This is probably far fetched, but it could explain some original differences between the use of “bandy“ and “hockey“. This is more an etymological idea; than how it was actually played. Multiple local variants will arise probably combining these two “names“.
Hockey = you can drive the puck/ball in front of you (if it is from “Hooking“ the ball/puck rather than striking it).
So more individual skill game with each ball possessor trying to move towards the opponents goal (until tackled).
Bandy = if it is from french “bander“ means to “strike back and forth“. So you could maybe only strike the ball/puck.
A more “team“ based game with passing.
Difference probably not limited to number of players or maybe even what subsurface you play on. But maybe playing style.
As far as I know Lacrosse history the Iroquois didn't pass the ball at all as you do in modern Lacrosse to day. It was individual skill until you got smashed then scramble and the next man in ball possession moved forward. “Hockey“ could be something like this style?
Also early football types where you only seemed to dribble individually with “passing“ first being mentioned in the football association 1863; according to wikipedia at least.
So early on when teams met (from different towns) they probably had to agree on the precise rules before every match started.
Funnily enough, prior to the revision of the field hockey rules by the Hockey Association in Britain by Frank S. Creswell and co. in the late 1880s, field hockey in Britain was a dribbling game similar to what you've described as "hockey."
The Hockey Association was formed once in 1874 but disbanded in 1881. It was revived in 1886. This publication comes from 1890, written by Creswell himself, the Honorable Secretary of the Hockey Association at the time.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=PXwXAAAAYAAJ&lpg=RA1-PA6&ots=bgQ-o2ZeBC&dq=life%20of%20saint%20louis%20chicane&pg=RA3-PA72#v=onepage&q=hockey&f=false
HOCKEY
INTRODUCTION.
AMONG the many popular games which have come into fashion of late years, hockey can claim a foremost place. It is not a new game, as probably every one who has been to school during the past thirty years can testify. But the schoolboy hockey of yore, although the forerunner of the present game, was very different from it as now played according to the Association rules. Had players the unqualified option of striking their opponents across the shins with their sticks, whenever these said opponents happened to get on the wrong side (a practise long known as "shinning," we believe), it would become such a terrible means of chastisement that few men would care to face it and its consequences. As a rule you find that hockey-players are busy men -- I mean men who have some daily occupation, and to such men accidents are all the more serious, as it means that their business must suffer should they be laid up, be it only for two or three days. Therefore it stands to reason that the safer the game can be made the more popular it must become, provided you do not rob it of some of its best points. It is easy to make a game safe, no doubt, but the question is whether, are having secured the safety, you have not entirely spoiled the original game. For instance, in the case of hockey, let us substitute a soft hollow indiarubber ball, and a light cane in place of a proper hockey-stick. Security is probably attained, but how about the game?
The question of safety is, however, a very important one, and has occupied the minds of the committee of the Hockey Association for the past two or three seasons very seriously, in trying to correct existing elements of danger as well as to combat growing ones.
...
Whilst on the subject of danger, I must mention one of the worst and most fertile sources of accidents. This is the reckless lifting of wielding of the stick above the shoulder when in the act of striking the ball. This is provided against in the rules ; but, nevertheless, the rule is only too often broken, though for the most part unintentionally. This I will touch upon later, but take this opportunity of making a few remarks, not on the subject exactly of "lifting the stick above the shoulder," but as regards the long mowing or scythe sweeping stroke, adopted to enable the striker to obtain as hard a hit as it is possible to do, without running the risk of being pulled up by the umpire when appealed to for "sticks." This mowing stroke is an innovation to be strongly deprecated, notwithstanding that some players now make a practice of cultivating it. The stroke has little to recommend it, and there is much in it to condemn.
...
Combination Play
Hockey up to two seasons ago was exclusively a dribbling game. The player who happened to have the ball kept it pretty much to himself as long as he could do so, without any thought of combination in passing the ball to another player on his own side, very much in the same way as some of us remember football was played in our school days, before the Football Association adopted the more scientific methods of playing by combination. For the past two seasons, however, a desired change has been made in hockey. The combination game is becoming more and more known, and recognized as a decided improvement by experienced players.
