Sledge hockey, also known as para ice hockey, is a modified version of ice hockey played by athletes with physical disabilities. Players sit on sledges with mounted skate blades and use two sticks with picks on the butt end to propel themselves across the ice.
Sledge hockey follows most of the standard ice hockey rules with some adaptations to make the game accessible for paraplegic athletes. It is a fast-paced, full contact sport that builds muscle strength in the athletes’ arms, upper bodies and wrists. Many sledge hockey players are also amputees.
In this article, we have compiled 52 interesting riddles about different aspects of sledge hockey to challenge your knowledge of this Paralympic sport. Each riddle contains hints to help you guess the answer. Read on for some brain-twisting fun!
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Rules
Riddle 1:
I’m the playing area marked out on the ice. Players race up and down me to score goals. What am I?
*Hint: I have two ends and protective glass/boards around me to keep errant pucks in play.
Answer: The rink
Riddle 2:
We are awarded when rules are broken. Our quantity varies depending on the severity of the offence. Collect too many of us and your team plays short-handed. What are we?
*Hint: Penalties put teams at a disadvantage by having fewer players on the ice.
Answer: Penalty minutes
Riddle 3:
I’m the act of propelling the puck across the blue line into the offensive zone to bring it into play. Perform me successfully and your team keeps possession. Fail and it’s a stoppage in play. What am I?
*Hint: This rule applies to both hockey and sledge hockey.
Answer: Clearing the puck
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Equipment
Riddle 4:
My wooden body propels players across the ice. My metal blades carve turns with speed and precision. What am I?
*Hint: Players sit on me to sledge across the ice.
Answer: Sledge
Riddle 5:
We protect players from fast-moving pucks and collisions. Made of metal or high-tech plastics, we come in sets of two. What are we?
*Hint: Goalies also wear oversized versions to protect their torso and legs.
Answer: Pads
Riddle 6:
I’m gripped tightly when stickhandling down the ice. I allow players to pass, shoot and poke check. Players hold one of me in each hand. What am I?
*Hint: I have a straight shaft and a flat, curved blade.
Answer: Stick
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Positions
Riddle 7:
My volunteers push athletes on the bench to the door for line changes. I coordinate set plays and line matchups from the bench. What is my role?
*Hint: I’m not a player but my coaching steers the team’s success.
Answer: Coach
Riddle 8:
My role is to prevent pucks from entering the net. I wear extra padding and use a special stick to deflect shots. What position do I play?
*Hint: No other position spends the entire game inside the goal crease.
Answer: Goalie
Riddle 9:
Forwards race up and down the ice to set up goals. They rove from position to position, filling gaps left by teammates. What fluid position do they play?
*Hint: Forwards are split into left wing, right wing and this middleman role.
Answer: Center
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Strategy
Riddle 10:
I’m a predetermined maneuver designed to advance the puck towards the opponent’s goal. Executed properly by the offense, I can break open a tight game. What am I?
*Hint: Set plays are an element of strategy in hockey and sledge hockey.
Answer: A play
Riddle 11:
I’m an attacking style where forwards aggressively forecheck and pressure defenders. This high-risk, high-reward strategy can lead to turnovers but leaves the defense vulnerable. What am I?
*Hint: It’s an exciting, offense-heavy approach.
Answer: Run and gun
Riddle 12:
We are zones that divide areas of the ice to assign positions and defense responsibilities. Forwards stay in ours while defensemen remain back. What are we?
*Hint: One of these zones is in front of the net.
Answer: Zones
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Penalties
Riddle 13:
I’m an illegal attack from behind that pushes or checks a player dangerously into the boards. Commit me and you’ll sit for 5 minutes or more. What am I?
*Hint: Safety is paramount so I’m strictly forbidden.
Answer: Checking from behind
Riddle 14:
Committing this minor penalty forces your team to play short-handed while you feel shame in the box. I happen when you illegally use your stick against an opponent’s body or equipment. What am I?
*Hint: Also called in hockey when you use your stick to impede a player.
Answer: Slashing
Riddle 15:
This serious penalty occurs when players start throwing punches with their gloves off. It violates the sport’s culture of discipline and respect. What is it?
*Hint: It can explode suddenly after hard hits and illegal sticks escalate tensions.
Answer: Fighting
Riddles About Sledge Hockey History & Origins
Riddle 16:
These winter sports were adapted to let injured veterans play. The original sledges were made from these contraptions used on snow. What are they?
*Hint: These vehicles predated snowmobiles.
Answer: Snow sleighs
Riddle 17:
Sledge hockey pioneer this European country hosted the first international competition in 1984. They led the way promoting awareness of para ice hockey. What is this progressive nation?
