Unicycle hockey is a variant of the regular hockey game but while riding a unicycle. The sport is much similar to roller hockey, inline hockey as well as rink hockey. It is a team sport, where players try their best to make a goal and earn scores. Each team has five players along with substitutes. There is no separate goalkeeper designated among the playing members.
However, any player can set back and guard the goal area. The International Unicycling Federation is the highest governing body of the sport. The certified unicycle leagues are widely organized in various countries, primarily in the United Kingdom, Germany as well as in Switzerland.
Objective
The aim is to strike the ball with a hockey stick inside the goal of the opposing team. The players have to ride a unicycle and maintain their balance while playing. The substitutes can play any time during the match and are not limited to indicate their entry by the referees.
It's a non-contact sport; therefore, the players are required to control their aggression and play the game smoothly. To win, both the team aims in scoring the least amount of penalty points and any fouls are highly discouraged from attempting the winning title.
History of Unicycle Hockey
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.