...
Now, on our own Iain Fyffe's blog he states that the "Montreal Rules" were declared on February 7, 1876 in
The Gazette.
http://hockeyhistorysis.blogspot.ca/2014/01/on-his-own-side-of-puck-excerpt_16.html
The Montreal Gazette of February 7, 1876 contains the first reference to an actual set of rules that were used in the third recorded game of organized hockey, reporting that the game “was conducted under the 'Hockey Association' rules.” We will address the Hockey Association in more detail later, suffice it to say it was an association of English field hockey clubs formed in 1875. Finally, a report in the February 27, 1877 edition of the same paper finally provided complete details of the rules themselves. These rules have since become known as the Montreal Rules, and are as follows:
The Montreal Rules - 1877
Rule 1: The game shall be commenced and renewed by a Bully [faceoff] in the centre of the ground. Goals [ends] shall be changed after each game [goal].
Rule 2: When a player hits the ball, any one of the same side who at such moment of hitting is nearer to the opponents’ goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, or in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until the ball has been played. A player must always be on his own side of the ball.
Rule 3: The ball may be stopped, but not carried or knocked on by any part of the body. No player shall raise his stick above his shoulder. Charging from behind, tripping, collaring [grabbing the sweater], kicking or shinning [slashing on the shins] shall not be allowed.
Rule 4: When the ball is hit behind the goal line by the attacking side, it shall be brought out straight 15 yards, and started again by a Bully; but, if hit behind by any one of the side whose goal line it is, a player of the opposite side shall hit it out from within one yard of the nearest corner, no player of the attacking side at that time shall be within 20 yards of the goal line, and the defenders, with the exception of the goal-keeper, must be behind their goal line.
Rule 5: When the ball goes off at the side, a player of the opposite side to that which hit it out shall roll it out from the point on the boundary line at which it went off at right angles with the boundary line, and it shall not be in play until it has touched the ice, and the player rolling it in shall not play it until it has been played by another player, every player being then behind the ball.
Rule 6: On the infringement of any of the above rules, the ball shall be brought back and a Bully shall take place.
Rule 7: All disputes shall be settled by the Umpires, or in the event of their disagreement, by the Referee.
You can actually read the Hockey Association's field hockey rules in the Google Books link above. They are the same rules, for the most part, using the same terminology. The same rule about sticks having to remain below the shoulder, etc, etc.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=PXwXAAAAYAAJ&lpg=RA1-PA6&ots=bgQ-o2ZeBC&dq=life%20of%20saint%20louis%20chicane&pg=RA3-PA63#v=onepage&q=hockey&f=false
THE PLAY
There is much to be said on the subject of playing the game of hockey, and although views of eminent players have altered considerably since the game first came into notice, and, for that matter, are still undergoing change, I think a few remarks may not be out of place as regards the positions and duties of each different player.
...
The captains of the respective sides having tossed for choice of goals, the game is commenced by a "bully." The ball is placed on the centre mark A. The centre forward of each side stands between it and his own goal-line, and strikes the ground and his opponent's stick alternately three times, after which the ball is in play, and may be hit at once by either of them.
The ball being once started, the forwards of each side endeavour, by dribbling and passing, to carry it into the opponents' striking-circle, and then if possible to score a goal.
When a "bully" occurs, every player must be between his own goal-line and the ball.
If the ball be hit behind the goal-line by one of the attacking side, it is dead, and must be brought out and placed twenty-five yards from the goal-line, at a spot in front of where it crossed the goal-line, and there restarted by a "bully."
