Roller Hockey Gear / Inline Hockey Equipment

An Overview of Roller Hockey and Its Gameplay

Roller Hockey, often referred to as inline hockey or street hockey, is an adrenaline-driven sport that takes inspiration from ice hockey and is played on hard, smooth surfaces. Participants use roller blades for movement and hockey sticks to score with a hard plastic ball or puck into the opposing team's net. Teams consist of five players, including the goaltender, and even though it is a contact sport, body checking is off-limits.

Essential Equipment for Roller Hockey

Due to the fast-paced nature of street hockey, physical contact is a possibility, which could lead to injuries. Therefore, wearing protective gear is mandatory in all official matches. Essential protective equipment includes a helmet, elbow pads, protective gloves, shoulder pads, an athletic cup, and shin guards.

Roller hockey skates, or inline hockey skates, are designed to be stiff and lightweight, mirroring the design of ice hockey skates. They are equipped with small wheels that enable players to accelerate quickly and execute swift turns.

A stick, made from wood or composite materials, is also used by players. The size of the stick is selected based on the player’s height, but it should have a maximum width of 5 cm and not exceed 500g in weight.

Where Can You Play Roller Hockey?

Originating from London, England, professional inline hockey takes place inside a rectangular rink, often made of wood or cement. This game surface is bordered by barriers to safeguard spectators and ensure the puck or ball remains within the playing area.

However, any dry surface can serve as a venue for roller hockey. Invite some friends, improve your skating ability, and give this exciting sport a try before potentially joining a club. Roller hockey is a fantastic and enjoyable activity, requiring just two people and one goal to practise passing and shooting skills.