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