Learn to play

Short rules, plain words. Start here, then go play.

Jump to: Safety rules, Backyard rules, Gear guide (all further down this page).

Three ways to play

  • Backyard rules (ready to read). A one-page game for pool days with friends and family, with an adult watching. Scroll down to "Backyard rules."
  • League rules (draft). Flexible rules for friendly league nights in any pool. See the draft
  • Competitive rules (coming soon). For players who want the full competitive game. Sign-up form coming soon.

Safety rules. Read these first.

Under 18? An adult is always watching. Anyone under 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times while playing Pool Hockey. The adult must be present at the pool, awake, and watching the water for the whole game. No adult, no game.

  1. A grown-up Water Watcher is always watching the pool. No phone, no side chat. Swap watchers every 15 minutes.
  2. Everyone must be a comfortable swimmer in the area where you play. Non-swimmers play only where they can stand, with a life jacket if the adult says so.
  3. Play where everyone can stand, or in the shallow end. No diving in. No jumping in on top of players.
  4. Going underwater is allowed and fun, but optional. Players can dive down for the puck and hold their breath. Keep it in shallow water where you can stand. Take a break after every few dives. Come up at once if you feel tired, dizzy or uncomfortable. The Water Watcher keeps eyes on every player who is under.
  5. No breath-hold contests. No "how long can you stay down." No fast, deep breaths before going under. Just a normal breath. If a player stays under or looks wrong, the Watcher stops the game right away.
  6. Come up whenever you want, with no penalty. Nobody can make you go under, and nobody goes under alone or out of the Watcher's sight.
  7. Soft gear only. Foam or soft-plastic stick, soft puck. No hard sticks, no metal, no sharp edges. Wear a mask or swim goggles.
  8. No grabbing, pushing, dunking, or holding anyone under or on the bottom. Hands off other players and their sticks.
  9. Sticks stay in the water, below your waist. Never swing a stick above the surface.
  10. Lightning, a whistle, or "STOP." Everyone stops, stays still and listens.

Our rules are a living draft. We are still testing them and getting them reviewed, and they will change. They are a starting point, not a substitute for adult supervision, swim lessons, or advice from a qualified aquatics-safety professional.

Backyard rules (living draft v0.3)

A one-page game for kids and friends, in any pool, with soft gear. It is a surface and shallow-water game, with underwater play as an option.

What you need

  • Pool: any size. Rule of thumb: about 2 players per side in a small pool, up to 4 to 6 per side in a big one.
  • Stick: one per player, like a pool noodle piece, a foam paddle or a soft kids' hockey stick.
  • Puck: a floating foam puck or a soft ball or disc.
  • Goals: pool noodles on the surface, two cones or floats, steps, or a marked wall section. About as wide as 3 or 4 players side by side.
  • Timer or score target: first to 5 goals, or 10 minutes.
  • Eyes: a mask or swim goggles for each player.

How to play

  1. Two teams, any size, equal if you can. Pick team colors.
  2. Start with the puck in the middle and each team on its own wall, one hand on the wall. The adult says "GO."
  3. Move the puck with your stick only. No hands, feet or body.
  4. Score by pushing the puck into the other team's goal. After a goal, the other team starts with the puck at their wall.
  5. If the puck leaves the play area, the team that did not touch it last gets it back.
  6. First to 5 goals, or most goals when the timer ends. Shake hands or fist-bump.

The three fouls

  1. Hands and bodies stay off other players.
  2. Sticks stay low and soft.
  3. Be a good sport.

After a foul: stop, say "foul," give the puck to the other team at the spot, and the fouling team steps back 2 big steps (about 3 feet). Repeat fouls mean 1 minute out.

Mix-and-match options

  • No-goalie.
  • Mini pool: 2 on 2, first to 3.
  • Big pool: 4 on 4, or 2 pucks.
  • Rotating players.
  • Everyone-touches rule.
  • Older kids, with an adult's OK: a sinking soft puck on the bottom in shallow water where all can stand, never beyond a comfortable breath and never a contest about time underwater.

Checklist for the grown-up

  • A Water Watcher is assigned and attentive.
  • Swimming ability is confirmed.
  • Gear is soft, and removed from the pool afterward.
  • No breath-hold challenges.
  • Venue rules are followed.
  • You know where the phone is and how to call 911.

Rules are a starting point, not a substitute for adult supervision, swim lessons, or advice from a qualified aquatics-safety professional.

Backyard rules, living draft v0.3 (part of the Master Rules v0.3).

Your first game

  1. Pick a pool. Any pool with the owner's OK. Need ideas? Try the pool finder.
  2. Get your adult. Under 18 means an adult Water Watcher, every time.
  3. Gather your gear. A mask or goggles, a soft stick each, a puck, and something for goals. Fins if you like.
  4. Read the safety rules out loud. Takes one minute.
  5. Play. First to 5 or 10 minutes.
  6. Clean up. Take everything out of the pool and say good game.

Gear guide

First-generation gear is simple: a mask or swim goggles, and fins if you like. No snorkel or mouth guard needed.

Needed

  • Mask or swim goggles. Whichever fits you better.
  • Soft stick and soft puck. Foam or soft plastic. No hard sticks.

Recommended

  • Fins. Optional, but we recommend them.

Not needed

  • Snorkel. Not required in our first-generation game.
  • Mouth guard. Not required in our first-generation game.

Later versions may add a snorkel and mouth guard as options for advanced players. Pools, clubs and leagues can have their own gear rules, so check with them before you buy anything.

Questions people ask

Is this the same as underwater hockey?

Pool Hockey is our easy-start game inspired by underwater hockey. It is not an official underwater hockey rule set.

Do I have to go underwater?

No. Going underwater is optional.

Can kids play?

Yes, with an adult supervising at all times if they are under 18.

Do I need a snorkel?

No. A mask or swim goggles is all you need to start.

Do I need fins?

No. We recommend them, but they are optional.

What if my pool is small?

Play 2 on 2 and first to 3.

Are the rules final?

No. They are a living draft and will change.

Questions about the rules?

Tell us what is clear and what is confusing. We read every message.

Email hello@pool-hockey.com

Pool Hockey is an original, easy-start game inspired by underwater hockey. It is not an official underwater hockey rule set, and Pool Hockey is not affiliated with or endorsed by any underwater hockey governing body.