Hockey

Hockey is a sport in which two teams of six players, using sticks to hit a hard rubber hockey puck into the opposing team’s goal. It is commonly played on ice surfaces, although there are variations for those without access to such facilities. The game developed in Canada and spread throughout Europe and North America beginning in the 19th century, becoming one of the most popular sports worldwide.

The rules vary depending on region, but generally involve two teams playing against each other by attempting to score more goals than their opponents within an allotted time frame (usually three 20-minute periods). Players use curved sticks with blades that have rounded edges at either end—which they call “hooks”—to pass or shoot the puck across the rink floor towards their opponent’s net. Other equipment used includes helmets with face masks or visors; gloves; protective padding for shoulders, elbows and shins; shorts that protect thighs from being struck by pucks; stockings over shin pads called socks; skates designed specifically for hockey play; mouth guards worn inside helmet cages so players can communicate verbally as well as visually when passing to teammates off-the-puck ;and finally goalie gear including specialized leg pads along with chest protectors made out of fabric or foam material .

Hockey has several major professional leagues around the world: National Hockey League (NHL) in North America , Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) based mainly in Russia , Swedish Elite Leagues(SEL), Finnish Elite Leagues(FEL), Danish Superligaen(DSL), German DEL league and many others where people compete professionally at different levels ranging from youth up through adult elite competitions . There are also International tournaments like World Championships held every year where countries compete against each other under various divisions – men’s senior division IIIA & IIIB level championships hosted annually by International Ice Hockey Federation since 1977 respectively while Women’s championship tournament began only recently back In 1990 after its formation prior decade before this event took place..
A number of governing bodies oversee recreational leagues all over globe too like United States Amateur Hockey Association which was founded 1909 during early years American development process itself providing support services related laws regulations etcetera needed ensure fair competitive atmosphere both amateur professionals alike ever since then!