If the ball be hit behind the goal-line by one of the defending side, or if it be hit by one of the attacking side and cross the goal-line after striking or glancing off a player of the defending side or his stick, a corner hit is claimed. When a 'corner' is allowed, all the defending side must retire behind their own goal-line, the attacking side taking up their position on the outer edge of the striking-circle. When all are in their places, the ball is hit by one of the attacking side from a spot within a yard of the corner flag-post, on whichever side the ball went behinds, towards his own side on the edge of the striking-circle, so that one or other of them may endeavour, by a sharp and quick stroke, to drive the ball between the goal-posts. As soon as the ball is it, the defending side may rush forward and try to prevent the attacking side from having a cool and steady shot at goal.
Neither side may rush in before the ball has been hit.
No goal can be scored unless the ball be hit by one of the attacking side from within the striking-circle. Nor can a goal be scored if one of the attacking side hit the ball from outside the circle, even though it may have struck or glanced off the stick or person of one of the defending side.
Corners do not count as points scored.
Back-handed play. No player may strike or stop the ball with the back or round side of his stick. A player so offending is liable to have a "back-hander" claimed against him, the penalty for which is a free hit for the opponents.
When a "free hit" is allowed, none of the offending side must be within five yards of the spot where the hit is made. A free hit must be made at the spot where the offence occurred, for which the penalty is claimed (see Rules).
The ball is dead when it crosses the side boundary line B B. It must be rolled in along the ground by one of the opposite side to that which hit it out, in any direction except forwards, and no player may hit it till it is five yards within the boundary line.
Offside. A player is offside if he is in advance of the ball when it is hit to him by one of his own side, and when there are not three of his opponents between him and the opponents' goal at the moment of his hitting the ball. He may not touch it till it has been hit by another player. The penalty is a free hit.
The usual duration of the game is an hour and ten minutes. The sides change goals at half-time.
You can see that all seven of the Montreal Rules can be found in the Hockey Association Rules. Some of these Hockey Association rules were added after 1875, but all seven of the Montreal Rules are present among a list of 19-plus Hockey Association rules at the time (the 1890 publication states Rule 19 is that both umpires are now in charge of only one half of the field each).
So the Montreal Rules plagiarize the Hockey Association rules. The Hockey Association started to move
away from individualistic play in 1888. The sticks were changed, as was the ball. This is where I think both the Canadian brand starts to differ from the British brand because the British were trying to
change their game for the purpose of safety. Hockey as played on ice for decades prior in Britain would have been exactly what you've described as hockey, Justinov. It's very likely that the game James Creighton grew up with was imported from Britain. I don't think there's any chance that the inhabitants, especially recent immigrants, would not have known the game of hockey as it was played in Britain.
The 1861 Nova Scotia census shows that the population there increased from 276,117 in 1851 to 330,857 in 1861. In total in 1861, 36,151 people were listed as being born outside of the province.
People in Britain were calling the game "hockey" for quite a long time before any "hockey" appeared in Canada. People were playing hockey on ice in Britain as well, driving some of the casual skaters insane. Skating was a major pastime in Britain as well as in other European countries. With people moving back and forth between Canada and Britain, the game was likely introduced in its pre-codified state to Canadians. Then, when the Hockey Association created rules for non-ice hockey in 1874, Creighton probably wanted to follow suit the following year with the on-ice version, taking rules straight from the Hockey Association rulebook.
Check out this illustration from 1864.
"SCENE ON THE ICE AT VIRGINIA WATER ON THE DAY OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES'S ACCOUNCHEMENT: HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WATCHING THE PRINCE PLAYING AT HOCKEY." Penny Illustrated Paper [London, England] 16 Jan. 1864: [33].
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales is depicted as holding a hockey stick, wearing skates, and clustered among other players while the Princess of Wales and many others watch him play.
Hockey on ice was no secret.
It seems that, even though James Creighton brought the Hockey Association rules to Canada, people in Britain may have already been applying the Hockey Association rules themselves to their on-ice version of the game.
1878:
HOCKEY. W. H. BROUGHAM.
