Dek hockey is played with a ball instead of a puck. Each league here writes its own rules, so players, periods and gear change.
League rules come from each league’s rule book or page, read on October 31, 2026. The NHL numbers come from the NHL Official Rules for 2026 to 2027.
What is dek hockey?
Dek hockey is a hockey game played with a ball and sticks. The leagues below require sneakers or similar shoes. Leagues run it indoors and outdoors.
The word is dek. The Pittsburgh Penguins page on NHL.com spells it that way. It lists 31 places under dek and ball hockey rinks.
Is dek hockey the same as ball hockey?
Not always. The ISBHF treats street and ball hockey as one game. Its page and 2026 rulebook do not use the word dek.
Dek hockey rules change by league
No one rule book covers every dek league here. Each league writes its own. This table shows the clock in six sources.
| League | Periods and time |
|---|---|
| Dekhockey de la Capitale, Quebec, March 2025 | 3 periods of 10 minutes, running time |
| RSEQ school league, Quebec, 2025 to 26 | 2 periods of 12 minutes, running time |
| Medford Dek Hockey, rule book version 1.0, 2019 | 30 minutes, in periods of 10 or 15 minutes by division |
| Skate Safe America youth league, winter 2025 to 26, Old Bethpage, New York | 2 periods of 22 minutes |
| BSSC indoor coed league, updated January 24, 2024 | 2 halves of 25 minutes |
| NHL ice hockey, Rule 77.1 | 3 periods of 20 minutes of actual play |
One common line gives dek hockey 3 periods of 15 minutes. None of the five dek league rule books above says that.
Dek hockey in Quebec
Quebec has two rule books. The Dekhockey de la Capitale league has one and the RSEQ school league has another.
Here is what the Dekhockey de la Capitale rule book sets:
- Clock: 3 periods of 10 minutes on running time (Rule 51a).
- Players: at most 4 players on the surface at once (Rule 12a).
- Timeouts: one timeout of 30 seconds (Rule 50a).
- Shoes: sneakers with vinyl or rubber soles (Rule 7).
- Sticks: a wood shaft and a plastic blade with holes, from approved brands (Rule 5a).
The RSEQ school league
The RSEQ rule book plays 2 periods of 12 minutes on running time (Article 6.2). It lists taped sticks as prohibited.
Dek hockey at Medford
The Medford Dek Hockey rule book is version 1.0 from 2019. It plays 30 minutes of regulation time. Periods last 10 or 15 minutes by division (Rules 5a and 30).
Players wear sneakers with soft soles (Rule 10).
Medford youth divisions
Penguin, Beaver and Cadet play 10 minute periods. Freshman plays 15 minute periods (Rule 30). Rule 17e also shows a Chipmunk division.
Dek hockey in Pennsylvania
The city of Pittsburgh lists six outdoor dek rinks. Its page was updated on September 16, 2026.
Allegheny County lists three rinks. They open from March 1 to November 30.
A rental costs $40 an hour for county residents and $50 for others.
Cranberry Township divisions
The Cranberry Township rink measures 155 by 75 feet. Its youth divisions go by age:
- Chipmunks: ages 4 to 6.
- Penguins: ages 7 to 9.
- Beavers: ages 10 to 12.
- Cadet: ages 13 to 15.
Penguins Foundation Learn to Play
The Penguins Foundation program is for ages 4 to 9. It costs $75 for 6 classes of 50 to 60 minutes, and gear is included. The 2026 sessions ran from June 27 to July 18 and are closed.
Dek hockey in other places
The Skate Safe America youth league uses 5 players and a goalie. It plays 2 periods of 22 minutes. The BSSC indoor coed league plays 2 halves of 25 minutes.
The Nashville Predators list a dek rink at the Bellevue YMCA. The page asks players to reserve 24 hours ahead.
Hoboken and the New Jersey Devils ran a youth program for ages 5 to 17. The city calls it ball hockey. It ran from October 1 to November 1, 2025.
