| Inline hockey is a variation of roller | | | | surface at an angle to the forward |
| hockey very similar to ice hockey, from | | | | motion of the player (the "T-stop") and |
| which it is derived. The game is played | | | | at high speeds by turning both skates |
| by two teams, consisting of four skaters | | | | simultaneously at 90 degrees to the |
| and one goalie, on a dry rink divided | | | | forward motion of the player, in the |
| into two halves by a center line, with | | | | same manner that ice skaters stop (the |
| one net at each end of the rink. The | | | | "Hockey Stop"). |
| game is played in two 20-minute periods, | | | | The chassis is made from metal (often |
| or similar. For rink dimensions and an | | | | aluminum) to accommodate the stresses |
| overview of the rules of the game, see | | | | that stopping places on the skates, |
| USA Hockey Inline Rules. Generally | | | | instead of plastic as is normally found |
| speaking, only competitive level inline | | | | in inline skates. |
| hockey is strictly bound by governing | | | | A popular design for inline hockey |
| body's rules. Recreational hockey | | | | skates is to have larger wheels on the |
| leagues may make modifications to | | | | back than the front. This is supposed to |
| certain aspects of the rules to suit | | | | maximize both speed, where the back |
| local requirements (size of rink, length | | | | wheels are primarily in use, and |
| of periods and penalties). | | | | turning, where the front wheels are in |
| Inline hockey has similarities to rink | | | | play. |
| hockey, but differs in the type of skate | | | | Hockey skates are generally lace-up |
| used and game rules. | | | | instead of the 2/3 clip design of modern |
| Chief differences from ice hockey | | | | inline skates. |
| Many persons encountering inline hockey | | | | Popular brands include CCM, Bauer, Tour, |
| for the first time may already be | | | | Graf, Nike and Mission. Speed is chiefly |
| familiar with ice hockey. Beyond the | | | | only restricted by the ABEC scale rating |
| physical differences between ice skates | | | | of the bearings in the wheels. The |
| and inline roller skates, the chief | | | | ratings as of this writing are ABEC-3, |
| differences between inline and ice | | | | ABEC-5, ABEC-7, ABEC-9, and "Swiss". The |
| hockey are: | | | | higher the rating, the faster the |
| inline hockey is generally played as a | | | | bearing. Grip is governed by the |
| non-checking sport (contact is allowed, | | | | hardness or softness of the wheels. The |
| but only when aiming to play the puck), | | | | hardness of a wheel is often referred to |
| and so is played in a slightly different | | | | as the wheel's durometer. |
| spirit to ice hockey. Players tend to | | | | The hockey sticks used in indoor inline |
| have more time on the puck, and the game | | | | hockey are the same as used for ice |
| is often more free flowing. | | | | hockey. For outdoor surfaces, the blade |
| inline hockey has no offsides in the USA | | | | material found in the more sophisticated |
| (this varies from country to country) | | | | (expensive) sticks may be inappropriate. |
| no icing (rink-long passes are allowed) | | | | A graphite blade may disintegrate with |
| (again, this varies from country to | | | | less than 1 hours use on an outdoor |
| country) | | | | surface. Blades made with laminate |
| no neutral zone | | | | technology quickly de-laminate. The most |
| is usually played with 4 players | | | | durable blades for outdoor use are |
| (instead of 5 for ice) and a goalie from | | | | composite, wooden or ABS plastic. |
| each team on the surface at any one | | | | Playing surface |
| time. The game is played with a plastic | | | | Outdoor playing surfaces vary from plain |
| puck (lighter than an ice-hockey puck) | | | | asphalt for street hockey to sealed |
| or with a ball. The ball may be hollow | | | | concrete surfaces. Street hockey is |
| or be filled with a liquid. | | | | almost always played with a ball, as the |
| Rules and equipment | | | | ability to control a puck is directly |
| Rules of the game vary by sanctioning | | | | linked to the smoothness of the playing |
| body. For an up to date version of the | | | | surface. Indoor inline hockey is played |
| rules in the USA, USA Hockey Inline | | | | on any suitable non-slip surface. |
| makes them available at its official | | | | Dedicated inline facilities use Sport |
| rules site. Briefly, each team is made | | | | Court or similar surface, which allows |
| up of a goalie, a defense man, and three | | | | maximum traction to inline hockey wheels |
| forwards - a center and a right and left | | | | whilst providing a smooth, unbroken |
| wing. Each side attempts to shoot the | | | | gliding surface for the puck. The |
| puck or ball into the opposing team's | | | | playing area may be surrounded by full |
| net. Play is stopped for goals, | | | | boards similar to ice hockey with glass |
| penalties, time out (usually limited to | | | | or fencing to a height of around 2m, |
| one per team per game), or the ball/puck | | | | half boards (approximately knee height), |
| going out of play. | | | | or for street hockey matches the playing |
| Face offs occur at the start or | | | | surface may be simply marked out with |
| resumption of play according to where | | | | cones. |
| the stoppage occurred or whether a | | | | Sanctioning bodies |
| period is starting or a goal has been | | | | There are two lines of sanctioning |
| scored (the only times when the center | | | | bodies for inline hockey: those that are |
| face off is used). | | | | related to the rollers sports community |
| Protective equipment includes a HECC- or | | | | and those related to the ice hockey |
| CSA-approved hockey helmet, typically | | | | community. Worldwide inline hockey is |
| with a full face mask, hockey gloves, | | | | governed by International Ice Hockey |
| elbow pads, and shin guards. Other | | | | Federation, which organizes IIHF Inline |
| protective equipment includes a jock or | | | | Hockey World Championships. |
| a jill, inline hockey hip pads, and | | | | In the United States, inline hockey is |
| hockey shoulder pads. All players should | | | | actively organized by the Amateur |
| refer to local rules for a complete list | | | | Athletic Union, which is part of USA |
| of equipment. | | | | Roller Sports, and USA Hockey Inline . |
| The inline hockey skate is similar to | | | | The Roller-sports groups are sanctioned |
| the ice hockey skate and differs from | | | | by the International Olympic Committee |
| normal inline skates in the following | | | | to oversee roller sports; however, as |
| ways: | | | | inline hockey is not presently an |
| Inline hockey skates have no brake. | | | | Olympic sport, this appears to have had |
| Stopping is achieved at slow speeds by | | | | little bearing on the development of the |
| dragging one skate across the playing | | | | sport. |