The Sporting Gazette (London, England), Saturday, December 21, 1878; pg. 1219; Issue 867. (405 words)
HOCKEY.-- The severe weather we have experienced during the week has made the ice fairly safe for skating. On Friday, the 13th inst., a good game at hockey between eleven residents from Brigg and an equal number of Elsham Wanderers was witnessed on the ponds of Sir J. D. Astley, M.P., of Elsham Hall, the banks of which were honoured with a good sprinkling of the fair sex. The game commenced slightly in favour of Brigg, but the Wanderers, under the captaincy of F. Astley, Esq, getting warm to their work, soon placed the verdict beyond doubt, two goals being secured in half an hour. When half time was called a change of goals occurred. The Brigg team with varied and strenuous attempts vainly endeavoured to lower the Elsham standard, a very pleasant game terminating at call of "time" in an easy victory for the home team by five goals to nil. A few slight casualties occurred during the game, but none serious. The warriors from Brigg, if not honoured with success, bore home with them reminiscences of valour by slight duckings and varied bruises to crown them with glory for wiser, if not better, men. Appended is a list of players:-- Elsham : F, Astley, Esq. (captain), Rev. R. C. Casson, H. Cartwright, R. Davy, F. Dunn, W. Hill, J. Marshall, J. Phillips, E. Spencer, G. Varley, and H. Waters. Brigg: J. Andrews (captain), J. Baker, F. Heneage, W. Knight, E. Sandall, J. Shirtcliffe, T. Smith, J. Spight, S. Walker, W. Blackeye, and G. Strong.--Stamford Mercury.
About spectators:
HOCKEY ON THE ICE.
Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle (London, England), Saturday, January 25, 1879; pg. 12; Issue 3,056.
HOCKEY ON THE ICE.--BLUNTISHAM v SWAVESEY.--This match, under the captaincy of Messrs S. Tebbutt and F. Clarke, took place at Swavesey in the presence of a large number of spectators, on Wednesday last. The ice was in very fair condition, and some capital play took place, especially by the Bluntisham representatives, whose dribbling was generally admired, and penned their opponents throughout the whole game, but after two hours' play, when "no side" was called, neither side had scored, the match thus ending in a draw. The following are the players :--Bluntisham: F. Jewwson, S. Tebbutt, C. P. Tebbut, sen., C. G. Tebbutt, J. Key, J. Harper, J. Rawlins, Doe, Barnes, Wesson, Murphy, and E. Batch.--Swavesey: Messrs G. Long, S. Whittome, H. Beaumont, E. Braisher, E. B. Holmes, J. Parsons, F. Carter, J. Carter, A. Metcalf, S. Dodson, J. Netherwood, J. Ellis, T. Coote, and J. Garner.
You may see C. G. Tebbutt listed on the Bluntisham side. That's Charles Goodman Tebbutt, a member of the Bury Fen Bandy Club and the man responsible for defining the rules of bandy in 1882. He went on to teach the game to the rest of Northern Europe, and founded the National Bandy Association in 1891.
There are few sources at the time calling the game bandy; even this game involving the bandy club is identified as hockey. There are a few sources that refer to both as the same thing, so perhaps they are just different names. One source refers to the game as "hockey" because of the hooked blades; another, Edward B. Tylor, posits that the word "bandy" refers to the curved stick but then uses "hockey" as the term throughout the rest of the publication, explaining its Persian origin as ancient polo or "chugan."
https://books.google.ca/books?id=pQip4KoigVkC&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129&dq=chugan+sport&source=bl&ots=tbh8NVtXho&sig=QV76UY5p41TQckuefU3O9qJdznU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ6AEwBGoVChMInozStqDaxgIVxNUeCh2cqwnK#v=onepage&q=chugan%20sport&f=false
The rules for Bury Fen bandy and Canadian hockey both are derived from the rules of the Hockey Association. "Bandy" and "hockey" were names for the same game of hockey until Tebbutt determined that "bandy" would be its own game in 1882. "Bandy" wasn't the preferred term for hockey, although it seems to have been an informal or alternate term. The Bandy Association appears to have pushed for the "bandy" name to stick, especially since Tebbutt started to push for his own brand of the game. The promotion of bandy is when the course of Britain's future with hockey is completely altered. Up until then, the game of hockey was developing along the same path in both Britain and Canada -- Montague Shearman's proposal in 1883 is a glimpse at what could have been.
