This page will try to answer common questions about broomball and Pittsburgh Broomball Club.
1. What is broomball?
Broomball is an ice sport which utilizes skills found in many other sports; the best comparisons to broomball can be found in sports such as ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. The game is played on an ice rink, and many of the rules are similar to ice hockey's rules (e.g., icing, offside, and many of the penalties called in ice hockey are all enforced similarly in broomball). Of course, the biggest thing you'll notice about broomball is that instead of skating on the ice, we're running!
Check out our Pittsburgh Broomball History page to learn more about the history of the sport in the Steel City.
The stick, or "broom," like the one seen at right, combines a shaft similar to a lacrosse stick's shaft with a hard rubber end in a shape resembling the brooms used in the early days (new patterns have also been developed by manufacturers). The broomball itself is an inflated orange or blue ball. The goal nets are larger than those used for ice hockey.
Obviously, broomball is tons of fun! Check out the home page for video of action from our league.
1. What is broomball?
Broomball is an ice sport which utilizes skills found in many other sports; the best comparisons to broomball can be found in sports such as ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. The game is played on an ice rink, and many of the rules are similar to ice hockey's rules (e.g., icing, offside, and many of the penalties called in ice hockey are all enforced similarly in broomball). Of course, the biggest thing you'll notice about broomball is that instead of skating on the ice, we're running!
Check out our Pittsburgh Broomball History page to learn more about the history of the sport in the Steel City.
The stick, or "broom," like the one seen at right, combines a shaft similar to a lacrosse stick's shaft with a hard rubber end in a shape resembling the brooms used in the early days (new patterns have also been developed by manufacturers). The broomball itself is an inflated orange or blue ball. The goal nets are larger than those used for ice hockey.
Obviously, broomball is tons of fun! Check out the home page for video of action from our league.
2. How much does it cost to join the Pittsburgh Broomball Club? And can women play too?
There's no cost to join the club. Start by liking our Facebook page, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Twitter. The first time you play with us at a pick-up session is free. After that, you'll just pay as you play. If you join our league, there's a league fee to cover the ice rental and jerseys. Pickup games after your first free session usually cost $15 for 2-1/2 hours.
Women absolutely can play! Pickup sessions and league games are co-ed, many of the tournaments we travel to are co-ed, and several of our women have played in women's tournaments. League games require at least one woman on the ice per team at all times, and quite often teams will have multiple women on at once.
There's no cost to join the club. Start by liking our Facebook page, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Twitter. The first time you play with us at a pick-up session is free. After that, you'll just pay as you play. If you join our league, there's a league fee to cover the ice rental and jerseys. Pickup games after your first free session usually cost $15 for 2-1/2 hours.
Women absolutely can play! Pickup sessions and league games are co-ed, many of the tournaments we travel to are co-ed, and several of our women have played in women's tournaments. League games require at least one woman on the ice per team at all times, and quite often teams will have multiple women on at once.
3. Wait, back up...you RUN on the ice? Are you crazy?
Yep! We use shoes specifically made for broomball to better grip the ice. To the right is a picture of broomball shoes very much like ones our players use.
And, probably.
4. I've never played before. I'm intimidated to try this.
Well, that's not really a question, but OK...come on out and give it a try! First-timers play for free, no obligation at all. Bring a friend or four. We almost always have a few first-timers at our pick-up sessions, so don't be shy. We can usually hook up a newcomer with a stick, pads, helmet, etc. to borrow.
5. What equipment do I need?
We require helmets and sticks on the ice for all players. Other standard broomball/protective equipment is suggested (broomball shoes, knee/shin guards, gloves, elbow pads). Just let us know what you need and we'll accommodate you if we can. We bring extra gear with us, including some shoes (sizes not guaranteed).
6. OK, I think that covers all my questions. What should I do next?
Check us out on our various social media: our Facebook page, our Facebook group, and our Twitter account. Along with this website, those are the best places to go to get club updates from pick-up games to league signups. If you think we missed something, feel free to send any questions: just click on the email icon at the top of the page.
Well, that's not really a question, but OK...come on out and give it a try! First-timers play for free, no obligation at all. Bring a friend or four. We almost always have a few first-timers at our pick-up sessions, so don't be shy. We can usually hook up a newcomer with a stick, pads, helmet, etc. to borrow.
5. What equipment do I need?
We require helmets and sticks on the ice for all players. Other standard broomball/protective equipment is suggested (broomball shoes, knee/shin guards, gloves, elbow pads). Just let us know what you need and we'll accommodate you if we can. We bring extra gear with us, including some shoes (sizes not guaranteed).
6. OK, I think that covers all my questions. What should I do next?
Check us out on our various social media: our Facebook page, our Facebook group, and our Twitter account. Along with this website, those are the best places to go to get club updates from pick-up games to league signups. If you think we missed something, feel free to send any questions: just click on the email icon at the top of the page.
