Hockey is a popular team sport that is played throughout the world. It originated in England in the late 19th century but is now played extensively in countries such as Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland. The objective of hockey is to score goals by shooting a rubber disk called a puck into the opposing team's goal. The players use sticks to control the puck as they attempt to score goals. Hockey consists of five players on each side who each use a hockey stick to play the game. The team with the most goals at the end of the game is declared the winner. The game of hockey is divided into three periods. A period is twenty minutes long and may be extended with an overtime period of five minutes, if needed. The rules of hockey are quite simple. The basic idea is to move the puck up and down the ice, while using the players sticks to maintain possession of the puck and eventually score a goal. A score is only made when the puck is shot into the goal from within the playing surface. The most important skill in hockey is skating. Skating is essential for maintaining possession of the puck and for maneuvering up and down the ice quickly. Players must also be able to maneuver the puck with their sticks, and shoot accurately. Other aspects of hockey include passing, checking and defensive play. Hockey is a fast-paced, exciting game that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It can be played on ice rinks or on artificial surfaces as well. It is a great way to stay active and have fun with friends and family.