Skater Hockey is an internationally recognised form of roller hockey played using ice hockey style sticks and protective equipment and played mainly on inline hockey skates.
			The biggest difference with Skater Hockey is that instead of a puck being used, the discipline uses a ball.
			An average game will last 40 minutes, split into two halves, and at any one time a team will play a goalie and four outfielders who are interchangeable at any time during the game.
			A variety of penalties are given by the referees for offences such as hooking, tripping, holding, interference. A player can sit in the sin bin for anything from two minutes depending upon the infraction.
			Played largely on indoor courts, whether a purpose built arena or large sports hall, the surface has six foot wide goals at either end which are protected by goalies wearing an array of protective pads.
			Hockey, whether inline or ice, is one of the most difficult sports to play and one of the most thrilling to watch. The smaller nature of the roller hockey rink, compared to the standard ice rink, means that players will often develop a greater reflex and skill level.
			No other sport puts such a demand on an athlete's body. As well as having to learn to skate before you even pick up a stick, once playing you will need the stamina and explosive energy of the athlete to cope with the pace of the sport.
			The highly tactical and technical nature of the game combined with its speeds of up to 30mph mean that a player will need the agility of body and mind greater than any footballer. A goalie's reflexes are compared to that of a formula one racing driver as puck and balls will fly at speeds exceeding 100mph. Finally, the additional element of body contact means that a player will face a greater challenge than any rugby player because of the increased velocity of the hit.

MAIN		PAGE UPDATED: 26/06/02		TOP