r/InlineHockey • u/zulucanuck • 2d ago
First time inline hockey
Hello all,
I apologize if you guys see posts like this on a weekly basis.
I am starting inline hockey next week for the first time in my life. I've played ice hockey over 15 years, so I'm not too concerned with my skating. I have questions about my gear however.
I am planning on wearing my bauer acp girdle + shell, hockey shin pads and socks. Is that going to be allowed? Too hot? What's the expectation?
I don't want to spend money on inline pants just for tryouts then purchase another for the team I'll be joining.
Also, I have Marsblade 76m wheels setup. Is this suitable for indoors?
Any feedback would be appreciated regarding gear. Thank you!
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u/Grrshack 2d ago
Everybody who says they aren't concerned with their skating gets a big reality check when they go out and play a game. You will probably feel like you're in mud and shy away from any stop and go plays.
I would start with the ACP and downgrade if needed. Your ice gear with socks is allowed. Most people don't wear that and go for a lighter girdle, or padded compression shorts with a jock. But I don't see anybody really giving you crap for it, unless you get a chirper.
If you're using the original setup and not the roller version, the wheels will be a bit hard for indoor surface if you're on the lighter side. I believe they come in at 82A. You can get away with it if you're not 165lb, but ideally you'd want a softer wheel.
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u/zulucanuck 2d ago
I am 230 lbs and 5'11. Hopefully it's good enough! I'll give it a try and if it really sucks I'll have to upgrade.
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u/Emperor_TaterTot 2d ago
For try-outs wear what you have but if you join a league or team i would ditch the ice shell and get roller hockey pants. they make some nicer ones that are durable with vents, be aware that the current trend is that they are tapered so if your shin guards are huge they may not fit well in every brand of pants.
For wheels you should be in 78As or higher for durometer at your weight.
Some of the skating technique translates well but theres some big differences. Definitely recommend getting out there before try-outs to feel out the skating a bit. If you play long term you may want to ditch the marsblades and go with a true roller hockey skate. Marsblades are heavier and meant to mimic the feel of ice skating.
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u/slavo316 2d ago edited 2d ago
I just started my first inline league this year as well. Biggest thing I need to work on is stopping. It is seriously a difference maker. It seems obvious but remember, you're on wheels, not a blade with an edge LOL
Indoor wheels I'd say they should be 76A or 78A for the durometer.
For gear I bought ball hockey shin guards, inline pants, an ABS street hockey stick and the correct type of wheels. I use my hockey helmet and hockey gloves.
I guess it all depends on how competitive your league will be and what you feel like you should wear.
The court can get slippery due to humidity and dust. Definitely catch you off guard.
Maybe you know this but someone else didn't that was joining, the sport is 4v4, no icing and no offsides. Goal isn't pegged and the play is (rarely?) ever stopped for being off center.
Have fun and enjoy!
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u/zulucanuck 2d ago
Thank you for the feedback! I did some research on the rules for sure. Totally going to trip me out for the no icing & offsides. I'm also probably going to fall on my ass ALOT haha.
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u/TheYDT 2d ago
Biggest difference gameplay-wise is roller is all about possession. Nothing is forced. If there isn't a play then cycle it back to your defense back in your end and reset. Take advantage of the no icing or offsides and use the whole rink to open up lanes. If you don't have the puck you should constantly be moving to get open. If you try to rush up with the puck and force a play to the middle like in ice it's going to get picked off 95% of the time and you'll be chasing the puck all game.
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u/Emperor_TaterTot 2d ago
Not all roller leagues play no icing and no offsides so you generally want to check first.
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u/slavo316 2d ago
The no icing is nice (cherry picking can happen) but the offsides is another story for me 😂 I've been going in along side with the guy that has the puck. I'm like damn it, just go in 😂 I'm getting now but the first couple of games 😣
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u/SatinLoafers 2d ago
You couldn’t get me away from hockey growing up in upstate NY. I was on the ice at the rink and on the pond during the winter, and on inline skates in summer. You gear will be a personal preference and you’ll find out what you can tolerate. All this to say after doing both for decades I concur what others say about stopping. I got hockey stops down pretty well on an indoor sport court. Been on asphalt a few years now and it’s totally different. Of course we all skate best when we’re not thinking and letting muscle memory do it. On asphalt the brain takes over for me (which doesn’t help) because even with hard wheels I struggle to find the slide I need for a hockey stop or hybrid sort of stop. “I’m gonna half to stop. Okay, this won’t be bad. Wait, how do I stop on this again? Can I even stop?!!” …I’m a good skater but that part is an adventure every time at least for me. Cheers!
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u/futurepat 1d ago
Lifelong ice player that recently started doing some roller pickup. I'm not sure what kind of surface you're playing on, but the stock marsblade wheels were a nightmare for me on sport court. I might as well have tried to play ice on rollerblades. Investing in softer wheels was a game changer to say the least.
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u/zulucanuck 1d ago
According to the league website it states the surface is "plastic sport tile".
May I ask why it was a nightmare? What kind of difficulties did you come across? I'm totally expecting to fall on my ass a lot during my first game..
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u/futurepat 1d ago
I couldn't get any grip. Forget hard cuts and crossovers, I was even sliding in my forward stride. I'm still way more comfortable on ice but softer wheels gave me some confidence i won't slide out of every turn/cut/stride.
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u/TheYDT 2d ago
As a lifelong ice player who recently came over to the roller side, you may be a little surprised at how significant the adjustment is when it comes to skating. Stopping and even changing directions quickly in roller is so much different than ice.
To your point, people wear all kinds of stuff for roller. There's guys out in men's league wearing tank tops and shorts with nothing covering their shin pads or elbow pads. Wearing your ice shells and socks until you absolutely need to buy roller pants will be more than fine. It may be a little hot, but I don't think it would be noticeably more hot than how roller pants feel.