*Hint: This Scandinavian country now has over 110 sledge hockey teams.
Answer: Sweden
Riddle 18:
Seen as the birthplace of sledge hockey, this Canadian city hosted the first games in the 1960s played with sticks and steel sled runners. Name this home of the Paralympic Hall of Fame.
*Hint: It’s known as the Tournament Capital of Canada for its hockey heritage.
Answer: Kingston
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Organizations
Riddle 19:
I’m the International Paralympic Committee that oversees all Paralympic sports. My name represents the Greek prefix for “alongside” the Olympics. What am I?
*Hint: I have 180 member countries and coordinate the Paralympics.
Answer: IPC (International Paralympic Committee)
Riddle 20:
I’m the International Ice Hockey Federation body that governs rules, tournaments and development for sledge hockey. What acronym names me?
*Hint: My abbreviated name rhymes with witty.
Answer: IPC Ice Sledge Hockey (IPCISH)
Riddle 21:
I’m a world championship tournament held in Paralympic years before the Winter Games. Top national teams compete to fine tune their rosters for the pinnacle competition. Name me.
*Hint: I’m two words separated by a space starting with “Para.”
Answer: Para Ice Hockey
Riddles About Elite Sledge Hockey Teams
Riddle 22:
I’m the Canadian para ice hockey team that reigned as 11-time gold medalists until dethroned at the 2022 Paralympics. Nickname my humiliated squad.
*Hint: Our name sounds like aristocrats.
Answer: Lords/Lord Stanley’s Team
Riddle 23:
We are the mighty Americans who capped 20 years of rivalry against Canada by winning Paralympic sledge hockey gold in 2022. Nickname us Yankee warriors.
*Hint: Our aggressive style overwhelmed the favored Canadians.
Answer: Sled Dogs
Riddle 24:
I’m Korea’s national sledge hockey team, hailed for integrating North and South Korean players at the 2022 Paralympics. Nickname these inspiring diplomats on ice.
*Hint: My one-word name references unity.
Answer: United
Riddles About Paralympic Sledge Hockey
Riddle 25:
Nagano 1998 hosted the Paralympics that debuted this exhilarating full-contact sport. Identify this fast and physical game on ice.
*Hint: Players zoom on sledges and pummel each other like hockey.
Answer: Sledge hockey
Riddle 26:
Seen as the best sledge hockey player ever, this Canadian dynamo powered 4 gold medal runs from 2006 to 2018 before retiring. Name this iconic legend of the sport.
*Hint: His first name rhymes with Billy.
Answer: Billy Bridges
Riddle 27:
I scored the overtime winner versus Canada to snap America’s 20 year gold medal drought in Para ice hockey at Beijing 2022. Name this U.S. forward hero.
*Hint: My first name rhymes with Josh.
Answer: Josh Pauls
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Impairment Classifications
Riddle 28:
Classified as the lowest impairment category in Para ice hockey, players with amputations and minor paralysis compete in this division. What is it?
*Hint: This division faces the least activity limitation.
Answer: LW (LW1, LW2)
Riddle 29:
I’m the middle tier impairment class where players have significant impairment in both lower limbs, such as double leg amputations. Name me.
*Hint: My abbreviation is two letters, MW.
Answer: MW (MW3, MW4)
Riddle 30:
This “H” division is the highest eligible impairment category for sledge hockey. Players have severe impairment or paralysis in both lower and upper limbs. What is it?
*Hint: The full name references spinal cord injuries.
Answer: HW (HW5, HW6)
Riddles About Basic Sledge Hockey Terms
Riddle 31:
Blade runners help the sledges glide. Sharpen these metal strips regularly so they carve the ice better. What’s the actual term for the steel on sledges?
*Hint: Think of the blades on ice skates.
Answer: Skates
Riddle 32:
Sledges feature these U-shaped tubes on the front that curve upward. Players use them as pivoting outriggers when turning sharply. What are they?
*Hint: The terms references a body part that helps with balance.
Answer: Leg supports
Riddle 33:
I’m the padded gel seat that attaches to the sledge frame for comfort and shock absorption. Players sit on me during games without getting sore or bruised. What am I?
*Hint: I provide cushy padding on the sledges.
Answer: Seat pad
Riddles About Advanced Sledge Hockey Lingo
Riddle 34:
When players get penalties, I’m the disciplined teammate who serves their time in the box. I get credit if the team scores shorthanded. What’s my role?
*Hint: My last name rhymes with “backup.”
Answer: Substitute
Riddle 35:
Performing this illegal act means forcing or slamming an opponent into the boards with unnecessary roughness. What’s the sledge hockey term for it?
