what other sports do hockey players play? Many play soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, or other activities alongside hockey. The best fit depends on whether a player wants more conditioning, better coordination, a change of pace, or simply a fun way to stay active.
Some sports share hockey’s quick changes of direction and team play; others build fitness in different ways. This guide explains what transfers to the rink, what does not, and how to choose an activity without adding unnecessary fatigue or injury risk. You’ll also find a practical way to fit another sport around hockey practices and games.
what other sports do hockey players play?
Hockey players take part in a wide range of sports. Soccer, lacrosse, and basketball are popular team-sport choices because they involve movement, awareness, and reacting to other players. Some also play baseball or softball, golf, tennis, or recreational cycling and swimming.
There is no single sport that every hockey player plays, and a sport that suits one athlete may not suit another. Age, skill level, season, personal interests, and injury history all matter. For a young player, variety can be as important as choosing an activity that resembles hockey.
Team sports with familiar movement
Soccer involves continuous running, changes of pace, and reading teammates and opponents. Those demands can build general conditioning and awareness, but running mechanics and footwork differ from skating. It is a useful way to stay active, not a replacement for time on the ice.
Lacrosse has a team setting, rapid transitions, and play around a shared goal. Field lacrosse also involves running and stick skills, while box lacrosse is played indoors in a smaller space. The movement and equipment are different from ice hockey, so skills do not transfer one-for-one. Still, the pace and need to spot passing options may feel familiar.
Basketball asks players to change direction, track teammates, and make decisions under pressure. It can develop coordination and court awareness. Jumping and landing are major parts of the sport, however, and the movement pattern is not the same as skating. Players should build up gradually if they are not used to those demands.
Baseball and softball offer a different kind of athletic challenge. Batting and throwing work hand-eye coordination, while fielding requires attention and quick reactions. These sports are not continuous-conditioning substitutes for hockey, but they can add variety and develop skills that hockey drills do not emphasize as much.
Individual and recreational activities
Golf is a common recreational choice for some players, especially when they want a lower-intensity activity and time with friends. It is not a hockey conditioning workout, and carrying or walking a course can still add to a busy week. Treat it as recreation and account for the time on your feet.
Tennis combines short bursts of movement with changes of direction and hand-eye coordination. The court movement is different from skating, but tracking the ball and responding quickly can make it engaging for hockey players. Start with a manageable session if you are new to the sport; repeated reaching and sudden stops can feel demanding.
Swimming and cycling are useful low-impact options for general aerobic conditioning. Swimming places little impact on the legs, while cycling offers steady leg work. Neither reproduces skating mechanics, so use them to support fitness rather than assume they directly improve stride technique.
Running is accessible and can build general endurance, but it creates a different impact and movement load from skating. A hockey player who rarely runs should not jump straight into long or fast sessions. Short, gradual outings are a more sensible starting point.
How different sports can support hockey
Another sport can add physical and mental variety, but its value depends on what the player needs. A team sport may encourage communication and quick decisions. An individual activity can provide a change of pace or a way to work on general fitness without the structure of a team practice.
Sports can also expose athletes to different movement patterns. That variety may help a developing player build a broader base of physical skills. It does not guarantee better hockey performance, and it does not replace hockey-specific practice, skating instruction, or a suitable strength program.
One common misconception is that the closest-looking sport must be the best cross-training choice. Similarity can make a sport enjoyable, but it can also repeat the same types of effort. The better choice is one that fits the player’s goals, schedule, recovery, and interests.
Compare popular sports hockey players try
| Sport | What it may develop | What differs from hockey | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer | General conditioning, movement, and team awareness | Running replaces skating; activity is often more continuous | Players who want a team-based conditioning option |
| Lacrosse | Transitions, coordination, and awareness of passing options | Different stick, ball, surface, and movement demands | Players who enjoy fast team play |
| Basketball | Coordination, court awareness, and quick decisions | Frequent jumping and landing; no skating | Players who want a lively indoor team sport |
| Baseball or softball | Hand-eye coordination, throwing, and fielding reactions | More stop-and-start play and less continuous movement | Players looking for varied skills and social play |
| Tennis | Tracking, coordination, and short bursts of movement | Different footwork and repeated reaching | Players who prefer a racket sport or smaller group |
| Swimming | Aerobic work with low impact on the legs | No skating stride or on-ice decision-making | Players seeking a lower-impact conditioning option |
| Cycling | Steady aerobic work and leg activity | Mostly repeated pedaling rather than skating movements | Players who want controlled, steady exercise |
| Golf | Recreation, focus, and time outdoors | Usually not a high-intensity conditioning session | Players who want a relaxed activity |
These are broad comparisons, not promises of specific results. How a sport feels depends on how long, how hard, and how often you play it. A recreational game and a competitive season can create very different demands.