Here's Tebbutt promoting his game in a section of a book he co-wrote, published in 1892. He spends much of the article talking about how terrific Bury Fen is at bandy and about how much better bandy is than hockey. He wants to promote the legacy of Bury Fen so that he may promote his game, which he established rules for in 1882. All of the bandy games he talks about involve him and his brothers. At the same time, he tries to distance the term "hockey" from "bandy" by saying that 'hockey refers to field hockey while bandy refers to the on-ice equivalent.' He ignores the fact that people have been playing hockey on the ice and calling it "hockey" for a very long time. People were calling his matches "hockey" before Tebbutt started labeling them "bandy."
http://www.dermott.ca/skate1892/bandy.html
BANDY
BY C. G. TEBBUTT
THE game of bandy, otherwise known as hockey and shinney, or shinty, is doubtless one of the earliest pastimes of the kind ever known. In its most primitive form it is simply played down the middle of a village street by boys who, armed with bent sticks, make themselves warm on a winter's evening by knocking a * cat ' about, all against all. At other times sides are chosen and it becomes a more regular game, the hedges or houses forming the side boundaries, and a couple of stones, some hundred yards apart, marking each goal.
From this rough-and-ready frolic, however, the present games of hockey and bandy are derived.
The word ' hockey ' is now given to a well-established game under definite rules, played with boundaries and goals as football is on grass, while ' bandy ' has long been identified with a game played like hockey, but on ice; and it is with this game we are now concerned.
...
Concurrently with skating races, bandy matches have long been held in the fens. It is certain that during the last century the game was played and even matches were held on Bury Fen, and the local tradition that the Bury Fenners had not been defeated for a century may not be an idle boast. But it was not until the great frost of 1813-14 that tradition gives place to certainty. I propose to furnish a short account of the Bury Fen players ; for, excepting a few games played on private waters in different parts of England, bandy has been confined to that district, and its history is a history of the game.
...
The defence of goal is of great importance. A hit at goal by a player near is very dangerous, but if from a little further off so that the goal-keeper can ' spot ' the ball, it is of little importance. With goals 12 feet wide, instead of 6 feet as formerly, it is now impossible to block them up by lying down as the six-foot goal-keeper from Chatteris once did. The goalkeeper should, unless very much pressed, always first stop the ball before hitting it. Hitting a rapidly moving ball is too risky. The Virginia Water team, composed mostly of hockey players, showed in their match with the Bury Fen Club how effective skilful hitting at goal can be, and how dangerous it is to leave the ball in front of goal.
...
The best skates are the flat-bladed skates with a sharp heel, as used in the Fens ; but any skate which has not very curved blades will do. It is a mistake to suppose that great speed for a short distance is only possible on Fen skates ; it is activity that is of greater importance. But where the advantage of Fen skates comes in is in the greater firmness and steadiness of players on them. A Fenman seldom falls or loses control of himself, even when going at great speed. On curved blades it Is impossible to keep quite a straight course or to prevent rolling slightly from side to side. The sharp heels should be of use for suddenly stopping and turning.
The best practice for playing bandy is to play hockey, for the wonderful hitting and passing of hockey players must give them great advantage in the use of the bandy stick.
There is no need for bandy to be rough or dangerous, nor does the game deserve the character sometimes given to it. If the frost king, Thialf, could only be bribed to send plenty of frost and skating, bandy has all the elements to make it a most popular game, and would become so. We may expect that in countries blessed with a colder climate the game will develop in the same way as hockey and football have done in England. Play is more rapid and exciting than in any other game. It requires the nicest combined use of eye, hand, and foot, and calls forth the greatest enthusiasm from those who have once played, while to the spectator the rapid and tricky dribbling, accurate passing, and sure shooting, make it a most fascinating spectacle.
http://www.dermott.ca/skate1892/bandy.html
As for the shape of hockey sticks...
