker is to score goals.

Failure to touch the ball by the flat side of the stick leads to a foul or backstick. In that case, the ball is given to the opposition. Each player needs to pass the ball with their stick only. Otherwise, they can move with the ball toward the opposite goal. A shot can be taken from inside the striking circle to score a goal.

The goal can be scored from inside the striking circle only. It is not counted as a goal when the ball goes from outside the circle. It comes into play during penalty corners and strokes. The penalty is awarded when the opposition commits a foul in the striking circle.

The Hockey Playground: Details

The Hockey playground is rectangular. Its length is 91.4m and its width is 55m. The modern pitches are made from synthetic materials. The hockey playground is divided into two halves by a center line. Each half of the ground is further divided by a 23m line. It includes a Dee or the striking circle. The goalpost lies within the Dee and the diameter of the semi-circle is within 14.63m.

The final Thought:

It may be a common question among game enthusiasts how long are hockey games? As discussed throughout the article, many factors are to be considered to know the actual game period. So, you can make your plan accordingly to enjoy the game show.