Unicycle Hockey

General Rules

• The wheels of the unicycle can have a maximum diameter of 640 mm only. 
• The paddles of the unicycle should only be made from rubber or plastic; else the unicycles aren't allowed to use in the competition.
• The same sticks used in other hockey games such as ice hockey and floorball are allowed to reuse in the unicycle hockey matches.
• Each team consists of 5 players including the substitutes, and at one time 3, 4 or all 5 players can play the game.
• The players are allowed to touch the playing ball only once with a flat hand.
• If any player's stick got into other player's unicycle spokes and found guilty, the players are awarded a penalty by the referee.
• The players are not allowed to score any goal directly through a free shot. During any free shot, the opposing team players are required to be 2 m away from the ball. 
• The stick should be held by the players below the bottom of their hip.
• All the players are required to place their hands always on the upper end of the playing hockey stick.
• If the goals are made with hands or arms, then it is not considered as a valid score. 
• During the match, the players can't force, hit or push other players for making way. All the players are required to avoid the players who are staying in any position. Deliberate pushing, pulling, spiking of the hockey sticks are entirely prohibited.
• A face-off is only conducted if the referee or the officials demand it. It is only permitted if the game is interrupted in between without any foul attempted by neither participating teams. 
• It is completely prohibited if any player intentionally puts his/her stick in the path of another player.
• If the player has attempted any foul or violation, then the referee can award a 6.5-meter penalty to the attacking team.
• The court has a length of approximately 35 to 45 m and a width of 20 to 25 m. 
• It is completely prohibited to add any additional parts on the unicycle so that it may project on the outward's direction.
• The players are sent in the penalty box area for approximately 2 to 5 minutes if they have either intentionally delayed the game, have performed fouls, the conductance of unfairness and violence means against any players, officials and the referees. 

General History

The first record of unicycle hockey was recorded in a 1925 directed film known as the "Variety". Later, the sport started to grow during the 1950s; the unicycle hockey was included as an individual event in the Albuquerque Unicycle Club, established in 1957. By 1971, the sport has spread its wings in Japan.

The first official unicycle hockey club was founded in 1976 in California, the United States; known as the 'Wheel People' which ran successfully for 10 years. Later in Europe, the first-ever German unicycle hockey club was established by the name of LaHiMo. The first national competitions were organized in 1988. By the early 90s, the sport was much popularized in Europe, as well as in the United Kindom. Later, with the continuous formation of various clubs such as Uniwheelers in Bremen, Radlos in Frankfurt, and the German League which has become the world's largest league of the unicycle, the sport earned worldwide recognition.

In September 1993, the first-ever European Championship of unicycle hockey was organized where numerous players participated. The event was conducted in the European Juggling Convention in Leeds, United Kingdom. In 1994, unicycle hockey was included at the Unicon VII, and since then, it was included in all annual championships.