What equipment is used in inline hockey?
Officials' detail · The game · 1 of 1The rink is ideally 50 by 25 m inside boards about a metre high. The puck is black plastic, 77 mm across and about 125 g. Skaters wear inline skates, gloves, shin and elbow pads and a helmet: with full-face protection under 19, at least a visor above. Ice-hockey shoulder pads are banned.
How it works
- Rink: 40 to 60 m by 20 to 30 m, ideally 50 by 25 m.
- Boards: 101 to 122 cm high, rounded corners.
- Goal: 170 cm wide, 105 cm high.
- Crease: a red-lined area in front of each goal.
- Puck: 77 mm, 120 to 130 g, black.
- Skates: three or four wheels in line; no quads internationally.
- Helmet: full-face protection under 19 and for juniors; a visor at least above.
- Banned: ice-hockey shoulder pads; fingerless gloves.
The glossary has the rink (inline hockey), the puck, the skates (inline hockey), the protective equipment (inline hockey), the goal crease and the stick (inline hockey).
Tricky cases
A player tilts their visor up during play. Penalty?
The team gets a warning; a repeat brings a minor penalty for illegal equipment.
Can a goalkeeper use five-wheel skates?
Yes, if all the wheels sit under the boot.
A player loses their helmet in play. What must they do?
Put it back on at once or go straight to the bench, or take a minor penalty.
Can glasses be worn?
Yes, with plastic lenses only.
Why the rule exists
A light puck and smooth tiles let it glide on wheels. Face protection guards against sticks and pucks at head height.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under 19 and juniors | Full-face protection | 3.2.4D |
| Over 19 | Visor at least | 3.2.4D |
| Domestic play | Quad skates may be allowed | 3.2.3D |
From the rule book
World Skate, Rulebook Inline Hockey 2027, rules 2.1 to 2.3, 3.2 and 5.5.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Skate Inline Hockey Rulebook 2027.