Broomball is a thrilling sport that combines elements of hockey and soccer, played on ice in shoes instead of skates. The game involves two teams trying to score goals by hitting a ball into the net using a broom. Here's a detailed look at the equipment you'll need to play broomball.
What is Broomball?
Broomball is similar to ice hockey, but with a few key differences. Players use special broomball equipment such as tennis shoes or specially-made broomball shoes instead of skates. The sport uses a small ball instead of a puck, and players use broomball sticks instead of hockey sticks.
Broomball can be played for fun recreationally, or as part of organized, high-level leagues. The sport is big at universities.
While some broomball games are played on regulation ice hockey rinks, often broomball leagues will use half-rinks or mini-sized rinks. Though hockey is known for its hitting and body checking, these activities are banned in many beginner broomball leagues. Some leagues may call infractions like icing and offsides that are common in hockey. Broomball leagues do call penalties for things like roughing, tripping, and high sticking.
The level of competition varies across North America. Games played by beginners obviously feature a lot more players tumbling and slipping and sliding on the ice.
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Curious about joining a broomball league? Broomball leagues can be found all over the country, with the majority in cold-weather cities where ice hockey is popular. Minnesota has the most broomball leagues, including Cities Sports Connection, which runs from December to February in Minneapolis, and St. Ohio, Wisconsin, California, New York, and many other states also have a substantial number of broomball organizations.
There are no requirements for joining a broomball team. Just make sure the league you’re signing up for isn’t an advanced league. The majority of broomball leagues are recreational/beginner leagues.
There are men-only and women-only leagues out there, but many recreational broomball leagues are co-ed. Some, in fact, have gender requirements.
It’s not a big deal and it’s part of the fun. Over time, you learn how fast you can run on the ice without losing your balance. But yes, you will fall. Accept it and embrace it!
Most leagues do not allow checking or hitting. That said, there is some risk from falling on the ice. The most common occurrence will be bumps and bruises. There are accidental collisions at times. Shin bruises are common, because broomball features a lot of whacking. Players are always chopping at the ball to try to move it forward. Sometimes they miss and accidentally whack your shins.
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Essential Broomball Equipment
Here's a breakdown of the essential equipment for playing broomball:
1. Broomball Shoes
Most people who have never played broomball do not realize that it is played in special shoes that help give you additional traction on the ice. “Broomball shoes” have a tough exterior with rubbery soles that grip the ice rather than sliding. They are essential for being able to play effectively, while minimizing chances for injury, and are required in most serious leagues.
Shoes range in price, but generally start at around $50 on sale, with an average retail price around $90. The popular Acacia shoes can be spotted from a mile away thanks to their recognizable orange color. The Gripinator is designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
2. Broomball Sticks (Brooms)
Broomball sticks (which can be referred to simply as “brooms”) feature a broom-like knob on the end rather than a blade. Sticks can be made of wood or aluminum. Advanced players often purchase their own sticks.
Aluminum sticks are typically higher quality than wooden ones. Most players you see bringing their own brooms to games have aluminum models. The G-Force stick is four feet long and has a nifty curved broom on the end.
Standard stick length is 46 inches, although most higher-end sticks can be purchased in a “long” version, which is 52 inches. Long sticks are best suited to players 6 feet tall or taller. Sticks may also be cut down for shorter players.
Once again, Acacia and D-Gel are the two primary brands for this product.
3. Broomball Ball
Official broomballs are rubber balls that are 6 inches in diameter. There are different balls for indoor (warmer) versus outdoor (colder) leagues.
Two main types of broomballs are commonly used today. One type looks like a miniature soccer ball. It has little hexagonal panels melded together and is fairly soft and squeezy to the touch. This Acacia ball is an example of the other type of broomball. It’s harder and more firm. It comes in orange and blue, which for some reason have become the two common colors of all brands of broomball.
4. Helmet
A helmet is required at all times when on the ice playing broomball. Many broomball leagues offer helmets for their players. For those who want to purchase their own helmets, many players just go with a standard hockey helmet.
A hockey helmet is highly recommended, although some leagues may allow bicycle or skiing helmets or similar, especially for beginner players. That said, the Bauer helmet is a pretty safe bet. Facemasks are generally optional, except for goalies.
5. Gloves
Not everybody wears all of this gear. Some players in recreational leagues choose to wear heavy-duty gloves to protect against injury. Others just want to keep their hands warm, so they wear thick winter gloves that you’d wear outside on a snowy day.
For the top of the line in terms of protection, take a look at the Acacia Titan gloves.
6. Other Protective Gear
- Shirt or Jersey: Ideally you want something long sleeve, relatively lightweight, and that can cover elbow pads. In terms of a shirt or jersey, some teams purchase hockey practice or game jerseys.
- Goalie Gear: Goalies generally wear ice hockey leg pads. Goalies may optionally wear a hockey goalie chest protector, hockey shoulder pads, or equivalent. Most goalies play with a standard broomball glove, utility glove, hockey glove, or similar.
How to Play Broomball | BLBC
Broomball Rules and Gameplay
As noted, broomball is similar to ice hockey, so if you understand the rules of hockey, you’ve got the basic idea.
Here are some basic rules:
- Keep broom head below waist at all times
- No intentional sliding on shin guards
- Stay out of the goalie’s crease area
- Keep brooms out of crease area - the area in front of the goal
- No checking ( blocking or impeding an opponent either with one's body or one's stick)
- When running, take short, choppy steps for better control
- It is not necessary to take a giant golf swing to hit the ball hard.
Tips for Playing Broomball
Here are a few tips to enhance your broomball experience:
- If you have time before the game, practice shooting so you can get used to using the broom.
- Use the boards to your advantage, especially when you’re playing defense.
- If you have more than six players on your team, you’ll be rotating players in and out. Keep your shifts short!
- Want some other suggestions? Other than that, just have fun!
It varies from league to league, so you may want to ask other players or your league commissioner for tips. It really depends. Some beginners in casual leagues will often just wear tennis shoes.
Additional Information
Broomball is scheduled when there is available ice. Call (916) 783-8550 ext. Absolutely. The deposit to reserve the ice is payment in full for up to 30 players. $550 per hour for up to 30 players.
Whenever I tell people that I play in a couple of broomball leagues, the reaction is typically one of two responses. Yes, the “what is broomball?” question still comes up even as the sport has grown in popularity in recent decades.
Both. I played in a Pittsburgh broomball league where our games were held in an indoor ice rink. Obviously, playing indoors was preferable, because it can get very, very cold outside in the winter. And we played at night! I remember one night the temperature was below zero, but we still had to play outside.
This can vary a lot by league. The leagues I played in had three periods of 12 minutes each. Another league has three 8-minute periods. Another has two 20-minute halves. They’re really all different.
If you’re curious about playing broomball, just give it a shot! It’s a great workout, and the people who play it are generally fun and friendly.
| Equipment | Description | Average Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Broomball Shoes | Special shoes for traction on ice | $50 - $100+ |
| Broomball Stick | Stick with a broom-like knob | $30 - $100+ |
| Broomball Ball | Rubber ball, 6 inches in diameter | $10 - $30 |
| Helmet | Required for safety | $30 - $150+ |
| Gloves | For hand protection and warmth | $20 - $80+ |
Nobody knows for sure! The general consensus is that it started in Canada in the early 1900s. Games were reportedly being played there in the ’30s, with leagues emerging in the ’60s. Initially, teams had 10 players per side, making it more like soccer than hockey.
There are some reports that Scandinavians used to play a game similar to broomball back in the 10th century.