Poly hockey is adapted from the game of ice hockey. Unlike alpine or cross country skiing, Special Olympics floor hockey gives athletes who live in warm climates the opportunity to compete in Special Olympics winter sports. 

Poly hockey once was, but is no longer, a recognized Special Olympics Incorporated sport as is floor hockey, which is played with wooden sticks (without blades) and pucks that are large felt discs with an open center.

Special Olympics Minnesota, along with a few other Special Olympics programs such as Special Olympics Michigan, has chosen to offer poly hockey instead of floor hockey. One reason for this decision is that ice hockey is a tremendously popular sport in Minnesota and poly hockey more accurately reflects the game of ice hockey.

Special Olympics poly hockey also offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic poly hockey skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team play. Individual skills includes shooting, passing and stick handling. A player's final score is determined by adding the scores together achieved in each of the events.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level and age (poly hockey is not divisioned by gender as there are typically not any teams comprised strictly of male or female athletes). 

Special Olympics Minnesota Poly Hockey Facts

• Participation in poly hockey at the state level has grown from 80 athletes in 1995 to 253 athletes in 2006. The 2006 poly hockey tournament featured 24 teams from 10 delegations. For more information on poly hockey or Winter Games, contact Pam Bergerson.
• Ten delegations currently offer their athletes the opportunity to train and compete in poly hockey. For a list of delegations competing in poly hockey, click here.
• In addition to competing in poly hockey at Winter Games, athletes can compete in area competitions in Area 3 and Area 11.
• The Minnesota State High School League recently issued a ruling stating that individuals will no longer be allowed to simultaneously participate on both a Special Olympics Minnesota poly hockey team and a Minnesota High School Adapted Floor Hockey team. To learn more about this ruling, click here.

Special Olympics Minnesota Poly Hockey Events  

   Team Competition

The following provides meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:

   Individual Skills competition  

• Shoot Around the Goal
• Pass
• Stickhandling 
• Shoot for Accuracy 
• Defense

Sports Rules

Special Olympics Minnesota: Poly Hockey Rules (please note these rules have been updated as of 12/1/2008)

Other Resources

Poly Hockey Participation by Delegation, Area and Level – Use this link to find a poly hockey team in your area.

Poly Hockey Coach Training School

Poly Hockey Recertification Test