How dek hockey compares with ice and ball hockey
This table sets NHL ice hockey beside ISBHF ball hockey and dek hockey.
| Item | NHL ice hockey | ISBHF ball hockey | Dek hockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Ice | Sport court or concrete | Varies by rink |
| Rink size | 200 by 85 feet (Rule 1.2) | 56 to 61 meters by 26 to 30 meters (Rule 101) | Cranberry Township: 155 by 75 feet |
| Hit with | Puck, 1 inch thick and 3 inches across (Rule 13.1) | Orange ball, 6.6 to 7 centimeters (Rule 250) | A ball |
| Players | One goalie on the ice (Rule 5.3) | Up to 6 with the goalie (Rule 400) | Quebec league: at most 4 on the surface. Skate Safe America: 5 and a goalie |
| Clock | 3 periods of 20 minutes (Rule 77.1) | 3 periods of 15 minutes (Rule 420) | Varies by league |
| Breaks | 18 minute intermission (Rule 77.2) | Two 10 minute intermissions (Rule 420) | Varies by league |
| Footwear | Skates | Running shoes (Rule 221) | Sneakers with soft soles |
The ISBHF says the floor is most often sport court or concrete. The floor does not set ball hockey and dek hockey apart.
Where to read more
For the ice game, see how many periods are in hockey.
The players on a hockey team guide covers the ice lineup.
Ball and stick rules
The ball changes from league to league. Dekhockey de la Capitale teams bring two balls, pink and orange (Rule 6a).
Ball Hockey Ontario suggests an orange ball above 50 degrees. It suggests a pink ball below that (Rule 10C). The ISBHF sets an orange ball.
How Medford tests the ball
The Medford ball must pass a bounce test (Rule 9). Drop it from 3 feet.
The first bounce may reach 8 inches at most. The second may reach 2 inches at most.
Tape on the blade
Ball Hockey Ontario bans tape on the blade (Rule 5C). The RSEQ rule book lists taped sticks as prohibited. The BSSC league allows wood blades only with a fibreglass coat.
How to try dek hockey
Ask the league three things before you sign up:
- Does the game use a ball or a puck?
- Do players wear sneakers or wheels?
- What are the rules on contact?
Can you wear rollerblades?
Rules differ. Westmoreland County bans roller skating when its rink is wet or raining. UPMC Children’s Hospital lists rollerblades with soft wheels in its dek gear list.
Can you use an ice hockey stick?
Ask your league first. The rules above show that sticks differ by league.
Compare two dek hockey rule books
Pick any two rule books. See players, ball, clock, footwear and sticks side by side, with the rule number on each line.
Court side questions
Is it dek hockey or deck hockey?
It is dek hockey. The Penguins page on NHL.com spells it dek, with no c.
Do you need skates for dek hockey?
Not in the leagues above. Dekhockey de la Capitale and Medford require sneakers with soft soles. Skate Safe America lists running shoes.
Can you use an ice hockey stick for dek hockey?
Ask the league. Some leagues ban tape on the blade, and some set approved plastic blades.
How much does dek hockey cost?
Allegheny County rents a rink for $40 an hour to residents and $50 to others. The Penguins Foundation Learn to Play program costs $75 for 6 classes.
Is dek hockey the same as street hockey?
Not always. ISBHF rules cover street and ball hockey and do not name dek. The dek leagues above write their own rules.
How many players are on a dek hockey team?
It depends on the league. Dekhockey de la Capitale allows at most 4 players on the surface. Skate Safe America plays 5 players and a goalie.
What are the dek hockey youth divisions?
Cranberry Township sets four divisions. Chipmunks are ages 4 to 6 and Penguins are ages 7 to 9. Beavers are 10 to 12 and Cadet is 13 to 15.
How long is a dek hockey game?
It depends on the league. A game runs from 24 minutes in RSEQ to 50 in BSSC.
Take your shot
You sign your child up for dek hockey. What do you check first?
Pick one to take your shot.
Checked against League rule books and NHL Official Rules
NHL Official Rules 2026 to 2027
NHL.com Penguins dek hockey rinks
ISBHF street and ball hockey
Checked October 2026
