Bandy Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to the Sport on Ice
Bandy is ice hockey’s larger cousin. Eleven players per side chase a small ball across a soccer-sized rink. You can start playing in a few sessions if you know what to bring and what to expect on the ice.
Get the Gear You Actually Need
Skates matter most. Pick a pair of bandy skates with a short blade and good ankle support. They differ from hockey skates because the ice here is often softer and the turns are wider.
- Stick: 1.2 to 1.4 meters long with a curved blade on the left side only. Try a medium flex first.
- Ball: Hard orange plastic, 6 cm across. Keep two in your bag because they disappear fast.
- Helmet with face cage, mouth guard, and gloves that let you grip the stick tightly.
- Shin guards and elbow pads borrowed from ice hockey work fine for the first month.
Clothing stays simple. Wear breathable layers under a light tracksuit. You warm up quickly once the game starts.
Run Through Your First Session
Arrive early and walk the rink edge to feel the ice under your blades. Most clubs let beginners join the warm-up line.
- Skate two easy laps focusing on long strides, not quick cuts.
- Pass the ball against the boards with a partner for ten minutes. Keep the ball on the ice; lifting it is a foul.
- Learn the three main calls: “stick!” when an opponent lifts theirs too high, “offside” at the blue line, and “out” when the ball leaves the rink.
- Play short shifts of three minutes. Bandy ice is big so you tire faster than you expect.
| Position | What it looks like in practice |
|---|---|
| Defender | Stay between the ball and your goalie, clear the ball wide rather than up the middle. |
| Midfielder | Link defense and attack, win most 50-50 balls along the boards. |
| Forward | Stay high, look for quick one-touch passes into the corners. |
After the session, check your blades for nicks. A quick file keeps you from catching edges the next time out.