FORREST, GEORGE. "HOCKEY." Every Boy's Magazine [London, England] [1 Apr. 1862]: 180. 19th Century UK Periodicals. Web. 14 July 2015.
HOCKEY. GEORGE FORREST.
Every Boy's Magazine (London, England), [Tuesday], [April 01, 1862]; pg. 180; Issue 3.
HOCKEY.
By George Forrest.
IN all the general principles, hockey bears a great resemblance to football, the game consisting in driving a ball through a goal. The ball, however, is of much smaller dimensions, even where a ball, and not a bung, is used, and it is impelled, not by the foot, but by certain ticks, or clubs, called hockeys, or hookeys, because the end with which the ball is struck is more or less hooked.
The shape and dimensions of the hockey-stick are entirely arbitrary, being left to the peculiar taste of the owners. Some like their hockeys to be sharply hooked, while others prefer them merely bent over at the end. Some players like a very thick, heavy stick, which can be put down in front of the ball in order to neutralize the blows of the opposite side, while others can play best with a slight and springy weapon, that can be used with one hand, and is employed to tape the ball away just as an opponent is about to strike and coax it, as it were, towards the goal through the mass of adverse sticks.
The four sticks shown in the engraving are very good samples of the forms best adapted for use. Fig. 1 is much in favour with some players, and is therefore given ; but for my own part I never could play to my own satisfaction with it, the large and deep curve deceiving the eye and causing the player to let the ball pass through the hook, besides running the risk of entanglement in the opponent's stick.
Fig. 2 is usually a favourite, but the angle of the head with the handle is arranged according to the fancy of the player. Some like the head to be made of horn, backed with lead like a golf stick ; but this formation is hardly necessary, costing a rather large sum, and not conveying correspondent advantages.
...
The ball used for this game is sometimes an ordinary cask bung. As this would speedily be knocked to pieces, it is generally quilted with string, as shown in the illustration, for the better preserving its integrity. Sooner or later, however, it goes to pieces, for the string is sure to be cut or worn through, and the cork soon gives way. Balls, too, are apt to get their jackets knocked off, and, if struck hard, will sometimes fly in the face of a player, who cannot avoid it at so short a distance, and do no small damage. A hollow india-rubber ball is very good ; but the best that I have yet seen, was a common globular india-rubber bottle, such as can be procured at any stationers, with the neck cut off, and partly filled up by leaving a strip of the neck and securing it by the proper varnish.
It made a capital ball. Nothing could hurt it and it could hurt no one. I have had it driven into my face at two yards' distance, and felt little the worse for it five minutes afterwards.
...
The following two are
small sections from George Forrest's explanation of the game of hockey in 1862.
Familiar?
By the way, there are codified rules for the pre-Hockey Association rules game. They were published multiple times in the 1860s and involved whacking someone in the shin when they committed a penalty. More on that later.
Brits also saw polo as "hockey on horseback." The "hockey on horseback" craze begins in the late 1860s, early 1870s when they notice Calcutta natives playing the game. Apparently hockey and tennis can be traced back to ancient polo, as the thirteenth-century scholar Jean de Joinville saw that the Persians/Byzantines had played a similar stick-and-ball on horseback game, a dismounted version of which was shared with Europeans. That game apparently is the origin of stick-and-ball sports such as tennis and hockey equivalents. Could that have potentially been shared with the mapuche of South America, becoming "palÃn?" More on that later as well.
The big takeaway from this, though, is that bandy seems to be just another name for hockey; that is, until Charles Goodman Tebbutt begins to create differences.
Here's an 1892 article from
The Globe in Toronto.
