Why is Inline Hockey important?
So, what is Inline Hockey and where is it played in Manchester? Why is it important and why are we telling your about it on an Ice Hockey page.
Inline Hockey is an exciting, fast-paced sport, high octane sport in its own right. It is also a much cheaper and simpler game than ice hockey. It is easier to access for most, with less expensive kit needed and cheaper training facilities. Many high level players therefore use Inline Hockey as a stepping stone onto the ice, when they start out.
It is safe to say that, because of the minority nature of ice Hockey in the UK, there would be no Ice Hockey without Inline Hockey.
What is inline hockey and why is it different to ice hockey?
So, you probably guessed it, but the main difference between inline hockey and ice hockey is what you wear on your feet. Inline hockey is played in ‘inline’ skates, where the wheels are all in a straight line, which are different to those where all four wheels are in a square. The idea is that these skates mimic the feel and style of ice skates, meaning that the game is very similar.
You play Inline Hockey on a rink with ‘boards’ around it, just like in ice hockey. The floor tends to to be hard plastic based surface suitable for Inline skating.
The rules of Inline Hockey are also very similar to ice hockey, with the main differences being:
- Only four players (not including the goalie) are on the rink at a time (rather than 5 in ice hockey);
- There is less contact, most leagues play a limited or non-contact version of the sport;
- Occasionally, Inline Hockey is played with a ball rather than a puck.
The lower level of contact in Inline Hockey means that some leagues play without body armour and neck protection. This means that to play, you need less kit, which is expensive. Also, many teams train in normal sports halls (like where you would play badminton or maybe 5-a-side football) and it is therefore much cheaper for teams to train. Ice time is expensive because of the maintenance that ice needs.
Check out our ‘learn to play’ page for more details and information on getting involved in Ice and Inline Hockey here.
Where can I play Inline Hockey in Manchester?
You can play Inline Hockey in Manchester out of a rink in Atherton. The rink is roughly half way between Manchester city centre and Wigan. It is also a few miles south west of Bolton.
The Facebook page for North West Roller Sports who run the rink, can be found below.
Another great benefit to Inline Hockey is that all you need to play is a flat concrete area, skates, stick and gloves. This means that even before you approach a team, you can be practicing and learning vital skills with very little space and kit.
League set ups
Ok, so here is the most difficult and complicated part about Inline Hockey. This applies all over the country and not just in Manchester too. There is no ‘one’ regulatory body for the whole of the sport and just like in boxing, there are a number of different leagues run by different organisations, all with slightly different rules and characteristics.
For new and experienced players, the best thing to do is not worry about this. Any team that you join, will be able to explain the differences in any games or tournaments you play. The differences are mostly the following:
- Whether you will be playing with a puck or ball;
- The amount of protective kit you will be required to wear;
- The level of contact in the game; and
- Level of punishments for misdemeanours.
The British Roller Hockey Association (“BRHA”) runs the North West Hockey League, which is popular in Manchester.
Just to highlight how confusing it can be, there is also the British Inline Skater Hockey Association (“BiSHA”) and British Inline Puck Hockey Association (“BIPHA”).
What teams play Inline Hockey in Manchester?
It’s super difficult to locate and find teams playing Inline Hockey in Manchester. This is something we plan to work on with the teams and hopefully help you out in the future.
The team with the best and most open online presence is the Salford Lions and Flaming skulls (cool name right). Check out their website here.
We understand that there are other teams in Heywood and Wigan. Teams play at Wigan called the Rebels, the Devils, the Outbreak, the Tigers, the vets, the Zombies and the Voodoo.
The culture of Inline Hockey
Inline hockey is brash, loud and wild. It takes a lot of cultural influence from North American sports, skateboarding and aggressive skating. Think of a mix between your favourite team sport and mix it with surfing or skateboarding. Teams often have cool names and play in bright, garish colours.
Want to find out more?
Inline Hockey is a fast-paced, aggressive sport and is great fun to play. It’s also a brilliant way to prepare you for playing ice hockey, It will also help you to make progress on obtaining the kit and skills to transition to the ice.
If you want to find out more, sign up for our mailing list and check out the blog posts below.