Air Hockey is a game where two opposing players use small circular paddles to hit a thin plastic disc across a table, with the intention of putting it into the opposing goal. Speed of play is increased by a cushion of air that the table creates.

Air hockey is a fast-paced game, made possible by a table-generated cushion of air. Two players use mallets to knock a puck into the opponent's goal. Touching the puck or crossing the centerline are penalties, which result in a change of possession. The first player to score 7 points wins the game.

Score goals by using a mallet to shoot a puck into the opposing player's goal.

A face-off or coin toss decides which player takes initial possession of the puck. Once the puck enters a player's side of the center line, the player has 7 seconds to hit the puck back across the center line. Crossing the centerline with one's mallet is a foul, results in a change of possession.Players cannot touch the puck with anything other than the mallet. If a player knocks the puck off the table, a foul is called and possession changes. Points are scored when the puck breaks the horizontal plane inside the goal, not just when the puck falls into the goal. The first player to score 7 points is the winner.

Air hockey was invented by Brunswick Billiards engineers in 1969. Once introduced, it was an instant success. In 1975 the United States Air-Table Hockey Association (USAA) was formed to serve as the sport's official governing body. Each year the USAA holds at least one national or world championship. Today the sport is widely played across the United States and in select areas around the world like Spain, Russia and the Czech Republic.

Air Hockey Table
Mallets (2)
Puck

Air Hockey is a relatively safe sport due to a lack of contact. Injuries are rare, and are usually limited to the eyes, face and hands.

Experience playing table sports like billiards, knock hockey or foosball is a plus.

Mallet - simple handle attached to a flat surface that lies flush with the surface of the table

Topping - placing one's mallet on top of the puck; results in the opposing player taking possession of the puck

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_hockey