Broomball is basically a combination of ice hockey and indoor soccer. The game is played on a ice rink with 5 players plus a goalie on each team, trying to score against the other team like hockey. The players run on the ice instead of skating while using a "broom" to control the ball and score.

Equipment
Broom: This sport isn't played with actual brooms anymore. The CBA has "brooms" available for new players. As you grow into the sport, you might consider purchasing an alumninum broom.
Helmet: You must wear a helmet when playing. The CBA has helmets available if you don't have your own. Shinguards: Wearing shin gaurds is highly recommended. Soccer shin-gaurds will suffice.
Kneepads: These are also highly recommended.  Inline skating kneepads work well.  Some players wear combination shin & kneepads like those used by hockey players or baseball catchers.
Gloves: You should bring a pair of leather-palmed gloves at a minimum. The broom can slip from your hands otherwise, plus it's pretty cold on the ice. Special gloves made for broomball are available also.
Shoes: Beginners can wear flat-soled gym shoes. Purchase special broomball shoes for better traction on the ice.  The CBA has a limited number of shoes available.
Other: Some players like to wear additional protection such as elbow gaurds, chest protectors, and athletic supporters (guys pay attention here).

You can purchase broomball gear online and can occasionally find discounted equipment on eBay.

Rules & Gameplay
The rules & gameplay of broomball are similar to hockey, but differ in some important ways.  While gameplay concepts like "offsides" and "icing" are in effect, there are several rules surrounding the use of the feet & hands that don't apply in hockey.  

For more information check out our basic and detailed rules pages.

A history lesson...
During the 1890's, the sport of broomball originated in Montreal, Canada, where streetcar employees played on frozen surfaces during lunch breaks, using brooms to strike a ball in an attempt to score in the opponent's goal, much like hockey in concept. As early as 1910, broomball had spread to other parts of Canada, where it was often played at winter carnivals. It basically remained an informal recreational activity until 1966, when the first state tournament was held. Since then, the popularity of the sport and the level of competition have grown significantly.

Today...
Broomball is often played on frozen lakes and any other ice surfaces that players can find, but it is officially played on a hockey rink, like we do in the Cincinnati Broomball Association's leagues. Though it's a unique sport, skills acquired in more traditional sports such as hockey and soccer translate to broomball fairly easily. Broomball rules and strategies are most closely related to hockey, but the unique equipment makes the sport very different. Beginners often just wear tennis shoes, such as in our introductory broomball league, but experienced players typically wear specially made broomball shoes, which have a rubbery sponge bottom that provides more traction on the ice. In the very early years of broomball, the Canadians did actually use regular brooms. Over the years, players began to shorten the bristles and wrap them as tightly as possible with tape, as well as reducing the length of the wooden shaft. Today's specially made "brooms" consist of solid rubber heads (with no bristles) attached to shafts made of wood, graphite, aluminum, or metal alloys. Finally, the ball is a specially made hollow plastic ball slightly larger than a softball.

The Future...
Broomball's popularity continues to grow in Cincinnati, throughout the United States, and around the world. The sport is now played in well over a dozen countries across four continents. Players from the Cincinnati Broomball Association have traveled to Las Vegas, Davenport, Orlando, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Columbus, Colorado Springs, Miami University, Charlotte, Syracuse, Rochester, and Victoria B.C. to compete in tournaments, playing against teams from as far away as Japan and Australia.

To Learn more visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broomball