What is the Trapezoid in Hockey? (with pictures)

If you are new to hockey, you may wonder while attending a hockey game why are there so many partitions in the ground by drawing lines! And why are they used to separate the players from one another? This phenomenon is known as “Trapezoid Hockey”. If you have never heard of Trapezoid hockey, then you are in for a treat. It is a fast-paced hockey game that is easy to learn, but hard to master. 

So, what is Trapezoid hockey? Trapezoid hockey is played on a rectangular field behind the goal line. It is similar to traditional hockey, but it uses a trapezoid instead of a net. The trapezoid is a triangular-shaped area in front of each goal. Players cannot enter this area unless they have the puck or are taking a shot on goal. If they do, they must leave immediately. 

In this article we will be digging into all the details relevant to Trapezoid Hockey, for instance:

What is Trapezoid Hockey? 

Trapezoid hockey is a game that is played with six players per team and three periods of 20 minutes each. The goalkeepers must stand at the back of their respective ends of the field, behind either of the two posts (there are no other players allowed here).

Here are stated some of the common informative points about the game:

  • It has 3 periods of 15 minutes each. The player needs to shoot the ball aiming for the goal through a stick.
  • There are no offsides, and the players may not hit each other with their sticks.
  • The goalies can only use one hand to catch the ball and must not touch any part of their body with their free hand while holding it.
Trapezoid-Hockey

Furthermore, this game requires players to be able to make quick decisions. If they fail to make those decisions in time, they will likely lose possession of the ball and give it up to their opponent. 

Players can also run into trouble if they fail to follow the rules while playing Trapezoid Hockey, which can result in penalties or ejections from the game.

  • Trapezoid hockey is safer than field hockey because there are no sticks or pucks to get hurt by.
  • There are no penalties for tripping or hooking in trapezoid hockey; it is considered part of the game!

Related Post: What are the Basic Rules of Hockey?

Why did the trapezoid come into existence?

It would not be wrong to say that Trapezoid hockey came into existence because the trapezoid shape of the rink is more efficient than the traditional rectangle shape. The corners of a rectangle are wasted space, and there is no wasted space with the trapezoid shape. It means that with a trapezoid rink, it is possible to fit more seats into the same amount of space as a regular-shaped rink. It is important because people who want to watch a hockey game want to be close enough to see what’s going on.

Trapezoid

Trapezoid hockey came into existence in the 1800s when the game’s rules were still being developed. In those early days of hockey, the goaltender had to be able to stop any puck that came at him, regardless of where it was shot from. It meant that if a player shot from too far away, their shot would sail past all defenders and goalies alike.

  • In addition, the trapezoid shape allows players on defense to cover more of the ice surface than they would otherwise be able to do in a rectangular rink.
  • They have more room to move around in, they can get into a better position to defend against opposing players who are trying to score goals by shooting pucks into the net.

How does the trapezoid increase offense?

The trapezoid is a special zone in front of the net that prevents goalies from playing the puck behind the goal line. The trapezoid increases offense because it makes it quite easier for the opponents to get the puck out of their zone, and into the other team’s offensive zone to score. 

Trapezoid-Hockey-Offence

The trapezoid eliminates all of the high-risk plays that can result in turnovers because players are not allowed to shoot the puck around the boards or pass it back behind them. It allows the goalie to make quick passes with their defencemen, increasing scoring opportunities and offensive chances.

The Martin Brodeur Rule

The Martin Brodeur Rule, or MBR, is a rule that was introduced in the NHL in the early 2000s. The MBR was created to help protect goalies from being hit by pucks. The rule allows goalies to have a certain amount of padding on their bodies when they play hockey. 

Martin-Brodeur-Rule

Although this rule may seem like it has been around for a long time, it was not until January 2012 that NHL officials began enforcing this rule more stringently. It came about because Martin Brodeur tended to skate out of his crease to play the puck or control rebounds. Before this time, only players were penalized for playing outside of their creases when they were not attempting to shoot on goal.

The Marin Brodeur Rule states that:

  • A player must be on the ice for a goal to count.
  • A player can be off the ice, but on the bench, and still not be credited with a goal.
  • If the other team’s player dodges the goaltender’s ability to make a save, it is NOT a goal. The linesman will signal “no goal” if this happens.

Has the trapezoid helped to increase scoring?

The trapezoid was implemented in the NHL to reduce the size of the goalies’ “sweeping” area, or the area they could reach with their stick and legally touch the puck. The theory is that this would increase scoring because it would make it harder for goalies to keep pucks out of the net.

Initially, the Trapezoid was created to increase scoring by limiting the amount of space between the goal line and the end boards. In hockey, this is a place where players tend to gather and focus on shooting, so it makes sense that they would want to remove these areas from play.

However, hockey has been plagued by low-scoring games in recent years, so while this rule change may have helped increase scoring in some instances, it’s not clear whether or not it was effective at doing so overall.

Are there any arguments against the Trapezoid?

  • One of the biggest arguments is that it’s an outdated method of teaching. Over time, we have developed more effective ways to teach students, and in some cases, those new methods have proven to be more effective than the trapezoid.
  • Another argument is that the trapezoid is not compatible with modern technology. In many schools, teachers use technology as part of their lesson plans. The trapezoid does not allow for this kind of integration.
  • Finally, there are some concerns about whether or not the trapezoid can be implemented in the classroom. Many teachers are unable to implement it effectively because they lack the necessary skills or experience required by this method of teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play Trapezoid Hockey?

A player starts by serving the ball, then plays it back and forth with their opponent until one player fails to return the ball or misses it entirely. If a player fails to return the ball, they are out and must sit out for two games before returning. If an opponent misses the ball entirely, their turn is over, but they may still be challenged by another player later in the game if they are not already out.

What is the actual distinction between a Hockey puck and a Trapezoid?

A hockey puck and a trapezoid are both used in the sport of hockey, but they serve very different purposes. The trapezoid is used as part of the official rules of the game and is defined as “a solid body having four sides, each side not less than 60 degrees nor more than 90 degrees.”

In the Trapezoid, Can you Score?

One of the rules of ice hockey prohibits a player from striking the goalie. Goalies are not allowed to be checked like regular skaters even while they’re outside of the crease area, even when they’re handling the puck.

Conclusion: What is the Trapezoid in Hockey?

Trapezoid hockey is an exciting sport that has gathered great popularity over the last several years. It combines elements of field hockey and ice hockey, as well as traditional trapezoid-shaped boards. More goals can be scored in trapezoid hockey than in any other type of hockey game. The trapezoid is designed to prevent players from getting offside by giving them less time and space to skate. The result of this change is that there are fewer offsides called, which makes the game more exciting and more skillful. 

Trapezoid Hockey is fun because it is a fast-paced, high-scoring game that requires the player to think and move quickly. The game is played on a trapezoid court, which means that players have to use their imagination when they are playing. I hope this article about Trapezoid hockey would be of great help to you.

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