follows: Street Hockey has variations called dek hockey, ball hockey, and roller hockey. Dek hockey got its name from the material of the floor which it is played on. When street hockey leagues began playing on indoor and outdoor rinks, the flooring or playing surface was referred to as "the dek". An example would be two players speaking about a dek hockey game - "John had a great game playing center tonight out there on the dek." Ball hockey got its name when people started forming street hockey leagues where they played with a ball rather than a puck. In order to recruit players, league leaders and players needed to be specific about what type of street hockey they were asking people to play. An example would be one player speaking to another potential player - Bill - "Hey Joe I think you would be a good player in my street hockey league." Joe "What type of league is it? Ball or puck?" Bill - "It's a ball hockey league." There are difference between dek hockey and ball hockey in terms of how the games are played, but these differences are strictly a matter of rules and regulations that are invoked during tournament play. Dek hockey rules stipulate the following: The center line is considered the offsides line. You are not allowed to raise your stick above the shoulder at any time except when in the act of shooting or moving around another player while running. You cannot close your hand around the ball. Official rink dimensions are a minimum of 160 feet in length by 80 feet in width. Ball Hockey rules stipulate the following: Offside is determined by a "floating blue line". The concept can be difficult to understand for non-hockey enthusiasts, but the simplest explanation is as follows: When the ball crosses the blue line, the attacking team is onside. They have the entire zone up to the centerline with which to work the ball around and still be considered onside. Once the ball crosses the center red line the attacking team's players must clear the defending team's blue line and have the ball enter past the blue line to be considered onside again. You can raise your stick above the shoulder to call for a pass. You can close your hand around the ball provided that you bring the ball straight down to your feet and