Choose a sport based on your goal
Start by naming the reason you want another sport. If you want more general conditioning, soccer, swimming, or cycling may fit. If you want coordination and quick reactions, consider tennis, basketball, or lacrosse. If you want social recreation, golf or a casual team league may be a better match than another demanding training schedule.
Also consider what your hockey week already includes. A player with several practices and games may need rest more than another hard workout. A player in an off-season period may have more room for a new activity, provided the load increases gradually.
Age and development matter, too. For children and teens, trying different sports can keep activity enjoyable and build varied movement skills. Avoid treating every activity as a test of hockey performance. Enjoyment and a manageable schedule are practical reasons to keep playing.
Fit another sport around hockey safely
Additional activity is still activity, even if it is called recreation. A pickup game can involve sprints, stops, and contact. A long bike ride can leave your legs tired. Include these demands when judging whether you are ready for the next practice or game.
During the hockey season, favor a schedule that leaves room for recovery. Keep extra sessions shorter or easier when games and practices are frequent. If you are already tired, sore, or struggling to recover, adding another intense sport may not be the right move.
In the off-season, increase time and intensity in stages. If you have been inactive, begin with a comfortable session and see how your body responds before adding more. A coach, athletic trainer, or qualified health professional can help adapt activity when you have an injury, medical concern, or demanding competition schedule.
A simple way to plan your week
- Check the hockey calendar. Note practices, games, travel, and any planned strength sessions before adding another sport.
- Pick one main purpose. Decide whether the activity is for fitness, coordination, recreation, or trying something new.
- Start with a manageable dose. Choose a duration and pace that you can recover from instead of matching a more experienced player.
- Leave space between hard efforts. Avoid stacking several demanding sessions without a lighter day or rest opportunity.
- Review how you feel. If fatigue or soreness keeps affecting hockey, reduce the added activity and reassess the schedule.
This approach is especially useful for multi-sport youth athletes, whose school, family, and team calendars can fill quickly. A clear schedule helps adults and players spot when a fun activity has quietly become another source of pressure.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming another sport teaches skating. Soccer, cycling, and lacrosse can develop useful general abilities, but skating technique improves through skating practice and instruction.
- Adding too much too soon. A new sport can use muscles and movement patterns you have not trained recently. Increase participation gradually.
- Ignoring the season. A demanding activity may be easier to fit during a lighter training period than in a week packed with games.
- Choosing only for performance. If an activity is not enjoyable, it may be hard to sustain. Fun and social connection are valid reasons to play.
- Playing through concerning pain. Ordinary tiredness and persistent or worsening pain are not the same. Stop and seek appropriate guidance for pain that changes how you move or does not settle.
Another useful point is that “cross-training” does not automatically mean a workout is easy on the body. A casual swim may be gentle for one player, while a competitive soccer game can be a tough session. Judge the actual effort and recovery cost, not just the sport’s name.
When hockey is the priority
If your main goal is improving at hockey, keep hockey-specific practice central. Stickhandling, shooting, positioning, and skating each require focused work. Other sports can add variety, but they cannot fully reproduce those skills or replace coaching feedback.
That does not mean every off-ice hour should be hockey training. Rest, social activity, and trying something for enjoyment can support a balanced routine. The practical goal is a schedule that helps you stay active without leaving you too tired to participate well in hockey.
For younger players, adults should avoid turning every sport into a development plan. Ask what the player enjoys and whether the weekly schedule still leaves room for school, sleep, and recovery. For adults, the same principle applies: choose an activity that fits the time and energy you actually have.
Hockey players often try soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, tennis, swimming, cycling, and golf. Each offers a different mix of conditioning, coordination, team play, or recreation, and none replaces skating practice.
Choose one activity that fits your goal and current hockey schedule. Start at a manageable pace, then adjust if fatigue or soreness begins to affect your hockey sessions.
For what other sports do hockey players play, the practical answer is that there are many good options; the best one is the sport you enjoy and can fit in safely. Check your next week of practices and games, then pick a realistic time for a first session.