Roller Hockey Gear / Inline Hockey Equipment

Defining Roller Hockey and Its Gameplay

Roller Hockey, often referred to as inline hockey or street hockey, is a dynamic sport inspired by ice hockey, played on hard, smooth surfaces. Participants wear roller blades to navigate the playing field, using hockey sticks to propel a hard plastic ball or puck into the opponents’ net. Team formations consist of five members, including the goalkeeper, and although it's a contact sport, body checking is not allowed.

Essential Gear and Equipment for Roller Hockey

As a high-speed sport, street hockey involves potential physical contact, which can lead to injuries. Therefore, players are required to don protective gear, a mandate in all formal competitions. The essential safety gear comprises a helmet, elbow pads, protective gloves, hockey shoulder pads, an athletic cup, and shin pads at a minimum.

The skates used in roller hockey (inline hockey skates) are sturdy and lightweight, resembling ice hockey skates but equipped with small wheels. These offer rapid acceleration and enable agile manoeuvres.

Players wield a hockey stick crafted from wood or composite materials, tailored to the player's size. The stick must not exceed 5 cm in width or weigh more than 500g.

Ideal Locations for Playing Roller Hockey

With its origins in London, England, professional inline hockey is typically conducted on a rectangular rink with a surface of wood or concrete. These arenas are enclosed by boundaries to protect spectators and retain the puck or ball during play.

Nevertheless, any dry surface is suitable for roller hockey. You can always gather a few friends, hone your skating skills, and enjoy this exhilarating sport before committing to a club. Roller hockey is an immensely enjoyable activity that requires just two people and one goal to perfect passing and shooting skills.