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS: The Hamilton Thistles Beaten at Gait SOLDIERS WIN AT HOCKEY The Latest Derby Speculation POSSIBILITY THE WINNERS MAY BE OWNED BY A CANADIAN-- METROPOLITAN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE WAY
The Globe (1844-1936) [Toronto, Ont] 25 Jan 1892: 6.
...
In England hockey on the ice, which is the only style known here, is called "bandy," and the Bandy Association for the government of the game has just been formed. A team consists of eleven players instead of seven as here, but the rules of play are much the same as ours.
...
Before the Tebbutt standardization of what ice hockey in England was supposed to be, some organizers still liked to choose for themselves the size of the teams.
Here's Montague Shearman, co-founder of the Amateur Athletics Association in 1880, providing some recommendations for rules in ice hockey in an 1883 article. He recommended seven to eight players per side and the allowance of forward passing in addition to numerous other rules.
SKATING. MONTAGUE SHERMAN, Late President O. U. A. C.
The Union Jack: Every Boy's Paper (London, England), Tuesday, February 27, 1883; pg. 347; Issue 22.
SKATING.
BY MONTAGUE SHEARMAN,
Late President O. U. A. C.
Chapter IV. -- HOCKEY ON SKATES.
No game so healthy, exhilarating, and exciting gives more opportunity for the exhibition of individual excellence and scientific skill than that of hockey on the ice. Few, I suppose, are totally unacquainted with the game. There are probably not many of my readers who, when they have seen a "bung" or ball knocked about the ice, have never joined in the fun, nor have any pleasurable recollections of the helter-skelter rush after the ball, the loud scraping of the skates on the ice when the game changes its direction, the collisions, the thumping falls, the laugh which rings out when a player finds he has slid ten yards away from his hat, the triumphant goal obtained by the last hit before the balance is lost, and the "breather" and mopping of the manly brow. Unfortunately, however, the great majority of those who get an hour's fun and exercise out of the sport, seem to be unaware that the game can be made as scientific as football, lacrosse, or hockey on a playing-field, and join in indiscriminately with little idea of the direction in which they are expected to hit, or of the rules and regulations to which they should conform.
...
But, of course, the better hockey-stick (or "bandy," as it is usually called) you use, the better and more skilfully the game will be played.
...
But to return to the subject of the size of the ground of play. I believe in the fen district that it is usual to play twelve or fifteen a side, on a ground 200 yards or so in length, and about eighty or a hundred yards in breadth. But independently on the difficulty of getting a large enough space, it would be extremely hard in most cases to get together at short notice so many players... As good a game as any one could desire can be obtained on a piece of ice 100 yards long and fifty wide, the players being seven a side and no more.
In most of the matches in which I have engaged, seven or eight has been the number. Of these, two are placed somewhat behind the others, and one told off to defend the goal. If there are five forwards, let two keep one side of the ice, two on the other, and one in the middle. If there should be only four forwards, they must divide the ice between them, two being allotted to each side. The width of the goals should be about ten feet. If goal-posts specially made for the purpose, standing upon rests like jumping-posts, are used, they should not be more than seven feet in height, but if the goals are merely marked out by coats, or something else of that description, as is often the case, it should be understood that no goal can be scored if the ball flies up in the air and out of reach of the goal-keeper's arm. I need scarcely say, however, that such hits are not likely to occur.
In general features, the game should be made to resemble football under Association rules, with this exception that there should be, I think, no off-side rule of any description. While the player is travelling at very great speed over the ice, it is not only impossible for him to avoid getting off-side, but it is most difficult for an umpire, or the captains of the teams, to decide the exact position of the hitter at any moment.
...
In saying that the game should be made to resemble Association football, I have really given all the possible directions for playing it well. Hard hitting is useless for a forwards of the attacking side, as the ball is sure to be hit back again at once ; "dribbling" and "passing" should be the order of the day, and successful combination is more effective than brilliant individual play. The best way to score a goal is to take the ball down one side or other of the ground, and then to "middle" to a player of the opposite wing, who by a smart and deft shot will send it through.
