Everything you need for a first session

01What the sport is

Rink hockey is a five a side game played on quad roller skates in a sports hall. Each team has four outfield players and a goalkeeper. Players use a curved wooden stick to pass and shoot a small hard ball into a low goal at each end of the rink.

Games are fast, short and end to end. Matches at junior level last around twenty five minutes in total, played in two halves. The rink is enclosed by a low barrier so the ball stays in play and the game rarely stops.

It is a skilful sport rather than a rough one. Deliberate contact is against the rules and goalkeepers wear full protective kit. Most new players are skating confidently within a few weeks and playing small sided games within a couple of months.

02What a beginner needs

Nothing to start. Every member club lends quad skates, sticks, shin pads and gloves for your first sessions so the only things to bring are comfortable sports clothes and a water bottle. If you fall for the game, the first thing worth buying is your own pair of skates.

03Age groups

Junior leagues run at under 11, under 13, under 15 and under 17, with age taken on 1st September. Adults play in the senior league and several clubs run mixed adult sessions for beginners. Plenty of players start the sport in their thirties and forties.

04A note for parents on safeguarding

Every club follows the association safeguarding policy. Coaches and team officials hold up to date checks, a welfare contact is named at every session and safeguarding is a standing role on the association committee. You can read the full policy on the constitution and policies page and you are welcome to stay and watch any session.