Inline hockey is a sport that is all the rage these days. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s probably because you’ve never opened up your Facebook news feed. However, if you are a hockey fan, you may have heard of inline hockey in connection with figure skaters who perform in pairs on an ice rink. The sport was developed in Canada in the 1970s and rapidly gained popularity there and throughout the world. Inline hockey is now being played at every level from peewees through colleges and even at the pros. It’s also being exported from Canada to places such as South Africa and New Zealand where ice skating isn’t very common.
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What Is The Difference Between Inline And Traditional Hockey?
The main difference between inline hockey and traditional hockey is in the rules and how the game is scored. Inline hockey is played on a hockey rink with four or five nets, in contrast to the outdoor hockey of yesteryear. One of the great things about Inline hockey is that it can be practiced almost anywhere. You don’t need a huge ice sheet to play the game. All you need is a hockey rink. This makes it much easier to engage in the game on a regular basis.
Traditional hockey, on the other hand, is played on an outdoor rink where the puck is blocked by a net and players can’t touch it with their hands. As a result, you need a lot more space to play the game than you do for inline hockey. Moreover, not all rinks are made equal. You need a puck to play traditional hockey, and if you don’t have one, it’s very difficult to play. This is probably why, despite its popularity, Inline hockey is played mostly in smaller communities where people know each other and play in the same teams.
How Do You Play Inline Hockey?
The basics of hockey are the same whether you’re playing on ice or rubber. You need a puck, a skates, and a helmet. Additionally, you need to know the rules of the game. As noted above, one of the main differences between Inline and Traditional hockey is that in the latter, the puck is blocked by a net. This means that you can’t use your hands to shoot the puck directly into the net. Instead, you need to either bounce the puck off an opposing player’s body or wait for a teammate to shoot it in on your behalf.
Inline hockey is probably the most team-oriented of the three hockey variations. This is because the main objective of the game is to score goals rather than to defend your personal space on the ice. As a result, most of the action on an ice rink takes place in the corners and near the boards. These are the areas where players can be found battling for puck possession. This helps keep the game exciting and offers a different look at hockey than what you’ll see on television.
What Equipment Do You Need To Play Inline Hockey?
Aside from your hockey gear, you will need equipment to play Inline Hockey. This equipment is pretty self-explanatory. You will need hockey skates, a helmet, and protective padding for your elbows, knees, and shins.
Additionally, you will need an inline skates to play the game. These are small and light and have a plastic blade that is only one foot long. This means that they are easy to store and transport. Moreover, the shorter the blade, the easier it is for your legs to move. You don’t want to be struggling with your skates just to stay in place during a play.
As noted above, most of the action in Inline hockey takes place near the boards, so you will need protection for your elbows and knees. This is where most hockey fans cut their teeth. For this reason, you will find most players wearing either a plastic guards or metal braces on their elbows and knees. If you’re not sure which option to go with, ask an expert. They’ll be able to help you decide what’s best for your needs.
Do You Need Some Skill To Play Inline Hockey?
Although Inline hockey is a team game, you don’t need any special skill to play. Anyone can pick up the game and play it. That said, if you want to succeed, you need to train your muscles to move quickly and with precision. This is especially important if you’re going to be playing on a team with people of varying experience levels. You can start by practicing with a ball so that you’re not relying on the puck or the frame of the net for guidance. When you’re playing on a real rink, your teammates can help by calling out directions as you roll by. Once you’ve got the hang of it, playing Inline hockey can be as exciting as football or basketball. Just don’t expect to be able to celebrate a goal by running up and down the court like the Bulls!