....
We beg to offer, then, the following rules for the guidance of those who play seven or eight-a-side hockey on the ice.
...
Early in the article he writes that it's difficult for hockey players to find a huge space to accommodate the game as played in the fen district (where the Tebbutts play). He also writes that figure-skaters in the public rinks get upset because of the hockey-players who they feel intrude. He believes they can get along like bicyclist and horseman.
Here are Montague Shearman's rules:
[Hockey on the Ice Rules according to Montague Sherman, February 1883]
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1. The ground shall be a rectangular quadrangle, 100 yards in length and fifty in breadth, or thereabouts, and goal-line and touch-line shall be marked out with flags, or otherwise.
2. The width of the goal shall be ten feet : a goal is counted to the attacking side when the ball shall be sent between the posts, at a height not greater than seven feet from the ground.
3. The game shall be started by the umpire tossing the ball in the air in the centre of the ground. As soon as the ball touches the ice, the game shall be considered to have begun, and the ball may be hit by any player without restriction until a goal is scored. After a goal is scored the game shall be started again in the same manner.
4. The duration of the game shall be one hour, or such time as shall be agreed upon by the opposing captains, and sides shall be changed at half-time.
5. When a ball is knocked over the touch-line, a player of the opposite side shall throw or hit the ball into play again in a direction at right angles to the touch-line. The ball shall not be in the play until it has touched the ice.
6. When the ball is struck behind the goal-line, the player of the defending side shall have a free hit off from the point where the ball crossed the line, and the players of the opposite side must retire fifteen yards, at least, from the goal-line.
7. No hockey-stick shall be lifted above the shoulder.
8. A player may catch a ball with his hand if it is in the air, but may not run with it ; he must let it fall at once in the place where he has caught it.
9. All disputes shall be settled by the umpires or by the captains of the two sides.
10. In any cases not provided for by the rules, the rules of the English Football Association shall be appealed to.
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I have tried in the foregoing papers to point out to novices and inexperienced skaters how they have health and pleasure without any alloy at hand as soon as the ice will bear. To experienced performers, I have been unable in the space at my command to say much that they have not known already ; but if I have persuaded any one to give up "sliding" for skating, to learn to cut a figure, to run a race, or play a game of hockey on the ice, I shall not have written in vain ; and shall be content if any of my readers are wishing, with me, in the words of the bard,-- "Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky."
It looks like the Tebbutts are responsible for
their version of the game becoming popular. After the creation of the Bandy Association, they described what they considered to be a "regulation stick."
Ice hockey in Britain followed the same development path as hockey in Canada. They both started as an informal game (although various British articles
do outline some rules, which I will post later), then when the Hockey Association outlined its rules they were adapted by organizers both in Canada and in Britain. While they eventually developed along different paths, particularly due to Bury Fen, the game came from the same place. Hockey as played on ice has roots in Britain and was very popular. It was a part of Britain's wintertime sporting culture, so popular that even Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, future King of the United Kingdom, took part in its enjoyment.
Works Cited
BROUGHAM, W. H. "HOCKEY." Sporting Gazette [London, England] 21 Dec. 1878: n.p. 19th Century UK Periodicals. Web. 14 July 2015.
"HOCKEY ON THE ICE." Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle [London, England] 25 Jan. 1879: n.p. 19th Century UK Periodicals. Web. 14 July 2015.
"NOVA SCOTIA STATISTICS." The Globe (1844-1936): 2. Mar 31 1862. ProQuest. Web. 14 July 2015 .
SHERMAN, MONTAGUE, Late President O. U. A. C. "SKATING." Union Jack: Every Boy's Paper [London, England] 27 Feb. 1883: n.p. 19th Century UK Periodicals. Web. 14 July 2015.
"SPORTS OF ALL SORTS." The Globe (1844-1936): 6. Jan 25 1892. ProQuest. Web. 14 July 2015 .