| Americans love their street hockey-almost as much | | | | rules concerning the players' clothing or safety gear. |
| as Canadians. The appeal? The sport can be played | | | | Boots or skates are generally worn accordingly. |
| on any open street, field or even an alleyway with old | | | | Players wear jerseys with shorts or loose pants and |
| equipment and custom-made rules. | | | | socks. Elbow pads, kneepads and shin guards are |
| The gear is similar to equipment used in regulation | | | | worn for protection. Mouth guards, jock straps gloves |
| hockey and is played according to weather conditions. | | | | and wrist pads are recommended for safety. The |
| On an icy surface, a puck, which is made of hard, | | | | goalie requires the most protection. A helmet fitted with |
| vulcanized rubber is used. On pavement, a ball made | | | | a mask cage, along with a chest protector with |
| of molded plastic is substituted. Either can be bought | | | | attached shoulder guards. Elbow and wrist guards and |
| cheaply at local sporting goods stores. The hockey | | | | back guards, leg pads equipped with shin and calf |
| stick, available for about $30, is made of wood, | | | | guards and even ankle and heel protectors complete |
| covered with fiberglass and has a flat base to | | | | the uniform. Of course, street players may not use all |
| maneuver the puck or the ball. Goal-nets used in street | | | | of the recommended safety equipment-but then |
| hockey are made of steel frames and nylon nets and | | | | they're playing according to their own rules, which are |
| are priced at around $300 and up. Since street hockey | | | | probably a lot more flexible in the neighborhood. |
| is a neighborhood game, there are no hard and fast | | | | |