*Hint: The first word rhymes with “boarding.”
Answer: Corking
Riddle 36:
I’m the tactic of pinning an opponent’s sledge to the ice with your own equipment to gain possession. This sneaky maneuver slows down speedy power forwards. What am I?
*Hint: My first word rhymes with “stacking.”
Answer: Sacking
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Movement
Riddle 37:
Sledges feature these rubber anti-slip pads that grip the ice for acceleration and stopping power. Replace them once worn smooth. What are they?
*Hint: Think of these traction devices on tires.
Answer: Treads
Riddle 38:
Perform this maneuver to abruptly slow down by dragging one sledge skate sideways. It shaves off speed while staying upright, unlike hockey’s sharp zigzags What is this?
*Hint: Think of sliding sideways in your socks.
Answer: Slip stop
Riddle 39:
Doing this common turning technique involves planting the pick of one stick in the ice while pivoting the sledge on its front outriggers. What is this move?
*Hint: The first word rhymes with “divot.”
Answer: Pivot turn
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Puck Control
Riddle 40:
This key technique involves maneuvering the puck with angled stick blades. Master it to thread accurate passes around defenders. Name this puck trickery.
*Hint: Its common hockey name rhymes with “tick handling.”
Answer: Stickhandling
Riddle 41:
I’m the sage move of using your body to shield the puck from opponents when in possession along the boards. This crafty play buys time for teammates to get open. What am I called?
*Hint: It involves the word “protection.”
Answer: Puck protection
Riddle 42:
Perform this nifty move by chopping at the puck to abruptly change its direction and fake out defenders. Doing it rapidly dazzles opponents. What is this called?
*Hint: The first word rhymes with “decoy.”
Answer: Deke move
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Shots
Riddle 43:
This powerful technique sees players wind up and aggressively swing both sled sticks at the ice before contact to sink low, speedy drives. What is it?
*Hint: The first word rhymes with “flounder.”
Answer: Flounder shot
Riddle 44:
I’m an accurate shot where players use their bottom hand to cradle and snap the puck towards the net. What am I named after the resulting sound?
*Hint: I rhyme with “risping.”
Answer: Wrister
Riddle 45:
During this shot, players cradle the puck on their stick blade and quickly flip it upward towards the goal. I create unpredictable bounce arcs to evade goalies. What am I?
*Hint: My first word rhymes with “shovel.”
Answer: Shovel shot
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Strategy
Riddle 46:
This attacking style sees three forwards aggressively pressure defenders on the forecheck to create turnovers. What fast-paced approach is it?
*Hint: Its nickname is an intense weather system.
Answer: Storming
Riddle 47:
I’m a set powerplay scheme where four players form a box in the offensive zone while the fifth circles high as a shooter. Diagram my name as viewed from above.
*Hint: Imagine an upside-down “T” shape on ice.
Answer: Umbrella powerplay
Riddle 48:
Defending this area in front of the net is vital to block the sledge hockey equivalent of rebounds. Clearing loose pucks here denies follow-up chances. What’s this zone called?
*Hint: It rhymes with “freaking.”
Answer: Crease
Riddles About Sledge Hockey Skills
Riddle 49:
This advanced technique sees skillful players use the hooked end of their stick to lift their sledge completely off the ice. What’s this jaw-dropping move?
*Hint: The first word rhymes with “manual.”
Answer: Manual
Riddle 50:
I’m the creative skill of bouncing the puck blade-to-blade between your two sticks as you sledge. Combining this with crossovers and turns really wows crowds. What am I?
*Hint: My name rhymes with “buggling.”
Answer: Juggling
Riddle 51:
This daring sprint involves players planting both stick picks into the ice and heaving their sledges into the air. Momentum launches them down the ice at high speed. What is this stunt called?
*Hint:Its nickname is “superman-ing.”
Answer: Stick flying
Conclusion
How did you enjoy testing your sledge hockey knowledge against these riddles? This unique Paralympic sport combines non-stop action with inspiring athleticism. From fierce hip checks to stickhandling wizardry, sledge hockey dazzles every bit as much as conventional hockey.
Now that you know answers to all 52 puzzles about rules, equipment, penalties, organizations and techniques, you’ve boosted your IQ about this fledgling discipline. Sledge hockey expands in popularity every year, so keep an eye out for local tournaments and top-tier showdowns between international powerhouses Canada, USA and Russia.
With more awareness and participation, this entire article’s worth of riddles will become common trivia in due time! Feel free to spread these brainteasers with fellow sledge hockey fans to grow the game.
